Business
Pentagon Is Speeding Up Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia, Other Allies
A recent law allows one-size-fits-most-allies contracts, the U.S. military’s head weapons buyer explains.
Threats
Houthis ‘Softening,’ But UAE Minister Says Yemen Security Could Still Require Foreign Troops
The UAE’s foreign-affairs minister says the Houthis are weakening under pressure from the Saudi-led military coalition. The question is what comes next, and who should decide.
Science & Tech
Is Telegram Secure? French Terror Arrest Raises New Questions About Messaging App
It’s not clear that French police cracked the app’s encryption. But ISIS and other user groups are becoming wary.
Science & Tech
Spies Are Going After US Supply Chains, Intel Agencies Say
As cyber defenses close the easier holes, foreign agents are looking to penetrate makers of parts and software.
Science & Tech
Microsoft Invades Amazon’s Turf in Spookville
An intelligence-community contract for cloud and AI services is just a prequel to the upcoming battle for the Pentagon’s massive cloud contract.
Science & Tech
A Criminal Gang Used a Drone Swarm To Obstruct an FBI Hostage Raid
And that’s just one of the ways bad guys are putting drones to use, law enforcement officials say.
Science & Tech
The US Military Wants Giant Transformer Robot Subs
The future of countermine operations could look like a big bug that can swim for hundreds of kilometers.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon’s New R&D Chief Has a Mandate for Change
Michael Griffin has orders to concentrate the Defense Department’s diverse research and development efforts on a few key technologies.
Science & Tech
The Designer of Russia’s First Armed Drone Is Under Arrest
Is it fraud? A shakedown? Punishment for program delays? The unusual case threatens to derail Russia’s drone ambitions.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon Is Making a Ray Gun to Stop Truck Attacks
A device that resembles an old phonograph may soon be used to jam and shut down vehicles like the one that killed 10 people in Toronto.
Science & Tech
Experts Say AI Could Raise the Risks of Nuclear War
A new RAND report says ideas like mutually assured destruction and minimal deterrence strategy offer a lot less assurance in the age of intelligent software.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon Is Building an AI Product Factory
Job One for the new Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will be delivering solutions for services’ specific problems.
Science & Tech
US Army Figures Out How To Do Facial Recognition in the Dark
New method uses machine learning to extrapolate features from thermal images.
Threats
Pentagon Declares Strike Successful. Here’s A Look at What Went Into It
U.S., French, and British planes and ships used a wide variety of precision weapons to hit Syrian chemical weapons facilities. Some saw their first day of combat.
Science & Tech
Google is Pursuing the Pentagon’s Giant Cloud Contract Quietly, Fearing An Employee Revolt
A fierce internal debate may undermine the company’s bid for the JEDI program.
Science & Tech
This Pentagon Paper Explains Why the Trump Administration Is Reining In Tech Trade with China
The newly released paper describes how technological progress fits into China’s long-term strategic plans.
Science & Tech
After London, How Lasers Will Play a Role in Detecting Chemical Attacks Sooner
A new technique can detect trace elements of dangerous chemicals in extremely small doses, a breakthrough of relevance to the horror show playing out in Salisbury, U.K.
Science & Tech
Russian Military Chief Lays Out the Kremlin’s High-Tech War Plans
Robotics, artificial intelligence, and a willingness to strike the enemy’s non-military targets will figure in the country’s future strategies.
Threats
For Special Operations Forces, Fighting WMD Means Getting Deeper Into Enemies’ Leadership and Decision-Making
SOCOM is getting more intel and gear as it settles into its role as the Pentagon’s anti-WMD coordinator.
Science & Tech