Ideas
Forget Ivory, Africa's al-Shabaab Terrorists Are Getting Rich on Coal in Somalia
False portrayals of the terrorist group's role in the ivory trade could leave us with both more terrorists and fewer elephants in Africa.
Defense Systems
Army tests satellite-independent battlefield radio
The service has developed a method for improved communications without the need for satellites by using vehicle-mounted, high-bandwidth networking radios.
Defense Systems
Syrian Electronic Army claims hack of Army, Stracom websites
The sites were forced offline after being defaced by a group demanding an end to U.S. training of rebel fighters in Syria.
Policy
Defense Secretary: Plan to Close Guantanamo Is A ‘Constructive Step’
Ash Carter says he’s working with the White House on a plan that will be submitted “per longstanding request” to Congress, calling it a “good opportunity” to see if they “can actually get it done.”
Ideas
The Iraqi Army No Longer Exists
ISIS’s victory in Ramadi reveals that containment is the best the U.S. can do for now.
Defense Systems
South Korean team wins DARPA Robotics Challenge
Team KAIST's DRC-Hubo hit the ground running while some other robots just hit the ground.
Threats
Boko Haram and Nigeria's Army Are in a Human Rights Abuse Feedback Loop
Just as the White House wants to escalate its role in Nigeria's war with Boko Haram, Amnesty International says Abuja's army has a disturbing abundance of human rights abuses all its own.
Defense Systems
ISIS is attracting a loose cadre of cyber warriors
The security company FireEye says that sympathizers, acting as "lone wolves," represent "a different type of cyber actor."
Defense Systems
Study: DOD needs to field laser weapons ASAP
The Center for a New American Security also recommends that military labs abandon their piecemeal approach in favor of a merged development program.
Defense Systems
A breakdown on the hack of 4 million federal employee records
It apparently came from China and affected nearly every federal agency, although uniformed military personnel are in the clear.
Defense Systems
NATO gets its first AGS surveillance aircraft
Northrop Grumman and its industry partners deliver the first of five UAS that will be part of a system-of-systems ISR capability.
Policy
Democrats' Opposition to GOP Defense Bill Is Slowly Crumbling
Democratic leaders now say they're willing to allow 'yes' votes on a critical defense authorization bill next week, even if the measure includes a controversial war funding account.
Policy
White House, Ash Carter Drafting a Guantanamo Closure Plan for Congress, McCain Says
Sen. John McCain says Defense Secretary Ash Carter and White House counterterrorism official Lisa Monaco are working on a plan to close the prison, while he works for the Senate’s approval.
Policy
What the Pentagon Sees in India—And Vice Versa
Not that long ago, Washington and New Delhi were deeply suspicious of one another. Now, they're talking about collaborating on an aircraft carrier and weapons production.
Ideas
Military Force Alone Can’t Deter China’s Expansionism
The U.S. must use its economic levers, especially trade, to parry Beijing’s territory-building.
Policy
Rick Perry Will Be Banking on His Military Service in 2016
The former Texas Governor will use it to stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Defense Systems