Policy
Trump Ends Federal Hiring Freeze, but Workforce Cuts Loom
In issuing guidance for reductions, OMB director tells feds not to focus on who will be fired.
Threats
‘No Doubt’ Syria Behind Chemical Attack, Mattis Says
And Trump’s rush order for a counter-ISIS plan, remains just a “skeleton,” Mattis said. "It's going to take time."
Ideas
Easy There, Blob. With Obama, We Faced A Different Syria
Four years ago, everything was different in Syria. I support these strikes, but two of our worries remain the same: escalation and loss of control.
Ideas
‘It Was High Time’
The right move, if the wrong president, for Obama's internal critics who wanted air strikes in Syria for three years.
Policy
Trump's Defense Hike Would Violate Budget Law, Congress' Analysts Confirm
An April 3 report by the Congressional Research Service says the White House’s draft 2018 request does not comply with the $549 billion cap.
Policy
The US Air Force Is Reorganizing to Fight in Space
After a scathing report, service leaders are creating a three-star czar to oversee orbital warfare.
Policy
‘General Flynn Certainly Has a Story to Tell’
The former national-security adviser has asked congressional committees and the FBI for immunity in exchange for his testimony, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Policy
Comey on the Political Firestorms His Decisions Stoke: ‘Honestly, I Don’t Care’
The FBI director talks about making hard choices and the bureau’s future at intel contractor gathering.
Policy
Would Better Messaging Help the Military Boost Its Budget?
Even if Pentagon leaders clarified their ‘readiness’ warnings, they’d still face an uphill battle for more funding in 2017.
Policy
What One Joint Chief Of Staff Thinks of Trump
Do the generals have too much influence? I asked the U.S. Air Force’s top military leader.
Policy
Once Stealthy, Russian Hackers Now Go Toe to Toe with US Defenders
Once wary of being spotted, Russian government hackers now battle with their U.S. adversaries.
Ideas
When the House of Trump Met the House of Saud
The Saudi and Trump families looked cozy in their first state visit, but beneath the gilded surface, don’t expect much to change in U.S.-Saudi relations.
Policy
GOP Lawmaker to FBI: Stop the Leaks in Russia Probe or Lose A Key Surveillance Tool
After top cop confirms investigating the Trump campaign, a House member threatens to hold investigatory powers hostage.
Policy
Trump Picks ‘Mr. Fix-It’ to Run Daily Ops at Pentagon
Patrick Shanahan’s missile-defense background could prove important in a Trump administration.
Policy
Trump Budget Would Abolish 19 Agencies, Cut Thousands of Federal Jobs
State and EPA hit hardest; performance plan would “untie” managers’ hands.
Policy
Trump Advisor Promises A Plan to Improve Federal Network Security
A top homeland security adviser says “bureaucrats” will be held accountable for breaches and other problems.
Policy
Trump Proposes More Money for Nukes, Border Security
Dubbed a “hard-power” budget by administration officials, the 2018 spending plan includes money for a controversial border wall.
Science & Tech
Yahoo, Erectile Dysfunction Meds, and the Sloppy Future of Russian Spying
Two hackers hired by FSB agents started running side scams. Now Moscow has account data on half a billion Yahoo users.
Policy