Ideas
How Would Reagan’s Defense Secretary View the New Afghanistan Strategy?
Caspar Weinberger’s six principles for using military force are a useful lens on Trump’s newish path in Southwest Asia.
Ideas
Democracy Remains the Best Path to Security
The U.S. and its democratic partners must rebuild their foreign policies around a basic truth: societies that govern themselves democratically are safer, stronger and more secure.
Policy
Amid North Korea Tension, Mattis Heads to US Nuclear Weapons Bases
The U.S. defense secretary will inspect American ICBMs, then visit the military command that would lead a nuclear war.
Ideas
Our Navy is Broken, and That is a Bad Thing
The fleet’s problems stem from decades of flat acquisition budgets and declining ship numbers.
Policy
Full Transcript: Donald Trump Announces His Afghanistan Policy
“No place is beyond the reach of American might and American arms.”
Ideas
What Happens When No One Believes American Threats?
In the long term, it does America no favors for its president to establish a reputation for hyperbole and unrealistic threats.
Ideas
Summer Reading 2017: Defense One’s Top Picks
Here are some big ideas for you while soaking up the sun or just relaxing on your summer vacation.
Ideas
How to Adapt Military Risk to an Era of Hypercompetition
DOD needs to change how the defense enterprise describes, identifies, and assesses risk in an age of persistent disruption.
Science & Tech
It’s Getting Harder to Draw Lessons from Today’s Wars
The researchers compiling the U.S. Army’s accounts of Iraq and Afghanistan have an overwhelming yet spotty volume of material to work through.
Ideas
America’s Allies Are in Decline. Here’s How the US Should Adjust
As global power shifts, Washington needs a new strategy, and a new way of managing its alliances.
Ideas
Watch: Future of War Conference 2017
Defense One partners with New America to bring you the Future of War Conference 2017 in Washington, D.C.
Ideas
What Will Replace the Third Offset? Lessons from Past Innovation Strategies
Whatever the name, it’s crucial to have a framework for directing and harnessing advancements in defense technology.
Policy
How McMaster Could Change the Way the US Goes to War
How did Trump’s new National Security Advisor win over the President — and what changes might he make in his new role?
Policy
Will Trump Repeal Sanctions on Russia? A Conversation with an NSC Planner
We asked Kevin Harrington, deputy assistant to the president for strategic planning, whether he could square the mixed signals coming from the White House.
Ideas
Weaponized Narrative Is the New Battlespace
And the U.S. is in the unaccustomed position of being seriously behind its adversaries.
Ideas
Want to Hurt the Taliban? Legalize Opium in Afghanistan
Economics explains how anti-drug operations have undermined the war on terror.
Ideas
The Coming War on ‘Radical Islam’
How President-elect Trump’s government could change America’s approach to terrorism.
Ideas
Stop Using ‘Strategic’ To Mean Everything Under the Sun
Linguistic sloppiness is impeding the U.S. government from coming to grips with today’s interconnected security challenges.
Threats
The Once and Future Insurgency: How ISIS Will Survive the Loss of Its 'State'
Controlling territory is at the core of the group's ideology, but it isn't everything.
Threats
As Mosul Battle Rages, Carter Heads to Europe for Anti-ISIS Talks
A long-scheduled gathering becomes a real-time assessment for the complex offensive.
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