By 2007, Iraqi society had completely collapsed. Richard Engel collapsecompletelyiraqi Change image and share on social
Bin Laden is dead, and most of his friends are dead. But did it need to cost a trillion dollars and two land wars, including one that didn't have to do with Al Qaeda? Probably not. Richard Engel bincostdead Change image and share on social
Afghanistan does have an air force: It has two C-130s. I saw one of them. It was nice, a gift from the United States. But two planes don't even make a Caribbean charter airline, let alone an air force for a country at war. Richard Engel 130safghanistanair share on social
Egypt is the most populous Arab nation, the seat of Sunni Islamic doctrine, and has tremendous political, religious and social influence on the rest of the region. For better or worse, it will lead the rest of the Middle East by example. So goes Egypt, so goes the region. Richard Engel arabbadlydoctrine share on social
Hezbollah and the government are only two of 18 political factions in Lebanon, most of them armed. There are militant Christian groups, Palestinian radicals, al-Qaida, Druze militias and even armed bands of Marxists still operating in Lebanon. Richard Engel armbandchristian share on social
Rockets fired by the Taliban generally aren't guided. Richard Engel firegenerallyguide Change image and share on social
The U.S., often in secret, carries out counterterrorism missions all the time, with drones in places like Yemen and Somalia. Richard Engel carrycounterterrorismdrone Change image and share on social
There are many Israelis who are not keen on Barack Obama - they did not want to see him elected. Richard Engel barackelectisraeli Change image and share on social
In popular Egyptian and regional culture, women are seen as weak, easy victims to temptation in the same way Eve couldn't resist that shiny apple in the Garden of Eden. Richard Engel applecultureeasy Change image and share on social
Faced with the crippling sanctions, Iran could simply decide it is paying too high a cost to pursue its nuclear program and could opt for negotiations and reconciliation with the United States and other members of the international community. This is clearly the preferred option of American leaders. Richard Engel americancommunitycost share on social