Ideas
The Dead Metaphors of National Security
To grapple with today’s complex security environment, we must first think about it realistically. Our terminology — not our technology — is key.
Ideas
Netanyahu and Iran's Atomic Archive: What's New and What's Not
Among the new bits: Tehran's nuclear planners envisioned an arsenal so small as to make Kim Jong Un giggle.
Ideas
The Pentagon Is Losing the Innovation Battle. Here's How to Turn It Around
Four steps that will help better harness American innovation.
Ideas
Trump’s New Arms-Sales Policy Is Good but Sounds Awful
We must reintegrate arms exports into the U.S. foreign-policy process — and do a far better job of explaining why than the Trump administration has managed so far.
Ideas
The Difference Between a Killer and a Terrorist
Two mass murders reveal how difficult—and important—it is to correctly identify terrorism when it occurs.
Ideas
The US Does Not Need New Tactical Nukes
There’s a false narrative afoot: that we lack the weapons to deter a Russian nuclear strike.
Ideas
Thornberry Is Getting Rolled by the Services
The HASC chairman’s proposed reforms would roll back consolidations that have been saving money for decades.
Ideas
How to Plan for the Coming Era of Human-Machine Teaming
Militaries must understand the different forms it will take, and how it will change just about everything they do.
Ideas
How North Korea Learned to Live With 'Fire and Fury'
Kim Jong Un’s concessions on his weapons program suggest that he has adapted to President Trump’s threats.
Ideas
Thornberry’s Pentagon-Reform Plan to Nowhere
It's pitched as a way to cut waste — but would make the misallocation of our tax dollars more likely.
Ideas
North Korea Is Not De-Nuclearizing
The Trump administration shouldn’t get too excited about Kim Jong Un’s pledge to limit his weapons program.
Ideas
The White House Is Relaxing Drone Exports. Here's a Good Next Step
A 31-year-old arms-control pact governs UAVs as if they were cruise missiles. Our national leadership in the field depends on fixing that.
Ideas
The Pursuit of AI Is More Than an Arms Race
Dealing wisely with the challenges of artificial intelligence requires reframing the current debates.
Ideas
Pompeo’s Secret Korea Trip May Not Save His Nomination, But It Could Save Trump’s Summit
The president needs a "win" somewhere so badly that at the summit he may accept a nuclear freeze and a determined process as a major victory. That is a good thing.
Ideas
What Austria Can Teach the US About Civil-Military Relations
I was raised in a culture in which soldiering is seen as just another dangerous profession.
Ideas
The Corker-Kaine Bill Would Codify, not End, the Forever War
The replacement AUMF would formalize a reversal of the Constitution, allowing the president to declare wars and Congress — if it dares — to veto them.
Ideas
US Military Dominance Requires Better Command-and-Control Tools
Commanders need an AI-infused infrastructure to keep tabs on friendly and hostile forces, suggest actions, and help carry out orders.
Ideas
Neither Precise Nor Proportionate
Trump’s attack on Syria was unserious but intended to relieve emotional pressure—and in many ways, worse than doing nothing at all.
Ideas