Ideas
Drone Pilots Are Breaking the Old Definitions of Valor
Traditional notions of heroism don't always leave room for those U.S. troops engaged in high-tech, cutting edge warfare.
Ideas
We’re Long Overdue for Due Diligence in Defense
Defense Secretary Carter deserves applause for cutting the Navy’s LCS, and encouragement to think more broadly.
Ideas
The Diplomat-in-Chief Hits a National Security Trifecta
If Barack Obama were a Republican, Congress would have already named an airport after him.
Ideas
In an Era of Cheap Drones, US Can’t Afford Exquisite Weapons
Various technological advances are about to make hundred-drone swarms a reality, and a nightmare for today’s top-of-the-line weapons.
Ideas
Obama Is About To Launch A New Nuclear Arms Race. There’s a Better Way.
Despite his anti-nuclear words, the president is about to cave to the nuclear arms priesthood.
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Obama's Legacy: Limited Force, Limited Influence, Lingering Questions of What America Should Be
Obama’s long-view for the Middle East stands little chance of playing out as Americans — and events — cry for the U.S. to do more.
Ideas
The Right Way to Fight Boko Haram — and How the U.S. Should Help
Nigeria’s new president is wrong to separate his terrorism problem from his corruption problem.
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Meet the Air Force’s New Acquisition System
We’re creating a new way of developing, building and buying that works better for the service and the defense industry. Here’s how.
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China Is On A Collision Course with ISIS
Bejing’s ambitious plan to build links to central Asia and Europe will demand a better counter-terrorism policy.
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The Rise of Cyber Repression
When even the New York Times is open to tinkering with the First Amendment, it’s time to look at the way groups and governments are shaping our online society.
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Building Afghan Security Requires a Long-Term U.S. Commitment
Can Americans — and their next president — see past short-term campaign promises to save Afghanistan?
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Special Report: The State of Defense 2016
Defense One's annual year-ahead assessment of each military service finds a force ready to fight, but feeling the strain from all they are being asked to do -- still.
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There's Far More to the Saudi-Iran Feud Than Sunnis-Vs.-Shia
The ancient religious split can only take us so far in understanding what's going on between Riyadh and Tehran.
Ideas
'Kill-Em-All With Airstrikes' Is Not Working
Here’s a summary of the anti-ISIS bombing campaign: 30,000 fighters - 20,000 killed = 30,000 fighters
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On ISIS, Europe Is Ignoring Its Long, Tortured History of Waging War Abroad
Even if ISIS could be defeated from the sky, another Western-led regime change is unlikely to lessen brutality in the Middle East or blunt the fervor of zealots in European capitals.
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5 Big National Security Questions for 2016
U.S. policymakers and triggerpullers will confront a long list of foreign policy challenges around the world.
Ideas