Policy
Obama’s War Budget: ‘Slush Fund’ or the New Normal?
Lawmakers are balking at Obama’s $65.8 billion Overseas Contingency Operations request. By Molly O’Toole
Ideas
You Can’t Fight Terrorists By Partnering With Guys Like Maliki
The U.S. needs to choose better counterterrorism partners than the likes of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. By Michael J. Quigley
Ideas
If the Pentagon Buys Less, It Needs to Invest More
If the military is supposed to use the peace to prepare for the next war, it has to spend more on research & development. By Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Col. Tom Harrison
Policy
Here Are All the Ways Congress Is Trying to Fix the VA
The Veterans Affairs Department is, by many accounts, broken, and Congress has a lot of ideas to fix it. By Eric Katz
Business
Don't Expect the VA to Improve Overnight
The acting VA secretary told Senators it will take years to correct the department's troubled course -- but an extra $17 billion could certainly speed things up. By Jordain Carney
Threats
ISIL and the Lesser Evil of Bashar al-Assad
As ISIL tears through Iraq, Syria's Assad has strengthened his alliances with Baghdad, Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. Could the U.S. be next? By Dominic Tierney
Defense Systems
Air Force certifies SpaceX launches for future contracts
The private space launch company is now qualified to compete for the Air Force’s EELV program.
Defense Systems
3 companies get contracts for a satellite-launching space plane
DARPA’s XS-1 program aims to develop a hypersonic unmanned craft that can launch payloads from suborbital altitudes.
Ideas
When War Zones Become Travel Destinations
'People come here every day to see the show,' says one tourism agent who brings spectators to the Syrian border. By Debra Kamin
Policy
House GOP Prepares Its Own Border Plan
All that's known so far is it will be cheaper than the president's $3.7 billion plan, and will include U.S. National Guard troops. By Billy House
Threats
Iron Dome—Savior, or Sales Job?
A brief comparison of some of the ways Western media outlets have portrayed Israel's high-profile anti-rocket system. By James Fallows
Policy
Senate Defense Bill Doubles Obama’s Request for Israel’s Iron Dome
As rockets fly over Israel and Gaza, Congress is doubling its spending on Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. By Molly O’Toole
Science & Tech
Could a Brain Scan Protect U.S. Troops from Insider Attacks?
U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan often don’t know who to trust. Brain scans to the rescue? By Patrick Tucker
Business
The VA Scandal Just Keeps Spreading
Add hidden documents, improperly-processed disability claims, and at least six new offices under scrutiny to the already long list of problems facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. By Jordain Carney
Ideas
British Ambassador to Speak On NATO and the Changing Face of Transatlantic Security
Join us as Defense One hosts an address and live conversation with British Amb. Peter Westmacott on NATO and Transatlantic Security. By Kevin Baron
Science & Tech
SpaceX Just Cleared a Key Hurdle on Its Way to Bidding for Air Force Contracts
Elon Musk's company proved for the 10th time it can launch satellites into space. But will that be enough to earn it a shot at nearly $70 billion in Air Force contracts? By Tim Fernholz
Threats
The Russian Double Game Continues in Ukraine
Despite a pubic pledge to help de-escalate tensions, Vladimir Putin's unwillingness or inability to stop Russian weapons from flowing into the hands of separatists is only prolonging an already very deadly crisis. By David Rohde
Defense Systems
Top 20 defense contractors, 2014
Defense companies dominate Washington Technology’s Top 100 list of federal contractors.
Defense Systems
Air Force mulls secretive sensor research center
The SIRCUS program would investigate how to measure sensor exploitation performance and sensor development, and require up to Secret-level clearances for contractors.
Business