Threats

If Given OK, US Could Conduct a Nuclear Test in a Matter of Months, Pentagon Official Says

This comes as senior national security officials are reportedly discussing whether to conduct a test.

Policy

Senate Approves Ratcliffe As Nation’s Top Spy

Ratcliffe received more “no” votes than any previous nominee for the position.

Ideas

China is a Serious Issue, Not a Campaign Meme

'Beijing Biden' is a baseless political smear, trivializing one of America’s most complicated challenges.

Policy

Pompeo Defends Firing Of State IG

Charges that the dismissal was retaliatory are “patently false,” he says.

Policy

Senate Intel Panel Advances Ratcliffe Nomination In Party-Line Vote

The former Texas prosecutor is a deeply controversial pick for the nation’s top spy.

Policy

Fired State IG Was Investigating Saudi Arms Sale

A key House Democrat says that might be why he was fired.

Policy

62% Disapprove of Trump’s Coronavirus Response, Reader Survey Finds

Most respondents feel “less safe” because of the president’s actions. Esper gets higher marks, but many fear premature reopening.

Ideas

US, China Should Pursue Peace, Not Military Brinkmanship

Neither side wants to appear weak, but recent actions and rhetoric by both sides has put all of us in greater danger of U.S.-China military tensions sliding into armed conflict.

Science & Tech

FBI Got Everything It Asked for in DNC Investigation, Refuting ‘Missing Server’ Myth

New transcripts released by the House intelligence committee shed light on Russia’s interference in 2016 election.

Policy

COVID-19 Is Accelerating Trends in the US-China Relationship

Economic analysts see a closing window for U.S. policymakers to engage with Chinese counterparts on areas of mutual interest and benefit.

Policy

Prospective Navy Secretary Vows to 'Restore the Appropriate Culture'

Kenneth Braithwaite answered pointed questions from senators, but he and fellow nominees from DoD and the Air Force appear set for confirmation.

Policy

China Is Buying Global Influence on the Cheap

The U.S. gives more money than China to many international organizations. So why do they seem more sympathetic to Beijing?

Ideas

Trump’s Nuclear Policy Has Failed

Recognizing that blunders and bad ideas have undermined stability and security is the first step toward recovery.

Policy

Trump’s Intelligence-Chief Nominee Vows to ‘Speak Truth to Power’

GOP lawmakers are seeking to fasttrack Rep. John Ratcliffe’s nomination, but his careful answers did not appear to satisfy skeptics.

Ideas

Propaganda, the President, and the ‘Reopen’ Protesters

The military’s nostalgic WWII-style posters urge face masks and national unity, but they’re not reaching Trump and his disbelieving followers.

Policy

States' ‘Reopening’ Might Not Apply to Troops, Military Families

Georgia is opening up. Fort Benning may not.

Policy

Pentagon’s ‘Willingness to Kiss the President’s Ass’ Worries Top Lawmaker

‘I am worried about a culture developing,’ says House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., after the latest delay in Navy captain’s fate.

Policy

Global Defense Spending Decline Expected As Nations Deal with Coronavirus 

Experts see domestic projects taking priority over national security in the coming years.

Policy

Pentagon Blasts Lawmakers’ Critique Of COVID-19 Response

Democratic lawmakers accused SecDef of leading a “disjointed and slow” response to the pandemic.

Policy

The Pentagon's Spectrum Defeat May Presage a Loss of Other Key Frequencies

Rejecting appeals by Defense officials and their Congressional allies, the FCC approved a private company's use of spectrum near ones used by GPS.