Science & Tech

Google Earth Is Helping Syrians Call In US Air Strikes

Kurdish militia fighters are using Android tablets and free Google mapping tools to track battle lines and coordinate close air support with the US military.

Business

SpaceX Is Picking Up the Pieces of Their Rocket Business After a Weekend Explosion

The company is combing through thousands of data feeds to figure out what went wrong - and how to protect their core business.

Science & Tech

The Air Force's Secret Space Drone Is Headed Back To Orbit

Less than five years ago, the X-37B became the first U.S. spacecraft to land on a runway autonomously. Now, as before, few know what its mission actually is.

Threats

This Is What Bin Laden Was Reading Just Before He Was Killed

The English-language books in particular present a fascinating picture of the terrorist's interests, including journalist Bob Woodward’s account of president Obama’s wars.

Business

Obama Scales Back Military Equipment Sharing for Cops

After seeing how police responded to protests in Baltimore and Ferguson, the administration is changing the gear the Pentagon will share with local cops.

Policy

SpaceX's Biggest Military Advantage Isn't Just Cheap Rockets

As the upstart competes for Air Force contracts, it hopes that its competitor's reliance on Russian parts gives it an advantage.

Threats

Terrorism Finance Trackers Worry ISIS Already Using Bitcoin

The ability to move cash around national borders could help ISIS fund attacks in the West, just as an Al Qaeda group apparently funded the attacks in France.

Business

SpaceX Ends Lawsuit, Settles With Air Force for Future Launch Bids

Elon Musk’s rocket company announced a settlement with the Air Force over allegations it unfairly awarded an $11 billion space launch contract to a competitor. By Tim Fernholz

Science & Tech

The Air Force's Top-Secret Space Drone Is Finally Coming Back Home

Boeing's X-37B is coming home Tuesday after a record 22 months in orbit. What it was doing up there is still shrouded in mystery. By Tim Fernholz

Business

The Strange But True Reason the US Isn't Destroying Its Old Nukes

Since a small asteroid crashed in Russia last year, scientists are working on ways to destroy them before impact -- and they're not ruling out nuclear weapons. By Tim Fernholz

Threats

Meet the Other Terror Group in Syria That Could Actually Threaten the US

The Khorasan group is collaborating with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemeni offshoot known for trying to slip bombs past airport security. By Tim Fernholz

Threats

Air Power Alone Can't Defeat the Islamic State

Air strikes might defeat the Islamic State, but does the U.S. have the capacity to leave behind stable institutions without a massive deployment of troops and cash? By Tim Fernholz

Science & Tech

Boeing and SpaceX Tapped To Free NASA from Russian Launches

NASA awarded a $4.2 billion contract to Boeing and a $2.6 billion contract to SpaceX to send its astronauts into orbit without help from Russia. By Tim Fernholz

Threats

The Cease-Fire in Gaza By the Numbers

In the wake of the latest Gaza cease-fire agreement, here's a quick rundown on the damage and duration of Israeli-Hamas fighting this Summer. By Tim Fernholz

Threats

What Makes a Pope Sign Off on War Today?

The pope on Monday endorsed use of force in Iraq to protect minorities. But he had one key caution in the name of preventing U.S. airstrikes from escalating into a broader conflict. By Tim Fernholz

Threats

The Gaza Ground War Doesn't Look Like It Will End Any Time Soon

Israel's sixth Gaza offensive in 8 years kicked off Thursday. And there are no indications that it's part of any broader strategic plan for peace. By Tim Fernholz

Science & Tech

SpaceX Just Cleared a Key Hurdle on Its Way to Bidding for Air Force Contracts

Elon Musk's company proved for the 10th time it can launch satellites into space. But will that be enough to earn it a shot at nearly $70 billion in Air Force contracts? By Tim Fernholz

Threats

Running Guns from Ukraine to Syria Is Getting Complicated

The uneasy and sometimes very shady prospects of arming the Syrian conflict. By Tim Fernholz

Threats

Crimea Could Cost Russia’s Economy $147 Billion

Assessing the costs of annexation so far, via the International Monetary Fund. By Tim Fernholz

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