Ideas

What Xi Jinping Wants

China's leader is determined to turn his country into 'the biggest player in the history of the world.' Can he do it while avoiding a dangerous collision with America?

Science & Tech

Tomorrow’s Robots Will Train in Simulators, Just Like Today’s Troops

Several firms are working on training environments like Star Trek’s Holodeck, but for machines.

Threats

Pentagon: Anti-Missile Weapons Can Keep US Safe Until 2020

The three-star who ran the May 30 test says it proves that U.S. defenses are at least three years ahead of North Korea’s ICBMs.

Ideas

Everything That’s Wrong With That McMaster Op-Ed

In an op-ed, the Trump administration’s 'adults in the room' portray America as selfish, isolated, brutish, domineering, and driven by immediate appetites rather than ideals or even longer-term interests.

Defense Systems

Navy CANES to protect sailor IT, satcom tech on ships

As the Navy integrates CANES technology across the fleet, the service increases connections and security among nodes on the network.

Defense Systems

Navy cyber hardens CANES, considers adding to LCS fleet

As the Navy integrates CANES technology across the fleet, the service increases connections and security among nodes on the network.

Business

Pentagon Wants to Get Started on New Air Force Two and Doomsday Planes

The aging C-32 and E-4B may be replaced by similar aircraft, or at least with planes that share some gear.

Policy

The Biggest Bills for the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars Are Yet to Come

Benefits for World War I veterans didn’t peak until 1969. Here’s a way to keep 21st-century vets’ expenses from eating the U.S. budget.

Ideas

The Trump Administration Just Missed Its Best Shot at a Military Buildup

In its first year, when big changes are easiest, the White House chose domestic cuts over national security.

Defense Systems

Air Force to finalize new cyber mission forces

Cyber teams tasked with implementing new offensive and defensive measures are expected to reach final operational status by sometime next year.

Threats

North Korea Is Helping China in the South China Sea—Whether It Knows It or Not

Pyongyang’s rocket tests have elbowed Beijing’s land grab out of the spotlight — just as the Chinese might have hoped.

Defense Systems

Doubts raised about N. Korean role in hack

Analyst asserts speculation about a state-sponsored ransomware attack distracts from real problem: weak cyber defenses.

Ideas

The Longest War Fades Even at NATO

Cameras focused on Trump, but war commanders in Afghanistan wanted more troops from NATO, not promises.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Accelerates Work on Multi-Warhead Interceptor

Officials won’t say it’s because of North Korea. But experts say Pyongyang’s planned ICBMs will almost certainly release decoys to cloak their nukes.

Ideas

What Wounded Veterans Need: Medical Marijuana

The American Legion, representing millions of wartime vets, calls on Trump to loosen federal restrictions on medical marijuana research to help those suffering from PTSD, TBI, opioid abuse, and more.