The Danger of Civil War Rhetoric: Addressing Political Violence Without Fear-Mongering
A year after the January 6th insurrection, the specter of catastrophic political violence looms over the United States. Headlines foretell a second civil war, conjuring images of the 1860s, while experts and commentators warn of a country on the brink….
When Software Bugs Go Nuclear: Testing a Digital Arsenal
Imagine this: the next major ransomware attack on U.S. soil doesn’t just lock up your computer—it involves a nuclear weapon. While this might sound like a sci-fi thriller, it underscores the growing risks as the U.S. nuclear arsenal integrates more…
Biological Weapons in the ‘Shadow War’
Do biological weapons still pose a significant threat in today’s world? The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited concerns about biological weapons, with some experts speculating that bad actors—both state and non-state—may be renewing their focus on these tools of destruction. A…
Humans and Hardware: Revolutionizing Special Operations with Wearable Technology
In 2009, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) declared that “humans are more important than hardware.” Yet, in today’s world of advanced wearable technology, the distinction between humans and hardware is rapidly disappearing. With innovations in sports science and medicine…
South Korea Explores Development of Heavily Armed Arsenal Ship
South Korea is considering the development of a heavily armed “arsenal ship,” a vessel designed to deliver long-range precision strikes with cruise missiles. At approximately 5,000 tons—comparable in size to a large frigate—the ship would be equipped with 80 vertical…
Israeli Air Force’s Finest Hour: 40 Years Since the F-16 Strike on Iraq’s Nuclear Reactor
June 7, 2021, marked the 40th anniversary of Operation Opera, the Israeli Air Force’s daring strike on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, just 17 kilometers from Baghdad. This marked the first-ever preventive attack on a suspected nuclear weapons program, setting a…
North Korea’s ‘Guam Killer’: The Hwasong-12 Ballistic Missile and Its Strategic Implications
The Hwasong-12 ballistic missile, often overshadowed by its intercontinental-range counterparts, stands as a pivotal element in North Korea’s arsenal. Dubbed the “Guam Killer,” this missile is a key component of Pyongyang’s strategy for conventional and nuclear retaliation in the event…
Why Space Force Needs Its Own War College—and Why It Should Be Different
The United States has been active in space since 1958. So, why does the Space Force need its own war college now? And can’t the Air Force just educate Space Force officers since they’re still connected? The answers are clear:…
Toward a More Nuanced View of Airpower and Operation Desert Storm
As we approach the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, discussions about airpower’s central role in the swift coalition victory are sure to be prominent. And rightfully so—airpower, particularly that of the U.S. Air Force, played a significant role in…
The Timeless Relevance of Heart of Darkness for Today’s Military Leaders
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is a compelling and unsettling exploration of colonialism, human nature, and the devastating effects of unchecked power. Though its portrayal of Africans and its colonial themes have sparked controversy, particularly in light of recent racial…
Russia’s Cephalopod Underwater Drone: A New Weapon to Target America’s Nuclear Submarines
While the Russian Navy’s surface fleet continues to rely on legacy Soviet-era warships, such as the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, Kirov and Slava Class cruisers, and Sovremenny and Udaloy Class destroyers, the service has shifted a significant focus towards modernizing its…
India to Strengthen Defenses: Russia Accelerates S-400 Deliveries Following Ladakh Clashes
In response to escalating tensions with China and the deadly clashes in Galwan Valley, India has secured an expedited delivery of the first battalion of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems from Russia. This decision comes after a high-level defense delegation…