Policy

All US Troops In Afghanistan To Withdraw By Christmas, Trump Tweets

The bewildering message came just hours after his national security advisor said the United States would draw down to 2,500 by 2021.

Policy

US Charges ISIS ‘Beatles’ In Virginia Court

Kotey and Elsheikh each face 14 charges, all of which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Policy

GOP Lawmakers Hammer Trump’s Germany Troop Withdrawals

The top Republican on the Armed Services Committee blamed “a couple of White House staffers” who “hadn’t thought through the consequences.”

Ideas

The Pentagon Is Funding the Destruction of Cultural Heritage

Construction of Trump’s border wall is undermining not just sacred sites but the rule of law itself.

Ideas

Esper's Convenient Lie

The defense secretary's claim that the two decades of countering violent extremism left the U.S. under-prepared for a near-peer fight doesn’t hold water.

Ideas

Combat Leaders Go Through Hell to Learn About Risk. The Acquisition Corps Should Do the Same

One reason the “culture of innovation” hasn’t taken proper hold at the Pentagon is that its buyers aren’t trained over and over to weigh uncertainties.

Ideas

Stumbling Out of the Middle East is No Better Than Stumbling In

It is tempting for the United States to just throw in the towel, pull troops, and abandon allies. More important is understanding what the U.S. strategy toward the Middle East should be.

Ideas

Alexander Vindman: Trump Is Putin’s ‘Useful Idiot’

In his first interview, a key witness in the impeachment trial says Trump goes out of his way to try to please the Russian president.

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.'