Ideas

How the Iraq War Crippled U.S. Military Power

Iraq was ‘the wrong war, in the wrong place, at the wrong time’ and its costs are having a devastating effect on defense policy and national security decision making. By Nathan Freier

Ideas

Searching for the Obama Doctrine

In scolding his critics who want more military action, President Obama is overlooking his own supporters who want him to do more. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Ideas

The Unraveling of Kerry’s Bid for Mideast Peace

Will the secretary of state's "strategic patience" with Israeli and Palestinian leaders pay off? By David Rohde

Ideas

Better Buying Power 4 Years On: Is It Making a Difference?

The plan to replace the V-XX, the president’s Marine One helicopter, is an example of the success of Better Buying Power. By Frank Kendall

Ideas

Why Nations Are Right To Ban USAID

Using the misfortune of less developed countries as a cover to advance U.S. interests compromises the credibility of all foreign aid. By Mark Varga

Ideas

What Hawks and Doves Both Miss on the Asia Pivot

Depending on one's perspective, China is either unchecked or overly provoked. But there is a bigger point still missing from most debates. by Janine Davidson

Science & Tech

The Secret Weapon in the War on Poaching...and Terrorism

Forget drones. Big data makes finding rhinos easier than finding insurgents. By Patrick Tucker

Threats

Reserve, Guard Soldiers Committing Suicide at Higher Rates

The good news is military suicides declined last year. The bad news is Army Guard and Reserve numbers are higher than previously thought. By Ben Watson

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