Interviews

Defense News offers exclusive interviews with military and industry decision-makers from around the globe.


  • India-China Border Talks Make No Headway
    India-China Border Talks Make No Headway

    Following recent summit talks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang have agreed to seek what both called a “fair resolution” to the border dispute between the two countries

  • Interview: Alan Shaffer
    Interview: Alan Shaffer

    Alan Shaffer has helped guide the Pentagon’s R&D efforts since 2007. This summer, he is leaving that job to take a new one as the director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office.

  • Interview: Gwynne Shotwell
    Interview: Gwynne Shotwell

    The company, founded by Elon Musk, has upended the military launch market, but not without challenges. SpaceX officials have complained about the slow pace of the Air Force’s certification program, while also launching a lawsuit against the service after it awarded ULA a block-buy contract that SpaceX deemed unfair

  • Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge
    Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge

    Afghan and Pakistani leaders have agreed on closer defense and security cooperation, leading analysts to believe the neighbors are finally sharing a common view on achieving regional stability

  • Tories Name Not-So-New MoD Team
    Tories Name Not-So-New MoD Team

    Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Procurement Minister Philip Dunne will both continue in their pre-election posts under the new government being formed by the ruling Conservative Party following the May 7 general election.

  • With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice
    With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice

    President Obama’s selection of Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to have done the impossible — created consensus in Washington.

  • Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief
    Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief

    Czech President Milos Zeman has appointed Lt. Gen. Josef Becvar as the new chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Becvar will replace Gen. Petr Pavel.

  • Selva Steeped in Israel-Palestinian Politics
    Selva Steeped in Israel-Palestinian Politics

    US President Barack Obama’s choice for vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is well versed in the challenges that have thus far prevented Israel and the Palestinian Authority from realizing US and international goals of a two-state peace deal

  • BENS: Tweak Executive Appointment Process
    BENS: Tweak Executive Appointment Process

    A few relatively modest tweaks to the vetting and confirmation process would make public service more appealing to experienced private sector professionals and help attract top talent, a new report concludes.

  • Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman
    Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

    There are growing indications that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps.

  • India-China Border Talks Make No Headway
    India-China Border Talks Make No Headway

    Following recent summit talks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang have agreed to seek what both called a “fair resolution” to the border dispute between the two countries

  • Interview: Alan Shaffer
    Interview: Alan Shaffer

    Alan Shaffer has helped guide the Pentagon’s R&D efforts since 2007. This summer, he is leaving that job to take a new one as the director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office.

  • Interview: Gwynne Shotwell
    Interview: Gwynne Shotwell

    The company, founded by Elon Musk, has upended the military launch market, but not without challenges. SpaceX officials have complained about the slow pace of the Air Force’s certification program, while also launching a lawsuit against the service after it awarded ULA a block-buy contract that SpaceX deemed unfair

  • Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge
    Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge

    Afghan and Pakistani leaders have agreed on closer defense and security cooperation, leading analysts to believe the neighbors are finally sharing a common view on achieving regional stability

  • Tories Name Not-So-New MoD Team
    Tories Name Not-So-New MoD Team

    Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Procurement Minister Philip Dunne will both continue in their pre-election posts under the new government being formed by the ruling Conservative Party following the May 7 general election.

  • With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice
    With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice

    President Obama’s selection of Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to have done the impossible — created consensus in Washington.

  • Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief
    Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief

    Czech President Milos Zeman has appointed Lt. Gen. Josef Becvar as the new chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Becvar will replace Gen. Petr Pavel.

  • Selva Steeped in Israel-Palestinian Politics
    Selva Steeped in Israel-Palestinian Politics

    US President Barack Obama’s choice for vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is well versed in the challenges that have thus far prevented Israel and the Palestinian Authority from realizing US and international goals of a two-state peace deal

  • BENS: Tweak Executive Appointment Process
    BENS: Tweak Executive Appointment Process

    A few relatively modest tweaks to the vetting and confirmation process would make public service more appealing to experienced private sector professionals and help attract top talent, a new report concludes.

  • Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman
    Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

    There are growing indications that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps.

  • India-China Border Talks Make No Headway
    India-China Border Talks Make No Headway

    Following recent summit talks, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang have agreed to seek what both called a “fair resolution” to the border dispute between the two countries

  • Interview: Alan Shaffer
    Interview: Alan Shaffer

    Alan Shaffer has helped guide the Pentagon’s R&D efforts since 2007. This summer, he is leaving that job to take a new one as the director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office.

  • Interview: Gwynne Shotwell
    Interview: Gwynne Shotwell

    The company, founded by Elon Musk, has upended the military launch market, but not without challenges. SpaceX officials have complained about the slow pace of the Air Force’s certification program, while also launching a lawsuit against the service after it awarded ULA a block-buy contract that SpaceX deemed unfair

  • Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge
    Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge

    Afghan and Pakistani leaders have agreed on closer defense and security cooperation, leading analysts to believe the neighbors are finally sharing a common view on achieving regional stability

  • Tories Name Not-So-New MoD Team
    Tories Name Not-So-New MoD Team

    Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Procurement Minister Philip Dunne will both continue in their pre-election posts under the new government being formed by the ruling Conservative Party following the May 7 general election.

  • With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice
    With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice

    President Obama’s selection of Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to have done the impossible — created consensus in Washington.

  • Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief
    Becvar Named Top Czech Military Chief

    Czech President Milos Zeman has appointed Lt. Gen. Josef Becvar as the new chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Becvar will replace Gen. Petr Pavel.

  • Selva Steeped in Israel-Palestinian Politics
    Selva Steeped in Israel-Palestinian Politics

    US President Barack Obama’s choice for vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is well versed in the challenges that have thus far prevented Israel and the Palestinian Authority from realizing US and international goals of a two-state peace deal

  • BENS: Tweak Executive Appointment Process
    BENS: Tweak Executive Appointment Process

    A few relatively modest tweaks to the vetting and confirmation process would make public service more appealing to experienced private sector professionals and help attract top talent, a new report concludes.

  • Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman
    Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

    There are growing indications that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps.