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: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea
    Editorial: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea

    Politicians pride themselves on finding clever solutions to tough problems.

  • Editorial: Strengthen Electronic Warfare
    Editorial: Strengthen Electronic Warfare

    One of the key lessons of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is the potency of Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities, the product of decades of focused investment.

  • Commentary: Strategic Debate Missing From UK Election
    Commentary: Strategic Debate Missing From UK Election

    At a time of significant geopolitical strategic risk and uncertainty, on May 7 the United Kingdom faces the most unpredictable election in memory. What does this mean for defense?

  • Commentary: Hybrid Threats Pose New Challenge
    Commentary: Hybrid Threats Pose New Challenge

    The US military must be prepared to confront hybrid threats, best defined as non-state entities equipped with advanced weapons normally associated with conventional militaries.

  • Lawmakers Press Top Officers for Arctic Plans
    Lawmakers Press Top Officers for Arctic Plans

    For weeks on Capitol Hill, lawmakers have been peppering Pentagon officials about their plans in the Arctic in recent weeks. Russia, it seemed, is winning in the Arctic while the US military hasn’t even got its snow boots on.

  • Commentary: The Imperative of Long-Range Strike
    Commentary: The Imperative of Long-Range Strike

    Later this spring, the Department of Defense will unveil its decision for the new long-range strike bomber.

  • Commentary: No Longer a War on Terrorism
    Commentary: No Longer a War on Terrorism

    The joint resolution proposed to Congress by President Barack Obama to “authorize the limited use” of US forces against “the terrorist organization that has referred to itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” or ISIL, misstates the nature of the war.

  • Editorial: Poland’s Big Statement
    Editorial: Poland’s Big Statement

    To see how seriously Russia’s actions have rattled its neighbors, look no further than Poland.

  • Editorial: Lawmakers’ Way Forward
    Editorial: Lawmakers’ Way Forward

    This week, the Senate Budget Committee is going to mark up its 2016 budget resolution, which will frame the nature of the defense funding debate for the year.

  • In Europe, US Army Official Favors Host-Nation Basing
    In Europe, US Army Official Favors Host-Nation Basing

    As shrinking budgets push the US Army (and the other services) to shutter facilities in Europe, the president’s European Reassurance Initiative is surging dollars — some for military construction — to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine.

  • Editorial: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea
    Editorial: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea

    Politicians pride themselves on finding clever solutions to tough problems.

  • Editorial: Strengthen Electronic Warfare
    Editorial: Strengthen Electronic Warfare

    One of the key lessons of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is the potency of Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities, the product of decades of focused investment.

  • Commentary: Strategic Debate Missing From UK Election
    Commentary: Strategic Debate Missing From UK Election

    At a time of significant geopolitical strategic risk and uncertainty, on May 7 the United Kingdom faces the most unpredictable election in memory. What does this mean for defense?

  • Commentary: Hybrid Threats Pose New Challenge
    Commentary: Hybrid Threats Pose New Challenge

    The US military must be prepared to confront hybrid threats, best defined as non-state entities equipped with advanced weapons normally associated with conventional militaries.

  • Lawmakers Press Top Officers for Arctic Plans
    Lawmakers Press Top Officers for Arctic Plans

    For weeks on Capitol Hill, lawmakers have been peppering Pentagon officials about their plans in the Arctic in recent weeks. Russia, it seemed, is winning in the Arctic while the US military hasn’t even got its snow boots on.

  • Commentary: The Imperative of Long-Range Strike
    Commentary: The Imperative of Long-Range Strike

    Later this spring, the Department of Defense will unveil its decision for the new long-range strike bomber.

  • Commentary: No Longer a War on Terrorism
    Commentary: No Longer a War on Terrorism

    The joint resolution proposed to Congress by President Barack Obama to “authorize the limited use” of US forces against “the terrorist organization that has referred to itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” or ISIL, misstates the nature of the war.

  • Editorial: Poland’s Big Statement
    Editorial: Poland’s Big Statement

    To see how seriously Russia’s actions have rattled its neighbors, look no further than Poland.

  • Editorial: Lawmakers’ Way Forward
    Editorial: Lawmakers’ Way Forward

    This week, the Senate Budget Committee is going to mark up its 2016 budget resolution, which will frame the nature of the defense funding debate for the year.

  • In Europe, US Army Official Favors Host-Nation Basing
    In Europe, US Army Official Favors Host-Nation Basing

    As shrinking budgets push the US Army (and the other services) to shutter facilities in Europe, the president’s European Reassurance Initiative is surging dollars — some for military construction — to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine.

  • Editorial: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea
    Editorial: OCO Boost Is a Bad Idea

    Politicians pride themselves on finding clever solutions to tough problems.

  • Editorial: Strengthen Electronic Warfare
    Editorial: Strengthen Electronic Warfare

    One of the key lessons of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is the potency of Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities, the product of decades of focused investment.

  • Commentary: Strategic Debate Missing From UK Election
    Commentary: Strategic Debate Missing From UK Election

    At a time of significant geopolitical strategic risk and uncertainty, on May 7 the United Kingdom faces the most unpredictable election in memory. What does this mean for defense?

  • Commentary: Hybrid Threats Pose New Challenge
    Commentary: Hybrid Threats Pose New Challenge

    The US military must be prepared to confront hybrid threats, best defined as non-state entities equipped with advanced weapons normally associated with conventional militaries.

  • Lawmakers Press Top Officers for Arctic Plans
    Lawmakers Press Top Officers for Arctic Plans

    For weeks on Capitol Hill, lawmakers have been peppering Pentagon officials about their plans in the Arctic in recent weeks. Russia, it seemed, is winning in the Arctic while the US military hasn’t even got its snow boots on.

  • Commentary: The Imperative of Long-Range Strike
    Commentary: The Imperative of Long-Range Strike

    Later this spring, the Department of Defense will unveil its decision for the new long-range strike bomber.

  • Commentary: No Longer a War on Terrorism
    Commentary: No Longer a War on Terrorism

    The joint resolution proposed to Congress by President Barack Obama to “authorize the limited use” of US forces against “the terrorist organization that has referred to itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” or ISIL, misstates the nature of the war.

  • Editorial: Poland’s Big Statement
    Editorial: Poland’s Big Statement

    To see how seriously Russia’s actions have rattled its neighbors, look no further than Poland.

  • Editorial: Lawmakers’ Way Forward
    Editorial: Lawmakers’ Way Forward

    This week, the Senate Budget Committee is going to mark up its 2016 budget resolution, which will frame the nature of the defense funding debate for the year.

  • In Europe, US Army Official Favors Host-Nation Basing
    In Europe, US Army Official Favors Host-Nation Basing

    As shrinking budgets push the US Army (and the other services) to shutter facilities in Europe, the president’s European Reassurance Initiative is surging dollars — some for military construction — to counter Russian aggression against Ukraine.