Opinion

Commentary

Fossil fuels are the Achilles’ heel of warfare. Just ask Russia.

Fossil fuels aren’t just a vulnerability on the battlefield; they’re also a strategic straitjacket.

Commentary

Should Finland join NATO? Consider these factors.

Widespread, if not universal, support exists within NATO for Finnish membership. Unfortunately for Finland, and perhaps for the alliance, there is likely to be a significant delay.

Commentary

The anti-satellite test ban must not undermine deterrence

The U.S. must convince its adversaries they cannot destroy America's critical satellites while retaining theirs.

Commentary

Russia’s Sarmat test underscores need to modernize US nuclear triad

Russian President Putin’s behavior stands in stark contrast with the Biden administration’s decision to postpone and then cancel a launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM.

Commentary

The Space Force has to transform to meet its goals

We should expect U.S. Space Command to meet the same expectations we hold for every other combatant command — securing military superiority within its assigned domain, while providing warfighting support as an equal member of the joint force. In addition to its work developing more resilient space architectures, the Space Force should take the lead in defining, developing, and fielding offensive and defensive space capabilities it can provide to U.S. Space Command.

Commentary

The US needs a new approach to producing weapons. Just look at Ukraine.

Thomas G. Mahnken argues it is imperative for the United States and its allies to both increase their munitions capacity and adopt innovative approaches to munitions production.

‘Zero trust’ can secure satellite communications against cyberattack

Joel Machen of SpiderOak Mission Systems argues the Defense Department should take a different approach to software and operations in satellite design and operations.

Commentary

The US military needs a modernized GPS capability to maintain superiority

The replacement of outdated GPS satellites in the constellation has not kept pace with our international competition and emerging global threats.

Commentary

The Army’s NGSW program aimed for the wrong standards

A more reasonable analysis would have set the bar at penetrating Level 4 body armor at 100-200 meters, rather than 600 meters.

Commentary

Israel has a KC-46 problem. Here’s the solution.

The U.S. and Israel urgently need to replace their aging aerial refueling fleets with the modernized KC-46A. The problem is the aircraft has been plagued by development challenges and delays.

Commentary

The Biden administration’s new shipbuilding plan is wholly inadequate

At its core, this plan fundamentally breaks faith with the shipbuilding-industrial base.

Commentary

Bring the Reforger exercises back to Europe

The still fairly new Defender Europe exercises are too limited in scope, this author says.

Ukraine conflict heightens US military’s data privacy vulnerabilities

It is the new normal for military service members and veterans to be considered high value targets in the information war.

Commentary

Cyberattacks don’t win wars

One of the key lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine for other militaries is to not abandon land-maneuvering capabilities in favor of investing too much in technology. Both abilities are needed, but not at the expense of one or the other.

Commentary

Putin is holding GPS hostage. Here’s how to get it back.

Just the threat of interfering with GPS can help Putin keep the U.S. at bay.

Commentary

Turkish drones won’t give Ukraine the edge it needs

But why is Russia not dominating this unmanned war?

Commentary

Tanks and helos: How Ukraine can inform military modernization efforts

We all started with a plan, and it’s time to take in recent information and adjust accordingly.

Commentary

Biden’s FY23 budget request fails to fully tackle inflation

This is not a case of blindly calling for “more, more, more!” Rather it is a plea for meeting needs and persistently high inflation.

Commentary

Ukraine should provide Japan’s wake-up call

The Ukraine crisis has demonstrated war can occur at any moment. Japan should ensure it is fully prepared for a potential Chinese threat.

Commentary

Biden should nudge Europeans to lead NATO

The time has come to strike a new transatlantic bargain, in which European allies assume greater responsibility for their own security and defense and the United States becomes more willing to share military leadership of the alliance.

Commentary

How sanctions on Russia impact Western defense companies

The Pentagon has discouraged defense contractors from using Russian raw materials or parts. Still, there are areas where the sector is exposed.

Commentary

Ukraine makes clear the US must reconsider its one-war defense strategy

A 2022 National Defense Strategy that takes this approach would be a major step toward creating a force that can credibly deter opportunistic aggression. It’s time to acknowledge a “China first” strategy is really a China only strategy that creates a path for Russia to win in Europe if the U.S. military is fully engaged in the Pacific.

Commentary

Unpacking Germany’s billion-dollar spending question

Germany's defense-spending increase is much needed, but a lack of planning could burn an unimaginable amount of taxpayer money in the process.

Commentary

The US Army must remember: The lowest price is not always the best option

The service must prioritize long-term value over short-term costs when awarding contracts.

Commentary

The Pentagon must pay for competition

Turns out, you can buy your way out of some problems. Competition is one of them.