Ideas

Narcissism and National Security

A century ago, the doings of ordinary citizens barely mattered to national security. Today, they matter a great deal more.

Ideas

Teamwork Led Us to Bin Laden and Can Keep America Safe

As we look back on the Osama bin Laden raid of a decade ago, three lessons stand out.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 81: The future of Afghanistan

Ben Watson talks with Greg, a Green Beret medic who served in Afghanistan, and with Long War Journal's Bill Roggio.

Ideas

China to US: Back Off and Calm Down

Foreign Minister Wang Yi just delivered a raw, propaganda-tainted rebuke of Washington’s leaders for stoking “fears” of China’s rise.

Ideas

Afghanistan Will Know No Peace Without Pressure on Pakistan

Inconsistent global powers, foreign politics, and indifference to Pakistan’s Taliban sponsorship continue to frustrate Afghans and spoil peace efforts.

Policy

‘It’s Time to End the Forever War’: Biden Announces Withdrawal from Afghanistan

As for the idea that U.S. troops on the ground would produce a solution: “We gave that argument a decade.”

Ideas

Beware ‘Just Say China’ Politics

Republicans screamed for more spending to counter China. Democrats are claiming their infrastructure bill does just that. It’s a dangerous game.

Ideas

In Great Power Wars, Americans Could Again Become POWs

After years of training for counterinsurgency, today’s soldiers need to know how to survive large-scale warfare.

Policy

‘We Will Leave' Afghanistan Likely This Year, Biden Declares

But not by May 1. "It's not my intention to stay there for a long time, the question is how and under what circumstance,” the president said, at the White House.

Policy

Afghanistan Deadline is ‘Too Soon’ for Biden Administration, Top House Dem Says

‘Running for the exits pell-mell by May 1 is dangerous,’ said HASC Chairman Rep. Adam Smith, who backs pulling out ‘responsibly.’

Business

Pentagon Picks Lockheed, Northrop-Raytheon Team to Develop Missile Interceptors

Officials reject a bid by Boeing, which builds the current generation of missile interceptors.

Ideas

What Trump and His Mob Taught the World About America

The allure of democracy was the nation’s best asset abroad, but the president squandered it by inciting political violence.

Ideas

After COVID, What Should American Foreign Policy Do?

The pandemic reminds us that American leadership can determine whether the arc of history bends toward something better or something worse.

Ideas

The Hidden Dangers in Biden’s Foreign Policy

The president-elect’s stated agenda will antagonize China and lead to conflict.

Ideas

We Have Met the Enemy, and It Is Us: Restoring American Power

Getting the nation’s house in order — restoring our integrity and dignity — is a precondition for reestablishing our standing in the world.

Ideas

Biden Shouldn’t Toss All of Trump’s Foreign Policies

From ending forever wars to pressing allies to shoulder more of their defense loads, the next president should pursue at least some of his predecessor’s goals.

Policy

Biden Takes Lead In Pennsylvania; Win Would Decide Presidency

Many news outlets, including the Associated Press, have not yet made the call and Trump is not conceding.

Policy

What Would a Second Trump Term Mean For Foreign Policy?

The nuts and bolts may shift, but the approach is likely to stay the same.

Ideas

Want Real Security? Create Better Global Digital Rules and Norms

The longer the U.S. waits to throw its weight behind efforts to create rules for today’s digital competition, the less hope it has of retaining advantage.