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.

Ideas

Ignore the Pundits: US-Israeli Security Relations Are Stronger Than Ever

US defense secretaries’ relationships with their Israeli counterparts have been among the closest of any around the world.

Ideas

It’s Time To Arm the Ukrainians

President Obama must change course and give Ukrainians the arms they need to stop Putin.

Ideas

Ash Carter Has One Shot To Keep the Pentagon’s Technology Edge

Carter likely has only one shot to shape the Pentagon budget entirely on his own.

Ideas

The Case for Why Economic Development Is Making Nigeria More Dangerous

While living standards are rising, rapid modernization has laid bare the state's ability to effectively provide security.

Ideas

A New Diagnosis for Combat Nightmares

Soldiers returning from duty often experience vivid dreams, night sweats and other symptoms commonly classified as PTSD, but a new condition may be more accurate.

Ideas

Obama’s Trillion Dollar Nuclear Weapons Gamble

Why is the president is proposing a multi-billion dollar nuclear arsenal overhaul that is expensive, dangerous, and does nothing to make the United States safer?

Ideas

What To Expect From the African Union Summit

While the African Union's Heads of State Summit concludes this weekend in Ethiopia, here are seven questions observers and participants will have on their minds.

Ideas

Our Overreaction to Terrorist Attacks Like Paris Is Only Making Things Worse

The terrorists’ goal is to spread irrational fear. Our intelligence professionals shouldn’t be helping them. By Michael German

Science & Tech

Researchers Develop Program That Can Read Malware’s Mind

The future of malware detection are analyzers that compute malware “intent.” By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

The Dangers of Saudi Succession

The monarchy's greatest strength is its outward display of unity. That's also its weakness. By Simon Henderson

Ideas

This Is America's Best Shot To Fix the Relationship With Saudi Arabia and Fight Terrorism

The U.S. should use the transition in Riyadh to correct course, adjust its relationship with Saudi Arabia and fight extremism. By Sarah Chayes

Ideas

What the Ayatollah’s Letter to Western Millennials Was All About

Despite being written in response to the horrific violence of Paris attacks, the letter from Iran's Khamenei addressed to Western youth is long on history but short on any condemnations of terrorism. By Esfandyar Batmanghelidj

Science & Tech

Can You Have a Transparent Spy Agency?

The head of National Geospatial Intelligence Agency doesn’t want to be a spy. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

Can Ash Carter Tame the Nuclear Weapons Budget?

Here are three common sense steps for the nuclear weapons budget that would save up to roughly $75 billion over 10 years. Tom Z. Collina

Ideas

Boehner Invites Israeli Prime Minister To Address Congress Next Month

House Speaker John Boehner requested in a letter Wednesday that Benjamin Netanyahu speak before a joint meeting of Congress in February. By Marina Koren