Business
How Does the Government Decide Which Workers Are Essential?
Pentagon officials don't like using the word 'essential' when it comes to furloughing employees. So how do they decide who's exempt from the shutdown? By Brittany Ballenstedt
Business
Got a Security Clearance? Now the Feds Want to Spy on You, Too
Are you cleared? The Snowden case has sparked a new debate over how much the government should spy on its own workers with security clearance. By Aliya Sternstein
Ideas
To Save the Submarines, Eliminate ICBMs and Bombers
If the Pentagon is serious about new Ohio-class SSBNs, then it should end the “nuclear triad” of missiles and bombers (freeing $20 billion a year). By Christopher Preble and Matt Fay
Business
The Atlantic's Interview With Defense Secretary Hagel
The sergeant-turned-secretary talks about his job, and why he sent Egypt's top general a book about George Washington. By Steve Clemons
Ideas
Announcing the Inaugural Defense One Summit
Defense One is gathering national security and defense leaders to discuss the future of U.S. global security responsibilities and power. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Shutdown Creates Training ‘Gap’ for Afghanistan-Bound Troops
Commanders halt training for National Guard units deploying to Afghanistan next year, amid shutdown's pay freeze. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Policy
Obama Signs Bill to Reinstate Troop Death Benefits During the Shutdown
President Obama signed the bill Thursday after the Fisher House Foundation offered to pay death benefits to families of fallen troops during the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
House Republicans Accuse the Pentagon of Shutdown ‘Politics’
Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale was berated by House Armed Services Committee members who accused the administration of using furloughs ‘for political purposes.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Ash Carter to Retire
Ash Carter, deputy defense secretary and the Pentagon’s top budget man, will retire on Dec. 4. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Fisher House Rescues DoD on Death Benefits During Shutdown
The Fisher House Foundation will pay death benefits to families of fallen troops and get reimbursed by the Pentagon once the shutdown is over. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Obama Expects Troop Death Benefits Fix ‘Today’
The public outrage over the shutdown halting ‘death gratuity’ payments to the families of fallen soldiers has reached the White House -- President Obama says he expects a fix today. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Shutdown Could Crimp Pentagon Training and Confuse Contractors
Lack of funding will disrupt operations and impact the national security supply chain, a new report says. By Charles S. Clark
Business
House OKs Bill To Pay Federal Workers On Time During Shutdown
The House unanimously approves legislation to pay federal employees who are working during the shutdown on time, but the White House says it will veto it. By Eric Katz
Science & Tech
Electrical Explosions Cause Construction Delays at NSA's $1.2 Billion Spy Compound
Persistent electrical surges apparently sparked explosions and a year-long delay that NSA officials did not disclose. By Aliya Sternstein
Business
House Scrambles to Reinstate Troop Death Benefits During Shutdown
The House Appropriations Committee is drafting a bill that will let Congress pay death benefits to families of troops killed in action during the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
5 Takeaways from the U.S. Special Ops Raids in Somalia and Libya
Two surprise operations illuminate America’s shadow war against terrorists and reveal important elements of Washington’s evolving counterterrorism strategy. By James Kitfield
Business
Senate Still Hasn't Voted on Bill That Gives Back Pay to Furloughed Workers
Several Republicans want to be able to attach amendments to a bill that would pay furloughed workers retroactively after the shutdown ends. By Kellie Lunney
Business
Hagel Names Special Envoy to Close Guantanamo
The Defense Department appointed Paul Lewis, former HASC general counsel, to help close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
DoD Acquisitions Staff Are Back to Work, They Just Can't Buy Anything
If the shutdown lasts, acquisition and contract employees face being furloughed again because they don't have any money to buy anything. By Bob Brewin
Business