Ideas
Lone-wolf attacks have become a hallmark of post-caliphate ISIS
The group's propaganda inspired the New Orleans attack, which proceeded without direct operational support.
2024 in review: Commentary
Defense One contributors gathered lessons from around the globe and looked ahead to the new administration.
2024 in review: Space Force
The year saw challenges in orbit and on the ground as the young service continued to expand.
2024 in review: Marine Corps
A new kind of regiment, more drones, and new techniques—and other stories about the Corps.
2024 in review: Air Force
China shakeup, bombers, jammers, ICBM—it was a busy year.
2024 in review: Navy
Bracing for the future, grappling with shipbuilding woes, watching China—and more stories about the sea service.
2024 in Review: Army
Lessons from the Ukraine war—and what might come next—dominated the news.
2024 in review: Business
The rise of the software contractors, wobbles among the old guard—and more defense-industry news of the year.
In defense of the military’s unfunded priority lists
The service branches’ “wish lists” are a key part of Congress’ oversight process.
Assad’s fall lays the ground for wider peace—if the US can seize the moment
A key will be reshaping the role of the Kurdish militants in Syria.
Defense One Radio, Ep. 170: Year in review
We listen back on more than a dozen guests from conversations across 2024.
How China is adopting battlefield lessons from Ukraine
A drone-assisted ambush of a Ukrainian tank drew particular notice by PLA analysts.
Defense One Radio, Ep. 169: The Reagan National Defense Forum
A recap of this year's conference in Simi Valley, Calif.
The Army is too top-heavy
Surplus generals, swollen staffs, and excess headquarters drain headcount and resources from warfighting units.
Will Assad’s defeat be Putin’s Waterloo?
The narrative of Russia's ascendancy in 2024 is beginning to look like more fiction than fact.
Can Syria's triumphant rebel coalition unite the country?
And what should the U.S. do about this potentially "catastrophic success"?
Want ‘government efficiency'? Help change agencies from within
DOGE leaders talk a lot about slashing headcount. They should foster better decision-making instead.
Featured eBooks
How a director of national intelligence helps a president stay on top of threats from around the world
A former chairman of the National Intelligence Council offers an explainer.
What game theory says about a MAGA military
A thought experiment based on Trump’s desire for officers who obey without question.
How did Hayat Tahrir al-Sham come to prominence in Syria’s civil war?
The Islamist group, which spearheaded of the surprise rebel advance into Aleppo, is an offshoot of al-Qaida in Syria.
