Ideas

Biden’s Defense Budget Will Worry America’s Indo-Pacific Allies

Spending to boost the U.S. military's future edge comes at the expense of addressing today's shortfalls in capacity and warfighting effectiveness.

Ideas

The New Pentagon Slush Fund

Congress should reject the Pacific Deterrence Initiative before it’s too late.

Ideas

How the U.S. Can Beat the Semiconductor Shortage (and China)

We must reverse our reliance on foreign manufacturing and build a better microelectronic systems industrial base.

Threats

NATO Condemns Russia’s ‘Aggressive Actions’ Ahead of Biden-Putin Meeting

President Joe Biden spent a full day consulting with NATO allies about countering Russia and China.

Ideas

NATO’s Nuclear Two-Step

An alliance that avows nuclear disarmament should not cling so dangerously to its weapons.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 84: Biden, Europe and the future of transatlantic security

Three experts unpack the opportunities and challenges ahead for Europe and the U.S. in 2021.

Policy

If China Is the No. 1 Threat, Why Doesn’t the 2022 Budget Reflect It?

The Middle East will continue to demand resources even as troops withdraw from Afghanistan.

Threats

China Is Our No. 1 Priority. Start Acting Like It, Austin Tells Pentagon

Task force says the military Biden inherited from Trump had a “say-do gap” in the resources directed at China.

Ideas

How China Steals US Tech to Catch Up in Underwater Warfare

From legal filings to a Chinese lab’s website, open source documents provide an illuminating trail.

Ideas

NIH Director: We Need an Investigation Into the Wuhan Lab-Leak Theory

Francis Collins calls for a “thorough, expert-driven, and objective” inquiry, and shares what most surprised him about the virus.

Business

Eyeing China, Biden’s First Pentagon Budget Would Cut Troops, Buy Future Weapons

DepSecDef Hicks called the president’s $715 billion spending request “a foundation for fielding a full range of needed capabilities.” Republicans called it “a cut.”

Science & Tech

Biden Requests Less Than 1% Boost to Pentagon R&D, Despite Hyping New Defense Tech

As the Defense Department shifts its focus toward more technologically advanced potential adversaries, it will have to research and develop more and sustain less.

Threats

Peace with Russia, China ‘Fraying at the Edge,’ Milley Tells Graduating Cadets

New Air Force officers should work “to set the conditions for a future that prevents great power war,” Joint Chiefs chairman says.

Ideas

Keep Tabs on China’s Growing Space Situational Awareness

As more Chinese satellites reach orbit, Beijing is upgrading its ability to track space debris. But such sensors can be used to destroy as well as protect.

Science & Tech

US Naval Services Aim to Put Network-War Concepts to Global Test

Enormous exercise will combine several new concepts in scenarios up to major combat.

Threats

Pentagon Studying How Counterterrorism Fits Into Great Power Competition

The Pentagon has not previously discussed how to use counterterrorism capabilities for great power competition. Now that’s changing.