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.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 134: What ‘national security’ means for eastern Europe
Sam Skove shares highlights from his reporting trip to Poland, Estonia, and the UK.
- Ben Watson
Threats
Today's D Brief: Marine F-35 disappears; Shakeup in Ukraine; China, US up spy efforts; Speedy satellite launch; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 133: Unpacking the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber conference
In this episode, we review several things we learned at the Air & Space Forces Association's biggest annual event.
- Ben Watson, Marcus Weisgerber, Lauren C. Williams and Audrey Decker
Threats
The D Brief: 'Dreadnought moment’; US-Bahrain defense pact; B-21 pics; More Philippines bases?; And a bit more...
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
The D Brief: New cyber strategy; China’s Maui disinfo; Promotion hold’s toll; And just a bit more...
- Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 132: The Pentagon’s new drone fixation
We dig into the new Replicator initiative, and explore Anduril's recent UAV-firm acquisition.
- Ben Watson
Threats
Today's D Brief: Blinken in Kyiv; Russian pilot defects; Estonia on Ukraine’s needs; China’s runway fixers; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats
Today's D Brief: New takes on Taiwan; Arms-export twist; UK’s next defense chief; West Point surprise; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats
Today's D Brief: Ukraine strikes inside Russia, which hits Kyiv; Maui response; Gabon coup; Whistleblower’s big payday; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad