Ideas
Trump's Aimless War in Afghanistan Expands, Again
Why is the U.S. bombing Chinese separatists, and what does it say about the flailing war effort in Afghanistan?
Threats
Justice Launches Cyber Task Force
The task force will examine cyber efforts to undermine elections and critical infrastructure.
Policy
It Could Get Harder to Track US War Spending
The administration plans to push “enduring” costs from the Overseas Contingency Operations war fund back into the base budget in future years.
Threats
Mueller’s Indictment Reveals Details of Russian Election Interference
Thirteen Russian nationals connected to the shadowy Internet Research Agency were indicted by the special counsel on Friday.
Ideas
Don't Waste the New US Water-Security Strategy
President Trump should order the inclusion of water issues — a major driver of security problems — in the national defense and security strategies.
Ideas
Why Human Rights Have Taken Center Stage in the US-North Korea Crisis
Unable to threaten Pyongyang into submission, Trump turned to denouncing its nightmarish repression. That has consequences.
Policy
Cyber R&D Would Go Up at Defense, Down At Standards Agency
Budget proposal would cut 18% from NIST, just as it updates cybersecurity rules that apply across government.
Policy
Trump Proposes 10% Bump for the Pentagon — Then Four Flat Years
The coming military buildup is looking smaller than promised.
Threats
Here's How US-North Korea Crises Typically End
Donald Trump says he won't repeat the mistakes of the past. But the past offers clues to what he might do.
Threats
Peace Through Bombings: The US Strategy in Afghanistan
The goal of negotiating with the Taliban is at odds with President Trump’s statements.
Ideas
Let’s Call Trump’s Parade What it Is: Another Dangerous Attempt to Divide Us
I know a thing or two about good military ceremonies, and Trump’s parade is a bad idea.
Policy
Two-Year Budget Deal Would Raise Caps, Give Pentagon $700B in 2018
The deal comes with a new continuing resolution to give House and Senate lawmakers time to work out details.
Policy
How the Nunes Memo Harms Intelligence Oversight
The document’s lasting effect will be undermining the ability of Congress to prevent political abuses of surveillance powers.
Ideas
How Trump Just Might Close Guantanamo Prison
The president asked SecDef and Congress to ensure that detention policies support warfighting aims. That should mean shutting Gitmo down.
Threats
Pentagon Confirms It’s Developing Nuclear Cruise Missile to Counter a Similar Russian One
The new Nuclear Posture Review nods to North Korea, China, and Iran but devotes most of its time to Russian threats and U.S. deterrence.
Ideas
Americans Are Rising to This Historic Moment
The commitment of ordinary citizens to democratic ideals is being tested each day—and its enduring strength is containing the damage of Trump’s presidency.
Threats
US-Backed Syrian Force Holding ‘Hundreds’ of ISIS Foreign Fighters
A day after CENTCOM'S leader says they should face prosecution at home, Trump hints at Gitmo option.
Ideas
Trump’s National-Security Strategy Is Focused on Great Powers. He Isn’t.
On Tuesday, the president rushed past Russia and China to talk about immigrants, terrorism, and North Korea.
Ideas
Is Trump Preparing for War With North Korea?
The omissions in the State of the Union, and the fate of Victor Cha, all point in the same direction.
Threats