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
Air Force deactivates orbital tracking system, no decision on replacement
Deactivating the 21st Space Wing radar system will save the Air Force $14 million annually, but the proposed replacement costs could reach $2 billion.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $60M contract for UCLASS drone assessment
UCLASS system would provide ocean intelligence collection, strike capabilities at sea.
Defense Systems
Modern tradecraft moves in parallel with cyber operations
A free wireless network at Starbucks might be the medium for passing along intelligence.
Threats
The Arab World Is on the Brink of Radicalizing
The violence in Egypt only underlines the threat faced by governments being overrun by religious extremism. By Michael Hirsh
Ideas
What the NSA’s Massive Org Chart (Probably) Looks Like
Amid public cries for greater transparency into the intelligence world, here’s a look at the National Security Agency’s organizational chart -- as far as we know it. By Marc Ambinder
Business
Pentagon To Provide Same-Sex Benefits Starting Next Month
The military will also allow troops to take leave to get married if they are stationed more than 100 miles from a state where same-sex marriage is legal. By Amelia Gruber
Policy
Egypt's Military Cracks Down on Protesters
The army began breaking up protests staged by supporters of former President Mohammad Morsi. Unconfirmed reports from Cairo are suggesting a high death toll so far. By Dashiell Bennett
Defense Systems
Streamlined satellite acquisition advances, but challenges remain
While cutting costs through competition, FCSA is threatened by high demand, lagging supply, security shortfalls.
Defense Systems
DARPA funds research to boost sensors
Squeezed light can generate more precise measurements when applied to sensor technology.
Ideas