Ideas

More Troops, Not Nukes, Will Deter Russia

The nuclear weapons of the Cold War are useless to today’s hot conflicts in Europe. By Rep. Mike Quigley

Ideas

How Retirement Threatens the Pentagon's Future Weapons

Can the Defense Department make the necessary adjustments to backfill its aging cadre of technical experts? By Rear Adm. Michael Moran and Scott O'Neil

Ideas

Africa Needs the US Military To Fight Ebola

It’s up to the international community to change its response behavior and question its own assumptions about disease containment. By Melissa Hersh

Ideas

Why Do We Need ‘Hypersonic’ Strike Weapons, Exactly?

The Pentagon has a bit more explaining to do before the U.S. keeps developing its latest super-fast weapon. By James M. Acton

Ideas

Fight the Islamic State in Iraq? Sure. In Syria? Not So Much

There’s consensus in Washington about fighting the Islamic State in Iraq, but when it comes to Syria, things get messy. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Ideas

Why John Bolton’s Dangerous Call to Nuclear Arms Makes No Sense

John Bolton doesn’t know better than Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. By Joe Cirincione

Ideas

The US Needs a Third Missile Defense Site

It’s time to reverse the decline in spending and start improving our missile defenses to keep pace with growing threats. By Sen. Jim Inhofe

Ideas

NATO Must Boost Its Cyber Defense Capabilities Now

With the threat that comes with NATO’s increased posture in Eastern Europe, NATO cannot afford to take its time beefing up its cyber defense. By Klara Tothova Jordan

Ideas

Obama’s Speech Reflects a Refined Foreign Policy Doctrine

The president’s speech presents a refined American engagement that relies not just on our kinetic capabilities. By Maj. Mike Lyons

Ideas

In Obama Speech, Echoes of the Lyndon Johnson Era

President Obama’s speech on the Islamic State was nicely written, if you care about presidential syntax. But it reflected no sense of history. By Philip Seib

Ideas

‘No Boots on the Ground’ Doesn’t Mean No Combat in Iraq

President Obama is vowing not to send 'boots on the ground' in Iraq but they’re already there. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Ideas

What Obama Needs To Tell the American People About the Islamic State

While limited air strikes in Iraq have slowed the progress of the Islamic State, it’s clear that more must be done. By Rep. Martha Roby

Science & Tech

Social Media’s Very Arab Future

What does the Arab world’s Twitter use reveal about the U.S. challenge of winning hearts and minds online? By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

How the Lessons of Iraq Are Shaping the Fight Against the Islamic State

After 4 years of war in Iraq, the U.S. learned the importance of patience and restraint--lessons that dominate today's strategic fight against the Islamic State. By Col. Steve Liszewski

Ideas

A Case for Edward Snowden's Immunity

Any effort that tries to rebuild the well-behaved aspects of the NSA's surveillance system while ignoring the critical role of whistleblowers is sure to fail. By Yochai Benkler

Ideas

Beyond Airstrikes, How the US Can Accelerate the Islamic State’s Defeat

Time is not on Washington’s side, despite greater clarity of the military, political and economic efforts it will take to defeat the Islamic State. By Bilal Y. Saab

Ideas

Where Is the Industrial Agenda for the NATO Summit?

Defense leaders have much to discuss at the NATO Summit; it’s time they included the industries that support them. By Hugo Rosemont

Ideas

It's Time for Better Options for Rescuing US Hostages

The murders of James Foley and Steven Sotloff make it clear the U.S. needs alternative ways to save its own from terrorist hostage takers. By Rep. Duncan Hunter

Ideas

Why 'More' Is Not a Better Plan for US Defense

The NDP missed a chance to help the Pentagon develop innovative solutions to its serious challenges. By Nora Bensahel

Ideas

Where NATO Needs to Do More—And Less

Preparing forces for Russia and the Islamic State? Yes. Missile defense and nuclear weapons? No. By Joe Cirincione