Outlook | Defense News

Coming off a troubled year

What can we predict for 2020? Prepare for global relations to continue shifting, no longer defined by existing alliances but rather by individual behavior and more self-serving demands.

By: Jill Aitoro December 2, 2019

NATO secretary general: Alliance’s 70th a time for celebration, but not for complacency

NATO's top official says the alliance is preparing for the challenges of tomorrow across the five domains of warfare.

By: Jens Stoltenberg December 2, 2019

SASC chairman: We must build the national security innovation base our defense strategy requires

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee warns that technological development is accelerating across the globe, changing the very nature of war.

By: Sen. Jim Inhofe December 2, 2019

Pentagon R&D boss: The challenge of our time

Mike Griffin warns that the Pentagon became complacent after the Cold War, and now it must decide how to best maintain its technological edge — even if it means losing legacy systems.

By: Mike Griffin December 2, 2019

Pentagon acquisition boss: Adapting to support the war fighter

Ellen Lord explains how the U.S. Defense Department is reinventing acquisition to simply and cost-effectively reduce the process of equipping the military.

By: Ellen Lord December 2, 2019

Poland’s defense minister: Investing in our own defense and investing in alliances

Poland will continue to strengthen defense ties with the U.S., says Mariusz Blaszczak.

By: Mariusz Błaszczak December 2, 2019

France’s armed forces minister: How AI figures into operational superiority

France is investing in artificial intelligence for its armed forces, but is taking into account associated risks, says Florence Parly.

By: Florence Parly December 2, 2019

South Korea’s defense minister on a mutually reinforceable, future-oriented ‘Great ROK-US Alliance’

"The strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance that has persisted nearly seven decades has never been stronger," says Jeong Kyeong-doo.

By: Jeong Kyeong-doo December 2, 2019

Japan defense minister: Managing an increasingly uncertain security environment

Some powerful countries are seeking to shape the global or regional order to expand their influence.

By: Taro Kono, Japan Ministry of Defense December 2, 2019

Italy’s defense minister: A strong European framework will ensure security

Both Italy and Europe need to continue "reorganizing and rationalizing" defense spending, writes Lorenzo Guerini.

By: Lorenzo Guerini December 2, 2019

Norway’s defense minister: Change and stability in the High North

Climate change, Russia and new technologies are transforming the future of the Arctic, says Norway's Frank Bakke-Jensen.

By: Frank Bakke-Jensen December 2, 2019

Latvia’s defense minister: The fragile ‘Jenga’ tower, or why democracies need comprehensive defense

Artis Pabriks lays out why a societal plan for defense is needed in Latvia.

By: Artis Pabriks December 2, 2019

Denmark’s defense minister: Shouldering our responsibilities in multiple cooperative frameworks

Denmark will strengthen "multiple cooperative frameworks" in 2020, predicts Trine Bramsen.

By: Trine Bramsen December 2, 2019

Lithuania’s defense minister: Wavering US commitments? Think again.

Despite European concern about America's commitment to NATO, Raimundas Karoblis sees solid support from Washington.

By: Raimundas Karoblis December 2, 2019

Finland’s defense minister on the future of national security

Finland is on a path to invest heavily in defense for the next decade, writes Antti Kaikkonen.

By: Antti Kaikkonen December 2, 2019

New Zealand’s defense minister: Shaping the future of the Defence Estate

New Zealand needs to take a hard look at its bases and physical locations, and decide if the current layout makes sense for a future threat, says Ron Mark.

By: Ron Mark December 2, 2019

Head of European Defence Agency: EU strategic autonomy is an opportunity, not a threat

It's time to move past "political and academic rhetoric" when talking about the EU's strategic autonomy, says Jorge Domecq.

By: Jorge Domecq December 2, 2019

Defense Security Cooperation Agency chief on the value of partnerships

Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper has five goals for 2020 that should help spur American arms sales.

By: Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper December 2, 2019

NNSA administrator: The US and nuclear threat reduction

The National Nuclear Security Administration plans to spend 2020 with a focus on securing nuclear material from around the world, says Lisa Gordon-Hagerty.

By: Lisa Gordon-Hagerty December 2, 2019

Estonian chief of Defence Forces: Regional cooperation as the main enabler

It's time to fully recognize the Baltic region as a single operational area, and to plan accordingly on both a national and multinational way, says Maj. Gen. Martin Herem.

By: Maj. Gen. Martin Herem December 2, 2019