Business
2025 in review: business
Industry raced to adapt to intensifying pressure to move faster, win work on Golden Dome and other efforts.
Policy
2025 in review: policy
A turbulent first year of the second Trump administration brought precedent-breaking security strategy and hasty cuts to the DOD workforce.
Sponsor Content
Balancing the scales of conflict.
Strategies are helping allied leaders counter an emerging “axis of autocracy” in the Indo-Pacific.
Business
‘Very, very strange time’: After a big 2025, what’s next for the defense industry?
A year of rising profits, rising Pentagon demands, and continued Congressional dysfunction sets the stage for another turbulent year.
Threats
Pacific Marines modernize, prep for a busy year
III MEF includes the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, which is “leading the service” in various capabilities.
Ideas
Trump’s new ‘battleship’ should not carry nukes
Producing a new nuclear missile for the Navy would leave us less safe.
Sponsor Content
Zero Trust Architecture Starts with Modern ICAM
Learn why modern ICAM is foundational to Zero Trust—and how agencies can overcome identity silos without replacing legacy systems.
Business
USAF adds third contender for initial robot-wingman buy; picks 9 for next phase
More than a year after Anduril and General Atomics got R&D contracts, Northrop wins entry with a self-financed CCA.
Ideas
Now you can train for the next drone war on simulated Ukrainian front lines
A public version of the simulator used by thousands of Ukrainian drone pilots offers a terrifying glimpse into modern warfare.
Voices
Policy
The twists and turns of Trump’s 2025 war on unions
A look at how the Trump administration has sought to undermine collective bargaining at the Defense Department and across the federal government.
Business
Another 1,000 defense companies chosen for $151B Golden Dome competition
The number of awards doubled as more companies are selected to compete for the SHIELD contract vehicle.
Business
Pentagon preps to enforce ban on companies with ‘indirect’ ties to China
Defense firms will be notified of potential links to blacklisted Chinese-military companies a year before the contracting ban goes into effect, the assistant defense secretary for industrial policy said.
Ideas
To foster Middle East peace and prosperity, help Kurdistan fend off extremists
Two steps are urgently needed, says the regional government’s U.S. envoy.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon wants a common network for its counter-drone systems
The Army-led task force wants candidates by early next year.
Threats
Defense One Radio, Ep. 201: Conflicts to watch in 2026
CFR's Paul Stares unpacks the latest annual survey of foreign policy experts bracing for what might lie ahead.
Policy
Pentagon will cough up summaries of three years of safety investigations, per NDAA
Sen. Warren pushed for the disclosure amid rise in military aviation mishaps.
Policy
Leaders tapped to fill months-long vacancies atop NSA, Cyber Command
The signals-intelligence titan and the combatant command have been without a permanent leader since April.
Policy
Trump rebrands Congressionally-approved troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
Science & Tech
Special operators seek larger ranges for electronic warfare and drone development and training
“We're going to start having some of these uncomfortable discussions,” said one official.
Featured eBooks
