Ideas

Beware of Pentagon techno-enthusiasm

A massive new drone effort, while laudable in its quest for simpler weapons, does not come without strings attached.

Ideas

Get mental health stigmas out of the clearance process

Old attitudes toward mental health treatment must no longer dissuade people from applying for cleared jobs or seeking help after receiving one.

Ideas

Air Force deal sets a precedent others should follow

By obtaining the data rights for two helicopters, the service sets itself up to save money and improve readiness.

Ideas

Extend the Pentagon’s ban on China’s consumer drones

The rest of the federal government—and state and local agencies and even private-sector infrastructure companies—should quit using this Chinese technology.

Ideas

The latest Iran deal is a win-win

A complicated prisoner swap should ease drug shortages that are killing ordinary Iranians—and put new pressure on Tehran’s leaders.

Ideas

To compete with China in STEM, Pentagon should invest in HBCUs

The DOD can't leave the potential of historically Black colleges and universities untapped.

Ideas

China’s war planners are leaning harder on its militia

The PLA’s reserve auxiliary force dwarfs the regular military, but is understudied and too often overlooked.

Ideas

What DOD can learn about smarter innovation from a roll of toilet paper

Its focus on Silicon Valley has obscured lessons from the less-techy world of consumer products.

Ideas

A defense treaty is not how Biden should fix the Saudi relationship

To fend off Iran, Riyadh must improve its military, not rely on U.S. protection.

Ideas

What’s missing from the Quad’s ISR partnership

The year-old Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness can’t do the job with satellites alone.

Ideas

Why the U.S. still needs ground forces in Europe

Moscow’s setbacks notwithstanding, refocusing on China would be a mistake.

Ideas

NATO’s defense demands Eastern Front improvements

The recent summit largely avoided urgent questions about the mismatch between available forces and the Russian threat.

Ideas

The Pentagon is the wrong agency to lead the new US deterrence strategy

If integrated deterrence is to succeed, the hammer must not be the tool of first resort.

Ideas

What Venezuela’s moonbase vow says about China, Russia, and the USA

Caracas’ participation in the International Lunar Research Station is more than merely symbolic.

Ideas

Someone’s missing from NATO’s spending debates

Finance ministers—much more powerful in almost every non-U.S. member government—need a seat at the table.

Ideas

Climate Security is National Security

Our book argues the threat of terrorism was never an existential threat—but climate change is, and it requires more military attention and resources.