Ideas
Is John Kerry a Better Secretary of State Than Hillary Clinton?
In the last two months, Kerry has reopened mideast peace talks, negotiated a chemical weapons ban in Syria, found common ground with Russia and met in a historic sit-down with Iran's foreign minister. By Michael Hirsh
Threats
Obama Was Wrong When He Said the U.S. Doesn't Do Pinpricks
Ever since Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. has mainly only intervened militarily in small, strategic ways. By Lionel Beehner
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
Policy
Will There Be a Debt Ceiling Deal?
With thousands of civilian defense workers on furlough and warnings that readiness is eroding, time is running out to reach to a deal on the debt limit. By National Journal Staff
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
Defense Systems
Military looks to reuse IT equipment
Army command leading effort to repurpose computer hardware, achieve savings.
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
Ideas
Give and Take: Time to Get Real In U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks
Iran and the U.S. have the best shot in years at a nuclear deal, if each is willing to give up some of what it wants to get what it really needs. By Greg Thielmann
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
Policy
Congress Urges Hagel, U.S. to Block Turkey-China Anti-Missile Deal
Republicans in Congress are raising red flags over a possible deal to place Chinese anti-missile technology in Turkey, a NATO ally. By Rachel Oswald
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
Science & Tech
Simulation Complex: Into the Military's Love of Video Games
How the “military-entertainment complex” has taken over the troop experience. By Hamza Shaban
Ideas
In the Tank: A Shutdown Won’t Hurt the Pivot
This week’s best research and commentary on the latest in national security and foreign policy issues from top think tanks around the world. By Kedar Pavgi
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
Defense Systems
Army launches cyber research alliance
University research alliance will focus on future cyber threats to Army networks.
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
Policy
Congress Slams Obama for Cutting Aid to Egypt
Even Democrats say the president should have consulted lawmakers outside his inner circle before making a unilateral change to foreign policy. By Sara Sorcher
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