Toxicology
Will Russia Use Chemical Weapons in Ukraine? Researchers Evaluate the Risks
Analysts explain why some fear that the Russian military will use chemical weapons—and how the world would know if it did
Defense75 articles archived since 1845
Defense
How Many Nuclear Weapons Exist, and Who Has Them?
Nuclear states admit to owning about 13,000 warheads, but the real number could be higher
Engineering
Russia’s New Nuclear Missiles Squeeze Response Time
As treaties end, Russia focuses on hypersonic weapons that could “tighten the noose” on current U.S. defenses
Defense
Where Is Russia’s Cyberwar? Researchers Decipher Its Strategy
When Russia invaded Ukraine, many analysts expected an unprecedented level of cyberattacks—which so far haven’t materialized
Defense
How Bellingcat Investigators Verified the Brutal Use of Cluster Munitions in Ukraine
Researchers at the investigative collective scour the Internet to expose possible war crimes
Defense
Russia Is Using ‘Digital Repression’ to Suppress Dissent
The Putin regime has a portfolio of digital tools to control information and crack down on protests within the country
Defense
‘Limited’ Tactical Nuclear Weapons Would Be Catastrophic
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows the limits of nuclear deterrence
Policy
Russia’s Information War Is Being Waged on Social Media Platforms
But tech companies and governments are fighting back
Defense
Russia-Ukraine Conflict Prompted U.S. to Develop Autonomous Drone Swarms, 1,000-Mile Cannon
The U.S. military has new technology on the drawing board in response to warfare trends previously demonstrated in the region
Defense
Cyberattack Misinformation Could Be Plan for Ukraine Invasion
A falsified video would be an update on the traditional use of propaganda campaigns during warfare
Defense
Russian Cyberattacks against the U.S. Could Focus on Disinformation
Direct system invasions are possible, but efforts to sow confusion and division are more likely
Defense
Hypersonic Weapons Can’t Hide from New Eyes in Space
Tracking the missiles is like picking out one light bulb against a background of light bulbs, but new technology aims to see them more clearly
Astrophysics
The Physics and Hype of Hypersonic Weapons
These novel missiles cannot live up to the grand promises made on their behalf, aerodynamics shows
Climate Change
Military Operations Will be Strained by Climate Change
U.S. adviser says “It is our duty to warn the public about this threat”
Policy
Biden Must Take Immediate Action to Reduce the Risk of Nuclear War
The continuing proliferation of atomic weapons threatens the safety of billions
Policy
No One Should Have Sole Authority to Launch a Nuclear Attack
Leaving the decision to strike to the president alone is dangerous
Defense
How Do We Prevent War in Space?
There are defensive, offensive and diplomatic options for averting conflicts in orbit
Policy
It’s Time to Rein in Inflated Military Budgets
In an era of pandemics and climate change, we need to reconsider what “national security” means
Policy
The President Alone Should Not Be Able to Start a Nuclear War
The U.S. should require a second assent for a strike and pledge to never strike first
Engineering
Fully Autonomous Weapons Pose Unique Dangers to Humankind
Nations racing to acquire weapons that choose their own targets are ignoring the apocalyptic scenarios that can unfold when rivals catch up
