Policy

House Defense Champion Rep. Bill Young to Retire

The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee chairman and longtime defense hawk will step town after more than 40 years in Congress. By Kevin Baron

Defense Systems

Army regional network plan advances

Congressional panels give Army the reprogramming flexibility to launch regional networks.

Defense Systems

GEOINT symposium postponed until next spring

Geospatial intelligence event falls victim to partial government shutdown.

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

Science & Tech

Why America Wants Drones That Can Kill Without Humans

The U.S. wants smarter, more secure drones. But are lethal autonomous robots the answer? By Joshua Foust

Defense Systems

JIE is linchpin of next-generation classified cloud

DISA and the services are working to synchronize efforts toward developing, fielding a Joint Information Environment that promotes interoperability.

Defense Systems

Air Force factoring spectrum reallocation into integration plans

The service’s integration chief says he is working to ensure uninterrupted joint operations.

Defense Systems

DOD moves to shore up obsolete parts pipeline

Defense Logistics Agency managing possible transition of its spare parts database.

Threats

Obama Is Changing the Way He Fights the War on Terror

The U.S. moved to capture militants in Libya and Somalia, rather than killing them. It may be better than drones, but it brings political risks. By Sara Sorcher

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

Shutdown Shame: Denying Troop Death Benefits

The families of U.S. troops killed in combat during the shutdown will have to wait for an end to Washington’s gridlock to get emergency death benefits. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Business

Why the Pentagon's CIOs Remain Furloughed

Defense Department lawyers say the Pay Our Military Act doesn't cover the Pentagon's civilian information officers and their staffs. By Bob Brewin

Ideas

America’s Longest War

America’s longest war has become its forgotten war. If there was ever a time to pay attention to Afghanistan, it’s now. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Week Two of the Shutdown: Will There Be a Compromise?

Lawmakers return to work for the second week of the shutdown. Are they any closer to reaching a deal? By Billy House

Business

Hagel Orders Most Furloughed Civilian Employees Back to Work

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is putting most of the 400,000 furloughed civilian defense employees back to work despite the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell