Looking Back on 2025: Reflections on a Year of Military Transformation and Global Realignment

01/11/2026
By Robbin Laird As I reflect on 2025 from my vantage point as a defense analyst with over four decades of experience observing military transformation and strategic shifts, this year stands out as a watershed moment in the evolution of warfare and international security architecture. The patterns I witnessed throughout…

Dr. Paul Bracken: Shaping Thought on Strategy, Technology, and Security

01/06/2026
Dr. Paul Bracken stands at the crossroads of political science, management, and technology as a renowned professor at Yale University. Holding dual appointments in the Yale School of Management and the Department of Political Science, he has spent decades influencing both intellectual and practical approaches to complex, high-stakes issues facing…

The 2025 Book Publishing Year for Second Line of Defense: 16 New Titles

12/28/2025
The 2025 publishing year brought together a remarkably coherent body of work that spans contemporary defense transformation, global political change, and historical reflection, while continuing to deepen long‑standing partnerships with leading strategic thinkers and historians. Taken as a whole, the 2025 list underlines a central theme: democratic states are struggling…

America Needs to Rethink Relocation Challenges for Its Afghan Fighters

12/18/2025
By James Durso After NATO forces evacuated Kabul in August 2021, the U.S. government implemented Operation Allies Welcome to remove Afghan allies, including interpreters, embassy staff, and others who worked alongside U.S. forces. The program provided humanitarian parole and resettlement opportunities for those evacuated during the chaotic airlift from Kabul.…

Harald Malmgren: Architect of Modern Trade Policy and Global Economic Thinker

12/15/2025
The passing of Harald Malmgren in February 2025 marked the end of an era in international economic diplomacy and policy analysis. A trusted advisor to U.S. presidents, a visionary academic, and one of the cornerstones of modern trade negotiation strategy, Malmgren’s legacy spans over six decades of shaping global economic…

Michael W. Wynne: Champion of Defense Innovation Across Sectors

12/08/2025
Michael W. Wynne’s wide-ranging career has influenced American defense innovation from every angle, military service, executive leadership in industry, transformative public service, and a continuing role as an advisor and champion of technological advancement. His legacy extends well beyond his time as Secretary of the Air Force, shaping the very…