Should We Ban ‘Killer Robots’? Can We?

Should We Ban ‘Killer Robots’? Can We?
Should We Ban ‘Killer Robots’? Can We?

The Pentagon insists it doesn’t want them. But could a global ban really rein in Russia or China?

Pentagon: Syria Struck From All Sides, No Missiles Intercepted

Pentagon: Syria Struck From All Sides, No Missiles Intercepted
Pentagon: Syria Struck From All Sides, No Missiles Intercepted

WASHINGTON: In one of the largest coordinated international air operations in years, over 100 American, British and French guided missiles slammed into three Syrian chemical weapons facilities early Saturday morning, launched from an armada of aircraft, submarines, and ships offshore. The Pentagon was careful Saturday to say that the assault didn’t seek to topple the…

Allies “Entering a New World” in Confronting Russia, U.K. Official Says

Allies “Entering a New World” in Confronting Russia, U.K. Official Says
Allies “Entering a New World” in Confronting Russia, U.K. Official Says

A British defense official talks about an age of competition among great powers, putting the Ministry of Defense on the same page as its Pentagon colleagues

World War I Reenactor Shows Off Gear For Centennial At AUSA

World War I Reenactor Shows Off Gear For Centennial At AUSA
World War I Reenactor Shows Off Gear For Centennial At AUSA

AUSA: 100 years after America entered World War I, the Army is honoring the service of its soldiers, complete with reenactors dressed in painstakingly detailed reproduction uniforms. Turns out a lot more science and engineering went into an infantryman’s kit than you might imagine.

Trump’s ‘More Militaristic’ Acts Box US Into Corner

Trump’s ‘More Militaristic’ Acts Box US Into Corner
Trump’s ‘More Militaristic’ Acts Box US Into Corner

There is a narrative threading through Washington which smugly suggests that “instead of weakness, we now have strength” in the White House. After eight years of feckless “leading from behind,” President Trump has reasserted U.S. credibility, and as a result, our enemies fear and respect us again, resulting in a more secure global environment.  In…

The Pentagon’s Own Road to Damascus

The Pentagon’s Own Road to Damascus
The Pentagon’s Own Road to Damascus

It’s not often that people close to the military come out and critique current policy, especially as it is taking shape. When it happens, it is often newsworthy either because of what they say or because of who they are. Today, we offer an in-depth critique of US strategy and our evolving policies toward Syria…

Kerry Sez US Won’t Wait Long For Russians On Syrian Chemical Weapons

Kerry Sez US Won’t Wait Long For Russians On Syrian Chemical Weapons
Kerry Sez US Won’t Wait Long For Russians On Syrian Chemical Weapons

CAPITOL HILL: At an often combative hearing about the US use of force after Syria’s killing 1,400 of its citizens with chemical weapons, Secretary of State John Kerry said America “will not wait for long” to hear details of Russia’s proposal to put the weapons under international control. “We are waiting for word on the…

With Public Skepticism Still Strong About Syria, DoD Stresses Limited Engagement

With Public Skepticism Still Strong About Syria, DoD Stresses Limited Engagement
With Public Skepticism Still Strong About Syria, DoD Stresses Limited Engagement

  THE PENTAGON: As Congress continues to receive thousands of letters and email expressing opposition to any American military action against Syria, the Pentagon and the rest of the Obama administration keeps hammering away at the idea that any strikes will be limited and won’t involve any “boots on the ground.” Here are some of…

Kerry, Hagel Press Senate To Approve Syrian Strikes: ‘Deter And Degrade’

Kerry, Hagel Press Senate To Approve Syrian Strikes: ‘Deter And Degrade’
Kerry, Hagel Press Senate To Approve Syrian Strikes: ‘Deter And Degrade’

UPDATED: Through End of Today’s Hearing. CAPITOL HILL: Secretary of State John Kerry, taking the lead in arguing the administration’s case for limited strikes against Syria for killing more than 1,400 civilians with chemical weapons, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Iran and North Korea are watching what we do. Kerry told the committee…

A ‘Limited Strike’ On Syria? Considerations For Congressional Debate

A ‘Limited Strike’ On Syria? Considerations For Congressional Debate
A ‘Limited Strike’ On Syria? Considerations For Congressional Debate

President Obama has made it clear that Syria crossed a “red line” by using chemical weapons against its own people. The proposed remedy is to execute a limited strike to change the behavior of the Assad government, but without putting troops on the ground, without regime change or without an international stamp of approval. Congress…

White House Sez ‘High Confidence’ Syria Used Chemical Weapons — Nerve Agent

White House Sez ‘High Confidence’ Syria Used Chemical Weapons — Nerve Agent
White House Sez ‘High Confidence’ Syria Used Chemical Weapons — Nerve Agent

  UPDATES WITH OBAMA WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS, HASC REACT TO KERRY REMARKS WASHINGTON: One hour before House Armed Services Committee members were to receive a White House briefing on last week’s Syrian massacre of more than 1,400 civilians, the White House released an unclassified summary of intelligence about the attack concluding with “high confidence” that…

North Korean Nuclear Threat Drives Army Wargame; Service Shifts To Rebuild WMD Skills

ARMY WAR COLLEGE: Hours before Pyongyang conducted its latest nuclear test, military officers here at the Army War College began waging a wargame whose classified scenario is transparently concerned with North Korea. That is not happenstance. [Click here for more coverage of the Army’s “Winter Wargame”] After a decade of guerrilla warfare in Afghanistan and…

US, Turkey Have ‘Never Been So Close’; Amb. Tan Lauds Patriot, F-35

Despite international perceptions that the Turkey’s Islamic-oriented government has turned its back on its American ally, Ankara’s ambassador to the United States insists that “the relationship has never been so close.” “That doesn’t mean that we don’t have any disagreements,” Ambassador Namik Tan told reporters this morning. “Turkey is, of course, an independent state.” But…

US Military Confronts Nightmare Scenario Of Syrian Collapse

Call it Somalia on steroids. Call it Syria next week. Either way it’s a scenario the US military needs to prepare for: an intervention into a failing state where rival factions have looted a sophisticated arsenal, from tanks to shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to weapons of mass destruction. There’s no political will in Washington to intervene…