Features

Why ‘unmanned systems’ don’t shrink manpower needs

The promise of robots, intelligent machines and other kinds of autonomous systems has often been described as replacing humans in various kinds of jobs — …

To the National Reconnaissance Office for developing a pair of effective anti-insurgent technologies — and then telling people about them.

In a breakfast meeting with reporters, NRO Director Bruce Carlson offered a …

First, Myers referred to “the alliance’s lackluster performance” in Libya. Clearly, national contributions to the NATO operations have varied. However, it may well turn out that NATO’s strategy in Libya — limited …

How the Taliban, Pakistan and al-Qaida might react to the Obama plan

Almost every human conflict has a narrative associated with it that simultaneously describes the cause one group is fighting for …

To Adm. Mike Mullen for showing unusual concern for his troops while serving as chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Mullen, who wraps up his second and final term as chairman this month, …

Budget-based war games would foster critical thinking

To improve military acquisition, save precious defense dollars and get war fighters the tools they need to win our nation’s conflicts, we need a new …

An operational concept looking for a strategy

The Air-Sea Battle concept (ASB) has garnered significant attention since its public offering by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in May 2010. Independent …

Gates’ lack of strategic vision weakened the Defense Department

Despite the near-universal praise Robert Gates received as secretary of defense, a systematic consideration of his tenure reveals a persistent record of failure. …

Shalikashvili was both soldier and statesman

Nearly all of the obituaries for Gen. John Shalikashvili, who died July 23 at age 75, have stressed his humanity, sterling character and fascinating life story. …

To congressional Republicans for turning a medium-term problem into an immediate crisis by threatening to block efforts to raise the debt ceiling.

When a bloc of House lawmakers demanded spending cuts in …