This week’s tableau of Israeli, Bahraini and Emirati leaders gathered at the White House was meant to convey the reassuring message that the United States remains a strong force for peace and stability in the Middle East. Unfortunately, it was a misleadingly optimistic picture.

What happens if China engages in a great power conflict and loses? Will the Chinese Communist Party’s control over the society survive a horrifying defeat?

Should the United States put nuclear warheads on hypersonic missiles? For 20 years, Washington has answered “no” by excluding nuclear weapons from its prompt strike and hypersonic weapons programs. In order to close gaps in U.S. theater deterrence and assurance capabilities, it is time to consider a change of course. …