Ideas
Planning for Withdrawal in Afghanistan May Be Smart, But It’s Not Wise
Getting the new Afghan president to sign a troop deal will require a steady hand through the next several months of political uncertainty. By Daniel Markey
Business
Audit Warns of Problems Launching U.S. Missile Defenses in Europe
'Significant delays' will continue if the Pentagon doesn't change its current plan. By Rachel Oswald
Policy
Border Corruption Is Costing the Afghan Government Millions
The U.S. has spent nearly $200 million since 2009 to help Afghanistan fight corruption on its borders. It’s not working. By Charles S. Clark
Ideas
Why the Pentagon Should Reduce Its Civilian Workforce by 15 Percent
Failing to cut the civilian workforce will just end up hurting the military in the end. By Rep. Ken Calvert
Business
The Pentagon Is Revising Its WMD Strategy
The new strategy replaces the 2006 plan and will better ‘reflect the global nature’ of the threat. By Diane Barnes
Business
Does the Military Have Enough Psychiatrists?
The military has increased the number of behavioral-health providers by 150 percent, but many say more needs to be done. By Clara Ritger
Business
Land-Based Nukes Escape Drastic Cuts Under New START Treaty
But the new START arms control treaty does get a boost from the Pentagon's decision to eliminate 50 weapons from its deployed ICBM fleet. By Diane Barnes
Policy
Army, National Guard Fight Over Apache Helicopters
The plan to give the National Guard’s Apache helicopters to the Army isn’t sitting well with Guard Chief Gen. Frank Grass. By Ben Watson
Ideas
SPECIAL REPORT: Afghanistan Election
Read the best of Defense One's Afghanistan coverage as the nation votes this weekend for a new president and sets the course of its future. By Defense One Staff
Business
USAID Accused of Covering Up Failures in Afghanistan
When asked to provide a list of 10 successful programs in Afghanistan, USAID replied with 'generalities' the inspector general said. By Charles S. Clark
Ideas
Realizing the Asia-Pacific Rebalance
Why the pivot to Asia ‘remains front and center in our national security strategy.’ By Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
Business
U.S. Nuclear Bomb Designs Vulnerable, Says Government Watchdog
Energy Department investigator criticizes bomb data protections, questionable staff access. By Diane Barnes
Business
9 Air Force Officers Fired in Nuclear Missile Cheating Scandal
The commander of the nuclear missile wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana also stepped down after a massive cheating scandal. By Jordain Carney
Business
Pakistan Isn’t Getting Any U.S. Military Equipment from Afghanistan
Despite media reports, U.S. military officials say Pakistan won’t get any of its leftover military equipment after troops drawdown at the end of the year. By Sara Sorcher
Business
The Pentagon Can't Buy All Its F-35s for $390.4 Billion
The latest downbeat watchdog report finds software woes likely to delay F-35 further. By Charles S. Clark
Business
The Myth Behind the Hollow Force
The disconnect lies in the difference between a smaller force and a hollow force. By Russell Rumbaugh
Business
Republicans Want to Cut 115,000 Civilian Defense Jobs
The bill would save $82.5 billion following a decade of defense hiring one lawmaker called ‘unnecessarily bloated.’ By Eric Katz
Business
Hagel Orders 'Troubling Gaps' Closed in DOD Background Checks, May Cut Clearances
Navy Yard shooting reviews prompt tougher ‘continuous evaluation’ of secret clearances. By Ben Watson and Kevin Baron
Business
Pentagon’s New Health Record System Will Cost $1.5 Billion
The original system was ditched last year after costs spiraled to $28 billion. By Bob Brewin
Business