During a crisis like the one unfolding in the Middle East, the American president receives a net assessment prepared from intelligence and military sources. It might evaluate the balance of forces, leadership dynamics and strategic calculations — without making policy recommendations. Its purpose is clarity: a baseline from which decisions can be made. We do not have access to the stream of reporting flowing into the Situation Room. But enough is visible to construct a disciplined baseline assessment. Here are the ten issues that matter most — and what to watch next.
