National Security and Defense

Two F-35B combat aircraft from the United States Marine Corp depart after re-fueling from an RAF Voyager aircraft over the North Sea on October 08, 2020 in flight, above Scotland.
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Vladimir Putin enters a hall to meet with graduates of higher military educational institutions at the Kremlin on June 23, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov via Getty Images)
Caption
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Vladimir Putin enters a hall to meet with graduates of higher military educational institutions at the Kremlin on June 23, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov via Getty Images)
Commentary
Peter Rough Hudson Institute
Peter Rough Hudson Institute
Senior Fellow and Director, Center on Europe and Eurasia
6 Min Read
An Israeli soldier attaches a Druze flag to the antenna of a Humvee along a barbed-wire fence in the Golan Heights near the Druze village of Majdal Shams on July 19, 2025. (Jalaa Marey via Getty Images)
Caption
An Israeli soldier attaches a Druze flag to the antenna of a Humvee along a barbed-wire fence in the Golan Heights near the Druze village of Majdal Shams on July 19, 2025. (Jalaa Marey via Getty Images)
Podcast
Hessen
Hessen
Jonathan Hessen
Former Nonresident Senior Fellow
Jonathan Hessen
drone
Caption
A Task Force 99 team member conducts pre-flight checks on an unmanned aerial vehicle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Mar. 18, 2025. Task Force 99 is a nimble, mission-driven unit built to drive innovation and strengthen U.S. Air Forces Central capabilities across all domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky Arnold)
Podcast
bryan_clark
bryan_clark
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology