Science & Tech
DEA Never Checked If Its Massive Surveillance Operations Are Legal, Watchdog Says
The administration “failed to conduct a comprehensive legal analysis” of three NSA-style bulk data collection programs, according to the Justice Department Inspector General.
Defense Systems
DARPA wants AI to learn like a child
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency wants to build an automated language acquisition system that learns language the way children do -- extracting meaning from hearing sounds while observing the environment.
Defense Systems
DOD's AI work hindered by 'grave misperceptions'
Like every other technology used by the Defense Department, artificial intelligence will be evaluated for legal, ethical and moral concerns, DOD's AI chief says.
Policy
The Dismal Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Are a Readiness Issue
Most military families are under stress due to their financial situation.
Policy
The ‘Day After’ In Syria Finally Came. But What Comes Next?
If U.S. military commanders were unsure of their mission four years ago, it’s even muddier today.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon is ‘Absolutely Unapologetic’ About Pursuing AI-Powered Weapons
Much criticism of military AI projects is rooted in "grave misperceptions," say current and former defense officials.
Ideas
Escalating the US Air War in Afghanistan Isn’t Working
The dramatic increase in U.S. airstrikes that began last year has brought the country no closer to peace. In fact, Afghan soldiers, police, and civilians are dying at record rates.
Policy
When China Convinced the US That Uighurs Were Waging Jihad
In the chaos surrounding America’s War on Terror, Washington fell for Beijing’s ruse that the embattled Muslim minority posed a threat to the West.
Threats
US Air Force: We Need $5 Billion To Fix Weather-Damaged Bases
Without the cash, service says it will cut pilot training, ground planes, stop other base construction projects.
Defense Systems
IARPA seeks security footage for better algorithm training
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity wants 960 hours of annotated video data to help it train computer vision algorithms for law enforcement and public safety.
Policy
2020 Dems Are Light on Foreign Policy — But Will It Matter?
“None of these guys, with the exception of Biden, have the chops,” said one longtime Democratic strategist.
Ideas
All the Ways the US Military’s Infrastructure Crisis Is Getting Worse
The weather damage to Tyndall and Offutt AFBs adds to a multibillion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance that’s taking a strategic toll.
Policy
EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Shanahan Says ‘Of Course’ He Wants to Be Defense Secretary
Under increasing scrutiny, the acting secretary — and his allies — make the case for President Trump to nominate him.
Policy
Now What? Congress Quiet after ISIS Territorial Defeat
The relative silence in Washington is a testament to the ambiguous nature of Saturday’s victory.
Defense Systems
SecDef says cyber is top modernization priority
In March 26 testimony to Congress, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan pointed to cyber modernization as a key element of DOD's $750 billion top-line budget request.
Science & Tech