Science & Tech

Sooner or Later, Drones Will Watch Over Major Marathons

After last year's tragedy, Boston police commissioner Edward Davis said that 'drones are a great idea.' By Jake Becker

Ideas

U.S.-Russian Cultural Relations Are on Ice, Too

The Russians may be coming -- but not in the way any of us had hoped. By Tara Sonenshine

Ideas

Don't Look Now, But the Iran Deal Is Working

Don’t look now – but Iran is complying, erasing Bibi’s cartoon bomb, and making even Gen. David Petraeus a believer. By Joe Cirincione

Ideas

Future Threats Will Require Much More Than the A-10

Forget the A-10. The Air Force needs a mix of aircraft and capabilities for the 2023 fight. By Col. Robert Spalding

Ideas

Transparency Can Be Bad for Liberty

The case for secrecy in a post-Snowden world. By David Frum

Threats

Where Genocide Is Most Likely To Happen Next

One university team may have found a way to predict the world’s next genocides. By Ben Watson and Kedar Pavgi

Ideas

Planning for Withdrawal in Afghanistan May Be Smart, But It’s Not Wise

Getting the new Afghan president to sign a troop deal will require a steady hand through the next several months of political uncertainty. By Daniel Markey

Ideas

War, What Is It Good for For? These Four Things, Actually

Contrary to what the song says, war has been good for some things. By Ian Morris

Ideas

Why the Pentagon Should Reduce Its Civilian Workforce by 15 Percent

Failing to cut the civilian workforce will just end up hurting the military in the end. By Rep. Ken Calvert

Ideas

‘Back to the Future’ Foreign Policy

Defense spending as a share of GDP measures militarization of our society, but that does not necessarily mean strength. By Ben Freeman and Mieke Eoyang

Ideas

Could Big Data Have Prevented the Fort Hood Shooting?

Researchers say an experimental software program might have been able to get Army Spec. Ivan Lopez help before he pulled the trigger. Here’s how. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

Congress Must Pass the Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill

An estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Congress can help by passing the Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. By Nick McCormick

Ideas

Eliminating Double Standards in the Marine Corps

Gen. Amos was right to change the policy prohibiting women from taking the Infantry Officer Course twice. By Rep. Duncan Hunter

Ideas

3 Myths About the Pivot to Asia

There has been much debate – and much misunderstanding – about the purpose and function of the so-called ‘pivot’ to Asia. By Janine Davidson

Ideas

Pentagon’s Reliance on Europe Is ‘Wishful Thinking’

If the U.S. wants to count on Europe, the Pentagon needs more precise analysis of European forces. By Michael Shurkin and Christopher G. Pernin

Ideas

A Formula for Success with Iran

As P5+1 talks resume Tuesday in Vienna, U.S. officials and experts are already expecting a nuclear deal by this summer. Here’s how. By Joseph Cirincione

Ideas

Teaching Machines How to Spell Will Help Catch Terrorists

It’s time anti-terrorism technology move beyond finding ways to replace humans and start finding ways to work with us. By David Murgatroyd

Policy

The Newfound Political Power of Afghan Youth

Afghanistan's historic election is a contest not just of candidates but of generations. By Uri Friedman

Ideas

The Military Must Hunt Corruption, Not Just Terrorists

Too often, strategists don’t see corruption for what it really is: a national security threat. Read the first in a new exclusive series. By Sarah Chayes

Ideas

SPECIAL REPORT: Afghanistan Election

Read the best of Defense One's Afghanistan coverage as the nation votes this weekend for a new president and sets the course of its future. By Defense One Staff