Policy

Obama to Push NATO's Renewed Purpose

There's been lots of bluster about Putin's destabilizing work in eastern Ukraine. But will the alliance really stand up in the name of Baltic security? By George E. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Islamic State Militant Beheads U.S. Journalist Steven Sotloff in Video, Group Says

As they warned they would, Islamic State fighters beheaded American Steven Sotloff, says intel group. By Kevin Baron

Ideas

Four Questions for NATO's Leaders

This week, when NATO's leaders meet they must address fundamental and conceptual questions about the alliance's very existence. By Kathleen J. McInnis

Defense Systems

Army to put high-quality radar into smaller drones

A $99 million contract for small synthetic aperture radars expands the options for radar-equipped UAVs.

Defense Systems

Marine Corps, Army take autonomous convoys for a spin

Robotic vehicles react to IEDs and follow-the-leader in the latest demonstration of the Autonomous Mobility Applique System.

Threats

Why Russia Loves a 'Frozen Conflict'

What's happening in Ukraine has happened before in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The rest of the world just wasn't paying attention. By Brian Whitmore

Threats

The Invasion of Ukraine in Maps, Satellite Photos and Video

Your guide to what's taking place on the ground in Ukraine. By Jason Karaian and Heather Timmons

Threats

The Fierce Minimalism of Barack Obama

Obama’s critics often claim he doesn’t have a strategy in the greater Middle East. That’s wrong. To understand it, we must go back 7 summers. By Peter Beinart

Policy

Behind Obama's Hesitation on Syria

Obama's caution reflects both the lawyer that he is and a deliberate turn away from his predecessor, who often neglected to weigh all the consequences of his decisions. By George F. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Is There a Plan to Attack in Syria or Not?

White House and Pentagon spokesmen spent Friday explaining that the president and the Joint Chiefs have some plans to strike in Syria, but there is no plan. By Kevin Baron

Science & Tech

New DOD-VA Health Records System Coming to More Facilities Soon

One of Obama's 19 initiatives announced this week included a wider launch for a long-awaited health records system. By Bob Brewin

Threats

NATO's Moment of Truth Arrives

NATO's summit in Wales might just be the last, best hope the alliance has to face down Putin. By Stewart M. Patrick and Daniel Chardell

Threats

Does Boko Haram Really Have Control Over a New Caliphate?

With international attention spread thin in recent weeks, it's hard to know whether or not Boko Haram's newly-announced caliphate even really exists. By John Campbell

Policy

Why Sen. Feinstein Wants the CIA Torture Report Delayed

Hint: it has do with the agency's beloved black highlighter. By Dustin Volz

Defense Systems

NRL pushes research to draw power from the sea

The Naval Research Laboratory has demonstrated several energy concepts that convert seawater and microorganisms into electricity.

Defense Systems

Army's air defense simulator gets a big upgrade

The new Improved Moving Target Simulator fixes the glitches of its predecessor while providing more realistic scenarios.

Threats

Obama Says Still No Ukraine Intervention As More Russians Cross Border

After NATO released imagery showing Russian combat troops fighting inside Ukraine’s border, Obama refused to use the i-word—or offer military assistance to Kiev. By Ben Watson

Threats

Obama: 'We Don’t Have a Strategy Yet'

President Obama said the U.S. is not about to escalate the Islamic State fight because he is still searching for a long-term strategy to defeat the group. By Kevin Baron

Defense Systems

Navy's tactical cloud would see all in expeditionary warfare

The Office of Naval Research wants to combine cloud, big data and cross-domain technologies into a comprehensive, real-time view.

Threats

Why the Islamic State Is Mostly a Network of Roads

To say that ISIL controls territory stretching from Aleppo to Falluja and up to Mosul is not to say that it controls all of that territory equally. By Kathy Gilsinan