International Security

The Battle of Savo Island wasn't lost because of inferior technology. It was lost because no one knew how to use the technology they had. warontherocks.com/2026/04/the-im…

The era of AI-enhanced cyber conflict is upon us - but even though new AI models are scary good, the defense has more to gain than the offense. That argument holds even against the most recent evidence, as I show in my new lawfare piece. lawfaremedia.org/article/the-ai…

Read @joelfbrenner 's new piece in @lawfare about AI and the degree to which it can make predictive judgments in complex environments. The International Security article is now *free to access* @mitpress : doi.org/10.1162/ISEC.a… @DrJLHazelton

Excited to finally be able to share my new article "Deception and Detection" in @IntSecHarvard In a nutshell, I argue that cyber defense has more to gain from AI automation than the offense. Here is the link to the full article : direct.mit.edu/isec/article/5…

American Presidents invariably claim that the use of U.S. military force abroad benefits the local population. U.S. Presidents often explicitly or implicitly claim that "the intervened population" therefore welcomes U.S. military intervention - a powerful moral claim.

"Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz tops the list of global energy security nightmares," wrote Caitlin Talmadge in 2008 in @IntSecHarvard. The aftermath of limited strikes on Iran would be complicated and costly. Free to read for 90 days: direct.mit.edu/isec/article/3…

As Ron Krebs demonstrates, aspiring populist demagogues love dead soldiers but hate serving officers. The former can’t answer back when their memory’s exploited, but the latter are the greatest potential obstacle to demagogic authority - hence efforts to cow and politicise.

7) We hope you enjoy the new issue of International Security! Winter 2025/26: direct.mit.edu/isec/issue

6) “Technology, Behavior, and Effectiveness in Naval Warfare: The Battles of Savo Island and Cape Saint George,” by @John_Severini and Stephen Biddle doi.org/10.1162/ISEC.a… This article is Open Access.

1) ***Announcement*** The new Winter 2025/26 issue is online! Read articles by Ron Krebs; @JaninaDill, Emily Myers, and Livia Schubiger; @LenMaschmeyer; @joelfbrenner; and @John_Severini and Stephen Biddle direct.mit.edu/isec/issue

Winter 2026 issue preview @IntSecHarvard! Krebs | why populists love dead soldiers @JaninaDill, Myers, Schubiger | local consent for military interventions @LenMaschmeyer | AI and cyberattacks @joelfbrenner | AI and strategic surprise @John_Severini, Biddle | naval warfare

7) We hope you enjoy the new issue of International Security! Fall 2025: direct.mit.edu/isec/issue

6) “To Agree or Not to Agree: Hawks, Doves, and Regime Type in International Rivalry and Rapprochement,” by Michael Goldfien doi.org/10.1162/ISEC.a…

1) ***Announcement*** The new Fall 2025 issue is online! Read articles by Marc Trachtenberg, @aaronbateman 22, Adam Mount, @djkim81, and Michael Goldfien. direct.mit.edu/isec/issue @mitpress @BelferCenter