All Security
First LookSpies not like us: American intelligence addresses lack of diversityU.S. workplaces have been tackling racial inequality since the death of George Floyd, and American intelligence agencies (the CIA, NSA, etc,) are no exception. People of color in the agencies report racist slights and say white men dominate the upper echelons.
War ethics: Are drones in Ukraine a step toward robots that kill?At some point, militaries will likely allow artificial intelligence to decide when to pull the trigger 鈥� and on whom. Ukraine is showing how close that moment may be.
鈥楤attlefield nukes鈥� in Ukraine? A low but complex threat.The risk that Vladimir Putin might deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is considered low. But for the U.S. and NATO, it calls for careful thinking about both deterrence and response.
Why a no-fly zone is a no-go for NATOVoices rising for a no-fly zone over Ukraine say such NATO action would curb civilian deaths. But the idea is fraught with moral complexity.
First Look鈥楲ong overdue鈥�: Black female WWII unit gets congressional honorThe 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-female Black unit that served in Europe in World War II, is set to receive a Congressional Gold Medal. The House聽decided to award the historic unit with the honor in a 422-0 vote Monday.聽
3,000 US troops arrive in Europe. Will it make a difference?U.S. troops in Eastern Europe are primarily sending a message, both to Vladimir Putin and NATO allies. Whether the mission might evolve 鈥� and what would constitute success 鈥� remains to be seen.
In wake of Jan. 6, US military struggles to curb extremismAbout 1 in 10 people charged in attacking the U.S. Capitol were current or former military personnel. The Pentagon is aiming to halt extremism in the ranks.
FocusFood insecurity rises in US military ranks. So does honesty about it.The U.S. military鈥檚 stoic culture has long placed a stigma on food assistance. That is changing as the problem widens and inflation pinches.
First LookIn step toward inclusion, US Army offers women armor that fitsFollowing years of complaints from women and small-stature men about uncomfortable, ill-fitting armor, the U.S. Army has introduced three additional sizes: extra small short, small short, and small long. So far, 4,500 soldiers have benefitted.聽
Guantanamo: A former prosecutor鈥檚 solution to an 鈥榰nsolvable problem鈥�The Biden administration wants to close Guantanamo Bay, but can it? For one former prosecutor,聽political courage may be the key to justice in this case.
After Afghanistan, what kind of wars does Pentagon want to fight?The failures of Afghanistan will be scrutinized on Capitol Hill this week, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley testifying before Congress.
First LookClear racial and gender biases in US Air Force, study findsThe U.S. Defense Department is working to identify extremist behavior and eliminate it from the force in efforts to combat domestic extremism. This is the second report in the past year that seeks to understand the experience of minorities in the U.S. Air Force.
First LookBiden pays respects to US troops killed in Afghanistan attackPresident Joe Biden stood with grieving families Sunday as the remains of 13 U.S. troops killed in the Kabul suicide bombing arrived on U.S. soil.聽
FocusDigital Dunkirk: With clock ticking, veterans race to save comradesWith the Aug. 31 deadline looming, America鈥檚 veterans are working round the clock to save their Afghan comrades from the Taliban.
Vets see many US failures in Kabul. Military intelligence is just one.Honestly assessing what was going on in Afghanistan over the past 20 years is crucial to future military efforts, as well as U.S. global leadership.
What鈥檚 combat like for a drone operator? Up close and personal.Reliance on drones in warfare poses new challenges for the soldiers who operate them and could help redefine what courage means in the military.聽
First LookShifting focus, Biden announces end to US combat mission in IraqOn the heels of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden announced on July 26 that the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will conclude by the end of the year. The U.S. military, however, will continue to assist Iraq in an advisory role.
First LookDoD ends $10 billion deal with Microsoft for new cloud contractAfter originally awarding its $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract to Microsoft, a decision challenged by Amazon in court, the Pentagon has reneged and now seeks to collaborate with both Amazon and Microsoft on a new cloud contract.
Afghanistan as haven for terrorists? Here鈥檚 why that worry has diminished.With the U.S. nearly out of Afghanistan, some worry terrorists will set up havens there for plotting 9/11-style attacks. But analysts doubt that.聽
First LookU.S. airstrikes counter Iran-backed attacks in IraqLast weekend鈥檚 airstrikes in the Middle East aimed to deter attacks by Iran-backed militias targeting U.S. interests, defense officials say.聽The Biden administration took similar military action in the region in February as a 鈥渨arning鈥� to Iran.聽
