Threats
Here’s the Real Message Behind Russia’s Big Far-East Wargame
The week-long exercises, which kicked off yesterday, are intended as a show of might. But the country is in no position to wage a real conflict.
Threats
Trump’s Latest Warning to Iran Didn’t Come out of Nowhere
The White House condemned the Islamic Republic for rocket attacks on U.S. facilities in Baghdad and Basra. Such attacks have been common—but it’s not always clear who exactly is driving them.
Defense Systems
Why it’s so hard to reach an international agreement on killer robots
There is fundamental disagreement over whether increasing the autonomy of weapons is always bad.
Science & Tech
DARPA Wants to Find Botnets Before They Attack
The defense agency awarded a contract to develop a tool that scours the internet for dormant online armies.
Ideas
What’s Old Is New Again: It’s the Free World Vs. Neo-Authoritarians
The U.S. must abandon the notion of a liberal world order, and get to work deterring those who would bring down democracy.
Threats
Japan’s New Ship-Based Interceptor Shoots Down a Ballistic Missile in Test
It’s the fifth successful test of Japan’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles from warships.
Ideas
Congress Wants a Space-Based Missile Defense System. That’s a Colossally Bad Idea
A provision in the 2019 defense authorization act orders the Pentagon to start development.
Defense Systems
DARPA kicks off $2B AI initiative
The “AI Next” campaign aims to transform computers from specialized tools to partners with contextual reasoning capabilities.
Threats
The 'War on Terror' Still Grows in Somalia
“Drone strikes may have a purpose, but they are no substitute for a political strategy.”
Ideas
Stuck Fighting the Last War
It’s 2011—not 2001—that defines the challenge facing the United States and its allies in combatting jihadism.
Science & Tech
The Military Now Has Tooth Mics For Invisible, Hands-Free Radio Calls
The future of battlefield communications is resting comfortably near your back gums.
Defense Systems
DISA announces Encore III small business awards
The Defense Information Systems Agency makes 20 awards against its $17.5 billion Encore III contract for broad enterprise IT services.
Ideas
How to Dampen Escalation Risks As Cyber-Attack Rules Loosen
Create standing rules of engagement and maintain the dual-hatted NSA/CyberCommand.
Policy
Republicans Balk at Democrats’ Pledge to Snub Hackers
So far, only House Democrats have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable for how they plan to handle any stolen documents that come their way.
Defense Systems
DOD makes third round of IAC MAC awards
The Defense Department makes its last awards against a potential nine-year, $28 billion technology R&D contract.
Ideas