Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 84: Biden, Europe and the future of transatlantic security

Three experts unpack the opportunities and challenges ahead for Europe and the U.S. in 2021.

Science & Tech

Russia’s Latest Hack Shows How Useful ‘Criminal Groups’ Are to the Kremlin

Russian coders have little choice but to work with their government, which in turn denies any knowledge of their activities. That’s why hacking activity shows no sign of slowing.

Business

Eyeing China, Biden’s First Pentagon Budget Would Cut Troops, Buy Future Weapons

DepSecDef Hicks called the president’s $715 billion spending request “a foundation for fielding a full range of needed capabilities.” Republicans called it “a cut.”

Science & Tech

Biden Requests Less Than 1% Boost to Pentagon R&D, Despite Hyping New Defense Tech

As the Defense Department shifts its focus toward more technologically advanced potential adversaries, it will have to research and develop more and sustain less.

Threats

Peace with Russia, China ‘Fraying at the Edge,’ Milley Tells Graduating Cadets

New Air Force officers should work “to set the conditions for a future that prevents great power war,” Joint Chiefs chairman says.

Threats

Pentagon Studying How Counterterrorism Fits Into Great Power Competition

The Pentagon has not previously discussed how to use counterterrorism capabilities for great power competition. Now that’s changing.

Science & Tech

Russia Is Accelerating Its Own Link-Everything Network

The U.S. sees networked warfare and AI as a game-changer. But what happens when your opponent copies your move?

Science & Tech

Army SOF Units Are Getting Smaller, More Self-Reliant as Focus Shifts to China, Russia

New adversaries, warfare concepts, and gear are also driving special operators to become more tech-savvy.

Ideas

Blinken’s Arctic Opportunities

The secretary of state can make real diplomatic progress on several key areas.

Ideas

Why National Cyber Defense Is a ‘Wicked’ Problem

Vulnerable supply chains, sloppy security, and a talent shortage made events like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack and the SolarWinds hack all but inevitable.

Ideas

America Needs Competitive Intelligence

Agencies ought to be thinking about how to bring U.S. capabilities to bear on adversaries’ vulnerabilities, in competition as well as in conflict.

Ideas

$264B for ICBMs That Would Be Destroyed in the Ground? No, Thanks

Creating a spiffy new “nuclear sponge” makes neither fiscal nor strategic sense.

Ideas

Biden Should Sink This Proposed Nuclear Weapon

None of the arguments for the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile hold water.

Ideas

Can the US and Russia Agree to Disagree?

The relationship is cold, but there are still some areas of mutual interest.

Threats

New ODNI Report Sees Growing Cyber Threats, COVID-Related Instability

Intelligence heads will brief lawmakers on Wednesday about threats from China, Russia, others.