Threats

Pentagon: Anti-Missile Weapons Can Keep US Safe Until 2020

The three-star who ran the May 30 test says it proves that U.S. defenses are at least three years ahead of North Korea’s ICBMs.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Accelerates Work on Multi-Warhead Interceptor

Officials won’t say it’s because of North Korea. But experts say Pyongyang’s planned ICBMs will almost certainly release decoys to cloak their nukes.

Threats

Hawaii Needs Better Missile Defense Radars, Pacific Commander Says

Adm. Harry Harris says current capability is up to current threats — but that could change.

Threats

Hawaii’s Renewed Jitters About Nukes

The state is asking the Department of Defense to help it prepare for a nuclear attack, amid escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea.

Ideas

‘It Was High Time’

The right move, if the wrong president, for Obama's internal critics who wanted air strikes in Syria for three years.

Threats

US Hits Syrian Airbase With Scores of Cruise Missiles

A retaliation for the Assad regime's April 4 use of chemical weapons, the strike deepens the U.S. involvement in Syria's civil war.

Ideas

US Missile Defenses Need Better Sensors, and Soon

Gaps in coverage leave interceptors less-equipped to defeat the threats of tomorrow.

Science & Tech

As Missile Defense Technology Improves, So Do Odds of an Arms Race in the Pacific

Next year, the U.S. plans to deploy a shipboard interceptor to help protect Japan. China and Russia will not be amused.

Threats

US Anti-Missile Batteries Arrive in South Korea, Touching Off Geopolitical Tumult

The weapon’s deployment converges with other tensions among China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Malaysia, and the United States.

Ideas

Pick Up the Pace on Missile Defense

Five steps to keep U.S. defenses ahead of North Korea’s efforts to make weapons that can threaten American cities.

Ideas

Calm Down About North Korea’s Nukes

History shows that nuclear states don’t behave more aggressively or coercively.

Business

It's About to Cost a Lot More Money to Launch a Nuclear Bomb

New estimates predict the Pentagon's first new nuclear bombers, missiles, and subs in decades will be more expensive than thought.

Ideas

Welcome to America’s ‘Nuclear Sponge’

If ICBMs are meant to draw enemy missiles toward American soil, it’s time to rethink our nuclear strategy.

Ideas

Making America’s ICBMs Great Again

SecDef Mattis had some questions about the value of the land-based part of the triad. Here are some answers.

Science & Tech

The Technology Race to Build — or Stop — North Korea’s Nuclear Missiles

As Pyongyang warns of an upcoming ICBM test, and Trump threatens to stop it, the Pentagon has few good options.