Policy

Get Over It: America and Its Friends Spy on Each Other

The U.S. may be allied with France, Germany and a host of other countries, but their interests aren't necessarily aligned all the time. By Michael Hirsh

Science & Tech

Cyberattack Closes Major Israeli Highway; Hackers Bug Finnish Ministry

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches. By Nextgov Staff

Policy

How Obama Can Bypass Congress and Ease Sanctions on Iran

A recalcitrant and hawkish Congress won't cut back on Iran sanctions by itself. Good thing the White House has plenty of other options. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Doubts Linger Over Syrian Weapons Disclosure

After U.N. certification, U.S. officials still unsure of the actual number of Syria's weapons making sites or their facilities. By Global Security Newswire

Ideas

How Obama Can Help Iraq

The Iraq war President Obama never wanted is back. Here’s what he can do to help stop Iraq’s spiral into chaos. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Crocker: Send More U.S. Counterterrorism Troops to Iraq

Ryan Crocker, the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, knows what it takes to save Iraq: political will and military muscle that President Obama has been unwilling to use. By James Kitfield

Ideas

Overcoming the Gulf in the Gulf

America’s Gulf partners should reconsider their forceful protests of U.S. Middle East policy. By Colin H. Kahl and Jacob Stokes

Ideas

Is China Building a Trojan Horse into NATO Through Turkey?

Why is Turkey is buying China’s anti-missile system when it already has NATO’s Patriot system? Here’s why Ankara should beware Chinese defense corporations bearing gifts. By Aki Peritz & Mieke Eoyang

Threats

Report: Images Show New Building Activity at North Korea Missile Site

Recent satellite photos show no stopping at long-range missile site, according 38 North. By Global Security Newswire

Business

Exclusive Interview: DIA Director Flynn on Why Special Ops Will Keep Us From War

DIA's Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn talks about his mission to reform military intelligence and why al-Qaeda is metastasizing. By James Kitfield

Policy

Senate Intel Committee Orders 'Major Review' of U.S. Spying Practices

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is ‘totally opposed’ to spying on allies and has ordered the Senate Intelligence Committee to conduct its own review of U.S. intelligence gathering. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

How Many Chemical Weapons Sites Does Syria Have?

Syria just submitted a report that details the scope and size of its chemical weapons sites -- but it's classified so it's still unclear just how many sites there are. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Russia Ready to 'Compromise' on NATO Shield

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he's open to talks as Pentagon's Under Secretary for Policy Jim Miller breaks ground on Romania's future Aegis missile site. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Al-Qaeda and Our Fear of the Fight

Our fear of al-Qaeda is hurting us more than they actually are. By David Rohde

Threats

Iran's New Nuclear-Fuel Plan Spurs Uncertainty in the West

Iranian nuclear talks seemed promising, but leaked plans to make fuel raise red flags. By Diane Barnes

Ideas

In the Tank: It’s Time to Divorce the NSA from Cyber Command

This week’s best research and commentary on the latest in national security and foreign policy issues from top think tanks around the world. By Kedar Pavgi

Science & Tech

Want to Win $2 Million? Build DARPA a Better Cyber Defense

DARPA is offering a $2 million prize to anyone who can build an automated, instantaneous cyber defense for the Pentagon’s networks. By Kedar Pavgi

Threats

How Human Rights Groups Misinterpret Drone Strikes

Two recent drone strike reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch mean well, but important factual errors cloud their judgment. Civilian casualties alone are not war crimes. By Joshua Foust

Ideas

A Missed Chance for NATO’s Cybersecurity Future

On the back of NATO’s defense ministerial, member-states still need to address the alliance’s major cybersecurity shortfalls – and there are plenty. By Daniel Pitcairn

Threats

30 Years Later: The Marines Barracks Bombing and the Birth of Hezbollah

Three spectacular attacks targeting U.S. interests in Lebanon, including the 1983 bombing of the Marines barracks in Beirut, introduced Hezbollah to the world. By Matthew Levitt