National Defense University Press - NDU Press

10/21/2026

Getting new capabilities into the hands of warfighters faster is critical to maintaining the U.S. military's competitive edge.

In "Mission Over Bureaucracy: Special Operations Command’s WarriorDriven Model for Defense Innovation," Commander Robert D. Seader, USN, argues that U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) offers a model for delivering military capabilities faster through mission-focused acquisition, closer collaboration with warfighters, and less bureaucracy.

He makes the case for applying these lessons across the military services.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4560600/mission-over-bureaucracy-special-operations-commands-warriordriven-model-for-de/

10/19/2026

🔐 Defending America's critical infrastructure requires more than stronger cybersecurity.

In "Cyberspace Collaborative Awareness: A Model for Unity of Effort in Homeland Defense," Michael Knapp, Sean Atkins, and Matthew McLaughlin propose a collaborative cyber awareness model to improve coordination between government and industry. Built on visibility, sensemaking, and shareability, their approach aims to strengthen homeland defense against cyber threats.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4560585/cyberspace-collaborative-awareness-a-model-for-unity-of-effort-in-homeland-defe/

10/17/2026

🎓 Military experience builds warfighters. What builds strategists?

Joint professional military education (JPME) prepares officers to think beyond the battlefield, connecting military capabilities, national security objectives, and the realities of policymaking.

In "Boot Camp for the Mind: The Role of JPME in Developing National Security Strategists," Joseph Gagliano and coauthors argue that in-residence JPME develops the critical thinking, strategic judgment, and collaborative skills officers need to advise senior leaders and translate national security objectives into executable plans.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4561059/boot-camp-for-the-mind-the-role-of-jpme-in-developing-national-security-strateg/

10/15/2026

🧠 How can the joint force defend against cognitive attacks?

Adversaries use disinformation and deception to distort perception, manipulate judgment, and undermine military decisionmaking.

In "Building the Mental Golden Dome: Arming the Joint Force for Defensive Cognitive Warfare," U.S. Air Force Col. James M. Davitch argues that the Joint Force needs a stronger defense against cognitive attacks. His proposed framework for defensive cognitive warfare calls for integrating cognitive resilience into military doctrine, training, and readiness assessments.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4560490/building-the-mental-golden-dome-arming-the-joint-force-for-defensive-cognitive/

10/11/2026

More than 50 years after a controversial Vietnam War bombing campaign, questions remain about military authority, accountability, and the rules of engagement.

In “Examining the Lavelle Affair 54 Years Later,” Mark Clodfelter revisits the 1972 dismissal and demotion of Air Force General John D. Lavelle over allegations of unauthorized airstrikes and falsified mission reports.

Drawing on declassified records, congressional testimony, and White House recordings, Clodfelter argues that the evidence warrants restoring Lavelle’s four-star rank. The case raises enduring questions about civil-military relations, command responsibility, and the interpretation of rules of engagement.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4561048/examining-the-lavelle-affair-54-years-later-an-injustice-that-needs-to-be-recti/

10/09/2026

Clear operational objectives are essential to translating military strategy into action.

In “Determining Operational Objectives,” Milan Vego explains how commanders can identify and define objectives that support broader military-strategic goals.

Drawing on historical operations across land, sea, and air, Vego highlights the importance of sound intelligence, assessing the factors of space, time, and force, and clearly articulating objectives to guide major military operations.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4560593/determining-operational-objectives/

10/07/2026

📊 The race for AI advantage is really a race for analytic superiority.

In “From Data to Victory: The Race for Analytic Superiority in Warfare,” Emily Goldman and Robert Grossman explain how militaries can move from data to operational value by integrating data, models, computing infrastructure, operational deployment, and analytic strategy.

Their framework focuses on getting analytics into operational systems, where they can strengthen command and control, fires, logistics, movement and maneuver, cybersecurity, and force protection.

Read more: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4560509/from-data-to-victory-the-race-for-analytic-superiority-in-warfare/

09/24/2026

📖 NEW Book | The People’s Liberation Army in a New Era: Individuals, Ideas, and Influence 🇨🇳

As attention turns to U.S.–China relations during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington, DC, this book provides context on how China’s military has changed under Xi and where today’s PLA reflects longer-running trends.

Edited by Joel Wuthnow, Derek Grossman, Phillip C. Saunders, Andrew Scobell, and Andrew N.D. Yang, the book explores PLA modernization, Party-army relations, joint operations, deterrence, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, China-Russia military exercises, and China’s overseas security activities.

How much has Xi reshaped the PLA, and how much of its evolution reflects deeper institutional continuity?

Read the book: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4610184/the-peoples-liberation-army-in-a-new-era-individuals-ideas-and-influence/

09/22/2026

Join the NDU Press team! 📚✍️ INSS is hiring a Head of Publishing & Digital Content to lead and modernize NDU Press publishing operations and digital content strategy.

📣 We’re hiring!

The Institute for National Strategic Studies is seeking a Head of Publishing & Digital Content to lead and modernize National Defense University Press - NDU Press as an integrated, multi-platform publishing operation.

This leadership role will oversee publishing workflows, editorial governance, digital content and distribution strategy, and a team of editors and digital media specialists to help expand the reach and impact of INSS research and NDU Press publications.

This position is open to the public, and applications will be accepted through October 13.

Learn more and apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/885487600

09/18/2026

A look at the future of the joint force, and a farewell after nearly 16 years at the helm of Joint Force Quarterly.

In his final Executive Summary as JFQ editor in chief, Dr. William T. Eliason introduces JFQ 120, featuring perspectives on joint reform, cyber, operational art, JPME, sustainment, Arctic defense, defense innovation, AI-enabled medical logistics, and more.

He also reflects on 40 years since Goldwater–Nichols and the people who have shaped JFQ during his tenure.

📘 Read the Executive Summary: https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/4560930/executive-summary/