Ideas
Coming Soon to a Battlefield: Robots That Can Kill
Tomorrow’s wars will be faster, more high-tech, and less human than ever before. Welcome to a new era of machine-driven warfare.
Ideas
The Mattis Two-Step
The forever general’s attempt to "stay out of politics" is bringing him right into it.
Science & Tech
Pentagon, NSA Prepare to Train AI-Powered Cyber Defenses
The giant effort starts by trying to standardize data across the Defense Department's sprawling IT ecosystem.
Threats
US Wargames to Try Out Concepts for Fighting China, Russia
Joint Staff-led exercises will test new communications gear and new ideas for getting past “industrial-age” synchronization of forces.
Ideas
Women Help Prevent Terrorism. Congress Should Encourage the Pentagon to Pay Attention
Here’s a list of related House provisions that should be part of 2020's final authorization bill.
Ideas
The Man Who Couldn’t Take It Anymore
“I had no choice but to leave,” James Mattis says of his decision to resign as President Trump’s secretary of defense.
Ideas
Happy Birthday, Nuclear Arms Race
If we remember how we could have stopped it, we may yet find a way to do so.
Threats
Alleged Israeli Strikes Bring US to Crossroads in Iraq
The Pentagon is worried that attacks on Iran-linked targets could damage its relationship with Baghdad. But what does the White House want?
Threats
Dunford: Peace Agreement With The Taliban Is ‘Worth Trying’
“I’m not using the ‘withdrawal’ word right now,” the Pentagon’s top uniformed leader said Wednesday.
Ideas
Is This Space’s ‘Billy Mitchell Moment’? Let’s Hope Not
Enflaming service rivalries will not help the U.S. military develop the joint spacepower it needs.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon Wants to Bolster DIU’s Cyber Defenses
The department is looking for penetration testers, red teams, and cyber training to protect its startup incubator from online attacks.
Business
Pentagon Sees ‘No Major Concerns’ With Raytheon-United Technologies Merger
The Defense Department’s top weapons buyer, Ellen Lord, gives stamp of approval to what would be the second-largest defense and aerospace company ever.
Policy
The Pentagon Is Almost Two Years Late On Efficiency Reforms
Little progress have been made on various requirements ordered in the 2018 authorization act, GAO found.
Ideas
Esper’s Foot-Dragging on Mega-Cloud Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test
The new defense secretary needs to stand up to his boss, who is inappropriately meddling in a Pentagon contract.
Science & Tech
DARPA Wants AI to Help Make Weapons More Hacker-Proof
Artificial intelligence might speed up the design of arms and other network-connected platforms — and suggest improvement that humans haven’t yet conceived.
Policy
General’s Sexual Assault Accuser Was Deemed a ‘Toxic, Self-Centered Abuser,’ New Docs Reveal
Hundreds of previously unseen pages of two investigations paint Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser as an abusive coworker with motive for revenge against Gen. John Hyten.
Science & Tech
Pentagon’s AI Center is Developing Tech that Could Revolutionize Disaster Response
It’s another example of federal automation at work.
Business
Former Defense Secretary Mattis Is Returning to General Dynamics Board
The retired general had been a member of the defense contractor’s board until he became defense secretary in January 2017.
Ideas
How 'Great-Power Competition' Became Washington's Favorite Frame
In just a few years, GPC went from being an arcane term to approaching a cliché.
Policy