Policymakers’ lack of understanding of the Islamic State has led to flawed assessments of the threat the group poses and how best to fight it. Daniel Byman reviews several recent books that offer new insights regarding the Islamic State and discusses the group’s ideology and strategy, as well as U.S. and allied counterterrorism efforts.

"In contrast to the media, which persist in portraying Kim Jong-il as a madman or an incompetent playboy, this analysis shows him to be a shrewd, if reprehensible, leader. His meticulous use of the authoritarian toolbox reveals him to be a skilled strategic player. Kim shows every sign of being rational—and thus deterrable."

Speculation about the future of the North Korean regime has been intense for nearly two decades, yet Kim Jong-il's hold on power appears more secure than many believe. Several theories of authoritarian control help to explain how Kim Jong-il and his family have remained in power and how this might change over time.

The authors challenge scholars to reconsider the role of individuals in international relations.

The sheer breadth of the war on terror has forced the United States to rely heavily on allies it has little control over choosing—allies that often do not have much in common with the United States and are confronting serious domestic problems. Washington should not engage in futile attempts to force such allies to reform. Instead, the United States should overcome the limitations of its allies by both gathering the crucial intelligence itself and varying its sources of intelligence.

Daniel Byman tackles the increasingly salient issue of establishing democracy in Iraq following the U.S. ouster of Saddam Hussein. Byman explores some of the daunting challenges ahead, among them: creating the conditions necessary for the transition from dictatorship to democracy, addressing the deep divisions among Iraq's various ethnic and religious communities, and preventing countries such as Iran and Turkey from meddling in Iraq's internal affairs.