Ideas
For 250 years, it’s been ‘change or lose’ for our military. Here’s what needs changing now
A former commandant and a futurist take stock of Spider’s Web, Rising Lion, and more.
Ideas
China's burgeoning drone arsenal shows power of civil-military fusion
Trump's recent executive orders are just one step in a race against a competitor with a very long lead.
Ideas
Ukraine and the future of deception in war
If the U.S. military and its partners cannot master today’s emerging tools, they may fall behind in a critical field.
Threats
How China’s tech giants wired the Gulf
Ubiquitous Chinese gear, infrastructure, and deals belie the narrative of close U.S.-Gulf cooperation—and raise grave security concerns.
Business
A closer look at the Chinese space company accused of helping the Houthis
The ostensibly private Chang Guang Satellite Technology emerged from and benefited from state funding.
Science & Tech
China’s counter-UAV efforts reveal more than technological advancement
They also show the PLA’s dedication to learning from conflict and tech trends and its determination to dominate the electromagnetic battlespace.
Science & Tech
China’s military aims to harness the coming ‘ChatGPT for robotics’
Analogues to large language models for movements and tasks could usher humanoid robots onto the battlefield.
Threats
New products show China’s quest to automate battle
One system tested in a recent PLA exercise automatically dispatches drones, tracks targets, and assigns strikes.
Ideas
To China, DeepSeek is more than an app—it's a strategic turning point
Beijing views the AI tool as a breakthrough that reinforces its strategic autonomy and reshapes the U.S.-China balance of power.
Ideas
The future of China's new information support force
In a bid to dominate the information environment, the PLA created a force to build a resilient network system and drive innovation of cutting-edge tech.
Ideas
China’s plan to rule the heavens
A look at Beijing's strategy to relegate the United States to second place in space.
Ideas
How China is adopting battlefield lessons from Ukraine
A drone-assisted ambush of a Ukrainian tank drew particular notice by PLA analysts.
Ideas
China’s chip chokepoints
The U.S. and its allies have leverage in the competition to build advanced microchips.
Ideas
How Russia, China envision nuking US satellites: from above and below
As the Pentagon builds huge constellations to shrug off conventional ASAT weapons, potential adversaries are taking things to a terrifying new level.
Ideas
What reports got wrong about China’s ‘sunken nuclear submarine’
Western news organizations often miss crucial context—and even the real news—about Chinese military modernization.
Ideas
China claims breakthroughs in autonomous vehicles
If Chinese companies succeed in solidifying their dominance of the autonomous vehicle and LiDAR markets, the security implications are profound.
Ideas
Send private-security contractors into Gaza? That’s a terrible idea
Here are some basic questions to ask before this not-even-half-baked notion becomes a policy failure.
Threats
China is turning to private firms for offensive cyber operations
Leaked documents reveal prices, clients, targets, and more.
Ideas
China’s latest aircraft carrier is much more than a big ship
Along with technical and operational advances, the Fujian represents a response to 19th-century humiliation.
Threats