Ideas

The US Space Force Is Not a Joke

It’s not all President Trump promised, but it exists now.

Science & Tech

The Satellites Were Never Supposed to Launch

Two years after illegally launching tiny satellites into orbit, a start-up is trying to convince regulators it’s going to play by the rules.

Science & Tech

The Aging Spacecraft of Deep Space

NASA is rationing watts to keep its oldest mission going.

Policy

Trump's Space Force Faces an Uncertain Fate

Congressional lawmakers, including Republicans, were skeptical of the idea long before the midterms.

Ideas

Trump’s Space Force Will Have to Wait

The president has called for the creation of a new military branch. So far, Congress is ignoring him.

Science & Tech

What SpaceX's Record-Breaking Year Means for Science (and the Rocketry Business)

After a triumphant year, the reusable rocketeer is planning 50 percent more launches in 2018.

Science & Tech

What Is America's Secret Space Shuttle For?

It’s not clear what the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B is supposed to do—or if it’s worth its hefty price tag.

Science & Tech

Great-Power Rivalry May Turn Space War Real

A rising drumbeat of remarks from Pentagon officials suggest they’re worried about, and preparing for, warfare in orbit.

Threats

China’s Growing Ambitions in Space

While Trump works to lay out a new policy for NASA, China is set to conduct a record number of launches this year.

Threats

Iraq Is Trying to Fight a War Around 50,000 Civilians in Fallujah

Only 800 people have fled the city since Baghdad began attacking IS positions on Sunday. What happens next may set the template for Mosul as well.

Policy

US Touts Diplomacy, Hits Iran with New Sanctions

Despite the high-profile diplomatic moves, the president said 'profound differences' continue to separate Washington and Tehran.

Policy

Conflicting Claims Over Downed Russian Warplane

The incident continues to strain relations between Moscow and Ankara.

Policy

Hollande Tries to Rally the World to France’s War on ISIS

But many countries have their own reasons, and strategies, for fighting the terror group.

Threats

Dozens Killed in Nigerian Market Bombing That Points to Boko Haram

A suicide bombing likely carried out by the Islamist group has killed nearly three-dozen people and wounded 80 more at a market near the border with Cameroon.

Threats

Russia Is Now Hitting ISIS with 'Pinpoint' Strikes In Syria

The Russian president has scaled up the country’s air campaign against extremists as Moscow's naval forces ally with French warships attacking the Islamic State.

Policy

Putin Bad, GOP Candidates Agree

Less clear is what they’d do, as America's next president, about a more assertive Russia.

Policy

Tom Cotton, Twitter, and the Weird Future of Diplomacy

The freshman senator challenges Iran’s foreign minister to a debate, gets slapped down.

Threats

White House: Three Americans Killed in Counterterrorism Operations

Administration officials said Thursday that one American hostage and two American al-Qaida operatives were killed during U.S. military operations.