Ideas

Ep. 44: Under Secretary Andrea Thompson and Kori Schake, live from the Shangri-La Defense Dialogue

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Threats

Shanahan: ‘We’re Not Going To Ignore Chinese Behavior’

The speech at the Shangri-La conference was closely watched amid rising U.S.-China tensions over trade and security.

Business

Great Power Competition Spurs Arms Purchases By Smaller Asian Countries

From sub-hunting planes to fighter jets, Asian nations are arming themselves in response to China’s buildup.

Threats

News from Shangri-La 2019: Shanahan's test; DOD's INDOPAC report; UAE's tanker request

A special edition of D Brief brings news and notes from the 2019 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Ideas

Naval Task Groups Are Proliferating in the Indo-Pacific

France’s aircraft carrier is back in the region, leading a small flotilla, and it’s not alone.

Threats

Shanahan Heads to Asia as White House Beats Drums on Iran

The acting defense secretary is expected to detail how the Pentagon is implementing a strategic shift away from counterterrorism.

Ideas

In the Pacific, US Army Must Be a Running Back Who Blocks

Joint success in the world’s largest theater requires the service to accept supporting roles, an Army War College study finds.

Business

Army Secretary Reveals Weapons Wishlist for War with China & Russia

Army Secretary Mark Esper says he wants to shift money away from light vehicles and cargo helicopters made for “different conflicts” of the past.

Ideas

The Plan to Resurrect the North Korea Nuclear Talks

Trump wants a “big deal” with North Korea. Seoul would like him to settle for something a little smaller.

Policy

Critics Blast Trump ‘Protection Racket’ Offer as ‘Pure Idiocy’

The White House's "cost plus 50" plan would require allies to pay 150% of American troop costs. Former commanders say it only hurts U.S. interests.

Ideas

South Korea Becomes a Testing Ground for Trump’s Grievances With Allies

The motto for the U.S.–South Korea alliance isn’t “We go together, if I get enough money as reimbursement,” one analyst observed.

Ideas

Who Will Prevent the Next India-Pakistan War?

China’s stakes and vulnerabilities in South Asia have grown. U.S. leaders should make use of this.

Ideas

The Korean War is Ending — With or Without Denuclearization

Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula is happening faster than denuclearization. The United States might not be willing to accept that.

Threats

US Air Force Is Redrawing Its Pacific-War Playbook for China

New Pacific Air Forces chief wants deeper cooperation with allied militaries — and better drills for when comms go down.

Ideas

A New Kind of Populism is Threatening Southeast Asia

The region’s fast-growing but fragile democracies have been susceptible to strongmen and autocratic-leaning populists in recent years, propelled by concerns over inequality, crime, and dysfunctional governments.

Threats

In Pacific, US Army Shifts Training from Disaster Relief to War

The change reflects Trump’s defense strategy and rising threats from China and North Korea.

Policy

Curtailing Korean Exercises Comes at a Price, Says USMC Commandant

Gen. Neller says training on the Korean peninsula is an integral — if not quite irreplaceable — part of Marine readiness.

Ideas

Does Japan Need an Aircraft Carrier?

A floating air base would help defend far-flung islands under Chinese pressure, but at a cost.