Ideas

In Defense of the Nuclear Triad

CATO is wrong. Here’s why the U.S. needs submarines, bombers and ICBMs to fulfill its mission: nuclear deterrence. By Peter Huessy

Ideas

In the Tank: Don’t Forget About the Sequester

This week’s best research and commentary on the latest in national security and foreign policy issues from top think tanks around the world. By Kedar Pavgi

Ideas

TRADOC Commander: Train on Ability, Regardless of Gender

Soldier 2020 is the Army’s deliberate effort to level the military career playing field for men and women. Here is what to expect and why. By Gen. Robert W. Cone

Ideas

No NSA Poster Child: The Real Story of 9/11 Hijacker Khalid al-Mihdhar

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is wrong to claim today’s NSA data collection would have stopped 9/11. We had the technology and data to catch Khalid al-Mihdhar. By Michael German

Ideas

Submarines Alone Are Not Enough Nuclear Deterrent

No one leg of the nuclear triad, alone, can be considered an effective deterrence to nuclear war. By Robert Spalding

Ideas

Is John Kerry a Better Secretary of State Than Hillary Clinton?

In the last two months, Kerry has reopened mideast peace talks, negotiated a chemical weapons ban in Syria, found common ground with Russia and met in a historic sit-down with Iran's foreign minister. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

To Save the Submarines, Eliminate ICBMs and Bombers

If the Pentagon is serious about new Ohio-class SSBNs, then it should end the “nuclear triad” of missiles and bombers (freeing $20 billion a year). By Christopher Preble and Matt Fay

Ideas

Give and Take: Time to Get Real In U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks

Iran and the U.S. have the best shot in years at a nuclear deal, if each is willing to give up some of what it wants to get what it really needs. By Greg Thielmann

Ideas

Announcing the Inaugural Defense One Summit

Defense One is gathering national security and defense leaders to discuss the future of U.S. global security responsibilities and power. By Kevin Baron

Science & Tech

Simulation Complex: Into the Military's Love of Video Games

How the “military-entertainment complex” has taken over the troop experience. By Hamza Shaban

Ideas

In the Tank: A Shutdown Won’t Hurt the Pivot

This week’s best research and commentary on the latest in national security and foreign policy issues from top think tanks around the world. By Kedar Pavgi

Policy

Shutdown Creates Training ‘Gap’ for Afghanistan-Bound Troops

Commanders halt training for National Guard units deploying to Afghanistan next year, amid shutdown's pay freeze. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Science & Tech

Why America Wants Drones That Can Kill Without Humans

The U.S. wants smarter, more secure drones. But are lethal autonomous robots the answer? By Joshua Foust

Ideas

America’s Longest War

America’s longest war has become its forgotten war. If there was ever a time to pay attention to Afghanistan, it’s now. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

In the Tank: The Shutdown Amplifies Obama's Mideast Problems

This week’s best research and commentary on the latest in national security and foreign policy issues from top think tanks around the world. By Kedar Pavgi

Policy

We Negotiate With Terrorists, Why Not With Congress?

Perhaps the Obama administration should adopt the same policy it applies to real terrorists: Don't negotiate at all in public, but meanwhile search for every back channel you can. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

The Beginning of the End for Washington

The political system is broken. What does Washington have to do to get back to work? By Ron Fournier

Ideas

In the Tank: Kenya Can’t Fight Al-Shabab by Itself

This week’s best research and commentary on the latest in national security and foreign policy issues from top think tanks around the world. By Kedar Pavgi

Ideas

Are IEDs Ever an Ethical Weapon on the Battlefield?

The world’s focus has been on chemical weapons use in Syria – but what about the homemade bombs that kill thousands of civilians across the globe? By David Small

Business

The Army’s Misguided Crackdown on Tattoos

The Army’s new policies on tattoos and other physical appearance standards is part of a peacetime crackdown that usually lasts until the next war. By James Joyner