Ideas

Who Is ISIS-K?

Two terrorism experts on the group behind the deadly Kabul airport attack and its rivalry with the Taliban.

Threats

13 US Troops Killed, More Injured, in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport

10 Marines among the dead; they were securing one of the last gates open for Afghans, Americans to escape.

Business

Conference Wire: Navy Eyes Greater Space Capabilities

The final day of the 2021 Space Symposium saw Navy officials talk—just a bit—about their plans.

Threats

13 US Troops Killed in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport

In a statement, Biden vows to attackers: "We will hunt you down and make you pay."

Threats

US Troops, Afghans Killed by Explosion at Kabul Airport, Pentagon Says

Worsening security and the need to get all troops out is quickly closing the window to safely escape. ‘Today is likely last day,’ one memo advises.

Threats

Afghanistan Airlift Ops Have Rescued 101,300 From Kabul

But numbers out each day are dropping as Taliban tighten grip on airport, security threats rise.

Defense Systems

VA readies cloud-based data platform

VA Data Commons features computing infrastructure, co-located data and commonly used software services, tools, and apps for managing, analyzing and sharing data.

Defense Systems

Austin mandates COVID vaccine for military

The defense secretary has ordered military departments to immediately begin mandatory vaccination programs with FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Business

Qatar Helping US Fly Afghanistan Evacuees to Germany

The planes are not part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation, but are flying similar routes.

Business

Conference Wire: More Stuff in Space

The 2021 Space Symposium rolls on with a big jump in low-Earth-orbit objects and some early birthday cake.

Science & Tech

House Bill Aims to Bridge Acquisition ‘Valley of Death’ In Race to Counter China

A draft of the House NDAA markup outlines two provisions to fix the gap between research and acquisition.

Ideas

The Curious Omission in Russia’s New Security Strategy

It doesn’t mention “cyber”—and that tells us a few things.

Policy

Pentagon Orders Troops to Get COVID Vaccine

Austin’s order follows FDA approval of one vaccine—and the deadliest week yet for COVID-stricken troops.

Threats

Not For the First Time, COVID Takes Back Seat to a More Pressing Crisis

The evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan depends on cramming people into closed spaces—during a global pandemic.