Military Leadership

Military Leadership

Book cover of "Strange Stability" by Benjamin Wilson, featuring a green pen vertically centered on a beige background with red and green text—reflecting themes of nuclear deterrence.
In this excerpt from "Strange Stability," Benjamin Wilson explores how the concept of "deterrence" went from explaining criminal behavior to becoming a nuclear strategy.
Split image: Left side shows a military aircraft releasing a missile mid-air; right side displays a US dollar bill and Iranian currency partially overlapping.
From bombed reactors to inflation and blackouts, a cascade of crises is testing the Islamic Republic’s resilience like never before.
Two figures in military gear salute, rendered in white and red with visible brain scans over their heads, set against a black background—a striking nod to the neuroscience of war.
In “Warhead,” neuroscientist and national security adviser Nicholas Wright explains how the brain navigates warfare and why it is our ultimate weapon (and instrument for peace).
Two men pose for a formal portrait; one wears a dark shirt and the other a suit and tie, set against a patterned background evocative of Alex Garland’s visual style, divided into green, gray, and blue sections.
Want to know how to handle work-life pressure? Big Think asked Warfare co-directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.
A computer-generated image shows the airflow patterns around a streamlined aircraft, highlighted in various colors to depict different airflow intensities.
Hypersonic aircraft can fly at least five times the speed of sound. They would make for terrifying weapons.
A drone flying in the sky at sunset with clouds in the background.
The military is courting tech startups to help it win the AI arms race.
Two pictures of a drone flying in the sky with a laser.
The futuristic weapon could be ready for the battlefield in 5 years.
A group of people collaborating and showcasing trust as they sit together on a rope, against a captivating black background.
Wherever businesses are a powerful force for society, successful leaders embrace the “mission mindset” of shared purpose.
An old Mongol drawing of a man with a bow and arrow.
Mounted on horses and armed with unique, powerful bows, the archers of Genghis Khan inspired terror wherever they rode.
a group of people sitting around a conference table.
As AI evolves — and more robotic warfare systems are deployed — the nature of conflict could change beyond recognition.
a fighter jet flying over a mountain range.
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works engineering division has devised many jaw-dropping aircraft. Here are some of the best — and one ship.
a drawing of a man wearing a helmet with a map in the background.
When Mongol traders came knocking, Sultan Muhammad II shaved off their beards. Three years later, his whole empire was annihilated.
In a state of "hyperwar," accidents or unexpected AI decisions could lead to widespread devastation before humans could intervene.
There's a link between dark personality traits and breaches of battlefield ethics.
You don’t need to ride into the danger zone to take advantage of TOPGUN’s life and career lessons.
4mins
TOPGUN fighter pilot Guy Snodgrass shares his 3 key leadership lessons from the cockpit.
navy dolphins
Imagine Flipper trained in the art of espionage.
Bloodcurdling war cries, shrieking elephants, and whistling arrows all made soldiers flee in terror.
Cold War meets Star Wars in this cut-away of a 1950 “rubber bubble,” the first line of defense against nuclear sneak attack.
Ukraine destroyed a railway to prevent passage from Transnistria into Ukraine.
Israel looks to deploy its “Iron Beam” air-defense system within the year.
javelin missiles
Javelin missiles have been an effective force multiplier, the latter-day equivalent of the sling that David used against Goliath.
russia cyberattack
Russia's cyberattacks against Ukraine have been prolific and ongoing for several years. The future of war may begin in cyberspace.
vietnam war
America’s war in Southeast Asia is fading fast from memory. These maps offer a horrific reminder.
The season finale gets the one thing Star Trek is famous for — ethics — completely wrong. Life is full of dilemmas whose solutions seem paradoxical. To obtain peace, you must prepare for war. […]