Author Archive

Kevin Baron

Executive Editor

Kevin Baron
Kevin Baron is the founding executive editor of Defense One. Baron has lived in Washington for 20 years, covering international affairs, the military, the Pentagon, Congress, and politics for Foreign Policy, National Journal, Stars and Stripes, and the Boston Globe, where he ran investigative projects for five years at the Washington bureau. He is a frequent on-air contributor and previously was national security/military analyst at NBC News & MSNBC. Baron cut his muckraking teeth at the Center for Public Integrity and he is twice a Polk Award winner and former vice president of the Pentagon Press Association. He earned his M.A. in media and public affairs from George Washington University, his B.A. in international studies from the University of Richmond, and studied in Paris. Raised in Florida, Baron now lives in Northern Virginia.
Ideas

Pentagon Won’t Throw Traditional Farewell Ceremony for Trump

It’s a shame, and a missed opportunity — not despite recent events but because of them.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

How Will Biden’s Pentagon Handle Extreme Right-Wing Media?

The Capitol riot was just the latest tell for propaganda outlets masquerading as newsrooms.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

This is Not a Coup

The mob riot on the Capitol Building was disgusting, violent, and deadly. It’s still not a coup. And that matters.

  • Kevin Baron
Policy

Trump Vetoes Defense Authorization Bill

For the Confederacy, conservative speech, and the desire to bring troops home, Trump rejected the $700 billion NDAA at the last minute before Washington breaks for Christmas.

  • Kevin Baron
Threats

Today's D Brief: Outrage over Blackwater pardons; Miller spotlights SOF; Shutdown watch; Big vaccine buy; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron and Ben Watson
Threats

Today's D Brief: Deadliest year in US history; A carrier off Somalia; Missile sub through Hormuz; Sanctions on Russia and China; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron and Ben Watson
Threats

NATO Gears Up for Biden, Big Decisions on Afghanistan, China

“We are faced with a very hard and difficult dilemma,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an exclusive interview.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

The Problem With the SecDef Purity Test

You don’t want a general, a man, a war veteran — and everyone in the defense industry is evil?

  • Kevin Baron
Policy

Biden Selects Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary, Reportedly

Austin, the last commander of the Iraq War, would be the nation's first Black defense secretary.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

As Spotlight Fades, What Next for Special Operators?

Under Trump, the Pentagon's ‘service secretary’ in charge of SOF has changed hands eight times between seven people.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

Give Us That Democracy Summit, President Biden

A long time ago, before the pandemic, he promised to convene free-world leaders. It’s still a good idea.

  • Kevin Baron

Featured eBooks

The Cybersecurity Challenge
Army Tech & Trends
Mission: Space
Threats

Esper fired; Trump keeps fighting; Election-crimes chief quits; SDF to Biden: ‘send more troops’; Caucasus cease-fire; and a bit more...

  • Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

The Danger of Treating National Security Like a Political Sideshow

This was a dangerous day.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

George Washington Warned Us

The first president anticipated political misinformation, division, and attempts to subvert the rule of law in the pursuit of power.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

We Are Our Own Worst Enemy

America’s national security depends on our ability to turn today’s hyperpartisan division into tomorrow’s cooperation.

  • Kevin Baron
Threats

‘Disinfo’ panned; COVID cases climb; CBO doubts Navy plan; Army reveals base-name study; and a bit more...

  • Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

China or Your Soul? Pompeo’s Thunder Falls Flat on Corporate Ears

Companies keep choosing to serve the Chinese market — and that’s likely not good news for the Pentagon.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

Harris and Pence Failed the Global Leadership Question

People vying to become, or stay, vice-president should be ready to explain their vision of America’s role in the world.

  • Kevin Baron
Threats

Trump is COVID+; Bogus warplane rumor; POTUS vs. SEALs; Space supply-chain ‘dried up’; and a bit more...

  • Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston
Threats

How Trump’s electioneering is helping Russia; Fears of political violence rise; Lawmakers slam Germany pullout; Space Force chief, live; and a bit more...

  • Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston