Ideas

To China, DeepSeek is more than an app—it's a strategic turning point

Beijing views the AI tool as a breakthrough that reinforces its strategic autonomy and reshapes the U.S.-China balance of power.

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How Trump could productively reshape the transatlantic defense relationship

If rearming Europe and ending the war in Ukraine deters China, all the better.

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The future of military logistics is predictive

A recent commander of Army Materiel Command says the war in Ukraine illuminates the path to data-driven sustainment.

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Teach how to think, not what to think

Professional military schools should not go overboard in interpreting the SecDef’s anti-DEI memo.

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Trump must keep arming Ukraine if he wants a good peace deal

Europe must do its fair share, but it cannot carry the burden alone.

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Defense One Radio, Ep. 172: The Air Force's force-design leader

Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel discusses his how his service's modernization strategy will shape the future of air combat in an increasingly complex security landscape.

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Trump’s tariffs fit a growing global trend of hardball migration diplomacy

Such diplomacy works both ways, but richer countries by and large have the upper hand.

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The future of China's new information support force

In a bid to dominate the information environment, the PLA created a force to build a resilient network system and drive innovation of cutting-edge tech.

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Let's talk about the next US-Israel military-assistance agreement

I helped negotiate the current one. It's high time to get started on its successor.

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It's time for a new Key West agreement

Airpower, air defense, Marines’ role—all need revisiting, three-quarters of a century after the seminal roles-and-missions pact.

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Trump wants a faster security clearance process, too

But can he avoid politicizing it? On Day One, he stripped clearances from people he doesn't like and created a temporary end-run for people he does.

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China’s plan to rule the heavens

A look at Beijing's strategy to relegate the United States to second place in space.

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As the US and China race to the Moon, loopholes in space law could allow conflict

The prospect of “space water wars” is nearer, timewise, than the prospect of providing clean drinking water to everyone in the developing world.

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Lone-wolf attacks have become a hallmark of post-caliphate ISIS

The group's propaganda inspired the New Orleans attack, which proceeded without direct operational support.

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2024 in review: Commentary

Defense One contributors gathered lessons from around the globe and looked ahead to the new administration.

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2024 in review: Space Force

The year saw challenges in orbit and on the ground as the young service continued to expand.

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2024 in review: Marine Corps

A new kind of regiment, more drones, and new techniques—and other stories about the Corps.

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2024 in review: Air Force

China shakeup, bombers, jammers, ICBM—it was a busy year.

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2024 in review: Navy

Bracing for the future, grappling with shipbuilding woes, watching China—and more stories about the sea service.