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.


  • Over A Weekend, US Navy ‘Shrinks’ By 9 Ships
    Over A Weekend, US Navy ‘Shrinks’ By 9 Ships

    Something odd happened to the US Navy a few days ago. Somewhere between February and March, the fleet lost nine ships.

  • Commentary: Protecting the Baltics
    Commentary: Protecting the Baltics

    There is an old piece of folk wisdom which, in light of current events, must translate neatly into Russian: “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.”

  • Commentary: Apply Desert Storm Lessons to Islamic State Campaign
    Commentary: Apply Desert Storm Lessons to Islamic State Campaign

    Feb. 28 marked the 24th anniversary of the end of the first Gulf War, Desert Storm, the only major war since World War II that ended in victory for the US, with all objectives met. Desert Storm is also notable for its remarkably short duration, only 42 days.

  • Editorial: Rafale a Better Option for India
    Editorial: Rafale a Better Option for India

    Now that Paris has shelved plans to deliver two helicopter assault ships to Russia, Moscow is working overtime to convince India to dump plans to buy French fighters and instead buy a new Sukhoi jet.

  • Editorial: Fight for the Right Programs
    Editorial: Fight for the Right Programs

    A popular view in US national security circles is that a Republican Congress would support more defense spending.

  • US Soldiers Readying for Ukraine Deployment
    US Soldiers Readying for Ukraine Deployment

    The US Army is preparing to send approximately 300 troops at a time to train Ukrainian forces in western Ukraine, according to documents posted on a government contracting site.

  • Iranian General Again in Iraq for Tikrit Offensive
    Iranian General Again in Iraq for Tikrit Offensive

    Iranian General in Iraq for Tikrit Offensive

  • Commentary: Exporting US Drones
    Commentary: Exporting US Drones

    A year before the Sept. 11 attacks, a US drone flew over an Afghan al-Qaeda training camp, beaming back video footage that showed a tall man in white. That figure, the CIA concluded, was Osama bin Laden.

  • Commentary: Grappling With Foreign Sales
    Commentary: Grappling With Foreign Sales

    Last week, US defense companies descended upon Abu Dhabi to attend the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX). They were drawn by the prospect of expanding their international sales at a time when the US defense budget is under strain.

  • Editorial: Invest in the USCG & Icebreakers
    Editorial: Invest in the USCG & Icebreakers

    As severe weather battered parts of the United States in mid-February, the nation’s only heavy polar icebreaker was on a rescue mission in the most frozen place on Earth.