Ideas

We tried ‘fighting China’ with lower budgets. It didn’t go well.

Tabletop exercises hosted by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments offer one big lesson for the fiscal 2026 spending plan.

Policy

US-Europe divorce unlikely—absent a new crisis

The European Union wants more defense autonomy from the United States. But they still want a partnership with Washington.

Threats

How NORAD could be hurt by US-Canada tensions

US commander says a Canadian exit would partially blind the Pentagon to enemy missiles—at least until new defenses could be built.

Policy

Administration, unions trade lawsuits over ‘national security' order to reduce feds' rights

U.S. agencies have asked a Trump-appointed judge to uphold a ban on unions for Defense civilians and two-thirds of the federal workforce.

Breaking News Policy

Trump aims to outlaw most government unions on ‘national security’ grounds

White House says little-used provision allows the president to exempt most federal jobs from union protections.

Threats

Intelligence officials remain defensive about Yemen-bombing group chat

House testimony followed release of full transcript of the chat over the Signal app — including attack times and weapons.

Ideas

Heads must roll for Signal-chat debacle

To hold no one accountable would undermine operational security and send a corrosive message to troops.

Policy

Counter-terrorism efforts reduced by Trump cuts

Tens of millions of dollars slated for violence prevention have been cut or are frozen as DOGE steamrolls the national-security sector.

Threats

The US just lowered its defenses against authoritarian propaganda, experts say

Gutting the U.S. Agency for Global Media reduces the country's ability to fight off influence campaigns at home and promote freedom abroad.

Business

Trump’s anti-NATO turn could sink F-35 sales

Allies are questioning their reliance on U.S.-made weapons, experts and former defense officials warn.