Policy

Democrats Want to Reverse $6B Veterans Benefits Cut, Pay for It Later

Congress has agreed to reverse $6 billion in cuts to veterans benefits. They just can't agree on how to pay for it. By Stacy Kaper and Jordain Carney

Defense Systems

A ‘powerful antenna in a soldier’s pocket,’ thanks to origami

Collapsible antennas being developed at FIU and Georgia Tech may have military and commercial applications.

Threats

Obama: Afghan War Will End With or Without Troop Deal

President Obama says the war in Afghanistan will be over at the end of the year, with or without a troop deal from Afghan President Hamid Karzai. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Obama’s Vision: No More War but Plenty More Fighting

President Obama’s speech illustrates America’s global security dilemma: stay out of wars, but don’t let up the fight. By Kevin Baron

Business

Lawmakers Vow to Repeal Military Pension Cut

Senators from both parties want to repeal scheduled cuts to the pensions of working-age military retirees. By Eric Katz

Ideas

Dempsey’s Message on Women in Combat: Trust Transcends Gender

One year ago this month, the military repealed the combat exclusion for women. Here’s my message. By Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey

Science & Tech

The Army Wants More Smartphones on the Battlefield

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno says the Army shouldn't have to rely on heavy, bulky communications equipment. By Bob Brewin

Science & Tech

Pentagon Wants to Develop Electronics That Can Vaporize

DARPA is trying to make battlefield electronic systems 'capable of physically disappearing in a controlled, triggerable manner.' By Bob Brewin

Threats

Freezing Out U.S. Security at Sochi Is a Counterterrorism Fail

Putin’s Sochi stiff arm is a dangerous rejection of U.S. security help, right as the jihadist Caucasus Emirate looks to strike the 2014 Winter Olympics. By Aki Peritz

Defense Systems

Battlefield electronics that do their job, then vanish?

DARPA awards BAE a $4.5 million contract under its VAPR program to develop electronics that can melt away.

Defense Systems

DOD acquisition chief forecasts R&D cuts

Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, warned that the failure to reduce force structure means investment accounts like R&D will have to pay the bill.

Defense Systems

University launches US’s first College of Security and Intelligence

Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus to provide hands-on forensic and intelligence degrees.

Policy

Budget Cuts Are Sending the Wrong Message to Veterans

President Obama will surely thank the troops during his State of the Union speech, but will Washington stop balancing the budget on the backs of veterans? By Alex Nicholson

Business

Special Report: The State of Defense 2014

As President Obama prepares to give his State of the Union speech, Defense One takes a closer look at the nation's military and the state of defense.

Threats

Top General Wants 10,000 U.S. Troops in Afghanistan until 2017

Gen. Joseph Dunford is reportedly pushing a plan to keep 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2017. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Air Force's Fanning On DOD's Challenges Before and After DADT

The No. 2 Air Force civilian, and senior-most gay DOD employee, says the Pentagon's faced difficulty getting foreign governments to accept the military's new same-sex rules - from National Journal's 'Gay Washington' issue. By Sara Sorcher

Defense Systems

Demonstration features Reaper’s electronic attack capability

GA-ASI and Northrup Grumman test electronic warfare capabilities for the large unmanned aircraft in a coordinated attack.

Ideas

Time to Get Ready for War in the Robotic Age

The U.S. must prepare now for a world of widely proliferated military robotics. By Shawn Brimley and Paul Scharre

Science & Tech

What the Target Breach and Edward Snowden Tell Us About Network Controls

Giant data leaks from retailers to national security show that cyber security is more than an IT issue. It's about who has access -- and control. By Eric Chiu