Ideas
12 Keys to Successful National Defense Strategy Planning
As the Pentagon preps this year's version of the report formerly known as the QDR, a new study gleans practical advice from past efforts.
Ideas
The US Army’s Reset Is Underway — and Threatened by Budget Chaos
Don’t let Congressional fecklessness reverse hard-won combat readiness and upcoming leaps in capability.
Ideas
Don’t Think of Syrian Opposition Groups as ‘Moderates’ vs. ‘Extremists’
The United States and its allies ought to think in terms of 'viable partners,’ ‘irreconcilables,’ and ‘unknowns.’
Ideas
Why Tactical Nuclear Weapons Are Still A Thing
In the debate over low-yield nukes, opposing camps are largely talking past each other. Here are some thoughts about why they remain necessary.
Ideas
The Pentagon Has the World’s Largest Logistics Problem. Blockchain Can Help
DoD should join other logistics-heavy organizations in experimenting with the cryptography-messaging-accounting technology that powers Bitcoin.
Ideas
Closing the Taliban’s Office in Qatar Would Be a Historic Mistake
With no military solution in Afghanistan, the US needs credible interlocutors to end the war — like the ones who secured the Bergdahl deal.
Ideas
Rex Tillerson Must Go
If he does remain, it will be yet another sign of the collapse of self-respect among those who are now willing to serve in senior positions in government.
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Waltzing Toward a Two-Front Global War
The U.S. just might be one step away from a war with North Korea, and two from a fight with Iran.
Ideas
What Went Wrong With France's Deradicalization Program?
By training at-risk youths in history, philosophy, literature, and religion, the government hoped to fight terrorism at its root.
Ideas
All That Could Go Wrong When Jihadists Return Home — to China
Once separatists, now jihadists, some Uighurs returning from the ISIS battlefield could threaten — and test — Beijing.
Ideas
How Would Reagan’s Defense Secretary View the New Afghanistan Strategy?
Caspar Weinberger’s six principles for using military force are a useful lens on Trump’s newish path in Southwest Asia.
Ideas
The World Will Soon Have a New Terror Hub in Myanmar If the Rohingya Crisis Continues
Unless the West takes practical steps to help the Rohingya, terrorism may find a new frontier in Asia — and China may buttress its regional power.
Ideas
Why Trump Should Be the One Stopping to Take a Knee
I support the cause, but I'm a combat veteran, so I won't kneel. We still need a leader who brings the temperature down, not cranks it up.
Ideas
Like Sputnik, Cyber Attacks Demand a New Approach to Education
Network breaches should spur a new focus on STEM — and ethics.
Ideas
How Solar Power Can Protect the US Military From Threats to the Electric Grid
Military bases usually get their electricity from the civilian grid, which is vulnerable to attack and to disaster. Solar-powered microgrids could protect national security, and would save money.
Ideas
Fix the Inadequate Systems that Protect .gov Networks
DHS manages the National Cybersecurity Protection System in a piecemeal fashion using outdated and outmoded technology.
Ideas
The Trump Administration Must Stop Being Unserious about North Korea
Off-the-cuff and over-the-top threats have accelerated Kim's nuclear efforts. It's time to think, plan, coordinate — and open talks with Pyongyang.
Ideas
A Presidential Misunderstanding of Deterrence
But Trump’s bellicosity undermines his ability to deter the Kim regime’s nuclear weapons and missiles programs.
Ideas
Why ISIS Is So Good at Branding Its Failures as Successes
The Parsons Green attack shows that governments and media outlets keep falling into the propaganda traps being set for them.
Ideas