Policy

China is Building a 'New Silk Road' in Afghanistan

Meanwhile, the Pentagon and State Department's plans for a similar transportation network remains in the idea phase. By Steve LeVine

Business

The Government's Real Problem With the Bradley Manning Trial

Despite a guilty verdict on most counts, the government still can't share intelligence. By Matthew Cooper

Policy

Hagel to Reveal Sequester Review, Three Paths for Pentagon Future

With the Strategic Choices and Management Review in hand, Hagel will present three budget scenarios and their consequences to the Defense Department. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Dunford Says 8,000 to 12,000 Troops May Be Needed Through 2017 in Afghanistan

The top ISAF commander says US. troops will be needed for many functions in Afghanistan past 2014, but it will be the Afghans doing the fighting – and dying. By Defense One Staff

Defense Systems

Navy rolls out virtualization plan

Shift to software-based virtual nets would be completed by 2018.

Ideas

Ash Carter Got it Right in Aspen, Top DOD Nuclear Weapons Official Responds

Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter was accurate about nuclear weapons costs, but arguing misses the point. The U.S. needs them and can afford them. By Madelyn Creedon

Business

Pentagon May Be Able To Reduce Furloughs to Just Six Days

The Defense Department says it might only have to furlough its civilian workforce for six days, rather than the planned 11 days. By Defense One Staff

Policy

Journalists and Whistleblowers Are the Real Winners in the Manning Trial

Manning's acquittal on the charge of aiding the enemy sent a strong signal to national security whistleblowers and journalists: Go ahead and leak. By Brian Resnick and Matt Berman

Policy

The Government Needs to Stop Overreacting to NSA Leaks

The more serious threat of NSA surveillance comes from the the collective insanity or the simple loss of perspective, that an attack evokes. By James Fallows

Defense Systems

Production deal reached for 71 additional F-35s

Deal with Lockheed Martin seeks to reduce soaring production, unit costs.

Defense Systems

JLENS blimps to patrol DC skies

Blimps are making a comeback, this time as a missile defense sensor initially designed to protect skies over the nation’s capital.

Defense Systems

Joint exercise will assess counter-UAV systems

Black Dart will be tested across integrated platforms over eight days.

Defense Systems

Air Force awards $20.8M to Lockheed Martin for defense support

Lockheed Martin will work with the North American Aerospace Defense Command to protect U.S. and Canadian airspace.

Threats

Iraq’s Descent Into Madness, With No Americans in Sight

Prison breaks, car bombs and cozying up to Iran? This is not what was supposed to happen. By Joshua Foust

Business

Obama's Whistleblower Witchunt Won't Work at DOD

The U.S. has tried something like President Obama’s 'Insider Threat Program' before. It didn’t work then and it won’t work now. By Gabe Rottman

Threats

U.S. Envoy Questions Middle East Verve for WMD-Free Zone

In interview, State Department's Thomas Countryman says that Egypt's work on the issue is "theatrics." By Elaine Grossman

Business

Pentagon Protests Massive Southwest Green Power Lines

Proposed giant towers called "unacceptable risk" to testing, aircraft at White Sands Missile Range in Arizona. By Bob Brewin

Science & Tech

When Would Cyber War Lead to Real War?

The method of an attack does not dictate the means of reprisal. By Vincent Manzo

Defense Systems

NGEN protest decision expected from Navy by Aug. 14

Harris Corp. and Computer Sciences Corp. have continued to stall NGEN work with their protests.