Ideas

The Filmmaker Behind the Edward Snowden Leaks

A new <em>New York Times</em> magazine profile describes how far Laura Poitras has gone to protect her privacy, while also reporting on the government's surveillance programs. By Philip Bump

Ideas

This is How Benjamin Franklin Made America a Superpower

Founding father's grand strategy was predicated on economic growth driven by population expansion and immigration. By Miles Kimball

Defense Systems

DOD weighing cuts to combatant commands

Up to 5,000 military and civilian positions may be eliminated if sequestration forces the Pentagon to realign its commands.

Business

How To Reduce the Growing Number of Bid Protests

The number of bid protests has ballooned in the past several years. But for most contractors, protesting a bid is a ‘high-stakes game of poker’ they'd rather not play. By William Keating and Peter McDonald

Business

The Military's Graduate Programs Aren't Really Training the Nation's Future Cyberwarriors

A new report recommends that the Pentagon's graduate programs revise their curricula to include cyber-specific training. By Brittany Ballenstedt

Science & Tech

The Anti-Snowden? Ex-SEAL’s Firm Caught Between Security and Privacy

Former Navy commando Mike Janke is a spy-turned-privacy advocate, but don’t compare him to NSA leaker Edward Snowden. By Aliya Sternstein

Ideas

Obama's Embassy Closures Just 'Free Advertising' for Al Qaeda

Obama's disjointed response to terrorism has left the U.S. in a 'defensive crouch'. Closing embassies so far from Yemen, however, was little more than 'free advertising' for Al Qaeda. By Joshua Foust

Policy

Military Sexual Assault Victims Are Closely Watching Reform Efforts

Proposed legislation to take sexual assault reporting out of the chain of command is a start, but survivors say that more needs to be done to combat the ongoing crisis. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Obama Should Scrap that Russian Helicopter Contract, Too

The U.S. government is buying arms from the same dealer that supplies Bashar Assad's regime in Syria. By Sonni Efron

Defense Systems

Air Force awards $20M for drone training

CAE USA will provide aircrew training to 1,500 Predator and Reaper operators.

Defense Systems

Army integrates new simulation technology into combat training

The Dismounted Solider Training System offers a cost- and time-saving supplement to field training.

Policy

With Summit’s Collapse, Now Russia is Kerry and Hagel’s Problem

As Obama and Putin 'take a pause' in their relationship, Kerry and Hagel huddle with their Russian counterparts in Washington to tackle the growing tension between the two nations. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Obama: 'We've Struck the Right Balance' on Spying

President Obama announces four major reforms to strengthen oversight of government spying programs. By Matt Berman and Brian Resnick

Policy

McCain's Foreign Policy Bromance With Obama

Fresh from a trip to Egypt on behalf of the president, Sen. John McCain compares his relationship with Obama to "a classic romantic comedy." By Abby Ohlheiser.

Science & Tech

Secure Email Service Used by Snowden Shuts Down

The head of the company that runs the secret email service that NSA leaker Edward Snowden used says he can no longer be "complicit in crimes against the American people." By Zachary M. Seward

Business

DoD's New Anti-Counterfeit Rules Are Confusing Defense Contractors

Many contractors say they can't comply with DoD's new anti-counterfeiting rules because they're too vague. By Aliya Sternstein

Threats

U.S. Pulls Staff from Consulate in Pakistan

Following the closing of nearly more than a dozen embassies, the U.S. pulls non-emergency staff from a consulate in Pakistan. By Defense One Staff

Ideas

How to Save the Middle East from Nuclear War

No region is in greater need of banning nuclear weapons than the conflict-cursed Middle East. Here’s my plan to get it started. By Prince Turki Al Faisal

Defense Systems

DISA looking for ways to speed JIE roll out

Hawkins tells industry he wants to deliver new IT capabilities "in sprints."

Defense Systems

X-47B drone avoids mothballs, will undergo further testing

Following two failed carrier landings, Navy decides to put the UAS through unspecified tests.