War on the Rocks

The article notes that the United States will soon face two historical milestones: the 25-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the five-year anniversary of its withdrawal from Afghanistan. While the 9/11 anniversary is expected to receive some remembrance, the U.S. government is likely to ignore the milestone concerning the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Since 1945, political decisions have reportedly reduced Britain’s ability to maintain a globally relevant Royal Navy fleet. These efforts include the failed Suez expedition in 1956, the retreat from “East of Suez” in 1966, and subsequent reviews such as the Nott Review (1981), the Strategic Defence Review (1998), and the 2010 review.

The article details how nuclear power has propelled American defense services for over 70 years, supporting assets like attack submarines and ballistic missiles. This piece is part of a limited series celebrating American defense technologies born from wartime, running to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

Historically, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the U.S. government was the primary patron of American science, funding nearly two-thirds of research and development, largely for defense. While federal dollars previously drove technological advancement, that arrangement has now inverted. Today, industry funds roughly three-quarters of U.S. research and development, with Washington's share being less than a fifth.

Arms control agreements have collapsed, leading to intensified geopolitical competition and nuclear proliferation among nine countries. Key powers are expanding their arsenals, with China projecting a significant increase in warheads by 2035, while Russia develops exotic systems like hypersonic glide vehicles and underwater drones. The potential integration of Artificial Intelligence raises concerns about making nuclear threats more effective.

During a late June lecture at an Israeli military's officer training school, Ofer Winter told future officers that "there are no uninvolved civilians in Gaza." He also accused two former chiefs of staff of politically blocking his career. While regulations prohibit political activity and the Israeli military called the episode a failure, cadets noted it was part of a pattern of guest speakers.

The article highlights the lack of justice and accountability in Haiti following the assassinations of Monferrier Dorval, Diego Charles, Antoinette Duclaire, and President Jovenel Moïse. It critiques international reporting and stabilization efforts for prioritizing measurable outputs like workshops and decrees over meaningful outcomes that reflect real societal change.

Under Secretary of Defense Michael P. Duffey discusses the Pentagon’s acquisition transformation, covering topics like munitions agreements, industry investments, portfolio acquisition shifts, and allied coproduction. The conversation is featured in an article on War on the Rocks.

The article discusses the significance of Egypt's opinion on Ukraine and introduces 'The Ukraine Compass,' a weekly digest offering diverse Ukrainian perspectives beyond military updates. It highlights how Ukrainian media provides insights into domestic politics, daily life, and public debates during the war.

In February 2026, the United States and Israel initiated a war against Iran in the Middle East, leading to ongoing conflict, a fragile ceasefire, and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. Open hostilities resumed in July 2026, while the Houthis in Yemen have threatened Saudi shipping through Bab al-Mandab. A webinar by War on the Rocks and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) discusses the implications for free navigation.

The article introduces a new series on battles with negligible strategic or political impact, focusing on the Battle of Tours (or Poitiers) as an example. It highlights how the battle's significance is debated over time, despite being structurally irrelevant to broader conflicts.

The article discusses the challenges of observing successful cyber deterrence, as it often prevents attacks without leaving evidence. Researchers struggle to study deterrence successes, unlike failures which are visible through actions like invasions or cyberattacks.

Water scarcity acts as a catalyst for conflict by combining with pressures like climate change, population growth, and industrial demands, though cooperation examples show conflict is not inevitable. The article highlights how strained water systems threaten instability but also note instances of collaborative resource management.

The article discusses how Jimmy Doolittle catalyzed a wartime industry related to octane, highlighting the impact of wartime technologies on national security. It is part of a series commemorating American defense innovations during wartime.

In 2024, Max Bergmann argued NATO needs structural reforms to strengthen a European pillar. Two years later, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. support, prompting pushback from European leaders. The article examines tensions over NATO's leadership and European defense autonomy.

The article explores how mobile refrigeration transformed the availability of perishable goods in the U.S., enabling year-round access to fresh produce nationwide. It highlights this innovation as part of a broader series on wartime-born defense technologies shaping national security and society.

The Allied invasion of Sicily, Operation Husky on July 10, 1943, involved more troops on the first day than the later Normandy landings. The campaign's legacy is partly shaped by the film 'Patton,' which simplified it as a rivalry between U.S. Lt. Gen. George S. Patton and British Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery.

In March 2025, China’s military researchers published a concept outlining methods to rapidly capture and subdue Taipei by disrupting external support, operational systems, and cognitive cohesion. The strategy aims to break the will of Taiwan’s people to resist, though it remains a research concept rather than official doctrine.

Ukraine's use of drones across all ranges has disrupted Russian operations, logistics, and energy infrastructure. The article explores whether these strikes create lasting battlefield advantages and if they might force Russia to escalate, with analysis from experts Mike Kofman and Dara Massicot.

The article compares the failure of the Spanish Reserve Fleet in 1898 to the destruction of the Russian Baltic Fleet at the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, highlighting poor fleet readiness as a critical issue. The Russian fleet's defeat resulted in the loss or capture of nearly its entire force.

Corruption is a central topic in Ukraine’s national conversation, as highlighted by a weekly digest called The Ukraine Compass. The digest, provided by War on the Rocks, curates Ukrainian media articles offering diverse perspectives on politics, daily life, and public debates beyond battlefield-focused narratives.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced acquisition reform focused on accelerating the delivery of critical capabilities to warfighters. Key initiatives include a commercial-first policy emphasizing existing acquisition authorities, non-traditional contract vehicles, and flexible solicitations.

The article titled 'The Fedorov Dismissal: On Trust, Technology, and Turnover' is part of The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest offering Ukrainian perspectives on political debates and daily life in Ukraine. It highlights curated Ukrainian media content to provide a broader understanding beyond Western battlefield-focused coverage.

Before the twentieth century, diseases like typhoid and dysentery were major causes of death for American soldiers in wars such as the Civil War and World War I. By 1940, military medicine advancements like vaccines, sterile surgical techniques, and sulfa drugs significantly reduced disease-related fatalities.

The article highlights the United States' struggle to develop a trained workforce for economic security challenges, such as competition over supply chains, chips, and sanctions. It is part of a series by the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and War on the Rocks examining economic statecraft integration into national security.

The article discusses changes in the American civil-military relationship over the past 25 years since the establishment of the all-volunteer force by the Gates Commission. It highlights how military service has evolved and examines the impact of defense technologies on national security and society.

Robson Henry, a Pacific Island veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 26 years and completed multiple tours in the Middle East, died in January at age 66. The article discusses the broken promise by America to Pacific Island veterans.

The article examines how Russia's increased force deployment in the war with Ukraine has led to diminishing returns as Ukrainian adaptations and Western support offset expected advantages. It highlights the paradox where quantitative military advantages do not translate into proportional battlefield success.

The article introduces The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest by War on the Rocks featuring Ukrainian perspectives on security and political debates. It highlights how Ukrainian media offers a broader view of the nation's challenges beyond battlefield-focused Western coverage.

Joe Jewell transitioned from academia to lead the Pentagon’s science and technology enterprise, advocating for more researchers to join him. He emphasizes accelerating technology transfer from labs to military personnel and highlights academia’s strategic value to national security.

The White House issued two AI directives under President Donald Trump in June, including an executive order and National Security Presidential Memorandum 11, which emphasizes AI adoption across national security with four pillars. However, fiscal constraints in Fiscal Year 2026 operations and maintenance accounts risk delaying the Pentagon's AI strategy.

Allison Minor's 2024 analysis argued that international responses to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping were inadequate and proposed a U.N.-led solution. In 2026, global attention has shifted from the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a reevaluation of her arguments.

The B-24 Liberator, the most produced American military aircraft of World War II, was a complex four-engine heavy bomber with strategic impact. Its utility and existence were critically tied to the innovative Davis Wing design. American industry produced 18,482 B-24s over five years, serving in every war theater.

The U.S military requires a common family of watercraft to sustain maritime operations in contested environments against adversaries targeting logistics. The solution emphasizes scalability, interoperability, and wartime replacement for effective future operations.

A Catholic security scholar reflects on their faith and career path, shifting from considering priesthood to teaching, while advocating for responsible military AI. The author emphasizes ethical foundations in security and AI policy.

The article examines the historical rivalry between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, highlighting their contrasting personalities and political philosophies. Their differing views on government structure led to a significant falling out, culminating in the 1800 presidential election.

The article discusses the integrated circuit's role in modern computing and highlights a recurring pattern of government-backed technological breakthroughs transformed by commercial markets into general-purpose technologies. It introduces a series commemorating American defense innovations from wartime for America’s 250th anniversary.

The article discusses recurring questions at a conference on the People’s Liberation Army about China's potential military responses to U.S. force posture changes or strikes. It highlights the importance of understanding Chinese military behavior for policymakers and war planners, noting similar scenarios in wargames at the RAND Corporation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's relationship with Israel's intelligence agencies, particularly Shin Bet, is examined as a potential threat to Israel's liberal democracy. Analysts Ofek Riemer, Daniel Wajner, and Ehud Eiran revisited their 2025 arguments about Netanyahu's clashes with intelligence agencies and their implications.

Trojan Spirit, a program developed by the Army in 1990, enabled deployed commanders to access intelligence from agencies during operations. It overcame barriers caused by fragmented systems and databases, with its early version deployed during Operation Desert Storm, significantly impacting battlefield operations. The Army now seeks a successor to Trojan Spirit.