Defense Systems
We were promised jetpacks. DARPA looks to deliver
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking for ways individual warfighters can strap on a portable personal air mobility system to fly themselves to and from missions.
Defense Systems
DARPA picks teams to bring homomorphic encryption to life
Four research teams will work to develop a hardware accelerator and software stack for fully homomorphic encryption that can bring the speed of FHE calculations in line with similar unencrypted data operations.
Defense Systems
Senate votes to extend pandemic relief for contractors
A Senate amendment to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act extends pandemic relief authorities to government contractors for paid leave through the end of the fiscal year.
Threats
GOP Lawmakers Push Chinese Threat at Indo-Pacific Commander’s Hearing
Adm. Davidson called China the “greatest long-term strategic threat of the 21st century.”
Business
Lockheed-Aerojet Deal Clears Another Hurdle
Aerojet Rocketdyne shareholders approved plans for the $4 billion sale that Lockheed claims will save the U.S. $100 million annually. But the FTC is still reviewing.
Ideas
The US Talks A Lot About Strategic Complexity. Too Bad It’s Mostly Just Talk.
The pandemic sidelined a national security community that gives only lip service to a vital concept.
Ideas
Biden’s Interim National Security Guidance Is a Good, If Small, First Step
Next come the big questions: what is America’s current status, and where do we want to go?
Science & Tech
Splitting NSA, CyberCom Now Could Reduce Military Access to Intelligence, Milley Says
The Joint Chiefs chairman says the organizations have not yet worked out how to keep the data flowing after the long-awaited split.
Policy
Biden Nominates Two Women To Lead Combatant Commands
They would become just the second and third women to head up a top-level joint military command.
Ideas
Five Ways to Prepare Now for the Next Pandemic
Suggestion from public-health researchers with experience in disaster response.
Ideas
With Iran, First Prevent the Nukes
If Tehran gets the Bomb, every other regional problem immediately gets a lot harder.
Ideas
Who’s Funding that Lawsuit? Implications for Lawfare
The U.S. and friendly governments must better understand the national-security risks from third-party litigation finance.
Policy
It’s Time for a Cybersecurity Quid Pro Quo
Require companies to disclose breaches to the government in exchange for legal liability limitations.
Policy
Esper, McMaster, Panetta Endorse 9/11-Style Commission to Investigate Jan. 6 Insurrection
“We need to have serious people, independent people take a look at this,” Trump’s final confirmed defense secretary said.
Ideas
Support for QAnon Is Hard to Measure. Polls May Overestimate It
The spread of ideas online, and people’s endorsement of them in polls, doesn’t give the whole picture.
Science & Tech