Science & Tech

Social Media’s Very Arab Future

What does the Arab world’s Twitter use reveal about the U.S. challenge of winning hearts and minds online? By Patrick Tucker

Business

The VA Is Struggling To Fill 'Tens of Thousands' of Jobs

VA Secretary Bob McDonald is looking for 'tens of thousands' of new health professionals to help move the department past its crisis of confidence with the public. By Kellie Lunney

Ideas

How the Lessons of Iraq Are Shaping the Fight Against the Islamic State

After 4 years of war in Iraq, the U.S. learned the importance of patience and restraint--lessons that dominate today's strategic fight against the Islamic State. By Col. Steve Liszewski

Policy

The Risks and Rewards of Obama's 'No Ground Troops' Pledge

If the president's motive is politics, both hawks and doves have reason to be worried. By Ron Fournier

Policy

NSA Reform Will Likely Wait Until After the Election

It looks increasingly like legislation to reform the government’s surveillance programs might not get touched at all until next year. By Dustin Volz

Ideas

A Case for Edward Snowden's Immunity

Any effort that tries to rebuild the well-behaved aspects of the NSA's surveillance system while ignoring the critical role of whistleblowers is sure to fail. By Yochai Benkler

Defense Systems

Raising the stakes: NATO says a cyber attack on one is an attack on all

A new policy includes cyber attacks under Article 5 of the NATO charter, which—if invoked—could require member states to respond collectively.

Defense Systems

Army looks to harness LTE for battlefield ISR

CERDEC is seeking possible providers of a deployable LTE network that would increase soldiers’ situational awareness.

Defense Systems

Watch: DARPA’s future armored vehicles concept

The agency is looking to build smaller vehicles that would sense and dodge enemy attacks.

Policy

What to Expect from Congress This Fall

From the Islamic State to immigration, lawmakers face a long list of problems demanding solid solutions. Here's why you shouldn't hold your breath. By Norm Ornstein

Threats

Here's What Often Happens After You Kill a Terrorist Leader

With history as our guide, here's what you can reasonably expect from al-Shabab after its leader was killed last week in a U.S. airstrike last week. By Kathy Gilsinan

Business

Would Pay Scales Close the Cybersecurity Workforce Gap?

A better understanding of what cybersecurity professionals do, along with implementing a graduated pay scale, could be two big steps in the right direction. By Aliya Sternstein

Policy

Don’t Expect a Pivot To Europe Anytime Soon

Once again, President Obama finds himself reassuring allies while also imploring them to do more. Is NATO listening? By Molly O’Toole

Science & Tech

Who Defends the Virtual Countries of Tomorrow?

Here’s why Estonia is the new frontline in the cyberwar of the future. By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

Beyond Airstrikes, How the US Can Accelerate the Islamic State’s Defeat

Time is not on Washington’s side, despite greater clarity of the military, political and economic efforts it will take to defeat the Islamic State. By Bilal Y. Saab

Threats

Pentagon Confirms US Air Strike Killed Al-Shabab Leader

Monday’s U.S. air strike in Somalia killed the co-founder of the terrorist organization al-Shabab. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

This Graph Shows How NATO’s Military Capability Has Evolved Since 1949

Three takeaways from the annual spending trends of each alliance member over NATO's 65-year history in 2011 U.S. dollars. By Janine Davidson

Defense Systems

Air Force restructures to better tie cyber to core missions

New definitions of information dominance and an internal reorganization seek to align cyber capabilities with strategic goals.

Defense Systems

Army proposes new classification for cyber warriors

It takes three years to train someone in cyber operations, and the Army, which is doubling its cyber force, wants to keep them around.

Defense Systems

Amid shrinking budgets, DISA turns to the commercial cloud

Commercial services would be able to coexist with the agency’s milCloud program, DISA’s vice director says.