Ideas

On Torture, America Must Reckon with More than Gina Haspel

From allies’ mistrust to the fate of the 9/11 detainees, the U.S. legacy of atrocity still corrodes national security.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Wants AI To Reveal Adversaries’ True Intentions

The U.S. military is looking to enlist game theory and artificial intelligence to fight tomorrow’s unconventional warfare tactics.

Policy

What's Next for Trump's Border Wall?

This week, the president inspected eight prototypes, but his administration still has a long way to go before bringing his campaign pledge to fruition.

Defense Systems

Navy awards contract for unmanned tech prototype

Alion Science and Technology receives a $73 million contract to help the Navy develop prototype technologies for use on unmanned platforms.

Science & Tech

NSA Pick Will Develop Cyber Retaliation Plans But Don’t Expect Government to Use Them

The other options for deterring cyberattacks aren't much better, though.

Ideas

There Are More and More Threats that Militaries Can't Stop. People's Forces Can Help

Populations are not fragile flowers – far from it. Treating them as a national-security resource can boost a society's resiliency, and even its deterrence.

Defense Systems

Why DOD needs more than OTAs to fix acquisition

The Air Force materiel commander says organizational culture matters more than novel procurement authorities when it comes to reforming cumbersome processes.

Defense Systems

DOD tests drone 'hive' for rapid resupply

The Hive Final Mile project uses a mobile application for placing orders to drones that are launched from their "hive" to deliver supplies to troops in the field.

Threats

Cold War Tactics Return to Britain

Spies, intrigue, and expulsions are back in a way not seen in decades.

Ideas

Telling the Truth About CIA Torture

Trump’s nominee to lead the agency should answer a number of tough questions about her role in its now-defunct “enhanced interrogation” program.

Business

Pentagon Tells Leaders to Talk More With Contractors — and Less to the Public and Press

One day after Air Force leaders severely restricted media contacts, Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan encouraged Pentagon officials to engage more with industry.

Science & Tech

The Military Race for Space Will Turn on the Ability to Choose Commercial Services

Like a befuddled consumer facing an entire aisle of jams and jellies, the Pentagon can’t figure out how to buy smart in an exploding market.

Ideas

Team of Sycophants

Tillerson’s dismissal leaves the White House more than ever the conniving and dishonest court of an erratic, ill-informed, and willful monarch.

Ideas

Why Did Trump Fire Tillerson Now?

The specific timing of the move—following the secretary of state’s split from the president to condemn a Russian attack in the U.K.—raises questions about its motive.

Ideas

The US Navy Should Start Weaning its Reactors off Bomb-Grade Uranium

Most of the world's reactors use low-enriched uranium. There are at least three good reasons the U.S. fleet should as well.