Ideas

Ep. 6: Summit scramble; Hello, Indo-PACOM; All about Russian disinfo, and more.

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

Ideas

How to Admit Georgia to NATO — Without Triggering a War

Russia’s partial occupation of the Caucasian country has given it a kind of veto on alliance membership. Here's a way around that.

Ideas

Russia Is Back In Africa — and Making Some Very Odd Deals

Since December, Moscow has struck major deals in the Central African Republic with both government and rebel leaders.

Ideas

The US May Seek Defenses Against Russian Missiles. We Need to Talk about That.

If the Trump administration goes down that path, it should boldly declare a change in strategy, not hide behind ambiguity.

Ideas

Moscow Has Little Reason to Return to the INF Treaty

The incentives that led Gorbachev to sign the pact are gone. The U.S. needs to prepare for a post-INF world.

Policy

A Law Meant to Punish America’s Foes Is Hurting Its Partners: Mattis

The secretary asked senators to punch a hole in the sanctions law they passed last year.

Science & Tech

The Designer of Russia’s First Armed Drone Is Under Arrest

Is it fraud? A shakedown? Punishment for program delays? The unusual case threatens to derail Russia’s drone ambitions.

Threats

US Air Force to Put Sensors on Allies’ Satellites

The move is intended to deter Russia or China from shooting down spacecraft — and provide backups if they do.

Ideas

NATO Needs to Step Up its Maritime Defenses

Here are a few steps the alliance should pursue at its upcoming summit in Brussels.

Ideas

In AI, Russia Is Hustling to Catch Up

Putin is spurring frenetic efforts to marshal the country’s academic and industrial resources for breakthroughs in the field — and just might achieve them.

Ideas

How to Deal With Russian Information Warfare? Ask Sweden's Subhunters

Other nations can learn from the Swedes’ long experience with mysterious incidents followed by disinformation campaigns.

Science & Tech

After London, How Lasers Will Play a Role in Detecting Chemical Attacks Sooner

A new technique can detect trace elements of dangerous chemicals in extremely small doses, a breakthrough of relevance to the horror show playing out in Salisbury, U.K.

Threats

The Shadowy Operative at the Center of the Russia Scandal

Court documents call him Person A, but descriptions match the officer to Russian intelligence and to Paul Manafort and Rick Gates.

Science & Tech

Russian Military Chief Lays Out the Kremlin’s High-Tech War Plans

Robotics, artificial intelligence, and a willingness to strike the enemy’s non-military targets will figure in the country’s future strategies.

Threats

Trump's 'Good Relationship' With Russia Is Slipping Away

By shuttering a consulate and expelling 60 diplomats in response to the spy poisoning in Britain, he’s taken a remarkably hard line against Putin.

Ideas

Putin Finally Went Too Far

The unified international response to the Skripal poisoning shows that the West will only suffer so much provocation.

Threats

Cold War Tactics Return to Britain

Spies, intrigue, and expulsions are back in a way not seen in decades.

Science & Tech

Russia Could Disconnect from the Internet. Yes, the Entire Country

Robust internal networks will keep the military and government operating, says Putin’s top IT advisor.

Threats

Russia Will Challenge US Military Superiority in Europe by 2025: US General

Russia is advancing in key military technology areas and shows no deceleration in efforts to destabilize the West, said the commander for U.S. forces in Europe.

Ideas

Russia's Favorite Syrian Warlord

Brigadier General Suheil al-Hassan has won over Putin and played a central role in the assault on eastern Ghouta.