Ideas
The USAF Shouldn’t Narrow Competition for Its Satellite Launches
The service’s plan to reduce launch-contract eligibility from three providers to two would reduce incentives to innovate and keep costs down.
Defense Systems
How a single update to acquisition law can support cloud adoption
Government desperately needs a better way to buy cloud services. The Section 809 panel's call to create a new contract type for consumption-based solutions is a great start.
Policy
Trying to Kill the Iran Deal Could End Up Saving It
Trump administration officials are publicly united on their policy of punishing the Islamic Republic. But cracks are showing over just how far to go.
Ideas
The US and North Korea Are Back to Talking Tough
Pyongyang’s latest threats don’t necessarily mean diplomacy is dead. But they are a sign of just how deadlocked nuclear talks have become.
Threats
No One Wants to Help Bashar al-Assad Rebuild Syria
The Syrian president appears comfortably in power, but his supporters in Moscow can’t afford to pay for reconstruction; his adversaries in the West can, but won’t.
Ideas
Who Are the Private Contractors Fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan?
An inside look at this invisible military force.
Business
Lockheed Martin is Waging War on Boeing’s F-15EX
The F-35 maker sees the Pentagon’s plans to buy new F-15s for the first time in 19 years as a threat.
Defense Systems
DARPA takes on election security with open source
The defense research agency is exploring the feasibility of locking down election systems with open-source software and secure hardware.
Policy
Trump Picks New Top NATO Commander
Top US Air Force general in Europe will lead alliance as Trump officials continue to berate members for more money.
Defense Systems
Wireless ISW communications to boost situational awareness
Intra-soldier wireless communications would connect various soldier-borne equipment so warfighters can better access and share situational awareness information.
Ideas
How White-Supremacist Violence Echoes Other Forms of Terrorism
Their enemies are different, but their tactics are often the same.
Defense Systems
DOD fails to finish reorg for business systems, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office found that the Defense Department lacked a proper analysis and transition plan to move certain duties from the CIO to the chief management officer.
Defense Systems
Congress wars with defense secretary over $98 billion 'slush fund'
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan clashed with senators over the overseas contingency operations budget request.
Science & Tech
Here’s the Key Innovation in DARPA AI Project: Ethics From the Start
A new effort to build patrol drones for urban fights began by forming an ethics advisory board.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants to Test A Space-Based Weapon in 2023
Defense officials have asked for $304 million to fund research into space-based lasers, particle beams, and other new forms of missile defense next year.
Threats
Russia Racing to Complete National AI Strategy by June 15
That’s just one of several high-tech deadlines Putin set recently.
Defense Systems