Author Archive

Ben Watson

Senior Multimedia Editor, Defense One

Ben Watson is an Army veteran who writes The D Brief daily newsletter and hosts the bimonthly Defense One Radio podcast. Since arriving in Washington in 2012, Ben has written and produced award-winning features on politics, international security, technology, and military history for NPR, The Atlantic and Defense One.
Threats

The D Brief: Iran’s president dies; ICC warrant for Bibi, Hamas leaders; Global spending, up; A warship’s historic battle record; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Patrick Tucker
Policy

Defense One Radio, Ep. 154: Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 3: The wider world

In the final episode in a three-part series, we revisit the guns-vs.-butter debate and take another look at the consequences of Washington's "porcupine" strategy for Taiwan's defense.

  • Ben Watson
Policy

Defense One Radio, Ep. 153: Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 2: China and the Indo-Pacific

Why is the region in the middle of an arms race? And what do analysts think China is really spending on its military?

  • Ben Watson
Policy

Defense One Radio, Ep. 152: Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 1: Russia

Russia is spending as much on its military as it did in the 1980s. How sustainable is that?

  • Ben Watson
Threats

The D Brief: Gaza pier opens; Israel closes border crossing; Russia’s space-nuke R&D; Congressional split; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson, Patrick Tucker and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Russia pressures Kharkiv; Zelenskyy postpones travel; Putin to visit China; Army’s FPV drone plan; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Lauren C. Williams
Threats

The D Brief: The US military's EWs are not OK, SOF say; Houthis threaten Med shipping; US-Taiwan naval drills; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Putin sacks defense chief; Israel expands Gaza fight; Ukraine’s ‘withering’ air defenses; Damaged B-2 won’t be fixed; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: US soldier detained in Russia; UK boots accused spy; Defense > offense?; Police kill SOF airman; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: DOD’s Rafah concerns; Mideast diplomacy; ‘SOF renaissance’; Hurricane hunters’ woes; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Replicator takes off; Xi’s Europe trip; US freezes GPS bombs to Israel; Space Force pushback; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Featured eBooks
Future of Naval Warfare
Asia-Pacific Outlook
Connect Everything: JADC2 & networks
Threats

The D Brief: Putin’s nuke exercises; US halts arms transfer to Israel; Navy’s analog shipbuilding; Aussie’s giant quantum project; And just a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: US shifts airstrike HQ; Europe warns of Russian hackers; 30 injured in LCAC mishap; USAF adds EW squadron; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: More sanctions on Russia; US talks space nuke; Manta-ray sub drone; Australia’s ship plan; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: UK eyes Chinese drone parts; Russia’s arms plan; Air Force cost breach; Austin to the Pacific; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: War’s lessons for Army SF; Russia’s GPS jamming; Gaza pier photos; The next Doomsday plane; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Russia gains ground; US bombs, spoofed; China’s new forces; Marines’ ‘fictional intelligence’; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Houthis renew ship attacks; More ATACMS to Ukraine; Gaza pier update; Changes at SOF school; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Aid heads to Ukraine; Army’s 100K goal; Niger pullout talks; Pentagon test recuses himself; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Aid bill heads to Biden; UK also boosts funding; How will Kyiv use it?; Foreign-policy poll; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson