Ideas
Military AI needs guardrails—not to slow it down, but to keep it useful
Modifying commercial models isn’t as easy as removing the parts that discourage users from killing people.
Ideas
How Trump can make defense reform stick
It will require sustained presidential attention and unprecendented transparency.
Ideas
China’s new missiles on parade: showpieces or showstoppers?
The Sept. 3 parade was clearly meant to convey China's growing military strength and technological ambition.
Ideas
Data shows more US extremist violence is right-wing than left-wing
The trends are clear, but more could be done to give policymakers and the public reliable evidence.
Ideas
Returning the Air Force to its expeditionary roots
Agility and innovation helped win WWII. They will be essential for the next conflict.
Ideas
You may not be interested in climate change, but it is interested in you
Ignoring a threat doesn’t make it go away.
Ideas
A killing at sea marks America’s descent into lawless power
The peremptory strike on a speedboat is a warning to all who serve. Remember your oath.
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The National Defense Strategy still matters. Let’s get it right
There is no substitute for comprehensive written guidance that outlines an administration’s vision for national defense.
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RIP, JCIDS. Let’s stop writing requirements and start solving problems
Time to move from procedural compliance to championing ingenuity and results.
Ideas
What Western security guarantees for Ukraine might look like
At least five layers will be required for any peace deal.
Ideas
What National Guardsmen in the nation’s capital need to hear
You have every right to expect a clear mission, an unambiguous chain of command, and appropriate training.
Ideas
AI is about to reshape command structures that haven’t changed much since Napoleon
I explored the possibilities with a team of researchers at CSIS' Futures Lab. Here's what we found.
Ideas
China is working on reusable rockets—and a strategic leap in space power
The U.S. is ahead, but China's ability to close the gap should not be underestimated.
Ideas
This isn’t how wars are ended: a veteran diplomat puts Trump-Putin summit in context
Hastily convened without Ukrainian input, the summit is "amateurish and is unlikely to yield real results," says Donald Heflin, now a Tufts professor.
Ideas
Trump's terror-prevention cuts leave Americans exposed
Since February, at least five government offices devoted to countering violent or terrorist groups have been slashed or shuttered.
Ideas
How big will China’s nuclear arsenal get?
No one knows, but we can game out potential endpoints of Beijing’s buildup.
Ideas
Consolidate NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM
The arbitrary division of the Western Hemisphere creates an exploitable seam we can no longer afford.
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Lessons from this year’s unfunded priority lists
Just 15% of the value would go toward near-term readiness.
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How to write a defense strategy that sticks
Seek clarity always, specificity sometimes—and produce a yardstick that can be used to measure decisions.
Ideas