Ideas

Congress Needs a Veto, Not a Notification, on Arms Sales

The Trump administration’s efforts to evade oversight show why more is needed.

Ideas

Happy Birthday to the Bomb

If we want to avoid nuclear destruction for the next 75 years, we must take the president’s finger off the button.

Policy

To Block Trump’s Troop Withdrawals, Congress Turns An Old Tactic Upside Down

Congress historically has tried to force presidents to bring troops home. But in the last three years, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to make laws to do the opposite.

Science & Tech

Peter Thiel’s New Man In The Defense Department

The new head of defense research and engineering comes from the White House with a relatively light resume.

Ideas

Ep. 72: What “China” means in 2020

An exploration of what we mean when we talk about China today.

Ideas

The US Needs a Global Coalition to Defeat COVID

Only a multinational effort can meet this unprecedented threat, say the authors, who led U.S. troops and international coalitions in the Middle East and Asia.

Policy

Army Was Reviewing More Than Confederate Base Names, Officials Reveal

Among the potential friction points eyed were Army National Guard units with nicknames honoring Confederate leaders.

Threats

In Russian Bounties, Former Diplomats See Effort To Mess With US — But Not Much More

Moscow’s strategic calculus is much harder to parse.

Business

'How Much and How Fast': Biden Watchers Anticipate Defense Spending Crunch

Part 4: From the size of the US military to outdated 'legacy' weapons, experts say something has to give.

Science & Tech

How Biden Would Wage Great Power Competition

Part 3: While Trump chooses go-it-alone, Biden wants allies and partners “at the forefront” of U.S. foreign policy. But his options to renew old agreements are limited.

Policy

Political Fight Over Russian Bounty on US Troops Appears to Warp Intel Debate

Democrats suspect the White House is trying to paint the assessment as less solid than it is.

Policy

Biden’s China Policy Starts With Building a Stronger America

Part 2: The candidate’s surrogates are outlining a plan to beat China’s leaders, not change them.

Ideas

SPECIAL REPORT: What if Biden Wins?

Part 1: Here’s what the world should expect from Joe Biden.

Threats

Bounties Are Part of Moscow’s Aid to the Taliban, Current and Former Intel Officials Say

It's not yet a foregone conclusion, but Russia has long been suspected of helping the militant group.

Ideas

Trump Admin Lacks Solid Plan to Reopen Federal Offices, GAO Says

Republicans say feds should swiftly go back to work: "It’s time to take our chances," one argues.

Policy

Trump Says Wisconsin Shipyard’s ‘Location’ Swayed Navy’s Frigate Award

The president also claims he’s made the service’s ships more beautiful.

Ideas

It’s Too Late for US-Russia-China Arms-Control Fantasies

As U.S. and Russian negotiators open two days of talks in Vienna, they should waste no more time talking about a tripartite agreement.

Ideas

Defund the Europeans

The U.S. never intended its German garrison to be permanent.

Ideas

Now Who’s Weak on China? Bolton Paints Trump as Ignorant and Servile

The GOP’s reelection effort to deflect criticism on ‘Beijing Biden’ is destroyed by Trump’s former national security advisor.

Ideas

Milley Is Trump's Latest Reluctant Enabler

Maintaining the balance between serving the president and protecting the Constitution is impossible over time.