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
Why Trump Cares About the Pentagon’s Mega-Cloud — and Why That Terrifies Those Who Want It
Breaking up the $10 billion JEDI network project will hurt the U.S. military’s effort to speed data to troops, its fans argue.
Policy
Hyten Poised For Confirmation Despite Sexual Assault Claims
His accuser, who took a front-row seat at his confirmation hearing, says the Air Force four-star is lying to Congress.
Ideas
Antiques Road Show: The Real State of the US Military
The wars of the future may depend not so much on the kinds of things you can put on parade, but on new technologies that reimagine warfare.
Policy
Gen. Hyten to Get His Senate Confirmation Hearing
His previously uncontroversial nomination to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs was thrown into question after a former subordinate accused him of sexual assault.
Ideas
The Future of Conflict is Proxy Warfare, Again
A new CNA study offers seven lessons from America’s experience with supporting one side from afar.
Threats
New Defense Secretary Immediately Faced With Challenges In Iran, UK
Esper takes the reins at the Pentagon just days after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker—and amid an ongoing rift with the U.S.’s closest ally.
Threats
Esper Confirmed As Defense Secretary, Despite Opposition from Some 2020 Dems
Tuesday's 90-8 vote ends the longest period in history that the Defense Department has gone without a confirmed leader.
Threats
‘Looking to Break Status Quo,’ Iran Seizes UK Tanker
Pentagon intel chief says Tehran wants to escape U.S. pressure, but not by going to war.
Policy
After Trump Weighs In on JEDI, GOP Lawmakers Say Keep Out of It
Four members of the House Armed Services Committee asked Trump to let the Pentagon award its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract without delay.
Business
Ejecting Turkey from the F-35 Effort Will Cost At Least Half a Billion Dollars
That’s the Pentagon’s low estimate for replacing Turkish suppliers of more than 900 parts.
Policy
Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics
During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.
Policy
Sen. Warren Spars with Defense Secretary Nominee Over His Lobbyist Work
The Democratic presidential candidate said that Mark Esper, who has declined to recuse himself from Raytheon-related decisions, should not lead the Pentagon.
Policy