Ideas
On ISIS, Europe Is Ignoring Its Long, Tortured History of Waging War Abroad
Even if ISIS could be defeated from the sky, another Western-led regime change is unlikely to lessen brutality in the Middle East or blunt the fervor of zealots in European capitals.
Defense Systems
Army takes electronic warfare to troops in the field
In a recent exercise, the service’s Space and Missile Defense Command demonstrated electromagnetic interference effects on GPS receivers.
Defense Systems
Northrop wins contract for GPS upgrades
The company will support modernization efforts for the embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System.
Defense Systems
DARPA picks 10 to build nano-based products
Ten companies and university partners will split into three working groups to assemble atoms into working devices.
Policy
Pentagon Transfers Two Guantanamo Detainees to Ghana
The move, the first of 17 in coming days, shrinks the total population to 105.
Threats
How to Tell The Difference Between a Nuclear Bomb Test and an Earthquake
The preliminary data suggests that the event in North Korea was not, in fact, the end of the world.
Business
The Pentagon Wants Its Next Global Communication Systems to be Agile and Open
The Defense Information Systems Agency is looking to eventually turn off its old system currently maintained primarily by Northrop Grumman.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants a portable system to counter small drones
In a recent notice, the Air Force is asking for proposals on defeating small, but potentially bomb-carrying incoming drones.
Defense Systems
Navy strategy puts a sharper focus on information warfare
In a newly released document, the Navy stresses the need to focus on information warfare in order to counter the tactics of potential adversaries.
Defense Systems
Navy wants small drones that can see in the dark
The service is looking for small tactical unmanned aerial vehicles capable of providing ISR in both day and night operations in adverse environmental conditions.
Threats
Saudi Arabia-Iran Break Threatens Syrian Peace Process
Mere weeks after the two countries backed a unanimous U.N. Security Council resolution, their sectarian-fueled escalation has likely sunk fragile hopes for Syria.
Policy
Swooning for Saudi Arabia
What the Middle East needs is not intensified conflict, as some 2016 contenders advocate, but a series of political compromises to help end the civil wars traumatizing the region.
Threats
Yemen's War Is Nearly Lost in the Din of Surrounding Conflicts
With another ceasefire ended and nearly 3,000 already dead, Yemenis are stuck in a Saudi-Iranian proxy war that has no end in sight.
Defense Systems
Tern gets closer to extending ships' ISR reach at sea
The DARPA-ONR program to develop long-range, vertical-lift drones for smaller ships moves into Phase 3.
Ideas
5 Big National Security Questions for 2016
U.S. policymakers and triggerpullers will confront a long list of foreign policy challenges around the world.
Science & Tech
The Flaw in ISIS's Favorite Messaging App
And what it says about the difficulties around encryption.
Policy