Threats
Outgoing Syria Envoy Admits Hiding US Troop Numbers; Praises Trump’s Mideast Record
‘We were always playing shell games,’ says Amb. Jim Jeffrey, who also gives advice to President-elect Biden.
Ideas
What Would a Climate-Focused DoD Budget Look Like?
It’d be less about what we spend and more about how we spend the money we already have.
Ideas
Give Us That Democracy Summit, President Biden
A long time ago, before the pandemic, he promised to convene free-world leaders. It’s still a good idea.
Ideas
A Simple Veterans Day Proposal for the Incoming Administration
Send every political appointee to visit Arlington National Cemetery — with someone who served.
Policy
Trump Installs Senate-Rejected Retired General As Pentagon Policy Chief
Anthony Tata moves up one grade level — with some limits attached.
Science & Tech
Pentagon's 'AI Factory' Looks To Distribute Tools Across DOD
The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will begin rolling out its Joint Common Foundation next year, its new director says.
Policy
Trump Fires Esper, Taps NCTC Director to be Acting SecDef
Christopher Miller becomes Trump's fourth acting defense secretary just 72 days before Inauguration Day.
Exclusive
Ideas
What Today’s Generals Could Learn from George Washington's Evolution
In his military thinking early on, Gen. Washington failed to see the big strategic picture. But the 44-year old "could observe, reflect, and adjust more than most senior commanders."
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.
Ideas
Whatever Happens in the Election, Get Ready for a Rocky Transition
Trump says if he loses, he won’t help hand over power, and if he wins, he'll root out government employees he deems disloyal to him.
Ideas
We Are Our Own Worst Enemy
America’s national security depends on our ability to turn today’s hyperpartisan division into tomorrow’s cooperation.
Ideas
Time to Rethink Arms Sales to Taiwan
Once, they might have tilted the military balance. Now they just destabilize the region.
Ideas
Esper’s Curious Partners-and-Allies Initiative
Why now? And are the combatant commanders on board?
Ideas
What Clinton’s Foreign Affairs Article May Mean for the Defense Budget
Her approach, more rebalancing rather than modernizing, avoids a simple zero-sum frame of defense vs. non-defense spending.
Policy
Administration Rushes Out Guidelines for Ending Civil Service Protections
Just two days after the executive order, initial instructions are issued on converting career federal policy-making positions to at-will appointments.
Ideas
In A Post-COVID World, We Need AI More Than Ever
Artificial intelligence tools promise, among other things, to make the Pentagon more efficient.
Policy