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.
Ideas
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.
Ideas
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.
Ideas
Lessons from this year’s unfunded priority lists
Just 15% of the value would go toward near-term readiness.
Ideas
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
‘Fund first, ask questions later’ is a bad way to go
Handing $156 billion to the Pentagon with no clear plan invites not just waste but danger. Here's why.
Ideas
Who should coordinate Europe’s defense buildup?
The best candidate, at least for the near term, has granular understanding of existing forces and informal links to suppliers.
Ideas
‘The Bomb Lady’ shows how immigrants power national defense
Just when the United States should be nurturing this source of strength, we are doing the opposite.
Ideas
To build 'peace through strength,' restore this pillar of US power
Administration cuts are breaking the federal-academic partnership that incubates U.S. technology and talent.
Ideas
How China’s new rare-earth export controls target the Pentagon—and the world
The licensing system replaces a cruder, less flexible means of economic leverage.
Ideas