Despots, Dealmaking, and Defense Acquisition

Is a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal close? Will power struggles in Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of Congo end? Can a few sentences change defense acquisition? Is the SHIPS for America Act the solution to an ailing domestic shipbuilding industry?

War on the Rocks contributors tackled these questions, among many others, this week. Read below.

Articles

A recipe from captivity – the old fashioned that kept spirits alive

The thin ice between discovery and delusion.

Fighting the Houthis can teach the United States a valuable lesson about air defense.

Years of pressure haven’t forced Maduro out. His regime is more entrenched, with deeper ties to Russia. What now?

Breaking China and Russia's fragile partnership might seem tempting, but it may not benefit the United States.

DeepSeek just shook up the AI industry. We asked four experts to weigh in on the U.S.-Chinese AI race.

A recent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war provides a crucial window to advance a transcontinental infrastructure project.

Defense acquisition processes requires radical change. A few short sentences can transform them entirely.

The SHIPS for America Act is a bold step forward, but doubling down on protectionism risks undermining its potential.

Podcasts

Ships with ties to Russia and China are having an unusual streak of "accidents" in the Baltic Sea.

Escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is fueling a humanitarian and political disaster.

How do Marine combat artists make art out of war?

How should the U.S. approach arms control when progress seems impossible?

Ceasefire negotiations could be on the horizon in Ukraine in 2025, but it might not spell the end of hostilities between Kyiv and Moscow.

As the war nears its third year, what lies ahead for Ukraine? Will Russia slow its pace?

Defending Taiwan isn’t just policy — it’s a message. U.S. officials need to explain it better.

Burnout is a threat to readiness, but tackling it is not impossible.

How can the Pentagon stay on the cutting edge of technology? Hear from one of the innovators who made it happen.

Pakistan’s growing missile capabilities raise global security concerns —domestic political turmoil, Chinese influence, and increased tensions with the Taliban compound them.