Science & Tech

As Missile Defense Technology Improves, So Do Odds of an Arms Race in the Pacific

Next year, the U.S. plans to deploy a shipboard interceptor to help protect Japan. China and Russia will not be amused.

Threats

US Anti-Missile Batteries Arrive in South Korea, Touching Off Geopolitical Tumult

The weapon’s deployment converges with other tensions among China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, and the United States.

Ideas

Pick Up the Pace on Missile Defense

Five steps to keep U.S. defenses ahead of North Korea’s efforts to make weapons that can threaten American cities.

Ideas

Calm Down About North Korea’s Nukes

History shows that nuclear states don’t behave more aggressively or coercively.

Ideas

Russia Has Deployed a Treaty-Violating Missile. Here’s What the US Should Do About It

Hint: it’s not what we would have done in the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s.

Business

It's About to Cost a Lot More Money to Launch a Nuclear Bomb

New estimates predict the Pentagon's first new nuclear bombers, missiles, and subs in decades will be more expensive than thought.

Ideas

Welcome to America’s ‘Nuclear Sponge’

If ICBMs are meant to draw enemy missiles toward American soil, it’s time to rethink our nuclear strategy.

Ideas

Making America’s ICBMs Great Again

SecDef Mattis had some questions about the value of the land-based part of the triad. Here are some answers.

Science & Tech

The Technology Race to Build — or Stop — North Korea’s Nuclear Missiles

As Pyongyang warns of an upcoming ICBM test, and Trump threatens to stop it, the Pentagon has few good options.