The Americas

US Air Force chief: Interoperability is key to winning future wars

We must find fresh ways to connect forces, allies and partners that provide an effective response to the challenge of a highly contested environment not seen in the last 20 years.

Polish defense minister: Here’s how NATO must adapt

Addressing the high dynamics of the global and regional situation will not be effective unless we continuously adapt. Our laws, institutions and mindsets must adapt. Our military must adapt. NATO must adapt.

IISS analysts: Fiscal constraints drive the state of South America’s defense

In 2021, South American militaries remained focused on domestic security threats, with power projection ambitions often limited by significant equipment-availability challenges and funding shortfalls.

NRO director: Innovation is the key to America’s advantage in space

Our collective success advancing technology and delivering capabilities faster will be vital to maintaining America’s intelligence advantage in space, not just today, but for the next 60 years and beyond.

Estonia’s defense minister: Strengthening NATO, from a 2030 perspective and beyond

A crisis, fabricated by dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, no doubt with the Kremlin’s knowledge and support, could have long-term consequences for Europe’s security.

CYBERCOM and NSA chief: Cybersecurity is a team sport

In the future, mutual collaboration between the public and private sectors is required for a safer, more secure online environment for all Americans.

Canadian defense minister: We will always ensure our military is ready, willing and able

In our work to build a more secure North America and reinforce the rules-based international order around the globe, Canada remains a strong partner to our most important ally — our American neighbors and friends.

Shield AI co-founder: Tesla shows us the risks when dominant incumbents fail to be bold

Militarily, China is Tesla: moving at blazingly fast speeds with a sense of purpose and urgency, ruthlessly prioritizing what matters, cutting things that don’t and very much understanding what is at stake. China’s recent hypersonic missile tests serve as perfect examples of a country pushing harder than ever in preparation to win the next war.

Senators: Military hurt by politicians using them as ‘props’

Two leading senators are concerned about the public's declining confidence in the military, and whether American leadership in the world is waning at a time when China and Russia are moving.

Commentary

The steps we must take to strengthen America’s national security innovation base

We must openly and honestly discuss novel and creative ideas to leverage America’s strength and compete against our adversaries’ coercion, theft and authoritarianism.

Commentary

How an adversary could take advantage of Europe’s data releases

We underestimate the significance of the available information that a potential adversary can easily acquire.

Unvaccinated Guardsmen won’t be able to drill or draw federal pay: SECDEF memo

Guardsmen who refuse vaccination will not be able to participate in any drills or federal training, which could jeopardize their ability to stay in the military.

White House delays federal employee vaccine enforcement until new year

Most federal employees that refuse to comply with the vaccine mandate will not face suspension or termination until after the holiday season.

US aid agency becomes most vaccinated by Biden’s deadline

Find out which agency proved the most proactive in fulfilling vaccination requirements, according to numbers released by the Office of Management and Budget.

Commentary

Congress should support the Biden administration’s effort to sell defensive missiles to Saudi Arabia

If unable to procure defensive arms from the United States, Saudi Arabia will not simply shrug and leave itself defenseless. Riyadh would likely turn toward Russia to procure additional air defense systems.

‘No company is immune’: Supply chain woes weigh on defense firms

Supply chain problems have hit all sides of the defense industry in unexpected ways — and small businesses with narrower profit margins are particularly worried about how they can weather this storm.

Commentary

If the Russian military crashes through a forest, will NATO hear a sound?

The question now confronting NATO is whether and how to react to a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

China is too far away from NATO to be called an adversary, says top alliance general

"We talk about ‘near peer’ enemies, meaning they are good but not as good as we are. But in some cases we talk of peer enemies, and in some areas we are concerned they are talking about us now as ‘near peer’ enemies.”

Commentary

Vaccine mandate is last straw for US shipyards already facing labor shortages

The Pentagon and White House should provide more accommodations within its vaccination mandate to support strategically relevant firms as they make efforts to retain highly-skilled blue collar workers — particularly shipbuilders and maintainers.

Commentary

Don’t give Turkey an F-16 consolation prize

Turkey made its bed, flirting with both Russia and the West.

Commentary

‘Buy American’ is good for the US and strengthens our partnerships with allies

“Buy American” encourages our defense-industrial base to leverage taxpayer dollars to source more parts from American-made manufacturers and build more with U.S. labor.

German powertrain company makes play in US as combat vehicle competition heats up

Here's how a German company is making a big play in the American combat vehicle market.

‘Brittle’ air refueling capability endangers US during major war

The Hudson Institute argues that the answer isn't in more tankers, but better distribution of refueling architecture on the ground.

Metallurgist admits faking steel-test results for Navy subs

Elaine Marie Thomas pleaded guilty to fraud Monday.

Romania, Ukraine say more troops needed on the Black Sea

Ukraine and Romania want Western allies to step up their military presence in the Black Sea, according to letters obtained by Defense News.