Policy

Esper, Milley Push South Korea to Pay More for US Troop Protection

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo declined to confirm reports that Trump is asking for a 400-percent hike.

Science & Tech

Amazon Will Protest JEDI Cloud Contract; Cites ‘Political Influence’

In July, Trump said he was "looking into" the $10 billion contract, which went to Microsoft last month.

Ideas

We Haven’t Done Enough to Ensure That America Never Tortures Again

The first post-9/11 commander of the Gitmo detention facility maps out what’s done and what still needs doing.

Science & Tech

US Is Moving Too Slowly to Harness Drones and AI, Former SOCOM Commander Says

Tony Thomas says he wishes he’d spent less time growing his command and more time pushing it to embrace new technology.

Ideas

Erdogan Blasts US at White House. Was That Good for NATO?

Critics howled at Trump’s invitation to the Turkish autocrat. Others clench their teeth and say it’s paramount to keep Ankara in the anti-Russian alliance.

Threats

About 600 US Troops to Remain in Syria, Esper Says

But for what mission? Pentagon chief says Trump’s focus on "keeping" oil is part of fighting ISIS.

Ideas

Ep. 59: The future of European security

Here's a look at some of the ways Europe is changing amid various pressures from Russia, China and the NATO alliance.

Science & Tech

US Vets Targeted by Foreign Actors Aiming to Sway Elections, Experts Tell Congress

Actors from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and elsewhere gain access to online forums by impersonating vets they find online

Ideas

Trump's Bullying of Ukraine Set Off Alarms Throughout the US Government

The first day of impeachment hearings revealed repeated threats to resign and repeated referrals to lawyers of possible violations of U.S. law by U.S. officials.

Policy

Erdoğan Defies Trump. So Why Do They Get Along?

The two have undeniable personal chemistry, but their countries are drifting apart.

Ideas

Trump's Real Offense Was Outsourcing American Diplomacy

Allowing Rudy Giuliani to handle U.S. diplomacy was a constitutional violation—one whose gravity Republicans might see if they weren’t so busy making excuses for the president.

Defense Systems

Air Force gears up for first 'connect-a-thon'

Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition head, said one of the best ways to prove budget needs to Congress is to show effects in the first event that centers around virtually connecting aircraft platforms.

Defense Systems

DOD's innovation board suggests hiring shortcuts for tech talent

The Defense Department's readiness in emerging technology areas such as data science will slip away unless it changes its hiring processes, according to the Defense Innovation Board's recommendations.

Ideas

The Mothers Who Fled the Turkish Incursion

Attacks by Turkish-backed forces shattered a hard-won pseudo-normalcy for Syrian women who had lived under ISIS.

Science & Tech

Don’t Rush Quantum-Proof Encryption, Warns NSA Research Director

Quantum computers could crack the codes that secure the world’s digital information but racing to a solution could create more threats.

Policy

'That’s When I Became A Sniper': Ukraine’s Women Vets Describe Their War

As the war in Ukraine smolders on, we sat down with women veterans who recount their experiences fighting to defend their country, and each other.