Ideas
As the Rich Get Richer, the Ambassadors Get Worse
Gordon Sondland embodies an age-old problem—one that the flood of donor money into American politics is only exacerbating.
Science & Tech
At DHS, an Exodus of Tech and Cyber Leaders
The rotating cast of officials in top tech and cyber jobs could hinder the department’s ability to develop and execute a consistent digital strategy.
Ideas
Russia’s AI Quest is State-Driven — Even More than China’s. Can It Work?
Handicaps: weak private sector, Soviet-style bureaucracy. Helps: Great STEM education — and history.
Defense Systems
Amazon files sealed JEDI protest
Amazon Web Services' protest of the Defense Department's award of the JEDI cloud infrastructure contract made it to court Friday. While mostly sealed, some early cards in AWS' hand are evident, including claims of undue influence from President Trump.
Science & Tech
Amazon’s JEDI Protest Centers on Trump
In July, the president made highly unusual remarks about the competition for the giant cloud-computing contract.
Ideas
Foreign Policy Isn't Just Up To Trump
The president’s defenders argue that U.S. foreign policy is whatever he says it is. Trouble is, that’s not what the Constitution says.
Ideas
Don’t Demand Protection Money from Japan. Do Ask Tokyo to Rethink Its Defenses
A well-fortified Japan could take the lead in its own security, with U.S. forces acting as a backstop rather than the primary combatants.
Ideas
America Hasn’t Always Supported Ukraine Like This
For a policy that’s purportedly a pillar of the decades-old international order, military aid to Ukraine is pretty new.
Policy
Trump Officials Meet With Libyan Politician Aligned With Opposition ‘Strongman’ In Potential Policy Shift
US support for the UN-recognized Libyan government is in question after a series of quiet meetings with an enterprising presidential hopeful.
Ideas
'Some of You on this Committee Appear to Believe' That Russia Didn't Meddle in 2016
In testimony, a former senior director for European and Russian affairs on Trump's National Security Council tells lawmakers to stop spreading Moscow's lies.
Ideas
Why Elizabeth Warren’s Foreign Policy Worries America’s Allies
Finding savings in the defense budget is possible, of course, but getting to 11 percent will require real cuts to capabilities.
Science & Tech
What to Expect from Congress’ Cyber Strategy Brain Trust
The Cyberspace Solarium Commission aims to have policy recommendations ready to plug into the next defense authorization bill, Co-Chairman Rep. Mike Gallagher said.
Ideas
Dear Pope Francis: While You're in Japan, Call for No First Use
The pontiff was already planning to call for global nuclear disarmament. Asking the U.S. to adopt a no-first-use policy would make the world a bit safer, faster.
Ideas
What’s Driving Apolitical Diplomats to Get Political
Some former State Department officials are so concerned by Trump’s treatment of America's allies and diplomatic corps that they have begun to advise 2020 Democrats.
Ideas
Pompeo Can’t Escape
The secretary of state has been trying to distance himself from the impeachment hearings, but today’s explosive testimony put him at center stage.
Business