Ideas
We got all six defense-industry stakeholders in a room. Now what?
A unique forum reveals rifts—and potential ways forward—in the quest to improve defense innovation.
Ideas
Beware of Pentagon techno-enthusiasm
A massive new drone effort, while laudable in its quest for simpler weapons, does not come without strings attached.
Ideas
The Senate's defense-policy bill looks for threats in the rear-view mirror
The upper house orders up an investigation of the 2020 SolarWinds hack while saying all but nothing about AI.
Ideas
Get mental health stigmas out of the clearance process
Old attitudes toward mental health treatment must no longer dissuade people from applying for cleared jobs or seeking help after receiving one.
Ideas
Air Force deal sets a precedent others should follow
By obtaining the data rights for two helicopters, the service sets itself up to save money and improve readiness.
Ideas
Extend the Pentagon’s ban on China’s consumer drones
The rest of the federal government—and state and local agencies and even private-sector infrastructure companies—should quit using this Chinese technology.
Ideas
The latest Iran deal is a win-win
A complicated prisoner swap should ease drug shortages that are killing ordinary Iranians—and put new pressure on Tehran’s leaders.
Ideas
To compete with China in STEM, Pentagon should invest in HBCUs
The DOD can't leave the potential of historically Black colleges and universities untapped.
Ideas
China’s war planners are leaning harder on its militia
The PLA’s reserve auxiliary force dwarfs the regular military, but is understudied and too often overlooked.
Ideas
Time to change US policy toward Niger and its West African neighbors
There are three main problems—including that it's not working.
Ideas
What DOD can learn about smarter innovation from a roll of toilet paper
Its focus on Silicon Valley has obscured lessons from the less-techy world of consumer products.
Ideas
House cuts to Pentagon climate-resilience plans weaken the military
As weather grows harsher, hardening bases and gear is investment in capability.
Ideas
A defense treaty is not how Biden should fix the Saudi relationship
To fend off Iran, Riyadh must improve its military, not rely on U.S. protection.
Ideas
What’s missing from the Quad’s ISR partnership
The year-old Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness can’t do the job with satellites alone.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 131: 'Oppenheimer,' explored
How much of America's nuclear history does the three-hour film pack in, and how much did it leave out?
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 130: A brief history of China’s nuclear forces
From Cold War-era distrust of the Soviets to Beijing's recent silo buildup, we review some of the ideas and methods that have helped China become the nuclear power it is today.
Ideas
Why the U.S. still needs ground forces in Europe
Moscow’s setbacks notwithstanding, refocusing on China would be a mistake.
Ideas
NATO’s defense demands Eastern Front improvements
The recent summit largely avoided urgent questions about the mismatch between available forces and the Russian threat.
Ideas
The Pentagon is the wrong agency to lead the new US deterrence strategy
If integrated deterrence is to succeed, the hammer must not be the tool of first resort.
Ideas