Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Defense And Security Archive

Archives for August 2018

North Korea
Exclusive: Trump promised Kim Jong Un he’d sign an agreement to end the Korean WarExclusive: Trump promised Kim Jong Un he’d sign an agreement to end the Korean War
North Korea

He hasn’t followed through yet — and North Korea talks may have stalled because of it.

By Alex Ward
North Korea
Here’s the real reason Trump canceled Pompeo’s North Korea tripHere’s the real reason Trump canceled Pompeo’s North Korea trip
North Korea

Hint: Pyongyang was angry.

By Alex Ward
Explainers
Trump just canceled Pompeo’s big trip to North Korea. That’s a really bad sign.Trump just canceled Pompeo’s big trip to North Korea. That’s a really bad sign.
Explainers

Here’s why Trump just tweeted out some newfound anger toward North Korea and China.

By Alex Ward
Explainers
Why America doesn’t win wars anymoreWhy America doesn’t win wars anymore
Explainers

An expert explains why the US struggles with modern wars.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Whoops: the cyberattack on the DNC was a testWhoops: the cyberattack on the DNC was a test
Politics

This is a test. This is only a test.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Microsoft says it stopped a Russian cyberattack on conservative think tanksMicrosoft says it stopped a Russian cyberattack on conservative think tanks
Politics

Russia also apparently went after the Senate and even Microsoft itself.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
The Pentagon won’t check if US bombs killed kids in Yemen. CNN did it for them.The Pentagon won’t check if US bombs killed kids in Yemen. CNN did it for them.
Defense & Security

The Defense Department first said it might “never” find that out. Now it says the US military doesn’t “vet” strikes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

By Alex Ward
China
It’s not just Russia. China, North Korea, and Iran could interfere in 2018 elections, too.It’s not just Russia. China, North Korea, and Iran could interfere in 2018 elections, too.
China

National Security Adviser John Bolton said four countries — including Russia — may try to interfere in November’s elections.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Did Omarosa’s secret recordings break the law? I asked a legal expert.Did Omarosa’s secret recordings break the law? I asked a legal expert.
Politics

“It’s a huge, embarrassing security breach.”

By Sean Illing
Politics
North Korea’s latest angry statement toward the US, explainedNorth Korea’s latest angry statement toward the US, explained
Politics

North Korea is super pissed at Mike Pompeo and John Bolton — but not Trump.

By Alex Ward
Defense & Security
The Pentagon doesn’t know if US-made bombs killed kids in YemenThe Pentagon doesn’t know if US-made bombs killed kids in Yemen
Defense & Security

“We may never know if the munition [used] was one that the US sold to them,” a Pentagon spokesperson said.

By Alex Ward
Politics
The Pentagon is giving Trump his Space Force. Congress may take it away.The Pentagon is giving Trump his Space Force. Congress may take it away.
Politics

It all comes down to a defense budget fight for 2020.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump wants a “space force.” We have many questions.Trump wants a “space force.” We have many questions.
Politics

Here’s one: Does Trump want a Death Star?

By Alex Ward
Explainers
Why Iran won’t talk to Trump, explained in one paragraphWhy Iran won’t talk to Trump, explained in one paragraph
Explainers

Expert Vali Nasr details why domestic Iranian politics hinders the government’s ability to accept President Trump’s offer to talk.

By Alex Ward
Explainers
Exclusive: Pompeo told North Korea to cut its nuclear arsenal by 60 to 70 percentExclusive: Pompeo told North Korea to cut its nuclear arsenal by 60 to 70 percent
Explainers

But North Korea has consistently rejected the secretary of state’s proposal.

By Alex Ward