Ideas
Under Trump, the US Has Become a Leading Source of Global Instability
The country is now a known unknown, increasing the risk of crises from the Middle East to East Asia to Central America, a new survey suggests.
Ideas
Add Economic Policy to Deterrence Planning
As crisis brews overseas, U.S. leaders often turn first to sanctions and the like. But the Pentagon acts as if economic coercion doesn’t matter.
Ideas
The FBI Needs to Be Reformed
The inspector general’s report identified real weaknesses, particularly with the policies and procedures that govern investigations of political campaigns.
Ideas
US Forces Can’t Hide from Ubiquitous Satellites. They Need to Fool Them.
A new generation of deception-and-denial ideas is needed to counter global monitoring from space.
Ideas
The Foreign-Policy Parallels Between Trump and the Ayatollahs Are Uncanny
Neither the U.S. president nor Iran's leaders are as willing to go toe-to-toe as they might seem.
Ideas
Nixon’s Leniency After My Lai Hurt Veterans. Trump’s May, Too.
A president’s actions in 1971 helped turn public opinion against those who fought the Vietnam War.
Ideas
Can Anything Stop the Flow of Advanced Weapons into Libya?
If the country becomes a nexus for expertise and arms, increasingly deadly regional armed groups could destabilize the region.
Ideas
Democrats Retreat on Nuclear Policy
The 2020 authorization bill fails to check Trump’s worst impulses.
Ideas
We Really Need to Fix the Federal Budget Process
With the 2020 defense policy bill close to done, here are some ideas for next year.
Ideas
‘Are You in This?’
If so many Americans believe Russia is an ally, China is a good business partner, and terrorism isn’t worth fighting anymore, how can the United States be counted on for global security?
Ideas
If Ukraine Is Impeachable, What’s Afghanistan?
A misguided war that drags on inconclusively for more than 18 years is, I submit, a great crime.
Ideas
The ‘Russia Hoax’ Is a Hoax
A report by the FBI inspector general debunks the claims that the investigation into political interference by the Kremlin was a left-wing conspiracy to depose the president.
Ideas
An End to Magical Thinking in the Middle East
It’s time to abandon the dogma that’s driven our foreign policy and led to so much disaster in the region.
Ideas
The Pentagon Is Ignoring Small Innovators
That’s why I’m proposing a law to give promising small firms an advocate inside the Defense Department.
Ideas
Today, Everyone’s a Nuclear Spy
Nuclear intelligence isn’t just for government agencies anymore. Self-appointed watchdogs are finding creative ways to foil regimes that pursue atomic weapons.
Ideas
A New Nuclear Deal? Start with New START
Russia is ready to extend this critical treaty, but Trump isn’t taking “yes” for an answer.
Ideas
GOP Lawmakers Used to Oppose Trump's Embrace of Russia. No More.
High-ranking Republicans are now defending the president with debunked claims that national security experts say play right into Putin's hands.
Ideas
Is US Deterrence Against Iran Doomed to Fail?
A key ingredient may be missing. And we won’t know until Tehran launches another attack.
Ideas