Defense Systems

Congressional leaders push back on NDAA veto threats

Defense committee leaders plan to vote on the annual defense bill without key items on President Trump's wish list.

Science & Tech

AI Is Reshaping the US Approach to Gray-Zone Ops

Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools aren’t just for big hot wars, but also for places where the battle lines aren’t clear.

Ideas

This Is No Job for a General

President-elect Joe Biden should choose a civilian to lead his Department of Defense.

Threats

US Army Disciplines 14 Soldiers, Creates New Duty Status After Murder

The steps follow the conclusion of one of several inquests into the April murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen.

Ideas

The Problem With the SecDef Purity Test

You don’t want a general, a man, a war veteran — and everyone in the defense industry is evil?

Ideas

Congress Should Vote ‘No’ on Austin. It Likely Won’t.

It's hard to vote against a popular general. That's one reason why lawmakers barred the appointment of recently retired officers as defense secretary.

Policy

Biden Selects Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary, Reportedly

Austin, the last commander of the Iraq War, would be the nation's first Black defense secretary.

Exclusive Policy

Trump Admin to Rename Two Bases for Space Force Over Military Objections

The Air Force had quietly agreed with Congress not to change anything until the NDAA settles a way forward on Confederate base names.

Threats

CISA Warns About Iran’s Offensive Cyber Capabilities

One observer suggests the alert is meant more for the adversary than defenders.

Ideas

Why We Need a New ICBM

The arguments for keeping a nuclear triad.

Ideas

Watch: Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Commander, US Central Command

This interview was part of Defense One Outlook 2021, this year's virtual edition of our annual national-security summit.

Ideas

The Hidden Dangers in Biden’s Foreign Policy

The president-elect’s stated agenda will antagonize China and lead to conflict.

Ideas

Great Power Competition Is Too Narrow a Frame

The United States cannot hope to prevail and prosper unless it broadens its conception of the global struggle.

Science & Tech

‘Artificial Skin’ May One Day Make Troops Invisible, Even to Heat Sensors

Small interconnected panels mimic the color and temperature of their environment, similar to an octopus

Ideas

Biden Must Save the Iran Nuclear Deal Before It’s Too Late

The president-elect has a real but limited window to reinstate a deal that froze Tehran’s nuclear efforts.