Ideas
The nation needs a ‘security clearance ready reserve'
A list of cleared, vetted people would serve as a strategic hedge against attrition, espionage and workforce volatility.
Ideas
Norms have changed in South Asia, making future de-escalation much harder
The India-Pakistan ceasefire shouldn’t disguise the fact that philosophy, proliferation, and U.S. inattention are working against it.
Ideas
State defense forces can fill a homeland gap
With just a few changes, these volunteer military units can do much more to help with Army and Guard missions.
Business
A closer look at the Chinese space company accused of helping the Houthis
The ostensibly private Chang Guang Satellite Technology emerged from and benefited from state funding.
Ideas
In Yemen, Trump risks falling into an ‘airpower trap’
Bombing campaigns are cheaper than ground incursions—but history shows that the former can lead to the latter.
Ideas
Forging a new national security alliance
The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command wants to knit traditional and non-traditional government, industry, and academic partners.
Ideas
A lesson from 1958 could help deter China from taking Taiwan
After China began shelling a nearby island, a four-pronged U.S. response led to decades of cross-strait peace.
Ideas
America’s response to measles is eroding its ability to deter biological attacks
The rising death toll for a preventable disease reveals just how ill-prepared the country is to handle a malicious bioweapon.
Ideas
Ideological purges reduce deterrence, readiness, and effectiveness. Just ask Stalin
Banning transgender servicemembers will have effects far beyond the careers of a few thousand troops.
Ideas
The AI arms race will be won on mathematical proof
It’s the only way to be sure automated and autonomous systems will work as expected.
Ideas
Indonesia needs a two-track approach to its foreign-fighter problem
The members of an al-Qaeda affiliate who went abroad must not be allowed to revive the group at home.
Ideas
Europe is realigning—but can leaders keep citizens on board?
Raising defenses will come at many costs.
Ideas
I went to the Naval Academy to defend freedom, not to dismantle it
Stripping the library of books undermines our Navy—and mimics regimes we spent decades confronting.
Ideas
It’s China’s turn to face transnational terrorism threats
Beijing may be more motivated than ever to cooperate with the United States on counterterrorism.
Ideas
Why I resigned in protest from National Defense University
Policy is not set in stone. It will be easier to push for necessary political changes at DOD from outside the university’s esteemed walls.
Ideas
Should I use AI in my wargame?
A gamers’ framework for understanding when and how to use today’s untrustworthy LLMs.
Ideas
Trump’s defense-acquisition executive order hits the right notes
Conditions may finally be right for badly needed reforms, says a former defense industrial-policy chief.
Ideas
How drones, data, and AI transformed our military—and why the US must follow suit
A former Ukrainian commander-in-chief describes Ukraine’s DELTA battlefield-management system and other adaptations.
Ideas
Don’t waste this crisis, Europe: consolidate your defense industry
Turn your excess national defense champions into continental ones.
Ideas