Defense Systems
Navy is on to the next phase of laser weapons
ONR awards Northrop a potentially $91 million contract to develop a more powerful directed-energy system.
Defense Systems
Army unsheathes Excalibur supercomputer
The 3.7 petaflop Cray Xc40 machine greatly boosts processing power at the Defense Supercomputing Resource Center.
Science & Tech
Pentagon: State Doesn’t Have Enough People Tweeting At ISIS
In the war of online influence, the U.S. is gaining ground but is still hopelessly outmanned.
Threats
Obama Vetoes Defense Policy Bill; Now What?
A partisan proxy war escalates as Obama fulfills his vow to send the annual defense policy bill back to lawmakers.
Ideas
As Jihadis Gather in Libya, Tunisia Struggles To Fend Them Off
Libyan militants are aggressively recruiting Tunisians, promising a closer fight than Syria — and threatening a Mideast ‘beacon.’
Business
Obama Vetoes Bill Affecting Troop Pay and Benefits
The legislation includes a 1.3 percent pay raise in 2016 for service members and changes to the military retirement system.
Threats
US Soldier Dies in Action in Iraq, the First Since 2011
An American soldier was killed in an operation involving U.S. and Kurdish commandos on an Islamic State base in northern Iraq.
Ideas
This Is the Only Cyber Security Plan Any 2016 Candidate Has Offered
Jeb Bush is a true hawk when it comes to U.S. cyber defense. But only a modest portion of his proposals could be called new.
Threats
Does Russia Have War Bots in Space?
Moscow’s latest satellites might be bashing into other orbiting things — on purpose.
Defense Systems
Air Force 'on the road' to predictive cyber algorithm
The Air Combat Command’s chief of intelligence talks about "fusion warfare" and how today’s cyber capabilities resemble aviation during World War I.
Defense Systems
Army wants autonomous UAS for GPS-denied environments
Researchers are looking for game-changing sensing technologies that could work for a variety of unmanned vehicles.
Threats
Gates: Come Up With A Syria Strategy, Then Tell Putin ‘Stay Out of the Way’
In his return to Washington, the former defense secretary says the Russian chief knows just what he’s doing.
Policy
Can Paul Ryan Save the Defense Department from Sequestration?
As the defense policy bill awaits a threatened veto, Washington wonders whether the Wisconsin Republican will become House Speaker — and resolve the budget impasse.
Threats
Even DHS Doesn’t Want the Power It Would Get Under CISA
The Senate bill to improve cyber information sharing would route data through an agency that doesn’t want the job.
Ideas
How Budget Battles Undermine National Security
Congress should raise the debt limit and break its dependence on continuing resolutions.
Policy
Joe Biden Declines to Enter 2016 Presidential Race
His announcement heralds the departure of one of Washington’s most experienced national security leaders.
Ideas
Resettling Syria's Refugees Would Be Cheaper Than Widening the War
It would also be morally and practically superior to the West's current selective intervention.
Threats
