Opinion

Commentary

Worried about inflation and the defense budget? A continuing resolution could make things worse

While rising inflation rates threaten DoD’s purchasing power, congressional politics around a continuing resolution to start FY23 could exacerbate inflation’s impact on the defense budget.

Commentary

Face it, NATO: The North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are linked

The new Strategic Concept should be able to address challenges posed by China robustly and implement some structural changes without undermining European concerns.

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What it looks like when competing with China comes last

It is past time for the Biden administration to answer fundamental questions about how it intends to support Taiwan and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Commentary

The Defense Production Act is helping rebuild the US industrial base. Let’s keep it that way.

A legitimate debate may arise over the use of the DPA beyond traditional defense needs. As that debate unfolds, Congress may find that the act's authorities need to be expanded at the Pentagon.

Commentary

Expedite arms deliveries to beleaguered democracies

The United States should spend less time worrying about provoking authoritarian bullies and more time urgently helping threatened democracies before an invasion or attack begins.

Commentary

If the Marine Corps’ force design plan is going to succeed, it needs more money and more Navy support

The success of the Marine Corps' Force Design — scheduled for completion by 2030 — depends on addressing three key areas.

Commentary

The war in Ukraine should serve to bolster Europe’s air power ambitions

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that Europe’s NATO members need to spend more wisely — and not simply spend more — in bolstering their collective defense against unwarranted aggression.

Commentary

US Navy secretary previews priorities for Pacific tour

At the top of his mind is a threat impacting the service's mission, people, platforms and installations.

Commentary

The Russian invasion has clear implications for the US Army

The U.S. Army must incorporate this new threat without disregarding any of the old. And it cannot do so by simply adding another defensive mechanism. That’s how combat vehicles grow to ponderous weights over time.

Commentary

Stop calling Switchblades ‘drones’ — it’s causing policy confusion

When incorrect terminology is used and accepted, national security leaders risk making bad policy based on misperceptions.

Unlocking airborne ISR can help achieve regional security in Indo-Pacific

Industry can help the U.S. and its allies expand interoperable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Integrating advanced capabilities into airborne sensor systems and other assets will create an integrated deterrence to counter regional threats.

To maximize cybersecurity dollars, lean on Zero Trust

Getting quickly to a Zero Trust architecture is more important than ever. Implementing C2C is a means available now to continuously identify and control access for all endpoints connecting to the network, making a comprehensive Zero Trust architecture achievable.

Commentary

The DoD’s cyber force must partner with industry to compete at the speed of relevance

While cyber is essential to many areas of DoD operations, it is not its main function.

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The US defense budget’s latest casualty is readiness

To advance future capabilities that provide for long-term readiness, the armed services need well-trained, knowledgeable warfighters who have the capacity to integrate modernized systems into sustained arsenals. Instead, the budget’s reductions come at a point when the operational tempo of the force continues to increase as capacity investments are falling.

Commentary

Winning in Ukraine: a French perspective

Besides their military support for Kyiv, France and Germany are also mindful of leaving the door open to a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

Commentary

Why a ‘Buy Allied’ approach matters

There are at least four essential reasons why making the U.S. aerospace and defense industry exclusively “Made in America” is neither feasible nor desirable.

Commentary

Beware the allure of training technology

Sometimes the best and most cost-effective training tool may just be a book.

Commentary

Is America’s military headed down the same path as Russia’s?

Diplomacy that is not backed by military might will fail. It all comes down to credibility behind the words. The U.S. has lost its edge in that regard from both a military capability and capacity perspective.

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A prolonged ceasefire may be the likely endgame in Ukraine

Shifting war aims and the prospect of protracted war could lead to a potential dilemma for Ukraine.

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We’re making strides, but Arctic soldiers still need help from big Army

With the service’s new Arctic strategy and the anticipated re-designation of Army Alaska as the 11th Airborne Division, the Army should also bring in more funding.

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New Mideast task force can counter Iranian arms smuggling, but more capabilities are needed

U.S. Central Command must be able to to analyze and exploit intelligence, which requires a robust cadre of analysts.

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Moskva’s sinking, the rise of anti-ship cruise missiles and what that means for the US Navy

If a relatively low-cost, short-range missile can destroy one of the largest warships in the Russian Navy, how do we ensure that ships in our fleet are not doomed to the same fate?

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.

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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.