Policy
One Year On, Why Putin Has Already Lost the War
“I do not see how Putin could maintain support of the elite for two or three years.”
Ideas
Why War Pledges for Ukraine Fell Flat in Munich
Biden, Harris, and other world leaders pledged to help Ukraine fight for “as long as it takes.” So why does nobody believe them?
Ideas
One Year In: What Are The Lessons from Ukraine For The Future Of War?
From drones to network attacks to the LikeWar of social media, the conflict marks a turning point from old to new.
Ideas
How the West May Have Helped Build China’s Spy Balloons
Beijing has long pursued aerostat technology, even enlisting French and American firms to help.
Ideas
The Risks of De-escalation
At the wrong time and place, it can do more harm than good—as its Mideast track record shows.
Ideas
We Missed Social Media’s Dark Side. Let’s Be Smarter about the Metaverse
Think hard about the national-security implications of immersive virtual worlds.
Ideas
Don’t Neglect ‘Small-Data’ AI
Big-data artificial intelligence may prove unsuitable for defense applications.
Ideas
When Lippy Generals Challenge Civilian Control
Was Air Force Gen. Minihan’s memo dangerous or just dumb?
Ideas
China Gears Up To Shoot Down US Drones
Its military-industrial complex is already working on a list of technologies needed to fight off swarms of UAS.
Ideas
Stop Holding Recruits to One-Size-Fits-All Standards
Yesterday’s approach won’t solve today’s recruiting crisis—or win tomorrow’s wars.
Ideas
China Just Exposed the GOP’s Real Target: Biden
Less than a month into the new Congress, hopes for the return of adults-in-the-room Republicans atop national-security committees have popped like a balloon.
Ideas
What Tanks in Ukraine Tell Us About America in the Pacific
U.S. hopes that Europe can take care of itself appear to be farfetched.
Ideas
Italy and Japan Are Deepening Military-Industrial Ties. The US Should Help
Yes, even though they’re working on Europe’s new fighter jet.
Ideas
Urban Combat Is Changing. The Ukraine War Shows How
Four attributes distinguish today’s city battles from those that have come before.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 116: Has US foreign policy become too militarized?
Two researchers compiled data on U.S. military interventions from 1776 to 2019. Here's what they learned.
Ideas
Ukraine Proves U.S. Troops Need Quick Access to Commercial Technology
Ukraine has held off Russia’s attacks using a readily available mix of military and commercial technology. The United States is taking note.
Ideas
We Don't Have the Missiles to Stop China. Time For Drone Swarms
Despite all the calls to boost production, the U.S. military will be short of key missiles for at least two years. It needs ways to win with what it has now.
Ideas
Want More Innovation? Get Out of Your Office and Talk to People
Advice from a former leader of the U.S. Army’s Rapid Equipping Force.
Ideas
The Doomsday Clock is Ticking on Biosecurity
Countries around the world must cooperate and deepen their investments in global health and biosecurity strategies.
Ideas