Ideas
The Silence of Rex Tillerson
Sooner or later, someone needs to explain what Trump’s foreign policy is. But the secretary of state does not seem to understand his job.
Ideas
Egypt and America Are Destined to Disappoint Each Other
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s supporters in Washington are about to get mugged by reality: His regime is alarmingly weak.
Ideas
Don’t Let the Pentagon Monopolize Nuclear Policy
Expert voices from State and Energy must be brought into the Trump administration’s nascent Nuclear Posture Review.
Ideas
A Bad Time for a Trump-China Summit
A former South Korean lawmaker says the White House needs to strengthen its relationship with Seoul before deciding to grant the same level of respect to Beijing.
Ideas
America's Foreign-Policy Voice Is Fracturing. Trump’s Cuts Would Make Things Worse
The post-9/11 explosion in security-assistance funding has muddied the roles of diplomats and generals. A re-empowered State Department could help fix that.
Ideas
The US and Russia Should Never Have Stopped Cooperating to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism
Our two countries still work together on a few things. Securing dangerous nuclear materials should be one of them.
Ideas
The Marine Photo Scandal and the Cost of Indifference
Americans may finally be ready to confront the dehumanizing horrors facing women service members.
Ideas
The Idea of ISIS Will Outlive the Caliphate
Despite claiming responsibility for attacks like the one in London, the group is dying. It will retain the ability to inspire.
Ideas
Trump's Unbalanced Homeland Security Budget
As the former heads of DHS, the Coast Guard, and TSA, we think Trump’s border-and-immigration fixation is like double-locking your front door and leaving the window wide open.
Ideas
The US Should Steer Clear of Russian ‘Help’ in Syria
Until Moscow decides that working to reduce radicalization is more important than propping up Assad, the anti-ISIS coalition doesn’t need its help.
Ideas
When the House of Trump Met the House of Saud
The Saudi and Trump families looked cozy in their first state visit, but beneath the gilded surface, don’t expect much to change in U.S.-Saudi relations.
Ideas
Space Is Booming. America’s Next Heavy-Lift Rocket Should Reflect That
As the U.S. government leaves the RD-180 rocket engine behind, it should position itself to support and reap the benefits of the growth in orbital markets.
Ideas
Cybersecurity’s Human Side: How Can We Solve Our People Problem?
First, stop undermining our own efforts to fill crucial jobs. Second, cast a wide net for useful lessons.
Ideas
Three Lingering Questions For Trump's New Plan to Fight ISIS
If Trump sends more American boots to Syria, who will fight alongside them, and — stiil — what comes next?
Ideas
US and Russian Military Leaders Are Meeting Again, Breaking a Long and Dangerous Drought
Over three years had passed without direct senior-level contact between the world’s preeminent nuclear powers.
Ideas
What Will Replace the Third Offset? Lessons from Past Innovation Strategies
Whatever the name, it’s crucial to have a framework for directing and harnessing advancements in defense technology.
Ideas
The Hidden Potential of NATO’s Gator Navies
Improving U.S.-European amphibious interoperability would bolster the alliance’s defense posture in a non-provocative manner that complements recent moves in land forces.
Ideas
Trump’s Bigger Military Won’t Necessarily Make the US Stronger or Safer
The Pentagon can’t properly train and support the people and weapons it already has. Simply adding more won’t solve the problem — and could undermine long-term readiness.
Ideas
A New Kind of War Demands New Defensive Alliances
The former president of Estonia proposes a collective-security organization based not on geography but on a shared dedication to democracy.
Ideas