Threats

Beijing Tells South China Sea Command: Prepare for War

The Southern Theatre Command must "concentrate preparations for fighting a war," Chinese president Xi Jinping said this week.

Ideas

Trump Hobbled Efforts to Counter Violent Extremism

The administration cut programs designed to prevent atrocities like Pittsburgh.

Defense Systems

Microsoft bids on JEDI, declares commitment to DOD tech

Company president Brad Smith stood up for Microsoft's four-decade commitment to the Department of Defense, but also said that the company would proactively engage in conversations about ethical AI.

Policy

What Mattis Said in the Middle East

The defense secretary said he pressed his Saudi counterpart on the murder of a U.S.-based journalist, but U.S.-Saudi relations appear little changed.

Ideas

The Pentagon’s Getting More Secretive — and It’s Hurting National Security

Trump’s DoD is rolling back the kind of basic transparency that prevents waste and fraud, enables Congressional oversight, and promotes public trust.

Ideas

Ep. 26: The pipe-bomber and the presidency; More US troops at the border; Exiting the INF and more.

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Ideas

The Fiscal Calm Before the Storm

Next year’s budget will face three pressures that make it unlikely to be characterized as sustained or predictable.

Threats

Mattis Treads Carefully on Khashoggi Crisis

The defense secretary condemned the killing of the Washington Post columnist but did not accuse Saudi Arabia, in keynote speech at security conference on the Persian Gulf.

Science & Tech

This Army Missile Might be the Pentagon’s First Post-INF Weapon

The U.S. has already held discussions with defense firms about extended-range modifications.

Policy

Will Trump Really Cut Defense Spending by 5%? It’s Way Too Early To Say

The Pentagon’s No. 2 confirms that the president’s surprise order will affect the military, but experts say there may ultimately be no decline at all.

Defense Systems

Is it time for a Cybersecurity Civilian Corps?

With the growing need for cybersecurity experts, the government is missing a chance to take advantage of volunteers and part-time talent, a new report says.

Ideas

In a Post-Khashoggi World, Impunity Will Reign

The ugly geopolitics in the wake of the Saudi journalist’s death point to a new era of impunity.

Ideas

If Not Pipe-Bombs, What Counts as Terrorism in 2018?

There is no consensus—in academia, law, or common usage—on when an attack is more than just a crime.

Policy

NATO’s Largest Exercise in Years Will Test Alliance’s Core Ability

Held in and around Norway, Trident Juncture will test the bloc’s ability to come to the rescue of a treaty ally as tensions rise between Russia and the West.

Science & Tech

Welcome to Tatooine, the US Army’s Newest Cyber Training Space

The service’s cyber brigade and Defense Digital Service team up to launch a new collaboration space.

Defense Systems

Business ops plan stresses Navy's modernization focus

The Navy released its business operations plan for agility and accountability, highlighting cloud and network modernization.

Defense Systems

DOD shifts DEOS cloud acquisition to GSA's Schedule 70

Defense IT officials pivoted away from plans to bid out their $8 billion productivity and communications cloud contract through DISA.

Ideas

The US Needs a Cybersecurity Civilian Corps

Like the auxiliaries that arose during WWII, a new volunteer organization will help face today’s threats.