Defense Systems

DOD’s biometric terrorist ID upgrade ready for another close-up

Version 1.2 of ABIS, which proved lacking in tests last year, passes one round of tests and moves on to the next stage.

Science & Tech

The Air Force May Have Already Developed Its New Long-Range Bomber

A recent report to Congress suggests the Pentagon's replacement for its aging bomber fleet is all but ready for production. By Bob Brewin

Threats

'Compromise' May Return Chemical Weapons Facilities Back to Assad

Officials in Washington are nervous over a proposal to return some of Syria's underground chemical weapons facilities back to the Assad regime. By Diane Barnes

Threats

Obama Requests Drone Surge for U.S.-Mexico Border

President Obama has requested an escalation of aerial surveillance along the border with Mexico -- including 16 more drone crews at a cost of nearly $40 million. By Aliya Sternstein

Policy

Gen. Abizaid-Led Panel Sounds Alarm on U.S. Drones

It's time Obama rethinks drones when a group like this criticizes the precedents and dangers of targeted killings. By Conor Friedersdorf

Ideas

NATO Must Stop ISIL Before It’s Too Late

NATO’s road to Iraq runs through Turkey, then Washington—if the alliance really wants to bring an end to ISIL. By Philip Seib

Defense Systems

12 battlefield tools of the future Marine

The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory this week is testing a variety of new technologies and gear at its Advanced Warfighting Experiment. Here’s a rundown on a dozen of them.

Defense Systems

Self-repairing jets and laser guns: A vision of future military tech

BAE Systems says the military could have transformer-style jets, directed energy systems and 3D printers on-board aircraft by 2040.

Defense Systems

Air Force seeks new ICBM technologies

The service calls for studies to explore new command and control systems, and advanced missile hardware and parts.

Threats

U.N. Says Syria Found More Chemical Weapons

International authorities confirmed sarin had been found in 'abandoned' containers the Assad regime says were located in rebel-held territory. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

U.S., China Begin Strategic Talks on North Korea Nukes

Secretary of State John Kerry is in Beijing Wednesday for yearly bilateral talks on North Korean nuclear threats. By Global Security Newswire

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Won't Demolish Its Alaskan Research Facility Just Yet

Tin-foil theorists can keep their hats for one more year as the Air Force mulls a transfer of its 180-antenna Alaskan facility to university researchers. By Bob Brewin

Business

Competition Is Declining in Pentagon-Awarded Contracts

Three years after setting goals for competitively-bid contracts, the Defense Department has failed to meet even one of those goals. By Katherine McIntire Peters

Policy

Hagel Backs General on U.S. Border Threats

Defense Secretary Hagel supports his top general’s concern that Central American destabilization is fueling the migrant children crisis at the U.S. border. By Molly O’Toole

Threats

Former Bush Advisers Push Old Candidate Chalabi for New Iraq

Bush insiders think the man who gave U.S. officials false intelligence on Iraq more than a decade ago just might be the man to bring order to the political instability that plagues the country now. By Clara Ritger

Policy

The Navy Can't Afford Its Own Plan to Buy New Subs

The Navy just told Congress the cost to build subs and modernize the rest of its fleet is 'unsustainable.' By Global Security Newswire

Defense Systems

Autonomous vessel for tracking silent subs is under construction

Expected to be launched in 2015, DARPA’s unmanned ACTUV would track diesel submarines for months at a time.

Defense Systems

Air Force general named Cyber Command deputy chief

Hagel announces the nomination of Maj. Gen. James K. “Kevin” McLaughlin, currently in charge of Air Forces Cyber.

Threats

Iran Talks Come Up Empty as Deadline Nears

After 5 days, negotiators have not swayed Iran over uranium enrichment levels as the July 20 deadline approaches. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Libya Is Working With Rebels to Protect Tripoli's Oil

And in an odd but very profitable move, they're only putting a little bit on the market at a time. By Steve LeVine