Defense Systems

DOD builds laser that IDs remote subjects by their heartbeat

The Defense Department has developed a device that uses an infrared laser to detect unique cardiac signatures of people 200 meters away.

Ideas

Melians’ Revenge: How Emerging Tech Can Fortify NATO’s Eastern Flank

AI, 3D printing, commercial drones, and more can give the alliance’s easternmost nations a surprisingly potent defensive punch.

Ideas

Ep. 46: Mosul, revisited (part one) with Omar Mohammed of Mosul Eye

This episode we travel to Paris to meet the Iraqi historian behind secretive dispatches during the Islamic State group's occupation of Mosul.

Threats

Pentagon Official: We Didn’t Link Iran to al-Qaeda In Hill Briefings

“In these briefings, none of the officials mentioned al-Qa'ida or the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force,” DASD Mick Mulroy said.

Defense Systems

Lawmaker worried about DOD leadership shuffle

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) worries U.S. defenses in space could be at risk due to lack of permanent leadership at the Pentagon.

Threats

Code that Allowed the Equifax Breach Was Downloaded 21M Times Last Year

A report highlights the difficulties of securing the many government IT systems that rely on open-source software.

Policy

Lawmaker: Human Problem at Pentagon Worse than Tech Problem

Rep. Jim Cooper says Congress shouldn’t accept a government topped by acting political appointees.

Ideas

Democrats Still Don’t Know How to Talk About Climate Change

They did try, though.

Threats

Brussels Forum, Live

Watch the livestream from the German Marshall Fund's annual Brussels Forum.

Science & Tech

It's Today! Our 4th Annual Tech Summit. Watch Live!

Join us at the Newseum for our annual look at the technology that is shaping the future of national security.

Policy

Democrats Couldn’t Agree on Top National-Security Threats

The candidates’ different answers reflect the Democratic Party’s deeper divisions on foreign policy.

Threats

America’s Free-Rider Problem in the Strait of Hormuz

“The United States has not been willing to walk away from the Gulf, so other allies may not step up to do anything because they know that if they don’t, the U.S. will.”

Ideas

We’re Not Playing Acquisition Pac-Man Anymore

Today’s defense acquisition officials have freedom of movement akin to an open-world game. They need to use it.

Defense Systems

How DOD can use data to take readiness to the next level

Data-literate personnel can better support defense operations that power warfighter missions by leveraging data-based insights for improved decision-making and agility.

Ideas

‘End Forever Wars’ is a Sound Bite, Not a Security Policy

More and more Democratic candidates are echoing Trump’s pledges to withdraw from conflicts abroad. Few say how to do it, nor how it will make us safer.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Aims to Award JEDI Cloud Contract in August

But a court hearing for Oracle's protest is slated for early July, which may complicate DOD's effort to choose between Amazon and Microsoft.