Threats

What Obama Needs To Do To Beat ISIS

If the president is serious about dealing with the Islamic State, he will need to increase America's commitment in a measured way. By Max Boot

Ideas

How Many Flying Hours Does It Take To Kill a Terrorist?

Why is the Marine Corps so afraid of my simple idea? By Todd Harrison

Policy

Pentagon and Hill Officials Say They’re Still in the Dark On Obama's New War Powers

When and how will a new authorization for the use of military force against ISIS get drafted? By Molly O’Toole

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s New Offset Strategy Includes Robots

Can the military still innovate the way it did during the Cold War? We will soon find out. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

Stop Fearing Iran and Back the Free Syrian Army

The Free Syrian Army has done everything the U.S. has asked of them. It’s time to help them before it’s too late. By Oubai Shahbandar and Michael Pregent

Business

What the US Navy of the Future Looks Like

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert previews the Navy's new course in increasingly hostile international waters. By Janine Davidson and Sam Ehrlich

Defense Systems

Nanotech process a breath of fresh air for submarines

The SAMMS technology offers an environmentally safe way to purify the air without the bad smell and hazardous waste created by the current system.

Defense Systems

With SWAT, Air Force out to boost its electronic warfare skills

The program will run sophisticated simulations to evaluate the latest technologies in the fight to control the spectrum.

Threats

ISIS Beheads Another American Hostage

A video released Sunday by the terrorist group shows the execution of an American aid worker and former U.S. Army Ranger. By Marina Koren

Threats

State Department and White House Networks Hacked at the Same Time

The breaches have forced officials to take down the State Department's unclassified email system for repairs, disrupting email traffic and access to public websites. By Aliya Sternstein

Science & Tech

This US Navy Ship Is Now Armed With a Drone-Killing Laser Beam

No one knows if the weapons system will actually work in actual warfare, but the laser's deployment allows for rigorous testing. By Matt Phillips

Policy

Romney: Don't Rule Out Boots on the Ground in Iraq

The former GOP presidential contender gave the president some advice on both foreign and domestic policy. By Rebecca Nelson

Threats

The Constraints on US Intelligence in Nigeria

It will take a lot more than last week's addition of 40 U.S. military personnel to Abuja for Nigeria's Army to neutralize the threat of Boko Haram terrorists. By Jesse Sloman

Business

DOD To Spend Billions More on Nukes

The Pentagon announces a series of changes it plans to make to its nuclear forces following embarrassing scandals, including spending billions of dollars more. By Marcus Weisgerber

Ideas

Does America Really Need To Be the Leader of the Free World?

An MIT professor and a war veteran discuss whether the U.S. should respond to every crisis that pops up across the globe. By Scott Beauchamp

Threats

How Powerful Is Russia's Military?

After years of post-Soviet neglect, Moscow is overhauling its armed forces in ways that could have regional consequences.

Defense Systems

DARPA-funded soft robotics program is a Big Hero

An inflatable robotic arm developed at Carnegie Mellon under DARPA’s M3 program served as the inspiration for Baymax in the hit movie.

Defense Systems

Flight tests begin on system to speed up air strikes

DARPA's Persistent Close Air Support system links ground and air crews, allowing them to jointly select precision-guided weapons.