Science & Tech

Ukraine Is Buying New Combat Drones…From Turkey

The skies over Eastern Ukraine are becoming more crowded as Kiev looks to Ankara for weapons.

Science & Tech

Russia’s Special Operators Are Getting Futuristic Mini-Subs

Originally designed for oil exploration, the six bathyspheres are to arrive by 2022.

Ideas

Paul Whelan Isn’t a Spy, and Putin Knows It

The American’s detention reminds us that Russia continues to perfect dirty tricks pioneered by the KGB.

Threats

As The Arctic Warms, US Navy Considering Summer Transit, Bering Sea Port

The Navy secretary says his service must be ready to answer Russian moves at the top of the world.

Science & Tech

Russia: Expect a National AI Roadmap by Midyear

Moscow is starting to put financial and logistical muscle behind its efforts to develop artificial intelligence.

Ideas

Moscow’s Little-Noticed Islamic-Outreach Effort

Russia is promoting Islamic moderation in unison with Arab powers—and further cementing its position in the Middle East.

Ideas

The Truth About the Soviet War in Afghanistan

Trump mischaracterized it in an attempt to justify his own disastrous policy in the region.

Ideas

Fill the Cracks in NATO's Maritime Strategy

If Russia decides to attack the Western alliance, it would do so along several fissures that need shoring up.

Ideas

The Biggest Nuclear Threats of 2018 Will Follow Us into the New Year

We whistled past the graveyard this year. Let’s be smarter in 2019.

Policy

Vladimir Putin’s Busy, Bloody, and Expensive 2019

Russia experts look at recent events and peer into the future.

Threats

Russia Claims To Be On Track to Deploy a Maneuverable ICBM Next Year

Observers say that’s unlikely.

Ideas

Russia Is the Biggest Backer of Cybercrime. The US Must Get Serious About Deterrence

Convincing Putin that further attacks will trigger automatic, severe responses is the best way to start.

Ideas

Maria Butina's Guilty Plea Could Illuminate Russian Ploy to Shape 2016 Election

The onetime graduate student admits to being a foreign agent who sought to establish back channels to Republicans through the NRA.

Policy

Trump’s New Africa Plan: Fewer US Troops and Aid, More Investment and Deals

To compete with China in Africa, the White House aims to encourage U.S. investment but will continue a troop drawdown and plans a harsh re-evaluation of foreign assistance.

Business

Test Validates New US Interceptor for European, Japanese Missile Shields

In a first, an SM-3 shot down an intermediate-range ballistic target.

Science & Tech

Russia’s New Arctic Drones Are Built to Spot Ships

Its maker says the two aircraft can ID vessels approaching oil and gas facilities from 100 kilometers away.

Threats

As Exports of Surveillance Tech Rise, Freer Countries Face a Choice

How far will societies pursue security along paths paved by dictators?

Science & Tech

Russia Launched Cyber Attacks Against Ukraine Before Ship Seizures, Firm Says

Researchers claim to have uncovered Russian cyber attacks aimed at the Ukrainian military and government before and during the Sea of Azov captures.

Ideas

Ep. 30: Crisis in the Sea of Azov; Space Force!?; Nuclear anthropology and American folklore

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Policy

Will Nikki Haley Be The Last Trump Official Who Stands Up to Russia?

The American ambassador to the UN, who is stepping down this year, is perhaps the Trump administration’s most forceful, but often solitary, critic of Moscow.