Ideas

Everything You Need To Know About No-Fly Zones

Lesson one: there’s nothing easy about setting up or enforcing aerial off-limits areas.

Threats

Saudi Arabia Gives Its Troops a Bonus As It Shakes Up Line of Succession

At a time of political and economic upheaval, Riyadh's King Salman elevates youthful relatives with serious security and military credentials.

Ideas

The United States Needs a Drone Board

If we’re going to keep killing citizens by drone, we need a better form of due process for it.

Ideas

It's Time To Figure Out What Putin Wants

Russian President Vladimir Putin is neither lunatic nor fanatic. He has become a more dangerous phenomenon: a believer in a cause.

Science & Tech

A Global Consensus on Cyber Security Is Gaining Momentum

Here’s what to look for in two meetings that will explore how states with limited capacity can draw upon technologically sophisticated countries.

Ideas

Arming Dictators Will Only Bring Chaos

Obama keeps saying the right things, but doing the wrong ones, by sending weapons to Middle East regimes.

Science & Tech

6 Facts About the Future of the Air Force

Air Force officials wanted to reconstitute the force as the war in Afghanistan wound down. Here's why that will have to wait.

Ideas

A Funny Thing Happened When These Military Officers and Academics Got Together

The officers were intimidated by the fancy degrees and four-star friends. The scholars were intimidated by the uniforms, medals and deployments. Here’s how they learned to trust each other.

Threats

Outline in Hand, Iran-Nuke Negotiators Turn to Details

Negotiators settled on 'key parameters' for a future deal now set to be finalized in late June.

Threats

Is Iran a Totalitarian State?

The answer has consequences for U.S. strategy in nuclear talks with Tehran.

Policy

Can Thailand's Military Rule Without Martial Law?

Coup leader-turned prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is seeking even more power than he already had, complicating the country's move back toward democracy.

Ideas

Anti-Access/Area Denial Isn’t Just for Asia Anymore

It’s time for the U.S. to prepare for A2/AD in Europe.

Threats

How Cheap Oil Is Reshaping Global Hotspots

From Russia to your local gas station, the consequences of low fuel prices are clear. But the second and third order effects are only beginning to become apparent.

Threats

What's at Stake in Tikrit

The latest campaign against ISIS has quickly become a flashpoint between Iran and the U.S. for influence in Iraq, says the Council on Foreign Relations' Stephen Biddle.

Ideas

Let’s Lock in the Rebalance to Asia

Much can be done to improve the U.S. defense posture in the Pacific, and for not much money.

Business

Kabul's Needs Extend Far Beyond More US Troops in Afghanistan

All sides in Kabul seem to have agreed that stability in the short-term outweighs the lasting effects of numerous ministerial and governorship vacancies.

Threats

Why Americans Hate Negotiating With Enemies (Like Iran)

Six countries are talking to Iran. But only in the U.S. are the nuclear talks deeply controversial.

Policy

The New Era in US-Afghanistan Relations

This week's visit of Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah marks the start of a reset in the Obama administration's policy towards Afghanistan.

Ideas

Congress Must Match the Money to the Navy's Strategy

How the nation’s strong naval ambition may be undermined by Congress’ weak resourcing.

Ideas

The Pentagon Says 2014 Was the 'Most Complex Year Since 1968'

It's not just the nature of the issues that its working with - it's the volume.