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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ideas

Nobody Wants America to Rule the World

Foreign confidence in the U.S. is sinking even faster than the share of Americans who see the benefits of engagement beyond our borders.

Policy

From Racism to Russia, Top General Says Army Must Change

Gen. McConville addressed the nation’s internal unrest, trust of the military, even QAnon, in a wide-ranging interview with Defense One.