Ideas

Beyond the Military: Why the US Needs More National Service Options

Building a next generation of American foreign policy and national security leaders requires new options for national service.

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UK Steps Up Defense Posture, Spending Ahead of Review

British armed forces are stepping up their response, and future presence, against threats from Russia to terrorism.

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UN's Purpose Questioned in a 'Post-Nation' World

At the UN Charter's 70th anniversary, some ambassadors question its purpose in a world of empowered and agile non-state actors.

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What Fiction Can Tell You About a Future War With China

Strategists Peter Singer and August Cole’s new novel offers a glimpse into startling real-life U.S. military vulnerabilities.

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How to Win a National Security Election Without Really Trying

When it comes to national security, expect the expected from the 2016 presidential candidates. Here’s the off-the-shelf playbook they’ll all use.

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Why Terrorists Want To See the End of Tunisia

Tunisia’s struggles to counter terrorism and nurture democracy are intertwined and, at times, mutually destructive.

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The US Military Should 'Go Small' to Defeat ISIS

Static, fortified bases cede the initiative to the enemy. Unconventional and light is the better approach—even if it carries a higher degree of tactical risk.

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Keep Calm and Spy On: Why the OPM Hack Won't Bring Down US Intelligence

For starters, there are very few known cases in which blackmail was involved in getting government employees to give up classified information.

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Special Report: Beyond Guantanamo

President Obama has begun his final push to close Guantanamo. But America’s bigger challenge is deciding what to do with tomorrow's prisoners in a war without end.

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Michael Oren Is Wrong — There Has Always Been Daylight Between the US and Israel

Some Israelis think the relationship will snap back in January 2017, but it'll be more likely to continue as it always has.

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TPP’s Failure Wouldn’t Doom Washington’s Asia Strategy

A ‘no’ vote in Congress would be a setback, but there are other ways to counter China.

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A Jordanian Man's Journey From the Arab Spring to al-Qaeda Foot Soldier

After pro-democracy protests failed in Jordan, one teenager's determination to make a difference led him into the arms of al-Qaeda in Syria.

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What a Yemeni Missile Teaches Us About the Iran Deal

The U.S. and its regional partners are going to have to work a lot harder because missiles are missing from the P5+1 nuclear negotiations.

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After Ukraine, NATO's Chance for a New Normal

Can Defense Secretary Ash Carter and European leaders turn NATO's historic Ukraine response into a new future for the alliance?

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Why the US Hasn't Pinned the OPM Hack on China

Getting China to stop this activity is at the top of Washington's diplomatic agenda. Stopping foreign intelligence services from spying, however, is not.

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Iran’s Nuclear Past Should Not Scuttle A Deal for Its Future

It’s more important to know Tehran will have no nuclear weapons for the next 20 years than to obsess over what it did 20 years ago.

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A New Look at the CIA’s Pre-9/11 Mindset Reveals Uncomfortable Truths About Intel

An inspector general report shows what’s gotten better in the past decade — and what’s still a problem.

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The Pentagon's War Budget Won't Be Easy To Roll Back

Congress has too many reasons to keep overseas contingency operations funding as it is.

Ideas

Stop the Army’s Dangerous Game

The service’s visions of light troops mounted on wheeled vehicles are setting up the Army — and the nation it serves — for humiliation and defeat.

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How We're Planning the Biggest Personnel Overhaul in 45 Years

DoD’s acting personnel chief lays out the Pentagon’s plans to manage for talent, not just time served.