Ideas

The US needs more than troops at a Syrian airbase to constrain ISIS, Iran

Continued support for the SDF, plus more burden-sharing, is necessary to protect U.S. interests.

Ideas

The awful arithmetic of our wars

If we don't figure out a way to fight far more cheaply, we won’t be able to afford to win a single battle.

Ideas

More is needed to turn the Marine Corps' aspirations into reality

If the force is truly to have balanced lethality and battlefield resiliency, it will need more ships, missiles, and money.

Ideas

Our nation requires three ARG/MEUs

The Marine Corps commandant underscores the necessity of the Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit for projecting American strength and sustaining deterrence.

Ideas

The Pentagon chooses learning over losing

The secretary’s reforms reveal a revolution: the recognition that adaptability trumps performance.

Ideas

Don’t give up the shipyards

Trump’s first shipbuilding deal must not derail America’s bipartisan strategy to revive the foundations of its seapower.

Ideas

Now is not the time for new US commitments to the Middle East

President Trump should follow his instincts and tell the Gulf states to take on more of their own security burden.

Ideas

How to foster a warrior ethos in the workforce

Invest in educating future acquisition professionals.

Ideas

Federal shutdown deals blow to already-hobbled cybersecurity agency

Two-thirds of the staff at the nation’s cybersecurity agency are sidelined, opening opportunities for malicious hackers.

Ideas

Hamas has run out of options

The group's survival now rests on accepting Trump’s plan and political reform.

Ideas

Venezuela, US edge toward war footing—but the White House may blink first

The Trump administration is increasing the pressure, but domestic concerns, international risks may hold it back.

Ideas

'Shadow economies' are growing. Military planners and operators must take them into account

Black markets prolong wars, defang sanctions, fray alliances, and help rogue governments and groups survive and thrive.

Ideas

Don’t let the ‘unequal dialogue’ become a partisan one

Secretary Hegseth's short-notice summoning of flag officers evinces a dangerous lack of respect.

Ideas

Military AI needs guardrails—not to slow it down, but to keep it useful

Modifying commercial models isn’t as easy as removing the parts that discourage users from killing people.

Ideas

How Trump can make defense reform stick

It will require sustained presidential attention and unprecendented transparency.