Policy

GOP's National Security Outsider Rand Paul Launches 2016 Bid

The latest Republican presidential candidate might be trying to rebrand himself on foreign policy, but he's not a defense hawk.

Threats

Iraq's Youth Are Ticking Time Bombs That Can Still Be Defused

If the US is serious about ISIS threat, Congress should prioritize better, more accessible education to the millions of youth affected by the insurgency.

Ideas

National Security Policy and Feminism Don't Have To Be Incompatible

Foreign policies that advocate and legislate for women by influencing the internal politics of other countries hold troubling, but not insurmountable, implications.

Science & Tech

These Robotic Spiders Could Fix America's Satellite Infrastructure in Space

Instead of sending complete structures into space, the rockets of tomorrow could be filled with raw materials that dozens of multi-limbed robots could assemble in orbit.

Science & Tech

How Fish Could Give Us the Body Armor of the Future

A new study out of MIT may have found a protective, flexible solution for today’s soldiers in an unlikely place: the sea.

Defense Systems

DISA soliciting bids for $4B global network project

The Global Network Services contract aims to create a single, high-speed network encompassing all wired and wireless communications.

Defense Systems

Marines, DARPA show what real-time air support looks like

The prototype Persistent Close Air Support System dramatically cuts the time from identifying a target to delivering a strike.

Threats

The 5,548 ISIS Targets Struck By Coalition Air Forces, in 3 Charts

The Pentagon’s latest data release finally includes airplanes that were destroyed in fall 2014.

Policy

These Are the Alternatives to an Iran Deal

Israel’s prime minister says more sanctions will produce a better nuclear agreement. But the evidence suggests otherwise.

Policy

Arms Won’t Keep US, Egypt From Drifting Apart

Despite Egypt's new US-acquired jets, tanks and missiles, the Washington-Cairo relationship is running on fumes.

Policy

The Future of NSA Reform, GOP 2016 Edition

Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are likely going to hit their opponents—and each other—early and often for backing mass surveillance.

Policy

Netanyahu's Secret Weapon

While the Israeli prime minister tries to kill President Obama's Iran deal, there's something more useful he could do to help his country.

Policy

Why the ICC Won't Investigate Violence in Palestine Any Time Soon

There is very little upside for the International Criminal Court to open a costly, formal investigation into a conflict with so many antagonists and counter-claims.

Business

3 Takeaways from Ash Carter's 'Force of the Future'

With the Pentagon already struggling to cap rising personnel costs, are the defense secretary's new plans too ambitious to be sustainable?

Defense Systems

What analytics and aerial combat have in common: the OODA loop

To make use of big data, defense agencies should take a cue from military strategist John Boyd’s advice to fighter pilots, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Tamara Schwartz writes.

Defense Systems

Air Force begins construction of Space Fence tracking system

The system, being built by Lockheed Martin, will greatly increase the amount of orbital debris the service can keep tabs on.

Threats

The Students at the Kenyan University Were Warned of a Terrorist Attack

A raggedy poster — assumed to be a joke — foretold of a coming campus assault.

Threats

How Norway Lost Control of Its $500 Million Arctic Sub Base to the Russians

The Cold War-era facility now hosts Russian vessels linked to energy giant, Gazprom.