Policy

Can US-Taliban Peace Talks End the War in Afghanistan?

U.S. officials say that they are close to reaching a deal with the Taliban, but peace in the country would still not be guaranteed.

Science & Tech

Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missiles Are a Terrible Idea. Russia’s Test Explosion Shows Why

A flying unshielded nuclear reactor would spew massive amounts of radiation, and that’s if it’s working correctly.

Business

Energy Dept. Never Blacklists Risky Nuclear-Tech Vendors, GAO Says

The process is too time-consuming and narrow to be effective, reply officials at the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Ideas

Weaponizing Biotech: How China's Military Is Preparing for a 'New Domain of Warfare'

Under Beijing's civil-military fusion strategy, the PLA is sponsoring research on gene editing, human performance enhancement, and more.

Ideas

It’s High Time for Germany to Fund, and Fix, Its Military

The country is far from NATO’s 2% budget guideline, and its defense establishment is rife with dysfunction.

Science & Tech

NIST Has a Roadmap to Develop Artificial Intelligence Standards

NIST also calls for tools to help agencies better study and assess the quality of AI-powered systems.

Defense Systems

Pentagon gears up for new 5G leadership

DOD Undersecretary for Research and Engineering Michael Griffin said the department is in the midst of adding assistant directors to lead the "strategic shaping" of 5G research and development.

Science & Tech

New Tool Reveals Big Vulnerabilities In Mobile Apps That Use Multiple Clouds

The remote servers that power thousands of popular apps harbor a rats’ nest of vulnerabilities.

Ideas

Our Efforts to Prevent Nuclear Terror Are Shrinking. The Threat Is Not.

Five ideas to help Congress reinvigorate the crucial pursuit of nuclear security.

Ideas

Chinese Propaganda Goes Tech-Savvy to Reach a New Generation

As the Party’s propaganda strategies become more nuanced and sophisticated, so should our frameworks for understanding them.

Defense Systems

DOD works to debunk JEDI 'myths' as IG announces review

In a recent briefing, Defense Department CIO Dana Deasy focused on DOD's cloud strategy and debunking "myths" about the JEDI procurement, but the inspector general just announced a review of the program.

Ideas

China’s Army May Miss Some of Its Modernization Goals

But the PLA will still have more modern armored brigades than the United States.

Defense Systems

Army researchers use AI to extend battery life

Army-funded researchers are tapping artificial intelligence to explore combinations of materials that could be used to improve energy storage.

Ideas

Trump's Thin Skin Is Hurting US National Security

The president’s aides are reluctant even to broach the dangers of white racist violence and electoral interference with him.

Policy

State Dept. IG: Hiring Freeze Hurt Border Security, Counterterrorism, and Other Priorities

Imposed by Rex Tillerson soon after Trump took office, the 16-month freeze crushed morale and hindered operations, the inspector general found.