Threats

How to Tell The Difference Between a Nuclear Bomb Test and an Earthquake

The preliminary data suggests that the event in North Korea was not, in fact, the end of the world.

Ideas

What to Watch in 2016

Keep an eye on these nine story lines in warfighting, industry, politics, and technology.

Science & Tech

DHS: Drug Traffickers Are Spoofing Border Drones

The homeland security agency, and local law enforcement as well, are looking to harden its drones against attack, but that comes at a price.

Science & Tech

These Are the Decisions the Pentagon Wants to Leave to Robots

The U.S. military believes its battlefield edge will increasingly depend on automation and artificial intelligence.

Threats

The Pentagon is Nervous about Russian and Chinese Killer Robots

Deputy defense secretary: Russia is preparing for all-robot fighting units.

Science & Tech

US Air Force to Ask for More Drones

Plan would add 3,500 Reaper pilots and up to five more ops centers around the country.

Science & Tech

Meet the Military-Funded AI that Learns as Fast as a Human

Today, it recognizes handwriting; tomorrow, it may vastly improve the military’s surveillance and targeting efforts.

Threats

Why Do People Join ISIS? Here’s What They Say When You Ask Them

A marketing communications company gets the Pentagon’s attention by identifying nine reasons.

Science & Tech

How a Poorly Rigged Antenna Contributed to Kunduz Hospital Strike

AFSOC commander describes new drones, training, and gear could prevent future deadly mistakes.

Science & Tech

A Glimpse At Tomorrow's Electromagnetic Spectrum Weapons

The electromagnetic spectrum is where the wars of the future will be won or lost. Here’s a brief glimpse of what those battles will look like.

Science & Tech

AI Program Beats Humans On College Acceptance Test

Japanese researchers have created a computer program capable of limited humanistic understanding.

Science & Tech

Why Your Plane Can’t Have An Escape Pod

Recent terrorism alerts may put the flying public on edge. But not every would-be solution ought to get off the ground.

Science & Tech

Can the Military Design a Disaster-Resilient City?

Cities are incredibly complex, and break in complicated ways. Understanding that complexity will be key to mitigating tomorrow’s disasters.

Threats

The US Is Relying on Iraqis to Keep Tabs on ISIS Bomb Technology

New tactics in Iraq make the Paris attacks look quaint, but the drawn-down US force needs local help to keep up.

Science & Tech

This Tool Could Sniff Out a Paris Bomb More Than a Football Field Away

The U.S. military is working to refine and improve a multi-sensor device that could one day deploy to detect suicide vests.

Science & Tech

Meet the Head of the Pentagon’s Agile New Digital Team

Tech entrepreneur Christopher Lynch will come over from the White House’s own U.S. Digital Service.

Science & Tech

Brennan: Paris Is A 'Wakeup Call' To Europe On Encryption

The ability to shield communications from anyone but the intended recipient via encryption and other digital means will now face unprecedented challenges.

Business

Eyes On Target ‘Not Required’ For Airstrikes Like the One On Kunduz Hospital

Military gunships are loaded with expensive sensors to hit targets. But that’s not the same as knowing what to hit.

Science & Tech

Chinese Scientists Unveil New Stealth Material Breakthrough

Planes and warships just got a lot harder to see with microwave radar.

Science & Tech

How The Russian Crash Investigation Could Alter the War On Encryption

If intercepted communications prove an ISIS bomb caused the crash in Egypt, it could be just the boost surveillance state advocates need.