Threats
Africa's New Terrorist Training Ground
Last year, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb conquered a large swath of Mali, despite a French military intervention. Now, Africa may be the next front in the fight against terror threats. By Yochi Dreazen
Policy
Will Obama and Rouhani Meet Face-to-Face at the United Nations?
This week’s United Nations meeting could open the door to an historic meeting between President Obama and the new Iranian leader. By Stephanie Gaskell
Science & Tech
Vetting Videos of War
Conflict videos from Syria are notoriously unreliable. Here's one company working to authenticate the real ones. By Steve Ercolani
Defense Systems
Getting a handle on big data
DOD seeks cost savings through big data apps while service providers look to demystify the concept.
Defense Systems
DARPA awards $10M modification for robot with legs
Legged Squad Support System (a program with legs) will serve alongside squads in war zones.
Defense Systems
Shelton: Greater operational capacity needed in space, cyber
Space Command chief warns that internal challenges weaken Air Force defense capabilities.
Ideas
In the Tank: Why Putin Failed to Woo the American Public
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
Science & Tech
Facebook's Advice to the NSA
The broader problem, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says, is the NSA's continued obfuscation of its programs, even after their revelation into the public mind and the public conversation. By Megan Garber
Threats
Here's the Main Reason Iran's President Is Warming Up to the West
Rouhani faces a plunging economy because of western sanctions that have cut into oil exports and other industries. Talks with the West is the only way to make it stop. By Tim Fernholz
Defense Systems
DISA storage contract stresses interoperability
IT agency says it is moving away from centralized nets to ‘edge-centered’ approach.
Defense Systems
Check out begins on third AEHF military satellite
Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite communications will increase data rates five-fold.
Business
Close the NSA's Reagan-Era Collection Loophole
There are many ways NSA could win back public trust, protect privacy, and still do its job. One way: cancel an executive order signed by Ronald Reagan. By Marc Ambinder
Science & Tech
Clean Energy Gets an Unlikely Ally: Military Veterans
A rising chorus of voices from the national security community are united by what is fast becoming a consensus view: investments in clean energy strengthens our national security and gives our service members an edge on the battlefield. By Chris Rey
Policy
Senators Vow To Crack Down on Security Clearances
Capitol Hill wants the system that grants contractors elite access to be much more accountable. By Matt Berman
Ideas
How Photographic Technology Shapes Our Understanding of War
From Polaroids to Instagram, the methods we used to document conflict have drastically changed. So has our understanding of what war really is. By Peter Osnos
Business
Amos' Marines Could Go Even Smaller, to 120,000
All due respect, but Commandant Amos isn’t going deep enough. The Marine Corps can drop to 120,000 using MEUs. Here’s how. By Aaron Haubert
Threats
Obama's Final Pivot Away From the Middle East
The administration's reluctance to intervene in Syria may be the beginning of a permanent shift away from the region. By David Rohde
Policy
A September to Surrender: Syria and Summers Spell Second-Term Slump
Is Obama's power eroding quicker than before, or is this just typical of this stage in the presidency? By Major Garrett
Threats
Dempsey: Securing Syria’s Chemical Weapons Is ‘Feasible’
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says securing Syria’s chemical stockpile will be ‘challenging’ during the ongoing civil war, but it’s ‘feasible.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats