Ideas

Russia Is Back In Africa — and Making Some Very Odd Deals

Since December, Moscow has struck major deals in the Central African Republic with both government and rebel leaders.

Threats

Houthis ‘Softening,’ But UAE Minister Says Yemen Security Could Still Require Foreign Troops

The UAE’s foreign-affairs minister says the Houthis are weakening under pressure from the Saudi-led military coalition. The question is what comes next, and who should decide.

Defense Systems

Digging into DISA's DEOS contract

DISA leaders said the Defense Department's multibillion dollar business solutions contract will be "a constantly evolving service."

Ideas

America’s New Stealth Bomber has a Stealthy Price Tag

Revealing how much the Air Force’s B-21 is costing won’t help America’s enemies — but will make oversight possible.

Threats

Pompeo Declares Economic War on Iran

The U.S. secretary of state vowed “unprecedented financial pressure in the form of the strongest sanctions in history.”

Ideas

What the North Koreans Told Me About Their Plans

I was one of a handful of former officials to meet with them when they were just developing their current strategy. Those talks offer the best information we have about how to achieve denuclearization.

Science & Tech

Is Telegram Secure? French Terror Arrest Raises New Questions About Messaging App

It’s not clear that French police cracked the app’s encryption. But ISIS and other user groups are becoming wary.

Ideas

As AI Begins to Reshape Defense, Here’s How Europe Can Keep Up

It’s clear that the continent’s political and military leaders are wrestling with the implications of artificial intelligence. But debate needs to translate into action, and quickly.

Ideas

Ep. 4: Trump vs. Kim; Military algorithms; ISIS’ new war narratives; USAF’s next plane and more.

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

Defense Systems

Army hits speed bumps in JRSS migration

Latency and other performance quality issues with applications in the joint regional security stacks have caused DISA and the Army to rework the migration timeline.

Policy

Trump Touts Increased NATO Spending, But That Sort of Misses the Point, Experts Say

Experts say that the conversation’s been too focused on how much allies are putting toward defense, not on what they get for it.

Business

How to Sell a COIN Aircraft in a Great-Power Era

Even as the Pentagon shifts its focus from low-intensity conflict to full-spectrum war, the U.S. Air Force might finally buy a prop-driven light attack plane.

Ideas

Calm Down, Folks: Enemies Still Fear US Military Tech Innovation

Where most countries focus on one or two areas, America has a huge, well-funded R&D infrastructure that pushes the envelope everywhere.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Has a Big Plan to Solve Identity Verification in Two Years

The plan grew out of efforts to modernize the Defense Department’s ID cards.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $88M R&D contract

Booz Allen Hamilton wins an $88.3 million contract to help research and develop technologies across multiple domains.