Science & Tech

How Biden Would Wage Great Power Competition

Part 3: While Trump chooses go-it-alone, Biden wants allies and partners “at the forefront” of U.S. foreign policy. But his options to renew old agreements are limited.

Business

Coronavirus Hampering Defense Contractor Operations, Reader Survey Finds

It’s harder to win business amid a pandemic, said one-third of industry respondents in a Defense One reader survey.

Policy

62% Disapprove of Trump’s Coronavirus Response, Reader Survey Finds

Most respondents feel “less safe” because of the president’s actions. Esper gets higher marks, but many fear premature reopening.

Policy

Pentagon’s Esper Was Too Slow With Coronavirus Response, Senate Democrats Say

In a letter, lawmakers accuse the SecDef of causing confusion, showing ‘dangerous misunderstanding’ of the virus, and harming readiness.

Threats

Leave the National Guard to the States, Says Top General

If Trump federalizes the Guard, they can’t help with law enforcement, says Gen. Lengyel.

Threats

General Takes Blame for ‘No Injuries’ Declaration After Jan. 8 Iran Strike

“I was never under any pressure at any time to shade this reporting,” CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie told Congress. More than 100 troops later were diagnosed with TBI.

Threats

Graham Denies Threatening To Make Esper’s Life ‘Hell’ If He Cuts AFRICOM Troops

“No, I never said that,” Graham said in a brief phone call with Defense One. “It was a good conversation.”

Policy

Trump Targets Major Weapons Projects To Fund Wall

The funds will be drawn mainly from procurement for major programs like the F-35 fighter jet. $1.3 billion will come from the National Guard alone.

Science & Tech

Amazon Will Protest JEDI Cloud Contract; Cites ‘Political Influence’

In July, Trump said he was "looking into" the $10 billion contract, which went to Microsoft last month.

Policy

Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics

During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.

Threats

Pentagon Official: We Didn’t Link Iran to al-Qaeda In Hill Briefings

“In these briefings, none of the officials mentioned al-Qa'ida or the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force,” DASD Mick Mulroy said.

Ideas

Ep. 45: Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter

Carter sat down with Defense One to talk about China, what it takes to succeed in the Pentagon, how not to waste a $750 billion-dollar defense budget — and much more.

Threats

These Are the US Military Bases Most Threatened by Climate Change

The belated lists arrived just ahead of a GAO report that says the Pentagon is failing to use climate projections in planning.

Ideas

In the Global Power Era, Remember the Bin Laden Raid

The Defense Department must make choices, but we cannot become complacent about the fight against terrorism.

Science & Tech

Microsoft Unveils Two Secret Data Centers Built for Classified Government Data

Microsoft is building data centers and expanding security capabilities to compete with Amazon to host sensitive government data.

Science & Tech

New Nuclear Missiles' Cost Estimate Changes Again

The fight over America’s nuclear missile future gets cloudier, as Air Force says expensive silo improvements would be needed for any new ICBMs.