Ideas

South Korea Becomes a Testing Ground for Trump’s Grievances With Allies

The motto for the U.S.–South Korea alliance isn’t “We go together, if I get enough money as reimbursement,” one analyst observed.

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Two Ways the Venezuelan Crisis Might End

President Maduro seems likely to hold power only as long as he can pay off military elites.

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Trump’s Cyber Strategy Is Far Too Optimistic

The director of national intelligence’s threat assessment exposes two of its pillars as convenient fictions.

Ideas

The US Needs a Real Plan to Counter China in Africa

The current toothless strategy won’t prevent Beijing from, say, squeezing supply lines to America's biggest African base.

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The Unpredictable Rise of China

Xi Jinping seeks national rejuvenation, but his nation’s mounting power masks increased instability.

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The Jury Is Still Out on the Pentagon’s Audit

The real failure will happen if lawmakers and defense officials don’t implement its lessons.

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Trump, Nukes, and No First Use

Two bills aim to enact a long-overdue policy that will make the world less dangerous.

Ideas

A Strategic Disaster Looms at the 2nd Trump-Kim Summit

The Trump administration has declined to rule out withdrawing its troops from South Korea.

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In Coalition Ops, Civilian Protections Are Only as Strong as the Weakest Link

New research suggests ways to help multinational groups reduce risks to civilians.

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How Seriously Should the World Take Trump’s Venezuela Threat?

This isn’t the first time the president has threatened military force against the country, but now he is surrounded by regime-change advocates.

Ideas

The Terrorism That Doesn’t Spark a Panic

Americans should react to violence from religious and ethnic minorities with the same sense of proportion they reserve for far-right extremists.

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What to Ask Defense Leaders About the Border Deployment

On Tuesday, a Trump administration official will make his first appearance before a House Armed Services Committee led by Democrats.

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Trump Is Destroying His Own Case for a National Emergency

By waiting for Congress to act, the president is undermining the legal basis for any declaration.

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The White House’s Move on Venezuela Is the Least Trumpian Thing It’s Done

The Trump administration’s concerted diplomatic effort did not originate on Twitter.

Ideas

The INF Treaty Is Doomed. We Need a New Arms-Control Framework

The new approach will have to deal with a White House intent on acting unilaterally and a Russia seeking to reverse the effects of NATO’s eastward expansion.

Ideas

An Admiral Slammed the Shutdown. Can He Do That?

The Coast Guard commandant's viral video reminds us that senior military officers can speak out, carefully — and probably should do so more often.

Ideas

1 in 6 ALS Patients Served in the Military. We Need a Cure.

A new organization aims to fight a neurodegenerative disease that appears to target former servicemembers.

Ideas

Don’t Play Mob Ball: What Acquisition Pros Can Learn from Kids Soccer

PEOs tend to grab onto a hot new contract approach like elementary schoolers chasing a ball.

Ideas

China Might Be Bugging US Subways — But There’s a Bigger Problem

Years of neglecting public infrastructure has undercut the U.S. manufacturing base.

Ideas

How to Defeat Hybrid Warfare Before It Starts

A well-governed society is a resilient society.