Defense Systems
B-1B Lancer crashes during routine training
All four crew members safely ejected from the bomber.
Ideas
Once an Iraqi Interpreter, Now an American Soldier
The American dream -- and the fear of post-war Baghdad -- has led tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees to the U.S. For one former interpreter to the U.S. military, the only way to stay was to join up.
Policy
50 Percent of Americans Say Obama Isn’t ‘Tough’ on Egypt
As confusion swirls around the administration’s Egypt policy, many Americans say it’s time to cut military aid. By Mark Micheli
Ideas
Whispers in the Ranks that Iraq Has Turned Obama Isolationist to a Fault
Some in Obama’s diplomatic corps fear the president has “learned all the wrong things from Iraq” -- a deadly lesson for Syria’s rebels. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants To Expand Program That Detects Foreign Nuclear Tests
A new solicitation indicates that the DoD is considering an upgrade to a system used to track nuclear activity abroad. By Aliya Sternstein
Ideas
Just 75 Al Qaeda, Room for the Taliban and Organized Crime. Is This How It Ends in Afghanistan?
The enemy in Afghanistan is “a complex mosaic” and "may continue this fight for many, many years.” By Stephanie Gaskell
Science & Tech
Area 51 Has Been Hiding U-2 Spy Planes, Not UFOs
The existence of Area 51 isn’t the CIA’s most impressive revelation within the newly declassified document—it’s the U-2’s price tag. By Mark Micheli
Ideas
Why Is the Pentagon Dragging Its Feet on 3D Printing?
Troops in Afghanistan are testing 3D printers on the battlefield, but the military's acquisition process is getting in their way. By Kyle Chayka
Threats
Hagel Admits U.S. Influence in Egypt Is ‘Limited’
In his first public remarks about the violence in Egypt, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says “it will be their responsibility to sort this out.” By Kevin Baron
Policy
The NSA Needs a Church Committee
It's time for a new Church Committee, the mid-1970s surveillance oversight investigation named for Sen. Frank Church, and this time it should be led by Sen. Ron Wyden. By Conor Friedersdorf.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $243M contract for aircraft engineering services
Six contractors will provide systems engineering services to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Department.
Defense Systems
Internet chat rooms used for joint exercise command and control
U.S. and Australian forces used chats alongside traditional technology during Talisman Saber.
Defense Systems
Coast Guard procurement of navigation app raises security concerns
Coast Guard seeks to replace mission critical paper navigation with electronic system.
Science & Tech
Exclusive: NSA Loophole Keeps Congress Clueless on Foreign Intel Violations
The leaked audit showing the NSA broke privacy rules nearly 3,000 times in one year is just the tip of the iceberg. The NSA is not telling Congress much more. By Marc Ambinder
Defense Systems
President Obama cancels U.S. participation in Egypt’s Bright Star Exercise
The biennial training brings thousands of U.S. air and ground forces to Egypt.
Ideas
In The Tank: This Week’s Best Defense and National Security Think Tank Offerings
The latest in wonk reads on national security, tech, and more. By Kedar Pavgi
Business
Sexual Assault Reform or 'Slippery Slope' for Military Justice?
The all-or-nothing battle over removing sexual assault cases from command authority shouldn’t stop real reform from happening. By James Kitfield
Ideas
Brooklyn Is Not Baghdad: What Is the CIA Teaching the NYPD?
Brooklyn is not Baghdad. Congress should show more concern that the CIA is teaching NYPD an unwarranted counterinsurgency mentality. By Faiza Patel and Daniel Michelson-Horowitz
Science & Tech
Killing Machines: How Far Can Obama's Drone Wars Go?
Behind every drone is a system that plans, operates and executes operations. This is one glimpse into that world. By Mark Bowden.
Defense Systems