Science & Tech

There’s a Big Loophole in the Pentagon’s Guide to Eavesdropping

The new rules reflect a shift in intel-gathering from phone-tapping to capturing conversations on the internet.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Wants to Automate Social-Media Checks on Clearance Holders

The program would analyze public posts to help determine an employee's suitability for Defense Intelligence Agency classified work.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s Massive IT Consolidation Plan Is In Trouble

Defense officials can’t project the program's cost because of its complexity, and because officials can’t even agree what is or isn’t included.

Science & Tech

After Delay, New Air Force Tanker Successfully Refuels C-17

The Boeing-made plane, with some new hardware, successfully refueled a C-17 during a test Tuesday night.

Ideas

Obama Asked the Military For A Plan to Protect Civilians. Here’s One.

We learned through experience the importance of preventing civilian casualties in today’s wars.

Science & Tech

Check Out The US Military's Sandbox of Silly-Putty That Predicts Disasters and War

Analysts are using what they call a ’tangible landscape' to predict the path of everything from forest fires and floods to movement of adversaries in war games.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Is About to Launch A Big Database for Screening National Security Workers

The new DISS will merge two tools as part of the effort to reform the security clearance process.

Science & Tech

Defense One Tech Summit: In Review

Did you miss our first-ever Defense One Tech Summit? Catch the whole thing, start to finish, right here.

Ideas

Carter Proposes 'Huge' Pentagon Personnel System Overhaul

The defense secretary unveiled major proposals that would reform the military's 'up or out' promotion system and allow civilian recruiters to bypass the traditional federal hiring process.

Ideas

It’s Time to Declare Our Independence from Russian Rockets

Attention, Congress: there are a range of alternatives to the RD-180, none of which run through Moscow.

Ideas

Revamp the International Officer Training Program Before Inviting Nations Like Myanmar

For 40 years, the U.S. program has helped strengthen ties with partner nations and their rising military stars. More can be done.

Science & Tech

The Military Is Building an Employee Database to Predict Traitors

The “DoD Component Insider Threat Records System” is part of the U.S. government's response to the 2010 leaks of classified diplomatic cables by former Pfc. Chelsea Manning.

Policy

Carter: Wider US-Vietnam Military Relations Not ‘Directed’ at China

Lifting the arms embargo continues years of Obama’s efforts to link American and Vietnamese militaries, the defense secretary said, as president visits country.

Ideas

A New Front In Obama's War on Whistleblowers

Fired Pentagon assistant inspector general John Crane is going public with allegations senior officials retaliated against whistleblowers, destroyed permanent records and altered audits under political pressure.

Ideas

The Military Isn't Fully Tracking Sexual Assault Reports

Watchdog says DOD has yet to comply with a new law to tally discharged troops who had reported being assaulted.

Business

As Threat of Russian Missiles Rise, NORAD Looks to the Future

No longer a Cold War leftover, NORAD and its new leaders will have their work cut out for them.

Threats

Pentagon To Harden US Military Bases Against ISIS Attacks

Defense Secretary promises three-year, $180 million force-protection effort, following threats in Chattanooga and elsewhere.

Ideas

The DIUx Is Dead. Long Live The DIUx

By taking early corrective action, Ash Carter is upending the typical Washington playbook of prolonging failure.