Threats
The Inequality of War
A new report confirms that more than ever across the globe, peace begets peace and violence more violence. And without significant change, the inequality will only worsen.
Policy
John McCain Wants to Change How the Military Buys Weapons
Two big changes could make leaders and services accountable for weapons-contract overruns.
Defense Systems
Air Force concludes fast-acquisition 'PlugFest' test
The event was part of the broader Bending the Cost Curve program, which aims to cut acquisition cycles for some program from years to weeks.
Policy
Everything You Want To Know About Iran Sanctions
As the P5+1 continues negotiating a deal, here's how Tehran came to face a dizzying array of punitive measures.
Ideas
Iran’s Nuclear Past Should Not Scuttle A Deal for Its Future
It’s more important to know Tehran will have no nuclear weapons for the next 20 years than to obsess over what it did 20 years ago.
Policy
Democrats Retreat In the Battle Over Defense Budget 'Gimmick'
An 'overstuffed' war fund is ok with Democrats in a defense policy bill but not in a spending bill, adding further uncertainty to a key measure already facing a veto threat.
Business
One Does Not Simply Embed US Troops In Iraq
Calls to allow U.S. specialists to accompany Iraqi military units on offensive missions generally ignore the support requirements.
Business
What The Pentagon Has To Do To Recruit Silicon Valley's Nerds
Defense Department and national security political leaders are eager to attract tech minds. But are they willing to change enough?
Policy
Putin Bad, GOP Candidates Agree
Less clear is what they’d do, as America's next president, about a more assertive Russia.
Defense Systems
DISA's 5-year plan focuses on joint environment, cyberspace operations
The strategy for 2015-2020 also calls for streamlining networks and supporting anytime/anywhere access for warfighters.
Defense Systems
Coast Guard sees natural gas exports as potential cyber issue
Adm. Paul F. Zukunft says the Coast Guard’s cyber defense capabilities must protect against nation states that might feel threatened by a growing U.S. natural resource export market.
Defense Systems
Navy awards a second $478.6M contract for joint tactical radios
The award to Data Links Solutions, identical to the recent deal to ViaSat, brings the total committed to MIDS JTRS terminals to nearly a billion dollars.
Policy
Senate Passes Amendment Banning Torture
The bill has little chance of becoming law if the White House vetoes the NDAA, but it is nonetheless a symbolic measure.
Policy
Senate Attempts To Arm Kurds Directly, Reform Military Justice Fall Short
The Senate voted to move forward with the annual defense authorization bill earlier than in recent years, but it's as peppered with controversy as ever.
Threats
Is ‘Whack-A-Mole’ Working Against al Qaeda?
The terror group’s No. 2 was killed in Yemen, reportedly by a U.S. strike. But are such killings bringing the U.S. any closer to “degrading and ultimately defeating” terrorism?
Threats
Al Qaeda's Middle Management Problem
Recent strikes against the group’s top officials in Libya and Yemen illustrate its organizational weaknesses.
Ideas
A New Look at the CIA’s Pre-9/11 Mindset Reveals Uncomfortable Truths About Intel
An inspector general report shows what’s gotten better in the past decade — and what’s still a problem.
Ideas