Threats
Why Egypt's Sinai Is a Security Mess
The triangle shaped buffer zone between Egypt and Israel is a hotbed of lawlessness, and political instability stemming from the aftershocks of the Arab Spring. By Zachary Laub
Business
U.S. Troops Exposed to Afghan Burn Pits After $5.4 Million Incinerators Fail
A new watchdog report says that troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan were put at risk because solid waste burned in open-air. By Charles Clark
Threats
What If a Drone Struck an American Wedding?
Can you imagine the wall-to-wall press coverage and outrage if a foreign power struck an American wedding like we just did in Yemen? By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
The Iran Deal Hasn't Collapsed
The Obama administration announced a series of new sanctions on companies linked with Tehran, while simultaneously launching a charm offensive to convince skeptical lawmakers. By Sara Sorcher
Business
White House Refuses to Split NSA, CYBERCOM
The Obama administration decided to keep the spy agency head dual-hatted by a military commander. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Republican Senators Split Over Military Retiree COLA Cuts
Several key lawmakers want to halt the COLA adjustment to protect military retirees. By Jordain Carney
Ideas
Power or Persuasion: More Sanctions or Bombs for Iran?
In the art of coercive diplomacy, sanctions and military pressure go hand-in-hand and must be feared, but they still have limits. By James Kitfield
Defense Systems
Air Force to cut 900 civilian jobs, leave 7,000 others unfilled
Facing the pressures of a tightened 2014 budget, the service said it will use early retirement and voluntary separations reduce the workforce.
Business
Senate Confirms New Air Force Secretary
Deborah Lee James is the service's second female secretary, and brings years of industry experience to the job. By Jordain Carney
Science & Tech
Navy Wants Battleships to Run on Seawater
The battleships of the future could be powered by gas sucked right out of the water they sail across. By Marina Koren
Business
House Passes Bipartisan Budget Deal
The $85 billion dollar deal will tweak the pension contributions for new federal workers and working age military retirees. By Kellie Lunney
Business
House Passes NDAA, Approves 1 Percent Pay Raise for Troops
The measure also covered other critical areas of military compensation, including combat pay, housing allowances, and reenlistment bonuses. By Kellie Lunney
Ideas
Obama’s Syria Policy in Disarray, Is Counterterrorism Next?
Syria’s opposition imploding “is a big problem,” warns Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Are U.S. counterterrorism operations inevitable? By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Defense Systems
DARPA seeks to bring satellite costs back down to Earth
Concerned about the soaring cost of access to space, the R&D agency is investigating re-usable rockets and space planes along with modular “satlets” as part of an on-orbit repair service.
Policy
So When Does the U.S. Really Need Afghanistan to Sign the Troop Deal?
Obama administration officials still want a troop deal in Afghanistan in place by the end of the year, but want and need are two different things. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Honor Mandela by Intervening in the Central African Republic, Lest Genocide
The U.S. is cash-strapped, and unwilling to put boots on the ground: supporting the U.N. and regional forces may be the best way to avert more mass killings. By David Rohde
Business
The General Who Opened Guantanamo's Prison Wants to Shut It Down
Retired Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert writes in an op-ed that the U.S. had insufficient evidence on many prisoners of "little intelligence value" who "should never have been sent" to GTMO. By Marina Koren
Business
Hagel Backs Budget Deal
The agreement doesn't solve all of the Pentagon's budget woes, but the defense secretary says it helps address readiness and procurement challenges. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Graham Threatens to Block Defense Bill Over Iran Sanctions Vote
With Congress running out of time, Graham threatens to halt the NDAA unless more sanctions are placed on Iran. By Stacy Kaper
Defense Systems