Threats

US Confirms Drone Strike Killed Al-Shabaab Leader Tied to Mall Attack

A U.S. drone last week killed Adan Garar, who Pentagon officials said planned Western attacks and was linked to Kenya’s West Gate Mall massacre.

Science & Tech

Three Steps To Destroy ISIS on Twitter

Data scientists say Twitter has done much to thwart ISIS, but offer these simple steps to degrade the group and its massive online following.

Threats

Violence Is More Likely To Occur in Pro-US Villages in Afghanistan

That is one of many insights found in a new data project run by researchers at Yale University.

Policy

The Fine Line Netanyahu Must Walk Into His Fourth Term as Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu earned his fourth term as Israel's prime minister in part by doing whatever it takes to keep his job, including renouncing his own positions.

Threats

The Specter of Chemical Warfare Returns to the Middle East

Assad's army dropped chlorine gas on a northern Syrian town, say activists, while Kurdish forces allege ISIS use of the same weapon against them near Mosul.

Policy

SpaceX's Biggest Military Advantage Isn't Just Cheap Rockets

As the upstart competes for Air Force contracts, it hopes that its competitor's reliance on Russian parts gives it an advantage.

Policy

Here’s What Is in the Senate’s Cybersecurity Bill

The new measure would increase information sharing amongst the intelligence community, while expanding the NSA's surveillance authorities.

Defense Systems

Army cyber chief outlines key challenges, goals

Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, commander of the Army Cyber Command, outlined several aspects and concerns pertaining to the future of cyber operations in a recent podcast.

Defense Systems

Corrosion-fighting rubber could extend life of Marines’ amphibious vehicles

The Navy Research Lab says polyureas rubber also protects against ballistics.

Defense Systems

White House wants to encrypt every federal website

Proposal calls for using HTTPS across government to help protect privacy, prevent hacks.

Defense Systems

Navy's maritime strategy puts emphasis on 'all domain access'

The document, updated from 2007, stresses the importance of cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum in national security.

Policy

Republicans Push Climate Change Cuts at CIA, Defense Department

The new GOP budget wants to gut the Pentagon's research into the national security implications of climate change.

Policy

GOP Budget Hawks Want To Use War Funds To Skirt Defense Caps

McCain, but not everyone, dismissed using OCO funds as a 'dodge' around ending sequestration and getting back to a normal budget process.

Science & Tech

Are High-Tech Sensors the Answer to the Pentagon’s Drone Demand?

Battlefield commanders often argue that they need more eyes in the sky, but high-tech sensors could give the US military an edge in the future.

Threats

Why the US Hesitates in the Fight Against Boko Haram

An effective counterinsurgency strategy hinges more on increasing the legitimacy of America's allies in Africa than it does on training the U.S. military can provide.

Defense Systems

DOD's major IT projects fail to set baselines, GAO says

More than half of 20 major projects reviewed fell short of the two-year target, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars spent with little oversight or accountability, the report says.

Defense Systems

Handheld imaging tool makes light work of aircraft inspections

AFRL's HIT improves the quality of images while taking equipment weight from 1,200 pounds to 18 pounds.

Policy

Tom Cotton, the GOP's Newest Hawk, Takes Flight

Is Sen. Tom Cotton the hawk to lead the GOP back to national security supremacy?