Threats

Ukraine: Intercepted Communications Suggest Kremlin Directed Azov Sea Crisis

An audiotape released by Kyiv appears to back up their version of events. One former U.S. military commander says there’s no doubt.

Science & Tech

Russia Has Started to Train Its Entire Military to Fight Drones

After Syrian insurgent groups attacked Russian forces in Syria, the Defense Ministry began laying plans for wide-scale response.

Policy

Trump Warns Against New Russia Probes by Congress

Incoming House intelligence chair: We “have a compelling interest in making sure that U.S. policy is not driven by leverage that the Russians have over the president.”

Ideas

Can Trump and Putin Save Nuclear Arms Control In Paris?

Their Nov. 11 meeting might just be their last chance.

Ideas

What Happens When the US Starts to ‘Defend Forward’ in Cyberspace?

The author of DoD’s 2015 cyber strategy takes a look at the 2018 version.

Ideas

John Bolton Keeps Citing This 2002 Pact as an Arms-Control Model. It’s Really Not.

The Treaty of Moscow was ill-defined, unverifiable — and not something that Russia would sign today.

Ideas

CyberCom Is Targeting Russia’s Election Meddlers — and Changing How Governments Use Cyber

Although anonymity is generally prized for successful cyber operations, it might not be ideal in all cases, especially if the United States wants to deter an Russia spreading disinformation.

Ideas

Four Perfectly Trump Reasons Why He Wants Out of the INF Treaty

Within the president's haphazard foreign policy, there is logical coherence to him quitting a nuclear treaty Russia ignores. But it won’t make us safer.

Policy

Russia, US Offer Competing Vision of Cyber Norms to the UN

Two proposed versions of an “international code of conduct for international information security” set up a clash between autocracies and democracies.

Ideas

Ep. 26: The pipe-bomber and the presidency; More US troops at the border; Exiting the INF and more.

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

Threats

Mattis Treads Carefully on Khashoggi Crisis

The defense secretary condemned the killing of the Washington Post columnist but did not accuse Saudi Arabia, in keynote speech at security conference on the Persian Gulf.

Science & Tech

This Army Missile Might be the Pentagon’s First Post-INF Weapon

The U.S. has already held discussions with defense firms about extended-range modifications.

Threats

China, Russia Listening in on Trump’s Phone Calls

China is trying to figure out "arguments that work" to help it lobby Trump over the trade war, the New York Times reported.

Ideas

Trump Is Right to Leave The INF Nuclear Treaty

Despite sensible objections, the US could benefit, and it's hard to see how Russia ever would comply.

Ideas

A Serial Killing Spree That Threatens Us All

Can John Bolton be stopped before he further undermines U.S. national security?

Science & Tech

Russian Intel Chief: Internet Should be Controlled By ‘Proper Authorities’

The FSB says it’s trying to curb extremism online — but it’s also muting foreign and dissenting voices.

Ideas

Three Questions from Last Month’s Giant Vostok Exercise

What should American strategists take away from China’s participation in Moscow’s biggest annual wargames?

Policy

NASA Chief Lifts Sanctions on Russian Space Boss, Russia Says

Russian state media says the Trump administration will temporarily ease Crimea-related sanctions to allow a visit to Houston. NASA officials can’t — or won’t — say if that’s true.

Ideas

Why the Idlib Deal Matters

Ankara’s U.S. ambassador says the Turkey-Russia buffer agreement can save even more lives — if other governments will help implement it.

Ideas

Nothing About Trashing the INF Treaty Makes the US Safer

From the strategic and diplomatic realms to the budgetary and tactical levels, Trump’s decision makes no sense.