Ideas
As US Tightens Sanctions, Iran Seeks Leverage — and Russia May Win Either Way
Iran's recent relatively mild public statements belie the cards it might play in regional conflicts.
Ideas
In Afghanistan, Ceasefires Could Pave a Path to Peace
The overlapping, temporary ceasefires announced by the Afghan government, U.S.-led NATO forces, and the Taliban show there is still hope for a political end to the conflict.
Ideas
Can Global Agreements Survive Without the US? Climate Change Offers A Test Case
American withdrawal from the Paris agreement is a test for the future of the globe, but also for the international order.
Science & Tech
NSA ‘Systematically Moving’ All Its Data to The Cloud
The National Security Agency has moved most of its mission data into the Intelligence Community GovCloud.
Ideas
What War Games Tell Us About the Use of Cyber Weapons in a Crisis
Recent U.S. war games have shown that decision makers are surprisingly reluctant to use cyber weapons during a crisis scenario that escalates into armed conflict. Why?
Ideas
Turkey's Slow-Cooking Crisis With Its Allies Is Coming to a Boil
Ankara just got its first F-35. It may never get another.
Ideas
Before You Help a Fragile State’s Military, Ask These Uncomfortable Questions
A checklist for a Pentagon that rarely looks into why so many of its partner-building efforts fail.
Ideas
The US Is Letting Sudan Off the Hook
Lifting sanctions allows the regime to continue to sow discord in a region that the U.S. and allies are spending billions to stabilize.
Ideas
Cut the Red Tape Slowing the Pentagon's Race to Space
If the Air Force is to harness cheap satellites and reusable rockets, it must transform a risk-averse bureaucracy built for a different era.
Ideas
There Is Now a Well-Documented Example of Cyber Deterrence
Unfortunately for the United States, it was executed by Russia.
Ideas
What the Interwar Years Say About the US Army's Newest Force Concept
Technology isn’t everything.
Ideas
The US Must Tell Bahrain’s Rulers: It's Time to Reform
The crackdown by Sunni rulers on the Shi’ite majority is opening doors for Tehran.
Ideas
NATO Needs More Big Exercises, Too
More multinational training events would go a long way towards improving European defense – and it would strengthen the transatlantic relationship, too.
Ideas
Concession...or Common Sense? Trading Drills for Dialogue
Except for taking Seoul by surprise, Trump’s decision to halt US-ROK exercises has plenty of precedent.
Ideas
Congress May Declare the Forever War
A proposed law with bipartisan support would dramatically weaken the ability of legislators to extricate the United States from perpetual armed conflict.
Ideas
Yemen Is Not a Sideshow
By indulging a years-long, bloody stalemate there, the United States has breathed life into Iran’s regional meddling.
Ideas
A Summit Short on Details, Yet Better Than War
The good news is that the Trump administration already has plans to continue the talks.
Ideas
Trump Got Nearly Nothing From Kim Jong Un
Maybe this is the beginning of something big. But it started off small.
Ideas
The Secrecy Surrounding the John Doe-ISIS Case Is the Real Threat
An accused terrorist may go free because the Trump administration demanded an end-run around the rule of law.
Ideas