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Expert: Oil Is Rarely the Cause of War
It is a misconception to talk about ‘oil wars’ and great powers going to war to secure energy supplies, says a professor of political science.
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Why the Iran War Hasn’t Caused a Global Oil Crisis — Yet
When the Strait of Hormuz first closed at the start of the 2026 Iran war, the world braced for the “largest energy crisis in history.” But a little over four months into the war, little of that has come to pass. The world has found ways to adapt without crude from the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say that won’t last.
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Spy Agencies Say AI Can Help Combat AI Cyber Risks. But Don’t Forget the Basics
Defenders should assume their adversaries already have access to AI on par with that used for cyber defense. Only by investing in strong foundations can they hope to escape the cat-and-mouse AI cyber arms race.
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Congress Set to Overhaul Disaster Recovery, Speeding Up New Home Builds
There are a lot of ways for disaster victims to get help in the immediate aftermath of a flood or fire, and now there is a new way: A little-noticed section in a bipartisan housing bill could accelerate new construction after major disasters.
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Some Agentic AI Browsers Come with Major Cybersecurity Risks: Study
In the last year or so, artificial intelligence companies have rolled out a spate of web browsers equipped with AI agents. New research found that the most powerful of these browsers also open users up to significant cybersecurity risks.
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U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them. A new framework should be developed which distinguishes between short-term operational needs, such as drought monitoring and emergency response, and long-term planning for water management, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
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The Lamentable State of British Defense Acquisition
Britain needs to move towards the French or Swedish model. Each nation has a defense acquisition agency with real authority, as well as a working deal with industry and the services on one side and the government moneybags on the other.
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Conflict Increases Food Prices in Far-Flung Locations: Study
Fighting along key transport routes pushes up food prices in areas far from the conflict itself, according to a new study. “The research tells us that the spillover effects of conflict are perhaps worse than previously thought,” says on of the study’s authors.
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Hacktivism Is an Underestimated Threat, Especially in Geopolitical Crises
Hacktivists, while individually unsophisticated, are collectively generating persistent disruption, particularly during geopolitical crises. Their impact is being amplified by a wider accessibility of tools, faster mobilization and alignment with real world events.
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Trump Administration Veers from the Rule of Law in Singling Out Anthropic’s Latest Models
Transparency, fairness, clarity, and evidence-driven enforcement should be core components of AI governance. So long as AI policy decisions are driven by a few actors taking action behind closed doors in response to non-public reports, we will be far short of that standard.
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ORNL-Developed Cybersecurity Framework Graduates from Lab to Electric Grid
A grid cybersecurity and verification framework developed at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been licensed by GridForge Energy Solutions. The startup plans to explore ways the technology could boost real-time visibility of grid behavior for energy projects, grid management companies and utilities.
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Texas Officials Say Rodents and Other Small Wildlife Could Be to Blame for New World Screwworm Infestations
As the New World screwworm continues to infiltrate livestock and other animals in Texas, many have been asking how the parasitic fly landed here to begin with. Until now, cattle were believed to be the main screwworm carriers. Investigations continue.
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Before SpaceX IPO, Investors in China Secretly Acquired Stakes
A businessman with ties to Chinese military contractors was among the overseas investors who acquired stakes in SpaceX while it was still a private company. SpaceX built its business off sensitive U.S. government work like making spy satellites for the Pentagon, so it is important to know which people in countries like China bought into the company, and how.
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The U.S. Military Is Spending Big on Critical Minerals
Over the past decade, DOD spending for critical minerals transformed from virtually nonexistent into a major spending area. The last five years in particular have seen a dramatic surge in both contracts and dollar value. Indigenous peoples raise the alarm as Pentagon spending on lithium, graphite, and other minerals skyrockets.
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Bugs, Beef, and Blame: New World Screwworm is Back
American cattle can’t catch a break. For the first time this year, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Texas dairy cows. And now, the biggest story this week is the confirmed re-introduction of New World Screwworm (NWS) into the United States.
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The long view
Hacktivism Is an Underestimated Threat, Especially in Geopolitical Crises
Hacktivists, while individually unsophisticated, are collectively generating persistent disruption, particularly during geopolitical crises. Their impact is being amplified by a wider accessibility of tools, faster mobilization and alignment with real world events.
Low-Cost Technique to Get Lithium Out of Rocks
Demand for lithium has surged in recent years as lithium-ion batteries power increasingly more of our world. A new low-temperature process could unlock cleaner lithium from America’s abundant hard rock while minimizing waste.
The U.S. Military Is Spending Big on Critical Minerals
Over the past decade, DOD spending for critical minerals transformed from virtually nonexistent into a major spending area. The last five years in particular have seen a dramatic surge in both contracts and dollar value. Indigenous peoples raise the alarm as Pentagon spending on lithium, graphite, and other minerals skyrockets.