Ideas

Over There, and Overlooked

The centennial of the First World War is slipping past unnoticed in the United States, despite its persistent legacy.

Ideas

The Air Force's Argument for Retiring the A-10 Makes No Sense

Service leaders claim the decision is based on cost and effectiveness. A close analysis of the data says otherwise.

Ideas

Why the FBI Needs To Protect Its Intelligence Whistleblowers

The FBI director says that whistleblowers are 'critical' to democracy, but the Justice Department doesn’t protect intelligence whistleblowers.

Ideas

Don’t Blow Up an Effective Iran Deal

If members of Congress think blocking this deal will lead to a better one, they are dangerously mistaken.

Ideas

The Weapons of Tomorrow Must Come Cheaper, Faster and Simpler Than Before

Instead of trying to build silver bullets for the future, policymakers and industry must become better at responding to the unpredictable.

Ideas

Ukraine’s Military Needs More Than Just Arms

Let’s not overstate how lethal arms can save Ukraine. Here’s how the US and Europe really can help develop a professional and capable force.

Ideas

The World Needs New Rules for Armed Drones

New data shows how armed drones are proliferating around the world and why international standards to govern them are overdue.

Ideas

What Is the Future of War?

Facing a new inflection point, 'Future of War' project members sound off with their take on where conflict is headed in the 21st century.

Ideas

Hold Your Fire: The Intelligence Community’s Problem With Privacy Officers

They are routinely called terrorists, but they are the Intelligence Community’s own privacy watchdogs and they deserve respect.

Ideas

How Shinzo Abe Is Modernizing Japan's Military

Tokyo's counterterrorism ambitions following ISIS's beheadings of two Japanese hostages is part of a broader realignment of Japan's armed forces, says AEI's Michael Auslin.

Ideas

America Needs To Engage With Its Enemies, Not Isolate

Raw strength and power is necessary for deterrence, but off-ramps from conflict can be created by building relationships.

Ideas

Why Size Doesn’t Matter When Judging the Intelligence Community

Instead of criticizing how big the Intelligence Community has grown, let’s get the US to do a better job explaining why.

Ideas

Reform Pentagon Acquisition By Slowing Down the F-35

John McCain and Ash Carter want real acquisition reform? Great, they can start by slowing – or stopping – the F-35.

Science & Tech

The Marines Are Building Robotic War Balls

The future of amphibious assault looks kind of like an explosive inner tube. It’s really a drone.

Ideas

What the Military Compensation Commission Must Do To Succeed

History shows that policymakers listen to blue ribbon defense commissions when they’re done right – like this one was.

Ideas

How Reforming Benefits Could Undermine the Pentagon's Future

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission's recommendations are appealing to reformers. But here's how they could actually end up doing irreversible harm to the all-volunteer force.

Ideas

The Wrong Move: Adding Nuclear Weapons to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Despite the wishes of two key Congressmen, more nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe is a bad idea.

Ideas

The US Intelligence Community Is Bigger Than Ever, But Is It Worth the Cost?

The intelligence community has grown to an enormous size and Americans have no clue what they’re paying for.

Science & Tech

Here’s What You’ll Find on the Fighter Jet of 2030

Military leaders reveal their hopes and fears for the 6th Generation fighter they will desperately need.