Ideas

The Pentagon Could Lead the Green New Deal to Victory

Defense leaders have long braced for the impacts of climate change. Working with climate advocates could ward off those threats.

Science & Tech

Lasers, AI, Hypersonics Top DARPA’s Small-Biz Wishlist

The defense research agency also announced plans for an accelerator to help move new tech from idea to product.

Policy

Legislative Hurdle Delays US Space Command Stand-Up

Pentagon can’t move ahead until Congress repeals a provision in the 2019 defense authorization act.

Threats

Security Clearance Delays Are Hurting the Pentagon's Tech Workforce

The Defense Department is also looking to build out its recruitment staff, officials told Congress.

Threats

No Military Threat on Southern US Border, Says NORTHCOM Commander

But the head of Northern Command says barriers have “some ramifications” for national security.

Science & Tech

Microsoft Stands By Its $480 Million Pentagon Contract

The company reaffirmed its commitment to provide the Army with augmented reality headsets despite resistance from employees.

Threats

Pentagon Wins a Reprieve with Trump Approval of ‘Residual’ Forces in Syria

General Dunford is “confident” U.S. allies will now agree to stay, but for how long remains undetermined.

Policy

AFRICOM Adds Logistics Hub in West Africa, Hinting at an Enduring US Presence

From Ghana’s capital, a new supply network will ferry supplies and arms to special forces troops across the region.

Science & Tech

Judge Puts Hold on Lawsuit on Pentagon’s JEDI Cloud Contract

The battle over the Pentagon’s Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract just got more interesting.

Policy

Trump Officially Directs Pentagon to Create Space Force, Within Air Force

If Congress approves, Space Force would exist like the Marine Corps within the Navy Department.

Science & Tech

DARPA Thinks AI Could Help Troops Telepathically Control Machines

The Pentagon is looking to build artificial intelligence into neural interfaces to let humans control machines with their thoughts.

Policy

The US Air Force Has Won Control of the Space Force

Six months ago, service leaders said they were being cut out of the planning process. Now they’re being put in charge of it.

Science & Tech

DARPA Is Trying Bioelectric Implants to Help Heal Wounds

One of the Pentagon’s new research programs could see biosensors, actuators and even artificial intelligence implanted in soldiers to speed up the body’s healing processes.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Pushes for Speed in Cloud Strategy

The Defense Department expects multiple providers to support the different kinds of clouds of its missions.

Threats

Lawmakers Tell Pentagon: Revise and Resubmit Your Climate-Change Report

The most recent one didn’t even meet the legal requirements contained in the 2018 defense authorization act.

Policy

Top General in Middle East Says He Wasn’t Consulted on Syria Withdrawal

U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel provided the first public confirmation that the Pentagon was caught by surprise by Trump’s December tweet.

Science & Tech

The Teams Who Test US Cyber Defenses Aren’t Being Tough Enough: Pentagon Report

Overworked trainers and penetration testers can’t properly simulate the worst real-world threats, leaving operators “overconfident.”

Ideas

The Jury Is Still Out on the Pentagon’s Audit

The real failure will happen if lawmakers and defense officials don’t implement its lessons.

Policy

Recruiting, Faster Tech Acquisition Are Vital to Maritime Superiority: CNO

Delays in getting new technology to the fleet is the U.S. Navy’s Achilles heel, says its top officer.

Policy

Acting SecDef: I Haven’t Told the Pentagon to Prep for Afghanistan Withdrawal

In his first remarks to media as defense chief, Pat Shanahan says U.S. leaders are keeping their eyes on peace talks.