Threats
U.S. Suspending Nonlethal Aid to Northern Syria
After Islamic Front fighters take over rebel bases, U.S. pauses aid shipments. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Karzai: There is ‘No Deadline’ to Sign Troop Deal
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the Dec. 31 deadline to sign a post-2014 troop deal is just ‘pressure’ from the U.S. But visiting Gen. Martin Dempsey said negotiations are ‘closed.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
New Feds, Military Retirees to Contribute More to Pensions With Budget Deal
Savings gained by tweaking the retirement benefits of both groups would amount to $12 billion. By Kellie Lunney
Defense Systems
AF Cyber Command bulks up, slims down
The command is expanding its uniformed workforce while looking to simplify its architecture with the Joint Information Environment.
Business
Budget Agreement Eases Pentagon's Sequester Pain
The Pentagon's budget remains undecided, as Congress punts the sequester just two years down the road. By Sara Sorcher and Stacy Kaper
Policy
Republicans and Democrats Announce Budget Deal
The $1 trillion agreement would provide approximately $63 billion in relief from sequestration, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. By Tim Alberta, Billy House and Sarah Mimms
Threats
U.S. Could Begin Eliminating Syria's Chemical Weapons by January
The head of the OPCW said that the process to neutralize the chemical agents aboard a U.S. vessel could begin as early as next month. By Global Security Newswire
Threats
Two Billion People Could Starve After a 'Limited' Nuclear War
A new study says that essential food systems around the world would be severely compromised, leading to the end of industrial civilization. By Douglas Guarino
Threats
U.S. Military Intervenes With Airlifts In Central African Republic
Airlifts are intended to avert a "humanitarian" crisis in the tiny, landlocked country. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Expect Kerry, Congress to Clash Over Fragile Iran Nuclear Deal
Though the administration secured a small victory in Geneva, many lawmakers are seething at the terms of the deal. By Sara Sorcher and Stacy Kaper
Policy
Iranian Foreign Minister: More Sanctions Would Kill Nuke Deal
Javad Zarif's statement comes right before Secretary of State John Kerry is due to testify before members of Congress who want additional sanctions with the interim agreement. By Jordain Carney
Policy
GOP Divide Could Stall Defense Bill
The annual authorization bill could be held up if lawmakers throw up procedural barriers to stall SASC leadership. By Stacy Kaper
Defense Systems
DOD CIO Awards honor 3 individuals, 3 teams
The 13th annual awards reflect the department’s IT priorities.
Defense Systems
Army crowdsources project to build mobile command center
The Rapid Equipping Force stages a Make-A-Thon with an online community and soldiers at Fort Benning to find a fast way of turning an Army ATV into a battlefield command center.
Threats
Is This Submerged Rock East Asia's Next Flashpoint?
Caught between China, Japan and South Korea, this underwater island could become become another spot where tempers flare. By Lily Kuo
Business
Hagel Softens on Troop Deal, Gives Karzai Until February - But Not April
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel now says Afghanistan has to sign a troop deal by February’s NATO meeting. It’s not the April elections that worries him; it’s the runoffs. By Stephanie Gaskell
Science & Tech
Eight Tech Giants Urge Obama and Congress to Rein In NSA
Tech giants like Microsoft and Google are urging the administration to enact reforms that make surveillance programs more secure and transparent. By Bob Brewin
Science & Tech
Using Search Tools to Declassify Presidential Docs - Starting With Reagan's
New tools could find emails and other documents that are ready to be published for public release. By Joseph Marks
Policy
Can Congress Pass an NDAA This Year?
Lawmakers have their plates full, and its not clear whether or not a budget agreement will pass on Capitol Hill. By Billy House
Defense Systems