Opinion

Defense News offers the commentaries and opinions from military and industry decision-makers that frame the global debate about defense policy, programs and strategy.


  • Editorial: Teachings of the Sage Grouse
    Editorial: Teachings of the Sage Grouse

    A more whole-of-government approach to keeping America safe, while touted by everyone, remains a faraway goal.

  • New Draft on Drone Export Rules ‘More Problematic’ Than Original
    New Draft on Drone Export Rules ‘More Problematic’ Than Original

    While the revised version is similar in content to the original draft presented to governments last month, it contains nine noticeable additions and four rewrites of existing text.

  • Commentary: The US Army Should Rethink Its Approach to DCGS
    Commentary: The US Army Should Rethink Its Approach to DCGS

    The Army and the rest of government should take note of the fact that the military acquisition system is incapable of conforming to the lightning pace and development targets that are necessary for software.

  • Syria: Picking Up the Pieces
    Syria: Picking Up the Pieces

    Two airstrikes seem to have shattered the prospects for a cessation of hostilities and joint American-Russian targeting of armed extremists.

  • The Case for Integrated Civilian, Military ISR/C4ISR Strategies
    The Case for Integrated Civilian, Military ISR/C4ISR Strategies

    ISR plays a pivotal role in strengthening border security, which in its wider context is crucial in combating threats of smuggling, terrorist financing and pressures on national sovereignty.

  • Editorial: The Last Bastion of Excess
    Editorial: The Last Bastion of Excess

    The mindset in the Defense Department of saving money and making do with the proverbial “80-percent” solution has yet to permeate the ranks of military musicians, but it’s high time that it does.

  • Further Dismantling Deterrence: Next Stops on a Dangerous Road
    Further Dismantling Deterrence: Next Stops on a Dangerous Road

    Ben Lerner, of the Center for Security Policy, says if US adversaries believe that the United States will not retaliate with nuclear weapons for catastrophic chemical or biological attacks on it or its allies, then the risk that goes with carrying out such attacks goes down.

  • Commentary: Another Carrier Review Is A Waste of Time – At This Time
    Commentary: Another Carrier Review Is A Waste of Time – At This Time

    There is no question that completion of the new aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is late. That it was going to be late is not a surprise. That a number of technical challenges remain to be resolved is a matter of frustration for several thousand US Navy, government and industry employees – not…

  • It’s Not Just Israel’s Challenge
    It’s Not Just Israel’s Challenge

    The expanding US combat mission, coupled with both presidential candidates vowing to be more aggressive against ISIS, makes it highly likely the militant organization will exploit images of civilian casualties and suffering to undermine the legitimacy of our military campaign.

  • Russia-Turkey Relations: Rapprochement on Russian Terms
    Russia-Turkey Relations: Rapprochement on Russian Terms

    The so-called strategic partnership between Turkey and Russia coined by some Turkish analysts and commentators never really existed but was rather a Turkish vision without strategic backup.

  • Editorial: Teachings of the Sage Grouse
    Editorial: Teachings of the Sage Grouse

    A more whole-of-government approach to keeping America safe, while touted by everyone, remains a faraway goal.

  • New Draft on Drone Export Rules ‘More Problematic’ Than Original
    New Draft on Drone Export Rules ‘More Problematic’ Than Original

    While the revised version is similar in content to the original draft presented to governments last month, it contains nine noticeable additions and four rewrites of existing text.

  • Commentary: The US Army Should Rethink Its Approach to DCGS
    Commentary: The US Army Should Rethink Its Approach to DCGS

    The Army and the rest of government should take note of the fact that the military acquisition system is incapable of conforming to the lightning pace and development targets that are necessary for software.

  • Syria: Picking Up the Pieces
    Syria: Picking Up the Pieces

    Two airstrikes seem to have shattered the prospects for a cessation of hostilities and joint American-Russian targeting of armed extremists.

  • The Case for Integrated Civilian, Military ISR/C4ISR Strategies
    The Case for Integrated Civilian, Military ISR/C4ISR Strategies

    ISR plays a pivotal role in strengthening border security, which in its wider context is crucial in combating threats of smuggling, terrorist financing and pressures on national sovereignty.

  • Editorial: The Last Bastion of Excess
    Editorial: The Last Bastion of Excess

    The mindset in the Defense Department of saving money and making do with the proverbial “80-percent” solution has yet to permeate the ranks of military musicians, but it’s high time that it does.

  • Further Dismantling Deterrence: Next Stops on a Dangerous Road
    Further Dismantling Deterrence: Next Stops on a Dangerous Road

    Ben Lerner, of the Center for Security Policy, says if US adversaries believe that the United States will not retaliate with nuclear weapons for catastrophic chemical or biological attacks on it or its allies, then the risk that goes with carrying out such attacks goes down.

  • Commentary: Another Carrier Review Is A Waste of Time – At This Time
    Commentary: Another Carrier Review Is A Waste of Time – At This Time

    There is no question that completion of the new aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is late. That it was going to be late is not a surprise. That a number of technical challenges remain to be resolved is a matter of frustration for several thousand US Navy, government and industry employees – not…

  • It’s Not Just Israel’s Challenge
    It’s Not Just Israel’s Challenge

    The expanding US combat mission, coupled with both presidential candidates vowing to be more aggressive against ISIS, makes it highly likely the militant organization will exploit images of civilian casualties and suffering to undermine the legitimacy of our military campaign.

  • Russia-Turkey Relations: Rapprochement on Russian Terms
    Russia-Turkey Relations: Rapprochement on Russian Terms

    The so-called strategic partnership between Turkey and Russia coined by some Turkish analysts and commentators never really existed but was rather a Turkish vision without strategic backup.

  • Editorial: Teachings of the Sage Grouse
    Editorial: Teachings of the Sage Grouse

    A more whole-of-government approach to keeping America safe, while touted by everyone, remains a faraway goal.

  • New Draft on Drone Export Rules ‘More Problematic’ Than Original
    New Draft on Drone Export Rules ‘More Problematic’ Than Original

    While the revised version is similar in content to the original draft presented to governments last month, it contains nine noticeable additions and four rewrites of existing text.

  • Commentary: The US Army Should Rethink Its Approach to DCGS
    Commentary: The US Army Should Rethink Its Approach to DCGS

    The Army and the rest of government should take note of the fact that the military acquisition system is incapable of conforming to the lightning pace and development targets that are necessary for software.

  • Syria: Picking Up the Pieces
    Syria: Picking Up the Pieces

    Two airstrikes seem to have shattered the prospects for a cessation of hostilities and joint American-Russian targeting of armed extremists.

  • The Case for Integrated Civilian, Military ISR/C4ISR Strategies
    The Case for Integrated Civilian, Military ISR/C4ISR Strategies

    ISR plays a pivotal role in strengthening border security, which in its wider context is crucial in combating threats of smuggling, terrorist financing and pressures on national sovereignty.

  • Editorial: The Last Bastion of Excess
    Editorial: The Last Bastion of Excess

    The mindset in the Defense Department of saving money and making do with the proverbial “80-percent” solution has yet to permeate the ranks of military musicians, but it’s high time that it does.

  • Further Dismantling Deterrence: Next Stops on a Dangerous Road
    Further Dismantling Deterrence: Next Stops on a Dangerous Road

    Ben Lerner, of the Center for Security Policy, says if US adversaries believe that the United States will not retaliate with nuclear weapons for catastrophic chemical or biological attacks on it or its allies, then the risk that goes with carrying out such attacks goes down.

  • Commentary: Another Carrier Review Is A Waste of Time – At This Time
    Commentary: Another Carrier Review Is A Waste of Time – At This Time

    There is no question that completion of the new aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is late. That it was going to be late is not a surprise. That a number of technical challenges remain to be resolved is a matter of frustration for several thousand US Navy, government and industry employees – not…

  • It’s Not Just Israel’s Challenge
    It’s Not Just Israel’s Challenge

    The expanding US combat mission, coupled with both presidential candidates vowing to be more aggressive against ISIS, makes it highly likely the militant organization will exploit images of civilian casualties and suffering to undermine the legitimacy of our military campaign.

  • Russia-Turkey Relations: Rapprochement on Russian Terms
    Russia-Turkey Relations: Rapprochement on Russian Terms

    The so-called strategic partnership between Turkey and Russia coined by some Turkish analysts and commentators never really existed but was rather a Turkish vision without strategic backup.