Science & Tech
This Isn’t The Death Star Laser You’re Looking For
Japanese scientists have created the world’s most powerful light beam, but its military use is limited.
Policy
America Is Paying a Heavy Price for Russia’s Help
Washington is getting Moscow’s assistance on grave, complex issues like Iran and Syria — and Ukraine is footing the bill for it.
Policy
Three Cabinet Secretaries Crashed John McCain's Iran Hearing
The Armed Services Chairman makes it known he didn’t ask Secretary of State John Kerry, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to testify on the Iran deal — the Pentagon did.
Ideas
Stephen Hawking Doesn’t Have to Fear Killer Robots
Autonomous weapons might instead thin the fog of war and make combat more transparent.
Business
Saudi Arabia Responds to Iran Deal: Give Us 600 Patriot Missiles
The Kingdom’s request for additional interceptors could be the first of many new Mideast arms purchases aimed at warding off Iranian missiles.
Policy
Robert Gates, Unlikely Gay Rights Hero
The former defense secretary has gone further than many politicians in promoting gay rights in the military and private sphere.
Defense Systems
Warfare 2050: robots, augmented humans and force fields
An Army-sponsored workshop examined what the battlefield of future decades could look like based on current trends, technologies and trajectories.
Defense Systems
Hackathon helps improve DARPA’s Plan X
The program looks to make it easier to visualize a network and recognize malicious activity.
Defense Systems
Survey: Shadow IT haunts DOD networks
Sixty-three percent of IT pros in the department said unauthorized apps and services are used, and 70 percent expect the practice to grow, a Solar Winds survey found.
Policy
Pentagon Doesn’t Know If It’s Allowed to Defend Syrian Fighters or Turkish ‘Safe Zone’
That’s an odd situation to be in as the U.S. puts the first of its trained-and-equipped opposition fighters into Syria and finalizes an agreement with Turkey to back a “safe zone” on the Syrian border.
Science & Tech
US Drone Pilots Are As Skeptical of Autonomy As Are Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk
There are many reasons to be cautious about greater autonomy in weapons like drones, according to the men and women at the joystick.
Threats
Britain Digs In Against ISIS, Russia
Sensing a “darker threat environment,” America’s ally launches its first strategic review in half a decade.
Ideas
America’s First Female Four-Star on Diversity in the Military
What has the U.S. military finally realized about workforce diversity and mission success? Retired Gen. Ann Dunwoody spells it out.
Science & Tech
The Military Will Test a New Terrifyingly Loud Noise Gun
The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program is developing lasers that create a screaming ball of plasma on their target.
Policy
What the UN Can Do To Fix Its Peacekeeping Mission
UN peacekeeping missions are 'not suited to engage in military counterterror operations,' according to the first independent report on UN peacekeeping operations since 2000.
Science & Tech
What’s Inside the Justice Department’s Secret Cybersecurity Memo?
Despite calls for its release, the government will not make public a memo that Sen. Ron Wyden says is crucial to the Senate’s looming cybersecurity debate.
Threats
Expect Less Than Advertised As Turkey Enters ISIS Fight
White House officials called Turkey's new role in the fight against ISIS 'game-changing.' In reality, Ankara's escalation is likely to achieve much less than expected.
Defense Systems