Ideas

Someone Needs to Run the US Effort to Defeat ISIS Online

Lots of government agencies are doing something; the White House needs to coordinate them.

Ideas

What Is America Fighting For?

The United States has been at war with ISIS for more than a year. But you cannot beat a surging ideology without a higher sense of purpose.

Ideas

Ignoring Guantanamo Won’t Make It Go Away

Fixing the mistakes of Gitmo will require Americans to step up and shoulder the burdens of war.

Ideas

The United Nations Must Clamp Down on ISIS Oil Profits

With little power to stop Islamic State administrators from taxing subjugated populations, the world community must focus on limiting petrochemical revenues.

Ideas

The US Military Just Lost Its Carbon Exemption, But Don't Expect Big Changes Soon

Under the Paris climate agreement, countries are no longer exempted from cutting military emissions. Here's how that figures into U.S. plans, which are not set to begin for many years.

Ideas

The Challenge of Selling ‘Stay the Course’

Obama’s Pentagon photo op was meant to talk tough and say nothing new while convincing the public his plan is working.

Ideas

Watch It Again: CNAS / Defense One National Security Forum

A forum explores global defense trends, the Pentagon's strategic choices, and options for strengthening the All-Volunteer Force.

Ideas

America’s Not Ready for Today’s Gray Wars

To defeat terrorists, we need to overhaul our military and other levers of government to tackle complex and shifting threats.

Ideas

In Town Where Refugees Depart, Trump's Ideas Feel Even More Ludicrous

As Syrian refugee parents fight for food and their children's survival, the policy conversation happening in America could not feel more remote – or more off-base.

Ideas

Drone Strikes Are Creating Hatred Toward America That Will Last for Generations

'The resentment created by American use of unmanned strikes,' said retired four-star Gen. Stanley McChrystal, 'is much greater than the average American appreciates.'

Ideas

Access to Talent: Why Shattering the Military's Glass Ceiling Matters

Future wars will be won far more by out-thinking enemies than by out-muscling them, and including women in every part of the U.S. military makes America’s defenses stronger.

Ideas

Why is Obama Letting China Beat the US at Global Drone Sales?

Blocking Jordan’s purchase of Reaper UAVs is just one example of unwise reticence to sell more arms abroad.

Ideas

Don’t Prolong America’s Dependence on Russian Rockets

United Launch Alliance is trying to escape the requirement to phase out the RD-180 engine, SpaceX advisors say.

Business

Special Ops Survey Showed 85% Opposed Serving With Women

If integration of women is going to work, special operations leaders will have to convince the rank-and-file.

Ideas

How Corruption Undermines NATO Operations

Members and partners must do better at spotting and stopping corruption in the field.

Ideas

As US Bombs ISIS, Be Wary of Moscow’s Spies

Does the USAF really need to fly F-22s where Russia can practice tracking them?

Ideas

Don’t Avenge Paris

Our leaders must avoid ‘feel-good’ retribution, and instead seek paths that will make us safer.

Ideas

A Call To Service Can Help Unite A Divided Nation

What can you do for your country? For starters, tell Congress to support national service.

Ideas

Beyond the Draft: Rethinking National Service

Four reasons the defense community ought to support universal access to national service.

Ideas

Measure Clinton’s Plan for ISIS Against the Lessons of Iraq

A former Army division commander views the candidate’s proposed strategy through a McChrystal lens.