Defense and National Security

Hardware start-ups face different challenges from those for software or other industries. New strategies are needed to see more promising hardware companies succeed and reach their market potential.

With a rigorous, sustainable approach to data collection and analysis, satellite data can improve our understanding of global food systems and prepare society to respond to the next crisis.

There are enormous questions regarding the validity of the assumptions built into artificial intelligence systems about who comprises an imminent threat and about the legitimacy of their targeting functions under the Geneva Conventions and the laws of war.

Bringing sociology into civil engineering helps explain how Ukraine’s social and physical systems work together to keep the lights on amid constant attacks.

For decades, DARPA has used the Heilmeier Catechism—a series of eight questions including “Who cares?”—to steer investment decisions. But when ARPA-H, the new health-focused innovation agency, launched recently, it added two new questions that take equity and security concerns into account. Issues editor-in-chief Lisa Margonelli considers what these additions might mean for the future of innovation.

Partnering with universities provides the intelligence community with access to the latest research and insights from academia while also giving university scholars more opportunities to apply their expertise to an unusual set of practical problems.

Amid increasing competition and conflict with countries such as China, calls to restrict international scientific cooperation overlook benefits to the United States.

To prepare for future conflicts, South Korea needs to adopt a more inclusive defense R&D structure while shifting the system’s focus toward future science and technology needs.

As the Biological Weapons Convention enters its 50th year, involving more nongovernmental organizations can help prepare for a future of weapons and wars that looks different from those the treaty was designed to prevent.

A new worldwide network of scientists and engineers is demonstrating how philanthropy can leverage a highly effective innovation model to solve urgent global problems

Governing new biosecurity threats is not merely a matter of good intentions and better training; it requires paying proper attention to the social contexts of science.

The recent National Intelligence Estimate on climate change illustrates how traditional national security approaches must be expanded to contend with global environmental change.