Ideas

Selling F-35s to the Middle East was Never Going to be Easy

To do it, and preserve Israel’s advantage, Trump must reinvigorate the consultative arms sales process with Congress.

Ideas

Donald Is No Dove

The president’s criticism of military contractors is belied by his commitment to fattening their pockets.

Ideas

Assessing Trump’s National Security Record

How has he done against four main threats our nation faces?

Policy

From Racism to Russia, Top General Says Army Must Change

Gen. McConville addressed the nation’s internal unrest, trust of the military, even QAnon, in a wide-ranging interview with Defense One.

Policy

Army Chief Denies Trump’s Claim That Generals Make War for Arms Makers

“We take this very, very seriously,” Gen. James McConville said in an interview with Defense One.

Policy

Pentagon to Employees: How Can We Boost Diversity?

The request is part of Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s overhaul of personnel practices.

Ideas

Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’

The president has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, and asked that wounded veterans be kept out of military parades, multiple sources tell The Atlantic.

Business

Pentagon Awards JEDI Cloud Contract to Microsoft, Again

The decision follows a months-long legal challenge filed by Amazon Web Services.

Ideas

A Great Change is Coming

Software, AI, autonomy — these are the ultimate weapons. The Pentagon must get serious about integrating AI into everything it has for 'hyperwar.'

Ideas

The Navy Needs More Ships — and Vision, Too

From shipyards to sea, the Navy needs to show more passionate leadership articulating what its future must be, and why.

Ideas

What Do You Tell Young Americans Doubting the Military’s Moral Compass?

After scandals, pardons, and protests, military and civilian leaders have some work to do rebuilding public trust.

Ideas

Who Decides Who Is a ‘Domestic Enemy’?

The short answer: not the Joint Chiefs chairman. The longer answer is more interesting.

Ideas

The Military Won’t Save Us – and You Shouldn’t Want Them To

It’s deeply irresponsible, not to mention organizationally nonsensical, to suggest that Gen. Milley should evict an election-losing Trump from the White House.

Ideas

“. . . All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic”: An Open Letter to Gen. Milley

If the commander in chief attempts to ignore the election’s results, you will face a choice.

Ideas

On Rare Earths, the Pentagon Is Making the Same Mistake Twice

Its investment in a California mining venture is pretty much exactly the wrong approach to securing access to vital materials.