Ideas

Retired Senior Military Officers Unload on Trump

The commander in chief is impulsive, disdains expertise, and gets his intelligence briefings from Fox News. What does this mean for those on the front lines?

Threats

US Customs Officer Harasses Defense One Journalist at Dulles Airport

Repeating “You write propaganda, right?”, officer held passport until he received an affirmative answer.

Science & Tech

It's Official: The Pentagon Now Runs the Security Clearance Process

The newly renamed Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency now handles 95% of the government’s background investigations.

Science & Tech

AI Will Tell Future Medics Who Lives and Dies on the Battlefield

Machine learning, sensors, and next-generation vision equipment will tell medics where to spend their resources — before they get off the evac chopper.

Ideas

The White House’s Impossible Job

The problem is not that Trump failed to get along with John Bolton—it’s that he doesn’t want a national security adviser in the first place.

Ideas

‘Get a Weapon’: Advice to a Deploying Woman

That's what a veteran told me as I prepared to join U.S. forces in Baghdad. I thought he meant I needed a way to fend off the enemy.

Science & Tech

Feds, Industry Get Creative to Woo Cyber Talent

Federal officials and executives shared how they’re rethinking the credentials and experience of cyber recruits.

Threats

With Suicides at Record Highs, Pentagon Unveils New Plan

DoD and VA leaders have been hampered by turnover and poor management in both departments.

Science & Tech

The US Army Is Struggling to Staff Its Cyber Units: GAO

Congress' watchdog concluded that the Army launched its new cyber units before trying to determine whether the concept is affordable, supportable, and sustainable.

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.

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.

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 US Is Unprepared to Mobilize for Great Power Conflict

In an era of lightning wars and easy-to-reach civilian populations, U.S. planners are giving mobilization far less attention than it requires.

Ideas

Don’t Expand the Covert Agents Secrecy Law

A House measure would put not only the press but the intelligence community at risk.

Policy

Milley: War with Iran Would Draw Forces from Great-Power Focus

The four-star Army general received questions but few challenges at his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing.

Threats

Sexual Assault Allegation Surfaces About Nominee for Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman

Cleared by Air Force investigators, Gen. Hyten may yet face questions during his Senate confirmation process.

Policy

Lawmaker: Human Problem at Pentagon Worse than Tech Problem

Rep. Jim Cooper says Congress shouldn’t accept a government topped by acting political appointees.

Ideas

Cutting Language Training Is the Latest Foolish Retreat from Global Engagement

Cancelling bought-and-paid-for air tickets to study-abroad programs is the latest Trump administration blow to programs that support strategic understanding.

Ideas

Two Decades of War Have Eroded the Morale of America’s Troops

After nearly 17 years of war, service members have seen plenty of patriotic displays but little public debate about why they’re fighting.