Ideas
To build 'peace through strength,' restore this pillar of US power
Administration cuts are breaking the federal-academic partnership that incubates U.S. technology and talent.
Policy
Drones are now bullets: How a new Pentagon policy may accelerate robot warfare
The new policy also allows more units to buy drones, which should boost the demand signal to industry.
Threats
Army gets $2.5B for weapons, vehicles in reconciliation bill
Sum includes hundreds of millions for more missiles as Pentagon reviews stockpiles.
Policy
State Department lays off 1,350 employees
The department says the cuts are needed to tame bureaucracy. Critics say they will weaken U.S. strength at a critical time.
Policy
SASC to Pentagon: you need a new cyber-deterrence plan
Trump-administration nominees and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee recently traded views on how to deal with rising threats to critical infrastructure.
Policy
Mass layoffs are imminent, State Department tells employees
The diplomatic agency is poised to be the first to move forward with SCOTUS-blessed RIFs.
Policy
Allies struggle to work with US military in space operations, GAO finds
An excess of overlapping roles, classification, and unfilled jobs are hurting U.S. collaboration with partners in space.
Policy
DHS intelligence office halts staff cuts after stakeholder backlash
Pushback from law enforcement associations and Jewish orgs came after Nextgov/FCW first reported plans to shed most staff within a core DHS intelligence unit.
Policy
Pentagon to become rare-earth mining company's largest stockholder
The Defense Department will buy a 15% stake in MP Materials and fund the construction of a magnet-making facility, all to reduce its reliance on China.
Defense Systems
Pentagon seeks sensors to aid regenerative medicine
And as a byproduct, to boost the U.S. biotech industry.
Threats
The deadly Texas flash flood is a preview of the chaos to come
Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.
Ideas
How China’s new rare-earth export controls target the Pentagon—and the world
The licensing system replaces a cruder, less flexible means of economic leverage.
Ideas
The Trump administration’s lie-detector campaign is more likely to hurt than help national security
Pseudo-scientific polygraph tests may discourage internal candor and divert investigative energy while failing to stop leaks.
Threats
Army aims to quadruple Patriot missile procurement
Move comes amid conflict with Iran, questions about aid to Ukraine.
Policy