Ideas

The True Costs of America's Credit-Card War on Terror

The bills will be coming for decades, in the form of debt-service interest, veterans’ medical expenses, and forgone opportunities.

Defense Systems

DOD needs to get a handle on Guard's cyber skills, GAO says

A report says the department lacks visibility into National Guard units' cyber capabilities, which could provide significant help in the event of a domestic attack.

Defense Systems

Quadcopter resupply drone could give soldiers 'Amazon on the battlefield'

The JTARV, now in prototype, could let soldiers call for supplies and have them delivered in 30 minutes.

Business

Disjointed: Pentagon Isn’t Coordinating Efforts to Fix Readiness

Each service has its own plan, except for the Marines, who don’t really have a plan, says the GAO.

Ideas

How Much Really Changed About Terrorism on 9/11?

Three founders of modern terrorism studies reflect on what the world has learned about political violence—and what remains unknown.

Defense Systems

Air Force exercise lets small businesses test battlefield tech

During the recent Tech Warrior exercise, technologies developed under AFRL’s SBIR program took the field in combat scenarios.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $108M deal for more Fire Scout unmanned helicopters

Northrop Grumman will deliver 10 MQ-8C systems, which can operate from land or sea, providing a wide range of ISR.

Science & Tech

Special Operators Are Getting a New Autonomous Tactical Drone

A prototype microdrone that maps a building’s rooms will change the urban battlefield.

Ideas

Six Steps to Starting Over After a Civil War

How do you dismantle the animosities of a half-century war and create peace in a country known for its absence?

Ideas

Nuclear Test No. 5: How North Korea's Compares to Other Countries'

Here's what other nuclear powers achieved, and what that reveals about Kim Jong Un's progress.

Science & Tech

These Swarming Drones Launch from a Fighter Jet’s Flare Dispensers

The Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office is building — and rapidly improving — them with commercial parts and 3D-printed fuselages.

Science & Tech

The US Has Its First Cybersecurity Director

Gregory Touhill, a retired Air Force one-star, will be the first to hold the job, which was created in the wake of the OPM hack.

Ideas

North Korea Is Not Afraid of the International Community

With sanctions having no effect, few options remain short of regime change and acquiescence to Pyongyang as a permanent nuclear power.

Defense Systems

DARPA invites next wave of EW, sensor tech

The Pentagon's research arm is looking for new way to manage the spectrum and tactical sensors that can analyze information as it comes in.

Defense Systems

In-Q-Tel buying into data analytics

The CIA's venture fund steps up its investments in data visualization and real-time analytics.

Ideas

Trump's Defense-and-Budget Plan Has Been Tried Before

The GOP candidate's proposals for irresponsible tax cuts and uncapped defense spending look quite a bit like George W. Bush's.

Science & Tech

How Will Terrorists Use the Internet of Things? The Justice Department Is Trying to Figure That Out

As the business of connected devices explodes, DOJ joins other agencies in evaluating the national-security risks.

Threats

US Intel Chief: Climate Change Is Adding Fuel to the World’s Extremist Fires

DNI Clapper says environmental factors will keep the cycle of extremism going long after ISIS is vanquished.