Security & Defense

The Pyongyang Persian Pickle

By Harlan Ullman

In English slang, “pickle” means a bad situation or a state of disorder. The provenance is Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” And pickle well applies to the nuclear ambitions of North Korea, Iran and U.S. policy.

Why China will not stop its cyberespionage and cyberwar efforts

By Greg Austin, International Herald Tribune

Chinese Army unit is seen as tied to hacking against U.S.

By David E. Sanger, David Barboza, and Nicole Perlroth, New York Times

Video: Napolitano names top three countries where cyber attacks against U.S. are launched

By PBS NewsHour

From PBS NewsHour:  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez on Friday that cyber attacks on the United States are on the rise, and internationally, three countries are the biggest sources: Iran, Russia and China.

Panetta to lead U.S. delegation to NATO defense ministerial

By American Forces Press Service

From American Forces Press Service: Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will continue in his position until former Sen. Chuck Hagel is confirmed

Drones and the Law: Restoring Checks and Balances

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

The Department of Justice has recently released a white paper detailing what it believes to be the scope of the president’s authority to kill Americans suspected of being members of al Qaeda—killings that are usually conducted via drones. The white paper argues that the killing of such suspects does not violate due process or the […]

Beyond Budgets: Legacies Impacting American Defense Policy

By Derek Reveron

In spite of more than a decade of combat operations, looming budget reductions, and a variety of social changes, the military remains a powerful tool for American presidents and they have not been loathe to use it. The military’s size, technology, equipment, and remarkable capabilities allow presidents to defend America and also to support friends, […]

Obama spotlights cyber security in State of the Union speech

By White House

From White House:  America must also face the rapidly growing threat from cyber-attacks.

Time to Pivot Back to Europe

By Harlan Ullman

Last year, the Obama administration released its latest strategic guidance for the Pentagon. The lead headline read “U.S. pivots to Asia.”