Ideas
Pompeo’s Secret Korea Trip May Not Save His Nomination, But It Could Save Trump’s Summit
The president needs a "win" somewhere so badly that at the summit he may accept a nuclear freeze and a determined process as a major victory. That is a good thing.
Ideas
What Austria Can Teach the US About Civil-Military Relations
I was raised in a culture in which soldiering is seen as just another dangerous profession.
Defense Systems
Thornberry puts DISA on the chopping block
House Armed Services Committee chairman's reform bill calls for a 25 percent cut in back-office spending and the elimination of seven supporting agencies.
Business
US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say
The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.
Threats
Three Things to Watch from the PACOM’s (Likely) Next Commander
The current leader of U.S. Fleet Forces command says he would work on the U.S.-India relationship “with great energy.”
Science & Tech
US Army Figures Out How To Do Facial Recognition in the Dark
New method uses machine learning to extrapolate features from thermal images.
Ideas
The Corker-Kaine Bill Would Codify, not End, the Forever War
The replacement AUMF would formalize a reversal of the Constitution, allowing the president to declare wars and Congress — if it dares — to veto them.
Defense Systems
DISA awards $592M computer chip services contract
The Defense Information Services Agency awards a $592 million contract for processor capacity services related to computer chips.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $105M warfare systems order
Delta Resources takes in a $105 million task order to help the Navy design, deploy and integrate warfare =systems onto vessels and other platforms.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Releases Second Draft RFP For Multibillion Dollar JEDI Cloud
The final JEDI draft request for proposal includes answers to more than 1,000 questions industry posed in the first draft RFP.
Ideas
US Military Dominance Requires Better Command-and-Control Tools
Commanders need an AI-infused infrastructure to keep tabs on friendly and hostile forces, suggest actions, and help carry out orders.
Ideas
Neither Precise Nor Proportionate
Trump’s attack on Syria was unserious but intended to relieve emotional pressure—and in many ways, worse than doing nothing at all.
Ideas
A Trump Doctrine for the Middle East
The region has now been Trump-branded as “a troubled place”—and one America is not particularly interested in helping.
Defense Systems
DOD releases revised JEDI cloud RFP
The Defense Department is maintaining its plans for a single award cloud deal in a revised presolicitation.
Ideas
Trump's Syria Strategy Actually Makes Sense
And it does not involve a commitment to change the horrible and predictable outcome of the civil war.
Ideas
For Not-Quite-Wars, Italy Has a Useful Alternative to Traditional Troops
More nations should consider creating police-cum-military forces for hybrid stabilization missions.
Ideas