Science & Tech

Military-Grade Spy Gear Is Flooding into Local Police Departments

Major U.S. cities are spending millions of dollars on tools that track and extract data from people’s cellphones — but almost nothing on rules to guide their use.

Ideas

President Trump Sets a Remarkable Bar for Critiquing His Military Operations

The president took to Twitter to argue that publicly discussing the success or failure of a mission 'only emboldens the enemy.'

Defense Systems

Navy tests new stealth F-35C upgraded Helmet Mounted Display

Pilots using the new 3 HMD will be able to see sensor information, targeting data and other flight data directly from a helmet visor.

Defense Systems

Artificial Intelligence giving weapons greater autonomy

China is leveraging its advances in artificial intelligence to add unprecedented autonomy to cruise missiles. How will the U.S. respond?

Ideas

Four Ways to Automate Cyber Defense

Humans aren’t fast enough to respond to network attacks and breaches. Machines can help us, if we help them.

Ideas

Why are US Forces in Yemen at All?

'The truth of the matter is that America is killing people — terrorists and others — because its leaders don’t know what else to do.'

Science & Tech

Did Russia’s Election Meddling Break International Law? Experts Can’t Agree

Right now, that’s a gray area — and it’s hindering the U.S. response to influence operations.

Defense Systems

Air Force to defend B-52 with laser weapons

An Air Force Research Lab program is testing experimental versions of an externally-mounted laser pod that can track and destroy attacking enemy missiles.

Science & Tech

VA's Patchwork System Eats Most of its $4B Tech Budget. Congress Wants That to Stop.

The agency’s CIO says there’s no clear plan for replacing custom-built systems, two of which are more than 50 years old.

Threats

Elections Systems Are Critical Infrastructure, DHS Chief Affirms

Initially dubious, John Kelly now says he concurs with the Obama administration's approach.

Policy

The Future Depends on Fixing Readiness Now, Vice Chiefs Tell Lawmakers

Service leaders’ annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill also serves as Phase One of Mattis’ long-range plan.

Science & Tech

The US Does An About-Face on New Cyber Norms

The US delegate now says a UN cybersecurity group should pause hashing out new rules for online behavior and instead try to get governments to adhere to the ones we have.

Ideas

'You’re Fired!' Will Not Fix Federal Cybersecurity

Sacking agency heads after a breach won’t make data and systems safer. Here’s what will.

Defense Systems

Air Force tests massive B-2 sensor upgrade

New Air Force sensor technology and software will permit the stealth aircraft to evade advanced air defenses.

Ideas

Why Is New Jersey Grouping American 'Black Separatists' with ISIS?

The state’s new terror-group ranking raises more questions than it answers.

Ideas

The Right — and Wrong — Lessons of Trump’s Yemen Raid

Americans have to allow its elite men and women to be aggressive, to take risks, and to, on occasion, fall short.