Ideas

Lower-Yield Weapons Will Raise, Not Lower, the Threshold for Nuclear Use

Giving the U.S. president more flexible options will improve deterrence.

Ideas

As Independence Vote Nears, Iraqi Kurds Play a Risky Game of Chicken

Kurdistan’s president called the referendum to extract concessions from Baghdad. What if it doesn’t work?

Ideas

The North Korean Threat Beyond ICBMs

Even without them, the Kim regime can menace its immediate neighborhood—or sell nuclear material to rogue states.

Threats

What Does It Mean for North Korea to Fly a Missile Over Japan?

This latest strike may be Pyongyang’s most provocative test this year.

Science & Tech

Look for Military Drones to Begin Replacing Police Helicopters by 2025

General Atomics is working hard to put a close cousin of its Reaper anti-terrorism drone in the hands of local law enforcement.

Defense Systems

Navy sailors get 19 official mobile apps

Sailors by the thousands are now conducting training exercises and learning service information through mobile apps.

Defense Systems

Army develops two-channel software defined radio for dismounted soldiers

Future RFP to outline requirements for a new, two-channel software-programmable radio.

Policy

Ordered to Ban Transgender Troops, Pentagon Plans A New Look at Three Factors

The courts will take their own look, thanks to a trio of lawsuits filed in the wake of Trump’s Friday-night memo.

Science & Tech

DARPA Wants Bots To Protect Us From Cyber Adversaries

The military research unit is looking for technology and software that can identify networks that have been infiltrated—and neutralize them.

Ideas

How James Mattis Tried to Explain Trump to the World

Just as Mattis sought to reassure nervous allies, back home there were numerous reminders that the populist and intemperate impulses of his boss will not be tamed.

Science & Tech

3 Questions: Artificial Intelligence and the Military

AI has moved from the movies to the laboratory, and governments around the world want it in their arsenals. We asked how militaries define it, and how they intend to keep it under control.

Defense Systems

Marine tank commanders will now see in color and infrared on the battlefield

Work continues on the upgrade to the Abrams tank targeting system, enhancing identification capabilities with color and thermal imaging.

Threats

Beijing's Latest Moves in the South China Sea Spark Fears of a New Land Grab

Alarm bells sounded when Chinese ships recently gathered at Sandy Cay, a set of sandbars close to Philippines-occupied Thitu Island in the Spratly archipelago.

Policy

Trump Cybersecurity Advisers Resign In 'Moral' Protest

Board members also condemned the president’s response to racist violence in Charlottesville, Va.

Threats

How the US Can Pressure Pakistan

Can anything stop the South Asian nation’s support for militants?

Defense Systems

Air Force seeks common VLF communications for nuclear forces

An Air Force solicitation looks to create common waveforms for its fleet of bombers.

Defense Systems

Fighters can monitor networks for cyber-attacks with new encryptor

The TACLANE-FLEX encryptor is NSA certified with software that can use multiple networks and detect cyber intrusions.