Threats

Is the Shutdown Making Us Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack?

With the federal government shut down, there's fewer staff to prevent a cyber attack. By Brittany Ballenstedt

Science & Tech

Here's a List of Data Centers the NSA Is (Probably) Spying On

The sheer amount of Internet concentrated in these facilities makes them hot targets for spy agencies like the NSA. By John Metcalfe

Business

Watchdog Finds 719 Problems with the Pentagon’s F-35 Program

In a review of the F-35 program, the Pentagon’s Inspector General says the military lost control of contractors and quality management. By Mark Micheli

Science & Tech

Why Britain's New Cyberwar Capabilities May Just Be Political Posturing

It'll be a while before London builds an army of hackers. For now, its just another proposal from Whitehall. By Leo Mirani

Science & Tech

Why the Military Needs Commercial Satellite Technology

The need for commerical satellite technology will only grow as data usage increases and more UAVs take to the air due to the asymmetrical threat environment. By Rick Lober

Business

The U.S. Should Cut Its Nuclear Arsenal Before Sequester Does

The Pentagon needs to 'operate realistically' at the spending levels mandated by law and begin cutting back on its nuclear arsenal, a new report says. By Rachel Oswald

Science & Tech

Blackberry Bets Big on the Defense Department

With sluggish consumer sales, Blackberry is setting its sights on large organizations like the Defense Department. By Aliya Sternstein

Science & Tech

Vetting Videos of War

Conflict videos from Syria are notoriously unreliable. Here's one company working to authenticate the real ones. By Steve Ercolani

Science & Tech

Facebook's Advice to the NSA

The broader problem, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says, is the NSA's continued obfuscation of its programs, even after their revelation into the public mind and the public conversation. By Megan Garber

Science & Tech

Clean Energy Gets an Unlikely Ally: Military Veterans

A rising chorus of voices from the national security community are united by what is fast becoming a consensus view: investments in clean energy strengthens our national security and gives our service members an edge on the battlefield. By Chris Rey

Ideas

How Photographic Technology Shapes Our Understanding of War

From Polaroids to Instagram, the methods we used to document conflict have drastically changed. So has our understanding of what war really is. By Peter Osnos

Science & Tech

Can the U.S. and China Get Along in Outer Space?

China is improving and testing its anti-satellite capabilities. The Pentagon is, too. By Michael Krepon

Science & Tech

Meet the Encryption Aficionados Who Know How to Hide From the NSA's Watching Eye

Privacy advocates are using 'cryptoparties' to train computer users to better guard their data against surveillance. By Greg Thomas

Science & Tech

More Basic Research is Needed to Enhance America's National Security Capabilities

Money in this realm reaps dividends and can create the technology and tools needed to combat the threats of tomorrow. By Allan Sontesby and Joseph R. DeTrani

Science & Tech

How Social Media Helps Make the Case for War with Syria

The Obama administration is relying heavily on social media reports of chemical attacks to bolster its case for a military strike against Syria. By Michael Hirsh

Science & Tech

Why the U.S. Should Use Cyber Weapons Against Syria

The crisis in Syria is a good opportunity to show that U.S. cyber weapons can be used effectively (and ethically) on the battlefield. By Jason Healey

Science & Tech

Obama's Power To Set Cybersecurity Standards Is Limited

For the last three years, President Obama has been unable to get a cybersecurity bill through Congress. By Matthew Cooper

Ideas

Pentagon’s Syria Response Reveals Limits of Prized Cyber, Drone Arsenal

Here’s why the 'clarity' of a 20th century cruise missile strike likely will trump the 'sophistication' of the Pentagon’s 21st century drones and cyber-weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Science & Tech

Why a Precision Strike Won't Work in Syria

The Kosovo model for a precision strike against Syria ignores two important things - they're not always that precise and there's no guarantee that Assad will back down any time soon. By James Fallows

Policy

Drones Are Controversial But Legal

Just because drones are more technologically advanced than other weapons doesn't mean they violate international law. By James Jay Carafano