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

Why Would Biden Pick Susan Rice?

His ticket doesn’t need another foreign-policy expert — nor another easy Obama-era target.

  • Kevin Baron
Threats

Today's D Brief: AFRICOM HQ planning to move; Portland calms; Trump to FLA; Obvious Russian mercenaries; Marines missing; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron and Ben Watson
Threats

Today's D Brief: Fed forces move to swing states; Trump threatens Election Day; How not to sell a European drawdown; Pentagon calls journalists ‘adversaries;’ And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron and Ben Watson
Ideas

Letter from the Editor: Welcome to the New Defense One

An even sleeker look with design upgrades, new features, and improved navigation.

  • Kevin Baron
Threats

BREAKING: Trump’s Germany pullout revealed; Disinfo and DJT, Jr; 3-day ceasefire in Afghanistan; Iran shows force; The Pope gets hacked; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron, Ben Watson and Katie Bo Williams
Threats

Mayors challenge Barr’s forces; Esper and Pompeo, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie; Chinese facial recognition at RiteAid?; Big Tech’s day in Congress; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron, Ben Watson and Marcus Weisgerber
Threats

Covid in the White House; Riots and car attacks across America; Trump eases US drone restrictions; Ceasefire day in Ukraine; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron and Ben Watson
Threats

What if Biden wins?; GOP’s about-face on Covid masks; DOD says 9,500 troops will ‘redeploy’ from Germany; Russia paid the Taliban, US intercepts show; And a bit more.

  • Kevin Baron and Ben Watson
Ideas

SPECIAL REPORT: What if Biden Wins?

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

  • Kevin Baron
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.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

Milley's Chance to Right His ‘Mistake’

The Joint Chiefs chairman now says he was wrong to walk with the president. Will he survive to push back a second time?

  • Kevin Baron

Featured eBooks

National Security and Election 2020
Special Operations Technology
The Future of The Army
Threats

Service Chiefs Acknowledge Racism in the Ranks, Pledge Dialogue, Change

After days of civil unrest and several Esper missteps, each one of the service branch chiefs has begun to speak out.

  • Kevin Baron, Marcus Weisgerber and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

Trump Finally Gets the War He Wanted

Gen. Milley and Secretary Esper accompanied the president to a photo op — and right into his American war.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

China is a Serious Issue, Not a Campaign Meme

'Beijing Biden' is a baseless political smear, trivializing one of America’s most complicated challenges.

  • Kevin Baron
Policy

62% Disapprove of Trump’s Coronavirus Response, Reader Survey Finds

Most respondents feel “less safe” because of the president’s actions. Esper gets higher marks, but many fear premature reopening.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

Propaganda, the President, and the ‘Reopen’ Protesters

The military’s nostalgic WWII-style posters urge face masks and national unity, but they’re not reaching Trump and his disbelieving followers.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

Don't Be Fooled. Trump’s Cuts to WHO Aren’t About the Coronavirus

Republicans have been hating on international organizations for decades. This is just a convenient excuse to take another shot, and it harms American security.

  • Kevin Baron
Ideas

So Much for Keeping the Military Out of Politics

Acting Navy Secretary Modly’s Trumpian approach to the military and his firing of a carrier captain has gone over like a lead anchor. Now members of Congress are calling for his own firing.

  • Kevin Baron
Threats

Aircraft Carrier Captain Fired For ‘Poor Judgement’ In Sending Coronavirus Letter

Acting Secretary Modly’s Thursday decision to sack the skipper of Theodore Roosevelt was quickly criticized as retaliation for embarrassing Navy leaders.

  • Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

Trump Could Have Led the World Against the Coronavirus

We have to isolate ourselves from the virus. He doesn't have to isolate us from the world.

  • Kevin Baron