Author Archive
Ben Watson
Senior Multimedia Editor, Defense One
Ben Watson is an Army veteran who writes The D Brief daily newsletter and hosts the bimonthly Defense One Radio podcast. Since arriving in Washington in 2012, Ben has written and produced award-winning features on politics, international security, technology, and military history for NPR, The Atlantic and Defense One.
Threats
Today's D Brief: Ukrainian dam breaks; S. Korea scrambles jets; Iran’s hypersonic reveal; Overheating F-35s; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats
Today's D Brief: Taiwan Strait close call; Ukraine advancing?; Fighting resumes in Sudan; Sonic boom over DC; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 126: Why Ukraine’s drone war is more complex than you think
We review the evolution of drone tactics in the second year of Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
- Ben Watson
Threats
Today's D Brief: N. Korean launch triggers alarms; F-35’s rising cost; More NATO troops to Kosovo; 100s of leaders call AI a global threat; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Today's D Brief: Air attacks on Moscow, Kyiv; F-16s for Turkey?; Austin’s Pacific trip; Typhoon heads toward Okinawa; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Today's D Brief: Brown on tap for CJCS; Russian glide bombs; Ukraine aid totals; F-35 Band-Aid; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Today's D Brief: Hypersonic arrest; Iran’s new nuke plant; Navy orders sub parts, finally; Marine email goof; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Marcus Weisgerber, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 125: The Army’s recruiting crisis; the science of special forces; and NATO’s Mircea Geoană
Can the Army pull itself out of a two-year recruiting slump? And what sort of gear is drawing the attention of America's special operators?
- Patrick Tucker, Ben Watson and Sam Skove
Threats
Today's D Brief: Ukraine’s hypersonic claims; US boosts Gulf patrols; Border buildup; Dirty-bomb drug; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston