Ideas

How China is winning the Middle East

China is working to present itself as a responsible alternative to the U.S. in the Middle East, just as many are questioning Washington’s long-term commitment to the region.

Ideas

Belarus adds nukes to its military doctrine

Alexander Lukashenko has been pressing Russia's Vladimir Putin to return Soviet-era nuclear weapons to Belarus.

Ideas

Iran terror blast highlights success, and risks, of ISIS-K's regional strategy

The group's Jan. 3 bombing raises two critical issues with grave security implications.

Ideas

Jan. 6 showed the power of 'networked incitement'

A media and disinformation expert explains the danger of political violence orchestrated over social media.

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Red Sea protection effort faces early hurdles

Though the Pentagon says 20 nations have joined Operation Prosperity Guardian, almost half have preferred to remain unnamed.

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Why the Defense Department attended COP28

Climate change threatens our national security. We’ll face the challenge with allies and partners.

Ideas

Section 702 surveillance doesn’t belong in the NDAA

The controversial spying power doesn’t actually expire for more than four months.

Ideas

How Israeli intelligence underestimated Hamas

Much of the problem stemmed from faulty threat assessments, Hamas’ improved operational security, and confirmation bias.

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We have China’s ‘anti-access’ challenge exactly backward

Stronger regional security depends on getting this right—then setting aside our wants for our needs.

Ideas

What caused the explosion at the Gaza hospital?

Without an independent, credible investigation, it will be hard for everyone to agree.

Ideas

Regional conflicts have given Turkey more room for a 'middleman strategy'

Still, several recent moves by Turkish leader Erdoğan look like a more pro-Western approach.

Ideas

‘I see no happy ending’, former intelligence leader says of Gaza hostage situation

Gregory F. Treverton, a former chairman of the National Intelligence Council in the Obama administration, looks at why hostage-takers act—and why governments deal.

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How Hamas evaded Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system

Even the best air defense systems can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

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‘Everything you see is live’ as CENTCOM shifts to digital tools

A U.S. Central Command exercise shows that operations can—and soon must—be centered on live data feeds.

Ideas

The Israeli military was unprepared to respond to Hamas’ surprise attack

Many have criticized Israel for its intelligence failure to anticipate the attack, but the attack's success was an operational failure as well.

Ideas

The inside story of how the Navy spent billions on the 'Little Crappy Ship'

Littoral combat ships were supposed to launch the Navy into the future. Instead, they broke down across the globe. Now the service is getting rid of them.