Just days after U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq, a series of attacks in Baghdad have raised doubts about the security of the country, while political upheaval threatens to undermine its government. AEI’s vice president for foreign and defense policy studies, Danielle Pletka, shared some questions with U.S. Senator John McCain.

McCain was briefed in detail more than once on enhanced interrogation, so he knows full well that enhanced techniques were not used to gain intelligence from detainees — they were used to compel their cooperation.

The United States is not winning in Afghanistan.

McCain's appeal to the conservative basealienates independent voters.

In his convention speech, John McCain sought to establish his independence from the unpopular GOP brand.

Ifthe electionlooks hopeless now, hours before voting day, it is McCain himself who has made it so.

John McCain gains nothing by embracing the same flawed civil rights vision as Barack Obama. Instead, he should advocate for colorblind policies.