Ideas

Mind the ‘Middle Powers’ Gap

While pivoting from terrorism to great powers, the U.S. should pay far more attention those countries caught in the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism.

Ideas

The Pentagon’s New Climate Plan Aims to Manage the Unavoidable

The new plan has considerably more specificity, requirements, objectives, and metrics than we had in 2014.

Ideas

Keep The US Retreat from Afghanistan From Emboldening China

Start by recalling precisely how deterrence works.

Ideas

More Than Just Subs: AUKUS Will Change Pacific Air Ops as Well

For example, U.S. air forces will be able to practice and refine the burgeoning agile combat employment, or ACE, concept.

Ideas

What’s Next for the Quad?

This year’s summit has demonstrated the leaders’ ambitions. Regular leaders’ summits will be needed to maintain the pace and focus.

Ideas

America Should Help Iran Get COVID Vaccines

There are at least two national-security reasons Biden should seize this opportunity.

Ideas

Strengthen U.S. Security Through Nuclear Arms Reductions

Biden has an opportunity to bolster deterrence, reduce proliferation risks, and lower the risk of nuclear war.

Ideas

Biden’s Best Chance to Get Back on Course with Europe

The president should send his best team to NATO and EU talks, find common ground on China, and repair the damage done by the AUKUS submarine deal.

Ideas

It’s China, Stupid

More voters across the West are caring more about China. In the next round of elections, politicians should, too.

Ideas

AUKUS: Good Goals, Bad Implementation

Now begins the real work for the United States and its democratic allies: cooperating to strengthen their eroding deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Ideas

To Deter China, Relearn The Lost Art of Dissuasion

Threats of denial or punishment will not deter a peer adversary fighting at home.

Ideas

Users Can’t Be Afterthoughts in the Pentagon’s AI Efforts

The troops, commanders, and civilians who will use artificial-intelligence tools have vital roles to play in creating, training, and improving them.

Ideas

Are Directed-Energy Weapons Behind the Havana Syndrome?

As an aerospace engineer and former Vice Chair of the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, I can attest to the effectiveness of such weapons.

Ideas

AFA Conference Wire: Keeping AI Safe From Bad Data

News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.

Ideas

Biden Just Gave France Something More Valuable than a Submarine Contract

The White House endorsement of European defense apart from NATO is worth more than a $66 billion deal with Australia.

Ideas

AFA Conference Wire: New Space Force Uniforms, Hub-and-Spoke

News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.

Ideas

Why France Is Getting No Sympathy for Its Lost Sub Deal

Its European neighbors have long bristled at Paris’ self-dealing and aggressive sales tactics.

Ideas

AFA Conference Wire: China Warnings and B-21 Numbers

News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.

Ideas

AUKUS Is the Death Knell of Australia's Strategic Ambiguity

At what cost is Australia attempting to strengthen its deterrence of China?

Ideas

AFA Conference Wire: Force Mixes and COVID Masks

Vaccine cards and masks are back on the agenda for the 2021 Air Force Association.