Ideas

US Diplomatic Vacancies Are Straining Alliances

Almost half the top jobs in the State Department are empty. In 18 countries, the White House has yet to designate a U.S. ambassador. That includes Australia, a close ally to America that is beginning to look to China instead.

Ideas

John Bolton Keeps Citing This 2002 Pact as an Arms-Control Model. It’s Really Not.

The Treaty of Moscow was ill-defined, unverifiable — and not something that Russia would sign today.

Ideas

A New Kind of Populism is Threatening Southeast Asia

The region’s fast-growing but fragile democracies have been susceptible to strongmen and autocratic-leaning populists in recent years, propelled by concerns over inequality, crime, and dysfunctional governments.

Ideas

Ep. 27: CENTCOM's Gen. Votel; Exosuits and super soldiers; Weaponizing social media and more.

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Ideas

The Lesson of Saruman

Tolkien has a warning to erstwhile #NeverTrumpers who are now choosing to ally with power rather than hold to their values.

Ideas

Why Haven’t Terrorists Hit the US with a Devastating Cyber Attack?

National-security experts have been warning about it for 15 years. There are a few theories.

Ideas

CyberCom Is Targeting Russia’s Election Meddlers — and Changing How Governments Use Cyber

Although anonymity is generally prized for successful cyber operations, it might not be ideal in all cases, especially if the United States wants to deter an Russia spreading disinformation.

Ideas

Here’s the Real Value in the U.S.-South Korean Alliance

As the U.S.-ROK Security Consultative Meeting convenes for a 50th time, it's worth reviewing the annual meeting's record of accomplishment.

Ideas

Trump Needs Help Picking Between His Contradictory Foreign-Policy Desires

Unfortunately, not even a 21st-century version of Eisenhower’s Solarium planning exercise is likely to help.

Ideas

Secretary Mattis, Defend This or Resign

If Defense Secretary Mattis believes the migrant caravan is not a threat requiring 5,000 active troops deploying to the border, he should say so and quit.

Ideas

Four Perfectly Trump Reasons Why He Wants Out of the INF Treaty

Within the president's haphazard foreign policy, there is logical coherence to him quitting a nuclear treaty Russia ignores. But it won’t make us safer.

Ideas

Trump Hobbled Efforts to Counter Violent Extremism

The administration cut programs designed to prevent atrocities like Pittsburgh.

Ideas

The Pentagon’s Getting More Secretive — and It’s Hurting National Security

Trump’s DoD is rolling back the kind of basic transparency that prevents waste and fraud, enables Congressional oversight, and promotes public trust.

Ideas

Ep. 26: The pipe-bomber and the presidency; More US troops at the border; Exiting the INF and more.

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Ideas

The Fiscal Calm Before the Storm

Next year’s budget will face three pressures that make it unlikely to be characterized as sustained or predictable.

Ideas

In a Post-Khashoggi World, Impunity Will Reign

The ugly geopolitics in the wake of the Saudi journalist’s death point to a new era of impunity.

Ideas

If Not Pipe-Bombs, What Counts as Terrorism in 2018?

There is no consensus—in academia, law, or common usage—on when an attack is more than just a crime.

Ideas

The US Needs a Cybersecurity Civilian Corps

Like the auxiliaries that arose during WWII, a new volunteer organization will help face today’s threats.

Ideas

It’s Unnecessary to Pick Sides in the Gulf. America Should Stop.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are each capable of keeping the other from establishing regional control.