Threats

How Much of a Threat to the Homeland Is the Islamic State?

Lots of things 'could' threaten the U.S. In the case of the Islamic State, does that danger justify another military campaign in the Middle East? By Peter Beinart

Threats

The Islamic State Fight Now Hinges on Arab Leaders

The Islamic State cannot be defeated without the broad support of ordinary citizens of the Middle East. On its face, this shouldn't be difficult. By Bobby Ghosh

Threats

Obama's 'Counterterrorism Campaign' Is a Declaration of War

Obama's address was a striking escalation over his past rhetoric and indicates that the war against the Islamic State group is only just beginning. By George E. Condon, Jr.

Policy

GOP Tries To Turn Obama's Foreign Policy Into a November Opportunity

Russian aggression and the Islamic State are replacing healthcare and the economy as Republican election bait for this year's midterms. By Emily Schultheis

Ideas

NATO Must Boost Its Cyber Defense Capabilities Now

With the threat that comes with NATO’s increased posture in Eastern Europe, NATO cannot afford to take its time beefing up its cyber defense. By Klara Tothova Jordan

Ideas

Obama’s Speech Reflects a Refined Foreign Policy Doctrine

The president’s speech presents a refined American engagement that relies not just on our kinetic capabilities. By Maj. Mike Lyons

Policy

Islamic State Unites Congress, But Lawmakers Diverge on the Way Forward

The Islamic State may have provoked rare unity in a dysfunctional Congress -- but lawmakers’ support for Obama’s strategy comes with crucial caveats. By Molly O’Toole

Threats

Obama Has a Strategy for the Islamic State But He Better Have a Plan B

President Obama laid out a plan to defeat the Islamic State. But it’s hardly a shock and awe. Is there a Plan B? By Kevin Baron

Defense Systems

Researchers 'grow' lasers in chip breakthrough

The DARPA-funded work could cut costs and SWAP for microsystems used in radars, sensors and communications devices.

Ideas

In Obama Speech, Echoes of the Lyndon Johnson Era

President Obama’s speech on the Islamic State was nicely written, if you care about presidential syntax. But it reflected no sense of history. By Philip Seib

Science & Tech

Every Part of the US Government Has Probably Already Been Hacked

A Homeland Security official says 600,000 cyber incidents have occurred so far this fiscal year. By Frank Konkel

Science & Tech

The Army Wants to Use Its Own Secure 4G LTE Networks

The technology would triple the capacity and speed of the long-troubled Joint Tactical Radio System. By Bob Brewin

Policy

Dick Cheney Calls Obama's National Security View 'Willfully Blind'

While the former vice president is as hawkish as ever, the Republican consensus is not nearly as unified as it once was. By Emma Roller

Threats

The Case Against Another War in Iraq

The president's developing campaign against the Islamic State is shaking out to be more emotionally reactive than purpose-driven. By David Frum

Policy

How the US Should Plan Around Thailand's Ongoing Coup

The latest military coup in Thailand may last a few dozen more months. Here's what the U.S. military can do to make the most of the uncertain situation. By Joshua Kurlantzick

Policy

House Republicans Unveil Plan To Keep the Government Open

The fine print offers good news for the Pentagon and State Department and ongoing VA oversight, as well as efforts to curb the Ebola outbreak. By Billy House

Policy

Congressional Leaders Stand Back To Let Obama Strike Islamic State

The White House made clear the president won't go to Capitol Hill for approval to broaden his campaign against ISIL. And for now, no one is dissenting. By Daniel Newhauser

Ideas

‘No Boots on the Ground’ Doesn’t Mean No Combat in Iraq

President Obama is vowing not to send 'boots on the ground' in Iraq but they’re already there. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Defense Systems

Putting powerful analytics into a 'Facebook for terrorists'

Modus Operandi’s semantic technology corrals and analyzes intelligence big data and puts it into a familiar interface.

Defense Systems

DARPA to hunt for space and time vulnerabilities of software algorithms

The STAC program is looking for techniques to find flaws in algorithms that could leak information or enable denial of service attacks.