Ideas

America Needs To Engage With Its Enemies, Not Isolate

Raw strength and power is necessary for deterrence, but off-ramps from conflict can be created by building relationships.

Threats

For Obama, US Military Intervention Remains a 'Temptation to Be Resisted'

In an interview with Vox, President Obama warned against 'quick fix' approaches to national security dilemmas facing the United States and its allies.

Policy

What Democrats Lose By Disowning Jimmy Carter

The 39th president's name has become an epithet in Washington for weak and naive foreign policy. That could not be any farther from the truth.

Policy

How a Lindsey Graham 2016 Bid Could Alter the GOP on National Security

Some see Sen. Lindsey Graham's possible entrance into the presidential ring less as a serious bid and more of an effort to change GOP positions on U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Threats

7 Defense Issues That Should Be In the State of the Union Address

If history is a guide, the president is likely to look increasingly abroad in the final phase of his last term. Here are 7 defense-related issues to look out for in Tuesday night's address. By Janine Davidson

Threats

Why North Korea Sanctions Are Unlikely To Be Effective

President Obama's punishment allows him to fulfill his promise to respond to the Sony hack, but probably won't have much effect on the country. By Matt Schiavenza

Ideas

Here’s What To Expect in National Security in 2015

You think 2014 was a busy year for America’s military and national security community? There’s no sign of letting up next year. By Defense One Staff

Policy

Seven Global Summits To Watch in 2015

These global summits will continue to play an indispensable part in governing an unruly world. By Patrick M. Stewart

Threats

How Pope Francis Helped Broker the US-Cuba Deal

The leader of Catholic Church was a crucial figure in brokering the landmark deal between the United States and Cuba. By Adam Chandler

Threats

The Global Conflicts To Watch in 2015

A new survey shows which countries matter more to U.S. policymakers—and which matter less. By Uri Friedman

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

The National Security Case for Raising the Gas Tax

Lowering the world price of oil may help undercut or prevent dictators that may become our enemies in the near future. By Miles Kimball

Policy

Rand Paul Says War Should Be a ‘Last Resort’

The Republican senator and possible 2016 contender warns that ‘intervention has unintended consequences.’ By Shane Goldmacher

Threats

Tunisia May Be Headed for Another Arab Spring

Tunisia just held its second consecutive peaceful election -- but regional instability means it's still too soon to celebrate a stable democratic transition in Tunis. By Sam Kimball and Nicholas Linn

Threats

The US-Turkey Relationship Is Undergoing Death By a Thousand Slights

Here's what makes Ankara the reluctant and very important U.S. ally it is today. By Steven A. Cook

Ideas

Time for the Exceptional Superpower To Act Like It

The U.S. needs to remind the world of its dominance. Holding the line will not do and will not work. By Robin Shepherd

Ideas

Political Dysfunction Is a Worse Threat Than Putin, Say National Security Workers

The president has no strategy, the Taliban can have Afghanistan and a nuclear Iran isn’t worth a fight, a new Defense One survey says. By Kevin Baron

Policy

Romney: Don't Rule Out Boots on the Ground in Iraq

The former GOP presidential contender gave the president some advice on both foreign and domestic policy. By Rebecca Nelson

Ideas

Does America Really Need To Be the Leader of the Free World?

An MIT professor and a war veteran discuss whether the U.S. should respond to every crisis that pops up across the globe. By Scott Beauchamp

Ideas

Why the US Is Losing Yemen

The challenge of Yemen is far more complicated than finding a favored partner to do Washington’s bidding. By Adam Baron