Ideas
How Best to Thank a Veteran? Avoid More Unjust Wars
A 2017 poll found that about half of Americans would support launching an unprovoked war on a country that poses no near-term threat.
Ideas
Betraying The Kurds Makes Things Harder for US Operators Everywhere
It will henceforth be much more difficult for U.S. combat forces and advisors to get help from local partners around the world.
Ideas
The Cold War Ended 30 Years Ago. Why Are Things With Russia So Bad?
Critics said NATO expansion would start a new Cold War. They were right.
Ideas
Livestream: Defense One Outlook 2020 Main Stage
At Defense One’s annual look into the future, we'll discuss global threats, industry trends, advanced technology, national-security policy and more.
Ideas
National Security Is Made of People
We need a way to measure the readiness of our civilian national-security workforce. Then we need to fix it.
Ideas
Do Americans Still Want The US to Be the World’s Security Leader?
The post-Trump awakening of political activism is inspiring, but seems to end at the border. We’re teaming up with CNAS to find out why.
Ideas
It Was a Corrupt Quid Pro Quo
Not only did the president hold up aid to Ukraine; he made its release contingent on a statement advancing his own political interests.
Ideas
What It’s Like to Deal With US Foreign Policy in the Trump Era
The administration’s shadow foreign policy sees the light of day.
Ideas
Trump Isn’t a Climate Denier. He’s Worse.
Leaving the Paris Agreement and other efforts to slow the globe's transition from fossil fuels will ultimately undermine U.S. power.
Ideas
The Two Things Every Senior Pentagon Leader Is Worried About
Their top concerns don’t include the Mexican border, Iran, or even Syria.
Ideas
Protecting US Bases Increasingly Requires Hardening Civilian Infrastructure
Congress needs to fund its Defense Community Infrastructure Program, and the military needs to think beyond its gates.
Ideas
Yes-Men Are Taking Over the Trump Administration
Trump is making foreign policy on the fly, seeking his personal advantage and undermining American power.
Ideas
It’s Not All Trump’s Fault: Syria Shows the Danger of War on the Cheap
America’s surprise withdrawal is deeply destabilizing, but so is the proxy war that Western countries have fought for five years.
Ideas
A Plan to Crowdsource Voting Machines' Security Problems
A northern Virginia infrastructure-threat clearinghouse is trying to build a system to help voting-system manufacturers learn about problems with their machines.
Ideas
We Don't Know Enough about How Women's Perspectives Help Achieve Military Missions
Plenty of anecdotes show the benefits of bringing female perspectives to U.S. military missions. What's needed is data.
Ideas
America’s Military Is Misdirected, Not Underfunded
U.S. strategy should be more focused on preventing conflict with nuclear-armed China than on spinning out elaborate war-fighting scenarios.
Ideas
Pay More Attention to the Women of ISIS
Many are victims of the terrorist group. But others have demonstrated their resolve to use violence and seek revenge for the Caliphate.
Ideas
The Current US Approach to Terror Is a Recipe for Forever War
Defusing terrorist groups requires helping the communities they exploit, not just shooting their leaders.
Ideas
The US Has One Last Chance to Halt Its Withdrawal from the Middle East
The next president must do what is wise, not what is easy.
Ideas