Ideas

The Original Sin of the War in Afghanistan

How Biden viewed the start of America’s post-9/11 wars may inform his future decisions on the use of force.

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.

Policy

Advocates Hope First Female Army Secretary Brings Change

Nominee Christine Wormuth has led strategy and policy at the highest levels. Can she lead cultural change as well?

Ideas

No F-35s for UAE, Please

The sale is likely to deepen existing conflicts and further enmesh the U.S. in the region.

Ideas

Can the US and Russia Agree to Disagree?

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

Policy

The Capital’s ‘Complex’ Power Structure Keeps Causing Chaos Under Pressure

U.S. Army processes updated after last June’s protests failed again during the Jan. 6 riot.

Ideas

It Was Never All or Nothing in Afghanistan

This is not something we hoped to see from national security leaders and a president we admire so much.

Policy

‘It’s Time to End the Forever War’: Biden Announces Withdrawal from Afghanistan

As for the idea that U.S. troops on the ground would produce a solution: “We gave that argument a decade.”

Threats

Petraeus Trashes Biden Decision to Quit Afghanistan

Pulling out now is an “unforced error,” the former commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan said. Other former war leaders say the threat can be managed.

Ideas

Afghanistan’s Situation Didn’t Change. American Politics Did

The Biden administration says it can fight terrorism in a way that its predecessors called impossible. Can it?

Policy

Biden’s $715B Defense Ask: Higher Than Expected, Lower than Trump’s Plan

“Skinny budget” announcement hints at cuts to troop levels and existing weapons.

Policy

White House Wants Industry Input on New Software Security Rules

The administration wants to make sure the private sector has the ability to weigh in on procurement standards in an impending executive order.

Ideas

Beware ‘Just Say China’ Politics

Republicans screamed for more spending to counter China. Democrats are claiming their infrastructure bill does just that. It’s a dangerous game.

Ideas

American Support is Needed to Resolve a POW Crisis in the Caucasus

Azerbaijan is illegally holding some 200 Armenian troops and civilian captives.

Policy

Experts Torn on Proper Role of National Cyber Director

Former officials say someone needs to coordinate government entities but weighed pros and cons to the position being located within the National Security Council.