Threats

Not Yet! U.S. Still Determining Syria Attack Objectives

Obama administration officials are still trying to decide what objective they want to achieve with an attack on Syria, fearing additional chemical weapons use. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Pentagon’s Syria Response Reveals Limits of Prized Cyber, Drone Arsenal

Here’s why the 'clarity' of a 20th century cruise missile strike likely will trump the 'sophistication' of the Pentagon’s 21st century drones and cyber-weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Defense Systems

Maritime exercise marks milestone for U.S.-China joint operations

U.S. 5th Fleet participates with Chinese navy in bilateral counter-piracy scenarios.

Defense Systems

Air Force awards $14M modification for space situational awareness prototype

Lockheed Martin will support the Joint Space Operational Center under NETCENTS.

Defense Systems

Army purchases more counter-fire radars

Lockheed Martin will supply an additional 33 Q-53 radars under $206 million contract.

Policy

Syria: Mission Impossible?

President Obama is deciding whether to launch a military strike against Syria. The problem is, there may be no good way do it. By Michael Hirsh

Science & Tech

Why a Precision Strike Won't Work in Syria

The Kosovo model for a precision strike against Syria ignores two important things - they're not always that precise and there's no guarantee that Assad will back down any time soon. By James Fallows

Business

Former Air Force Secretary To Reduce Hagel's Staff by 20 Percent

Retired Air Force Secretary Mike Donley will lead a panel that's been directed to reduce the Office of the Secretary of Defense's budget by 20 percent. By Tom Shoop

Policy

U.S. No Longer Seeking U.N., NATO Permission to Strike Syria

Bypassing the United Nations and NATO, the United States is 'ready to strike' Syria with British, French and Arab support. By Kevin Baron

Defense Systems

DOD planning for major civilian, procurement cuts in fiscal 2014

The Defense Department is reportedly preparing to lay off more than 6,200 civilians in October.

Defense Systems

GAO finds redundancies with Next Generation Jammer

While new Navy jammer would fill a specific gap, functional overlap exists between current technologies.

Defense Systems

Navy modification increases Global Hawk contract award to $95M

Northrup Grumman will provide operations, maintenance service.

Threats

Kerry Makes the Case for Military Action in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry says it’s not about stopping the civil war in Syria anymore– it’s about ending the proliferation of chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

The War After the War in Syria

The continued fracturing of Syrian fighters threatens any hope for reconstruction once the fighting dies down. By Joshua Foust

Ideas

To Reach the East, NATO Must First Go North

NATO has an opportunity to engage its Asian partners and counterbalance the burgeoning Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic. By Robbie Gramer and Alex Ward

Policy

Drones Are Controversial But Legal

Just because drones are more technologically advanced than other weapons doesn't mean they violate international law. By James Jay Carafano

Defense Systems

DOD's push for secure mobile comms leverages commercial tools

Commercial encryption, biometrics help DOD prevent eavesdropping.

Defense Systems

Army looks to integrate micro drones

Barclay stresses combined operations as a way to stretch procurement dollars.

Defense Systems

Hagel says joint exercise expansion key to Asia Pacific pivot

U.S. shift is progressing despite sequestration.

Defense Systems

Marine Corps deploys upgraded biometric scanner

The Biometric Enrollment Screening Device matches fingerprints, iris images and facial photos.