Science & Tech

VA Looks to IBM’s Watson To Improve Veterans Health Care

The technology first made famous in 2011 after beating human competitors on ‘Jeopardy’ could help veterans. By Frank Konkel

Threats

The Taliban Massacres Students in Pakistan

An attack in Peshawar killed more than 145 people, most of them the young children of army officers and soldiers. By Dashiell Bennett

Threats

The Global Conflicts To Watch in 2015

A new survey shows which countries matter more to U.S. policymakers—and which matter less. By Uri Friedman

Science & Tech

Will the Flak Jacket of the Future Include Organic Sensors?

Organic sensors could revolutionize the battlefield and military health. By Patrick Tucker

Defense Systems

Navy awards $32.6M deal for shipboard info-sharing system

Data Link Solutions will build up to 12 of the latest Multi-Functional Information Distribution System on Ship units.

Defense Systems

Marines take cyber warfare to the front lines

During Bold Alligator, Marines use ONR’s Tactical Cyber Range, which includes augmented reality glasses, to carry out cyber and electronic warfare in the field.

Science & Tech

Drone-Hunting Blimp To Launch Over Washington

A high-altitude radar blimp is set to take off over the nation’s capital. By Patrick Tucker

Policy

Three Post-9/11 Veterans Named to Senate Armed Services Committee

The GOP has selected three freshman senators, all veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan, to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. By Molly O’Toole

Business

Ash Carter’s Asia Plans

President Obama’s pick to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been an advocate for a pivot to Asia since the late 1990s. By Adam Tiffen

Policy

Will a GOP Senate Let Obama Close Guantanamo?

The president's ability to fulfill his campaign pledge could depend on which side wins an inner-party debate. By Jordain Carney

Threats

The Slow Slide Toward Dictatorship Taking Place in Egypt and Turkey

The governments of Cairo and Ankara rounded up dozens of critics this past weekend as the two U.S. allies increasingly crack down on dissent with intimidation and violence. By Steven A. Cook

Ideas

The Race To Claim the North Pole Is Heating Up

After 12 years and $50 million of research, Copenhagen is claiming an area of the North Pole about 20 times the size of Denmark. By Kabir Chibber

Defense Systems

Navy could get next-gen global comm system a bit sooner

Lockheed Martin opens a facility to speed up testing and certification of MUOS terminals and applications.

Defense Systems

DOD continues push to boost supercomputing power

The high-performance modernization program awards two $30 million contracts to increase computing capacity at its HPC centers.

Threats

An Especially Deadly Day in Afghanistan

Taliban militants continue to take advantage of the vulnerability created by the U.S. withdrawal. By Allen McDuffee

Ideas

Coburn Has Gone Too Far Blocking Veterans Suicide Bill

By blocking veteran’s suicide prevention, Sen. Coburn shows exactly the kind of ego-fuelled hypocrisy exhausting Americans. By Montel Williams

Policy

Sen. Coburn Is Holding Up the Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill

Several senators want the Clay Hunt suicide prevention bill passed by unanimous consent, but its being held up by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. By Jordain Carney

Science & Tech

Upgrades Will Let the Navy’s LCS Operate in More Dangerous Waters

The Pentagon approves a plan to upgrade the Navy’s littoral combat ships with more firepower and defensive equipment, but is it enough? By Marcus Weisgerber and Patrick Tucker