Ideas
It Was Never All or Nothing in Afghanistan
This is not something we hoped to see from national security leaders and a president we admire so much.
Policy
HASC Chair: White House Is Slow-Rolling Defense Budget Details
“Get us the numbers before May 10,” Rep. Adam Smith said Tuesday.
Ideas
Afghanistan’s Situation Didn’t Change. American Politics Did
The Biden administration says it can fight terrorism in a way that its predecessors called impossible. Can it?
Policy
US, NATO Troops to Withdraw from Afghanistan by 9/11, US Official Says
Decision for a September pullout follows “rigorous policy review.”
Ideas
Four Things the Pentagon Needs to Do to Advance Its AI
The view from NSCAI’s executive director.
Policy
Biden’s $715B Defense Ask: Higher Than Expected, Lower than Trump’s Plan
“Skinny budget” announcement hints at cuts to troop levels and existing weapons.
Threats
Fewer Troops Are Declining the COVID Vaccine. We May Never Know Why
Defense leaders say education efforts and seeing peers get vaccinated are reducing the reluctance.
Policy
DOD Workers Want to Keep Teleworking, Despite Early Hiccups, Survey Finds
The DoD Inspector General surveyed more than 56,000 employees about telework during the pandemic.
Ideas
War is Changing. So Should the Pentagon’s Budget
Beyond aircraft carriers, missiles, and riflemen, the next wars will be fought with data, digital platforms, and networks.
Policy
‘We Will Leave' Afghanistan Likely This Year, Biden Declares
But not by May 1. "It's not my intention to stay there for a long time, the question is how and under what circumstance,” the president said, at the White House.
Ideas
The GOP’s Fake Controversy Over Colin Kahl Is Just the Beginning
Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans who call Biden’s Pentagon-policy pick too political are fooling nobody.
Policy
What the Navy’s War on Sleep Deprivation Teaches Us about Cultural Change
A campaign to make ship drivers rest has lessons for larger-scale culture shifts.
Ideas
Want an Agile Pentagon? Don’t Go Chasing ‘Waterfalls’
Four-year strategy reviews aren’t good enough. Biden’s Pentagon should take a page from software firms.
Threats
One Year into the Pandemic, DoD Data Remains Incomplete
Outstanding questions include: why are civilians dying at higher rates than troops?
Ideas
How SecDef Austin Can Make the Most of His India Visit
The defense secretary should pave the way for more and deeper defense trade and technology cooperation.
Ideas
Bum-Rushing Extremists From the Military Might Not Help
Interviews with a former neo-Nazi indicate that pre-discharge education and deradicalization might hinder extremist groups' recruiting efforts.
Policy
Lawmakers Slam Army CID Chief One Year after Spc. Guillen’s Death
A hearing saw bipartisan disappointment in apparent lack of reform.
Ideas
Shoring Up The Metals Supply Chain
The Biden administration is bent on increasing critical metals supplies, but it’s overlooking an obvious source: the ocean.
Ideas
Approve Lockheed’s Purchase of Aerojet Rocketdyne
The deal would bolster the rocketmaker’s ability to serve aerospace and defense clients and shore up a shaky industrial base.
Policy