Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Navy curtails sonar war on whales

This is good to do. Still, I fear that one day, when we eventually learn to communicate with whales (who might be smarter than us), their first question will be, “What the hell were you humans thinking?”

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
1024px-Arnoux's_beaked_whale_in_Antarctica
1024px-Arnoux's_beaked_whale_in_Antarctica

 

 

This is good to do. Still, I fear that one day, when we eventually learn to communicate with whales (who might be smarter than us), their first question will be, “What the hell were you humans thinking?”

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

Read More On Environment | Military

More from Foreign Policy

Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.
Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.

Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak

Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.

Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.
Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.

Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage

The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.

A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.
A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.

The West’s False Choice in Ukraine

The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.

Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi
Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi

The Masterminds

Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.