Science & Tech

Drone-Hunting Blimp To Launch Over Washington

A high-altitude radar blimp is set to take off over the nation’s capital. By Patrick Tucker

Policy

Three Post-9/11 Veterans Named to Senate Armed Services Committee

The GOP has selected three freshman senators, all veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan, to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. By Molly O’Toole

Business

Ash Carter’s Asia Plans

President Obama’s pick to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been an advocate for a pivot to Asia since the late 1990s. By Adam Tiffen

Policy

Will a GOP Senate Let Obama Close Guantanamo?

The president's ability to fulfill his campaign pledge could depend on which side wins an inner-party debate. By Jordain Carney

Threats

The Slow Slide Toward Dictatorship Taking Place in Egypt and Turkey

The governments of Cairo and Ankara rounded up dozens of critics this past weekend as the two U.S. allies increasingly crack down on dissent with intimidation and violence. By Steven A. Cook

Ideas

The Race To Claim the North Pole Is Heating Up

After 12 years and $50 million of research, Copenhagen is claiming an area of the North Pole about 20 times the size of Denmark. By Kabir Chibber

Defense Systems

Navy could get next-gen global comm system a bit sooner

Lockheed Martin opens a facility to speed up testing and certification of MUOS terminals and applications.

Defense Systems

DOD continues push to boost supercomputing power

The high-performance modernization program awards two $30 million contracts to increase computing capacity at its HPC centers.

Threats

An Especially Deadly Day in Afghanistan

Taliban militants continue to take advantage of the vulnerability created by the U.S. withdrawal. By Allen McDuffee

Ideas

Coburn Has Gone Too Far Blocking Veterans Suicide Bill

By blocking veteran’s suicide prevention, Sen. Coburn shows exactly the kind of ego-fuelled hypocrisy exhausting Americans. By Montel Williams

Policy

Sen. Coburn Is Holding Up the Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill

Several senators want the Clay Hunt suicide prevention bill passed by unanimous consent, but its being held up by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. By Jordain Carney

Science & Tech

Upgrades Will Let the Navy’s LCS Operate in More Dangerous Waters

The Pentagon approves a plan to upgrade the Navy’s littoral combat ships with more firepower and defensive equipment, but is it enough? By Marcus Weisgerber and Patrick Tucker

Policy

Will Congress Investigate Drone Killings Next?

Details about how drones are used to kill terrorists remain unknown and the next Senate Foreign Relations chairman says it's an area ripe for oversight. By Lauren Fox

Defense Systems

The military is becoming immersed in virtual training

As simulations become more realistic and scalable, the services are putting them to use in large-scale exercises.

Defense Systems

JIE security components set for January deployment

The Pentagon's acting CIO said successful security testing clears the way for initial deployment of the Joint Information Environment.

Business

Government Agencies Told To Prepare for Another Shutdown

The Office of Emergency Management is instructing federal agencies to get ready for another government shutdown as Congress continues to debate how to fund the government. By Eric Katz

Business

CIA Director Brennan Tries To Put Torture In the Past

In a rare news conference, CIA Director John Brennan reacts to the release of the Senate’s report on torture. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

The US Needs a New Church Committee

Two Church Committee staffers say “inadequate” intelligence oversight today needs bolstering. By Michael German