Ideas

The Pentagon Must Prep Now for the Next Pandemic

We must take stock of the myriad ways the U.S. military has helped fight COVID-19—and learn to do even better.

Defense Systems

How COVID-19 is driving the military’s move to mobile RFID

The need to securely track assets of a mobile workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic has made a clear case for the military to adopt mobile RFID.

Threats

At Kabul Airport, 2,000 Marines Provide Security and Process Evacuees

Meanwhile, the airfield perimeter is mostly held by soldiers of the 82nd Airborne.

Ideas

These Afghans Were Our Allies. Now We Must All Help Them Become Our Neighbors

Americans have a new chance to serve the interpreters and others who helped our troops in battle.

Policy

More Seats Than Passengers: Paperwork, Taliban Slow Afghanistan Evacuation

But the pace is picking up. Some 6,000 "will soon board planes," a State Department spokesman said.

Defense Systems

Was DOD ready for telework in 2020?

Slow networks, a lack of management buy-in and the need for more government equipment all affected how DOD feds transitioned to telework at the start of the pandemic, new reports from DOD's IG found.

Defense Systems

Data and DOD's pivot from 'fight tonight'

The Pentagon is developing a tool that could help trace the impact of senior leaders' decisions down to the unit and years into the future.

Defense Systems

Contractor oversight was lacking in Afghanistan, IG says

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction's newest report calls out the government's failure to oversee contractors as a source of waste, fraud and abuse.

Exclusive Policy

Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says

Chris Miller now says talk of a full withdrawal was a “play” to convince a Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces.

Ideas

Taiwan Wants Paladins. Congress Should Say No

Taipei’s only hope for an effective defense is not armor but asymmetry.

Policy

‘All the Signs Have Been There’ Predicting Afghan Security Force Collapse, IG Says

For more than a decade, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has been warning about “ghost soldiers” and corruption to anyone willing to pay attention.

Ideas

The Next Big Refugee Crisis Just Started

The U.S. and its partners should respond to the needs of displaced Afghans, for national security reasons and long-term opportunities.