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.


  • Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future
    Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future

    Richard O’Brien’s Feb. 5 Politico article, “The Navy’s Hidden Crisis,” rightly expresses concern over the decreasing number of ships and its impact on the ability to secure the oceans and project power. However, his analyses tend to be one-sided while his thoughts on messaging reflect a bigger issue as to how the Navy connects with…

  • Editorial: Investment as Deterrent
    Editorial: Investment as Deterrent

    During his confirmation hearing to become US defense secretary, Ash Carter rightly argued for greater budgetary restraint, reform and more defense investment.

  • Commentary: The Gradual Undermining of Taiwan
    Commentary: The Gradual Undermining of Taiwan

    China’s biggest challenge to invading Taiwan has been the ability to project force across the Taiwan Strait and establish a fait accompli there, but the political transformation in the latter significantly eases the former’s difficulties.

  • Commentary: Humanitarian Nuclear Strategy?
    Commentary: Humanitarian Nuclear Strategy?

    At the end of 2014, Europe was treated to contrasting visions of the future of nuclear weapons.

  • Commentary: Redefine the US Navy
    Commentary: Redefine the US Navy

    Naval power is determined by the ability to conduct successful operations, deter others from destabilizing or aggressive actions, and promote freedom of the seas. But how much is enough?

  • Commentary: 4 Key Questions on 2016 Budget
    Commentary: 4 Key Questions on 2016 Budget

    With the administration’s release of its 2016 defense budget request, there are a few key questions we will be looking to have answered.

  • Editorial: Carter’s Mountain To Climb
    Editorial: Carter’s Mountain To Climb

    With the budget outlook cloudy, DoD is working to save money. While troops, civil service and civilian contractor levels all rose after 9-11, so far it is troops and contractors who have faced the sharpest cuts.

  • Commentary: Drone Threat to Nuclear Plants
    Commentary: Drone Threat to Nuclear Plants

    Europe’s media is all abuzz over drones and the prospect of nuclear terrorism. In several recently reported incidents, commercially purchased “hobby” drones have been identified above and near the perimeter of nuclear facilities in France, Belgium and the UK.

  • Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad
    Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad

    Subtlety, Thy Name Is Northrop. Again.

  • Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon
    Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon

    Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon: China’s Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower

  • Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future
    Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future

    Richard O’Brien’s Feb. 5 Politico article, “The Navy’s Hidden Crisis,” rightly expresses concern over the decreasing number of ships and its impact on the ability to secure the oceans and project power. However, his analyses tend to be one-sided while his thoughts on messaging reflect a bigger issue as to how the Navy connects with…

  • Editorial: Investment as Deterrent
    Editorial: Investment as Deterrent

    During his confirmation hearing to become US defense secretary, Ash Carter rightly argued for greater budgetary restraint, reform and more defense investment.

  • Commentary: The Gradual Undermining of Taiwan
    Commentary: The Gradual Undermining of Taiwan

    China’s biggest challenge to invading Taiwan has been the ability to project force across the Taiwan Strait and establish a fait accompli there, but the political transformation in the latter significantly eases the former’s difficulties.

  • Commentary: Humanitarian Nuclear Strategy?
    Commentary: Humanitarian Nuclear Strategy?

    At the end of 2014, Europe was treated to contrasting visions of the future of nuclear weapons.

  • Commentary: Redefine the US Navy
    Commentary: Redefine the US Navy

    Naval power is determined by the ability to conduct successful operations, deter others from destabilizing or aggressive actions, and promote freedom of the seas. But how much is enough?

  • Commentary: 4 Key Questions on 2016 Budget
    Commentary: 4 Key Questions on 2016 Budget

    With the administration’s release of its 2016 defense budget request, there are a few key questions we will be looking to have answered.

  • Editorial: Carter’s Mountain To Climb
    Editorial: Carter’s Mountain To Climb

    With the budget outlook cloudy, DoD is working to save money. While troops, civil service and civilian contractor levels all rose after 9-11, so far it is troops and contractors who have faced the sharpest cuts.

  • Commentary: Drone Threat to Nuclear Plants
    Commentary: Drone Threat to Nuclear Plants

    Europe’s media is all abuzz over drones and the prospect of nuclear terrorism. In several recently reported incidents, commercially purchased “hobby” drones have been identified above and near the perimeter of nuclear facilities in France, Belgium and the UK.

  • Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad
    Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad

    Subtlety, Thy Name Is Northrop. Again.

  • Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon
    Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon

    Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon: China’s Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower

  • Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future
    Commentary: A Balanced US Navy of the Future

    Richard O’Brien’s Feb. 5 Politico article, “The Navy’s Hidden Crisis,” rightly expresses concern over the decreasing number of ships and its impact on the ability to secure the oceans and project power. However, his analyses tend to be one-sided while his thoughts on messaging reflect a bigger issue as to how the Navy connects with…

  • Editorial: Investment as Deterrent
    Editorial: Investment as Deterrent

    During his confirmation hearing to become US defense secretary, Ash Carter rightly argued for greater budgetary restraint, reform and more defense investment.

  • Commentary: The Gradual Undermining of Taiwan
    Commentary: The Gradual Undermining of Taiwan

    China’s biggest challenge to invading Taiwan has been the ability to project force across the Taiwan Strait and establish a fait accompli there, but the political transformation in the latter significantly eases the former’s difficulties.

  • Commentary: Humanitarian Nuclear Strategy?
    Commentary: Humanitarian Nuclear Strategy?

    At the end of 2014, Europe was treated to contrasting visions of the future of nuclear weapons.

  • Commentary: Redefine the US Navy
    Commentary: Redefine the US Navy

    Naval power is determined by the ability to conduct successful operations, deter others from destabilizing or aggressive actions, and promote freedom of the seas. But how much is enough?

  • Commentary: 4 Key Questions on 2016 Budget
    Commentary: 4 Key Questions on 2016 Budget

    With the administration’s release of its 2016 defense budget request, there are a few key questions we will be looking to have answered.

  • Editorial: Carter’s Mountain To Climb
    Editorial: Carter’s Mountain To Climb

    With the budget outlook cloudy, DoD is working to save money. While troops, civil service and civilian contractor levels all rose after 9-11, so far it is troops and contractors who have faced the sharpest cuts.

  • Commentary: Drone Threat to Nuclear Plants
    Commentary: Drone Threat to Nuclear Plants

    Europe’s media is all abuzz over drones and the prospect of nuclear terrorism. In several recently reported incidents, commercially purchased “hobby” drones have been identified above and near the perimeter of nuclear facilities in France, Belgium and the UK.

  • Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad
    Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad

    Subtlety, Thy Name Is Northrop. Again.

  • Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon
    Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon

    Book Review: The Hundred-Year Marathon: China’s Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower