Policy

Is the Special Relationship Between the US and Egypt Over?

Too much mistrust has built up between Washington and Cairo for the partnership to return to business as usual. By Bernard Gwertzman

Business

7 Ways the $104 Billion Reconstruction Effort in Afghanistan Could Fail

Corruption leads the list of ‘potent threats’ to Afghanistan’s post-war future—but it’s far from the only challenge. By Ben Watson

Science & Tech

Navy Tests Super Precise Laser Weapon in Persian Gulf

Deployed aboard a ship in the Persian Gulf, the Navy’s new drone-killing laser is exceeding expectations. By Patrick Tucker

Defense Systems

Army prepares to take global intel system to the next level

The service is requesting industry input on improving the system’s data gathering, analysis, sharing and compatibility with Intelligence Community standards.

Defense Systems

Army building an airport just for drones

The 150-acre facility at Fort Bliss will be host to Gray Eagle and Shadow UAS.

Policy

Kerry Says the Fight Against the Islamic State Could Expand Beyond Iraq and Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry says Congress shouldn’t limit geography or ground combat in the war against the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole

Ideas

Despite Torture Report, Obama Is Standing By the CIA

President Obama is showing solidarity with the CIA even as it deals with the fallout of the release of the Senate’s torture report. By James Oliphant

Science & Tech

Can Iran Turn Off Your Lights?

Is Iran all bark and no bite on cyberwar? By Patrick Tucker

Business

Senate Releases Long-Awaited CIA Torture Report

After a long political battle, the Senate has released a report on the agency's interrogation of terror suspects. By Adam Chandler

Ideas

Why Americans Should Care About Foreign Aid

Foreign aid ‘can do as much—over the long term—to prevent conflict as the deterrent effect of a carrier strike group.’ By Mick Crnkovich

Policy

On the CIA Torture Report, Obama Can't Win

As the world braces for its long-awaited release, Obama is doing everything he can to avoid taking sides. By Lauren Fox and Dustin Volz

Defense Systems

Funding cuts delay Navy's Next Generation Jammer

The system performed well in recent tests, but budget pressures will push its deployment back by a year.

Defense Systems

Airborne infrared targeting sensor passes key milestone

The Navy’s Infrared Search and Track system can track heat sources from long rnage while avoiding detection itself.

Ideas

Vienna Conference Could 'Change the Calculus' of US Nuclear Policy

The anti-nuclear weapons movement is modernizing, too, and policy makers should notice. By Joe Cirincione

Policy

NSA's Mass Phone Spying Will Continue for at Least Another 90 Days

The NSA’s mass spying program earns another rubber stamp nearly a year after President Obama’s pledge to end it. By Dustin Volz

Threats

The Failure of American Hostage Rescues

Saturday's raid in Yemen was the third failed rescue attempt of an American hostage in five months. By Adam Chandler

Science & Tech

V-22 Osprey Could Get Some Serious Firepower

The Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey has relied on its agility to defend itself, but forward-firing rockets could give the tiltrotor more lethal firepower. By Marcus Weisgerber

Threats

Islamic State Is On the ‘Defensive’ As a Coalition Builds in Iraq

The U.S. war commander in Iraq says ‘you don’t see a lot of movement” by ISIS these days, but you might see more international troops enter the fight soon. By Gordon Lubold