Erik Kurilla Nominated as Next CENTCOM Chief

A former classmate is going to be one of the US military’s most senior leaders.

Defense Blames State for Afghan Fiasco

Their case is less than persuasive.

Iran Downs American Reconnaissance Drone As Tensions Continue To Increase

As if the situation in the Persian Gulf weren’t already tense enough, the Iranians shot down an American reconnaissance drone late yesterday

Let’s Take a Breath on Iran

Bret Stephens (and others) are overreacting.

The Pentagon and White House are Not People and Don’t Do Things

A misleading, annoying media trope that needs to go away.

Andrew Marshall Dead at 97

The legendary figure was in charge of strategic forecasting at the Pentagon for decades.

We Don’t Need a Desert Storm Memorial

The Vietnam memorial helped heal a gaping wound. What purpose will this one serve?

Too Many Generals?

My latest for The National Interest has posted.

Are The Intelligence Reports On ISIS Being Cooked, And If So Why?

Disturbing reports over the weekend that American leaders may not be getting the kind of unbiased intelligence analysis about ISIS that they need to make decisions.

Sen. Tom Cotton Thinks War Against Iran Would Be Easy And Painless

One freshman Senator seems to think that war with Iran would be easy, just like Republicans used to think that war against Iraq would be easy.

U.S. Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS In Syria

President Obama has opened a new front in his “war” against ISIS

Syria Intervention Looks Inevitable

Western military action in the Syrian civil war now appears likely.

Defense Department Weighing COCOM Realignment and Rebrand

The Pentagon is considering doing away with two combatant commands—and no longer calling them combatant commands.

Norman Schwarzkopf Dead at 78

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander during Operation Desert Storm, has died at the age of 78.

National Security Culture Gap

The White House and the Pentagon are buildings, not unitary actors.

Marine Commandant: DADT Repeal Could ‘Cost Marine Lives’

Marine Commandant James Amos is going all-out to keep gay Marines in the closet, saying allowing them to serve openly could get men killed.

3 of 4 Service Chiefs Oppose DADT Repeal

The commander-in-chief, secretary of defense, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff all support removing the ban on gays in the military without further delay. A long-awaited Pentagon study showed no reason not to do so. But three of four Service chiefs disagree.

A History of Acronyms

Robert Lane Greene investigates the rise of acronyms, initialisms, and other informal shortenings of speech.

Army and Marines Fight Wars, Navy and Air Force Get Promoted

Of the U.S. military’s 10 combatant commands, only three are held by Army or Marine generals.

Five Stars For Petraeus ?

Some people are saying that David Petraeus deserves promotion to a rank last held by Omar Bradley.

Mattis to CENTCOM

General James Mattis, who some feel was snubbed for Marine Commandant last month, has landed in arguably a more important role: succeeding David Petraeus at CENTCOM.

McChrystal Fired, Petraeus to Afghanistan

President Obama has relieved General Stanley Chrystal of command of ISAF.

General McChrystal Crosses The Line

General Stanley McChrystal is opening his mouth again and, this time, it could cost him his job.