Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 84: Biden, Europe and the future of transatlantic security
Three experts unpack the opportunities and challenges ahead for Europe and the U.S. in 2021.
Policy
If China Is the No. 1 Threat, Why Doesn’t the 2022 Budget Reflect It?
The Middle East will continue to demand resources even as troops withdraw from Afghanistan.
Threats
China Is Our No. 1 Priority. Start Acting Like It, Austin Tells Pentagon
Task force says the military Biden inherited from Trump had a “say-do gap” in the resources directed at China.
Ideas
Fight Digital Authoritarianism by Giving People the Tools to Counter It
Defense leaders should not wait for the rest of the government to act.
Ideas
How China Steals US Tech to Catch Up in Underwater Warfare
From legal filings to a Chinese lab’s website, open source documents provide an illuminating trail.
Ideas
NIH Director: We Need an Investigation Into the Wuhan Lab-Leak Theory
Francis Collins calls for a “thorough, expert-driven, and objective” inquiry, and shares what most surprised him about the virus.
Business
Eyeing China, Biden’s First Pentagon Budget Would Cut Troops, Buy Future Weapons
DepSecDef Hicks called the president’s $715 billion spending request “a foundation for fielding a full range of needed capabilities.” Republicans called it “a cut.”
Science & Tech
Biden Requests Less Than 1% Boost to Pentagon R&D, Despite Hyping New Defense Tech
As the Defense Department shifts its focus toward more technologically advanced potential adversaries, it will have to research and develop more and sustain less.
Policy
Analysis: Here’s What to Look For in Biden’s First Pentagon Budget Request
DOD likely to face fight from Congress on plans to divest older weapons.
Threats
Peace with Russia, China ‘Fraying at the Edge,’ Milley Tells Graduating Cadets
New Air Force officers should work “to set the conditions for a future that prevents great power war,” Joint Chiefs chairman says.
Ideas
Keep Tabs on China’s Growing Space Situational Awareness
As more Chinese satellites reach orbit, Beijing is upgrading its ability to track space debris. But such sensors can be used to destroy as well as protect.
Science & Tech
US Naval Services Aim to Put Network-War Concepts to Global Test
Enormous exercise will combine several new concepts in scenarios up to major combat.
Threats
Pentagon Studying How Counterterrorism Fits Into Great Power Competition
The Pentagon has not previously discussed how to use counterterrorism capabilities for great power competition. Now that’s changing.
Ideas
Introducing ‘The China Intelligence’
Everyone needs to understand China better. Open-source intelligence can help.
Ideas
Army Generals Are Not Prepared for the Future
Service leaders love to tout innovation, but can they make the changes necessary to succeed?
Science & Tech
Army SOF Units Are Getting Smaller, More Self-Reliant as Focus Shifts to China, Russia
New adversaries, warfare concepts, and gear are also driving special operators to become more tech-savvy.
Ideas
The ‘Rule of Thirds’ Is Bunk
The military services’ shares of overall defense spending have always fluctuated with strategy and need.
Ideas
Toward a New Naval Statecraft
If the U.S. and its allies do nothing to complicate or slow China’s grey zone strategy, they risk ceding the global commons of maritime Asia.
Ideas
When and Why China Might—or Might Not—Attack Taiwan
U.S. policymakers can only guess at what’s driving Beijing, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing they can do about it.
Ideas