Policy
State Department Defends Unusual Recall of Furloughed Staffers, With Pay
Management, budget and legal teams approved emergency movement of funds.
Science & Tech
Trump’s New Missile Policy Relies Heavily on Largely Unproven Technologies
New adversary missiles are to be met by a host of technologies that, by and large, don’t exist yet.
Threats
Missile Defense Review Calls for Protecting US From Cruise Missiles
The long-awaited report calls for technology development, but stops short of calling for the deployment of hypersonic interceptors and space-based lasers.
Threats
What Lies Beyond America’s Deadliest Day in Syria
The assault in northern Syria underscores why Trump wants to get out — and why that’s going to be difficult.
Ideas
Trump Tried Partisan Applause Lines Inside the Pentagon. Nobody Applauded.
The president uses a missile-defense policy rollout to bash Democrats before the military’s senior leaders.
Ideas
Ep. 36: British defense strategy with UK MoD’s Will Jessett
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Policy
It's Official: Furloughed Feds Will Receive Back Pay Once the Shutdown Ends
Bill signed into law on Wednesday also will ensure retroactive compensation for furloughed feds in future shutdowns.
Science & Tech
Pentagon to Study Putting Anti-Missile Laser Weapons in Space
The long-anticipated missile defense review shies away from a full-scale push — which critics say underlines the idea’s folly.
Threats
Army Chief Confirms US Will Hand off ISIS Fight in Syria
Gen. Mark Milley is the first senior military official to say the military is proceeding in Syria as Trump wishes.
Ideas
The US Needs a New Public Shipyard
Warships are waiting for repairs at America's creaky government drydocks. And no, privatization isn’t the answer.
Ideas
The Shutdown Is Doing Lasting Damage to National Security
With every passing day, America’s defenses are weakening.
Policy
Poll: Nearly Three-Quarters of Federal Workers Oppose Shutdown, Majority Oppose Wall
One-in-three feds think the shutdown will drag on for more than three additional months.
Defense Systems
Army looks to leverage AI in acquisition
Artificial intelligence will be a big part of the future acquisitions, particularly regarding air missile defense and other weapons systems, an Army acquisition exec says.
Business
SAIC Closes Engility Acquisition — and Looks for More Growth
Executives are eyeing larger deals for classified intelligence community work.
Threats
China’s Military Is Getting Better at a Lot of Things at Once: Pentagon Intelligence
The DIA’s first public report cites rapid advances, extended reach, and increasing confidence.
Defense Systems
DOD gives Microsoft $1.7B support contract
The Defense Department awards Microsoft a sole-source $1.7 billion contract for product enterprise services.
Ideas