Ideas
How Reforming Benefits Could Undermine the Pentagon's Future
The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission's recommendations are appealing to reformers. But here's how they could actually end up doing irreversible harm to the all-volunteer force.
Ideas
The Wrong Move: Adding Nuclear Weapons to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Despite the wishes of two key Congressmen, more nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe is a bad idea.
Ideas
The US Intelligence Community Is Bigger Than Ever, But Is It Worth the Cost?
The intelligence community has grown to an enormous size and Americans have no clue what they’re paying for.
Ideas
It’s Time To Arm the Ukrainians
President Obama must change course and give Ukrainians the arms they need to stop Putin.
Ideas
Ash Carter Has One Shot To Keep the Pentagon’s Technology Edge
Carter likely has only one shot to shape the Pentagon budget entirely on his own.
Ideas
Obama’s Trillion Dollar Nuclear Weapons Gamble
Why is the president is proposing a multi-billion dollar nuclear arsenal overhaul that is expensive, dangerous, and does nothing to make the United States safer?
Ideas
Our Overreaction to Terrorist Attacks Like Paris Is Only Making Things Worse
The terrorists’ goal is to spread irrational fear. Our intelligence professionals shouldn’t be helping them. By Michael German
Ideas
This Is America's Best Shot To Fix the Relationship With Saudi Arabia and Fight Terrorism
The U.S. should use the transition in Riyadh to correct course, adjust its relationship with Saudi Arabia and fight extremism. By Sarah Chayes
Ideas
Can Ash Carter Tame the Nuclear Weapons Budget?
Here are three common sense steps for the nuclear weapons budget that would save up to roughly $75 billion over 10 years. Tom Z. Collina
Ideas
Secretive Private Intelligence Contractors Need Better Oversight
The capacity for secrecy gets even deeper in the private sector – too deep. By Michael German
Ideas
Why Police Spying On Americans Is Everyone’s Problem
The militarization on display in Ferguson is nothing compared to the law enforcement intelligence drift you can’t see. By Michael German
Ideas
When Interrogations Began: A View From Inside the CIA
I remember what it was like at Langley on 9/11. This is what it felt like. By Joseph R. DeTrani
Business
Ash Carter’s Asia Plans
President Obama’s pick to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been an advocate for a pivot to Asia since the late 1990s. By Adam Tiffen
Ideas
Coburn Has Gone Too Far Blocking Veterans Suicide Bill
By blocking veteran’s suicide prevention, Sen. Coburn shows exactly the kind of ego-fuelled hypocrisy exhausting Americans. By Montel Williams
Ideas
The US Needs a New Church Committee
Two Church Committee staffers say “inadequate” intelligence oversight today needs bolstering. By Michael German
Ideas
How the Intelligence Community Can Move Beyond the Torture Report
The fallout from the Senate's torture report will continue for years. Will the Intelligence Community be able to hold itself accountable for its past crimes? By Michael German
Ideas
Washington’s Window To Reform War Funding Just Opened
New leaders in Congress and the Pentagon should fix how the US funds warfare, not continue budgetary tricks. By Robert Gard
Ideas
Why Americans Should Care About Foreign Aid
Foreign aid ‘can do as much—over the long term—to prevent conflict as the deterrent effect of a carrier strike group.’ By Mick Crnkovich
Ideas
Vienna Conference Could 'Change the Calculus' of US Nuclear Policy
The anti-nuclear weapons movement is modernizing, too, and policy makers should notice. By Joe Cirincione
Ideas