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.

Ideas

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.

Ideas

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.

Ideas

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.

Ideas

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?

Ideas

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.

Ideas

What Happens If Russia Loses in Syria?

Putin's war could be unraveling.

Ideas

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

Ideas

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.

Ideas

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

Why Indonesia is Immune to ISIS

Can lessons from countries like Indonesia be applied to volatile countries in the Middle East?

Ideas

Ronald Reagan’s Disarmament Dream

How the former president’s fantasy about space weapons ruined a plan to eliminate the entire U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals.

Ideas

Fighting While Friending: The Grey War Advantage of ISIS, Russia, and China

Can democracies compete 'where powers can be fighting each other with one hand and shaking hands with the other?'

Ideas

Montenegro Will Join NATO — and That Matters

The move shows NATO and Montenegro are denying Russia a veto while progressing towards greater stability in the Balkans.

Ideas

What to Watch in 2016

Keep an eye on these nine story lines in warfighting, industry, politics, and technology.

Ideas

Pakistan's Race to Build Tiny Nukes Is Going to Backfire

Islamabad’s tactical nuclear weapons don’t look so fun for any Pakistani who thinks through the math.

Ideas

Social Movements Are The Next Big Weapon

Governments and non-state actors will increasingly foment citizen protests to topple terrorist states and influence regimes.

Ideas

Obama Says His ISIS Strategy Is Working Better Than His Attempts to Explain It

The president blames for messaging for public opposition, but there may be more to the story.

Ideas

2016 Predictions: A Look Ahead at the Future of War

New America polled former Navy SEALs, Pentagon officials, technologists, historians — and here’s what they expect.