Policy

Is Jim Webb the Ultimate Democratic Dark Horse?

The Virginia Democrat could end up posing a steep electoral challenge to Hillary Clinton.

Policy

Corruption at US Border Security Could Undermine Entire System, Report Says

An internal report found the agency’s current investigations process 'chronically slow' and recommended a surge of nearly 350 new investigators.

Policy

Obama Names New Envoy to Close Guantanamo

The State Department is bringing in a White House legal veteran with deep Democratic ties as part of its latest push to close its detention facility in Cuba.

Policy

US Restores Bahrain Military Aid Despite Human Rights

Obama determines Bahrain, which houses key U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations in the Middle East, has made some “meaningful progress” on human rights reforms.

Policy

Meet Martin O’Malley, Hillary Clinton’s Latest Unlikely National Security Critic

The former Maryland governor offers a warier foreign policy, contrasting himself with a more hawkish Clinton and Republican field.

Ideas

Special Report: Beyond Guantanamo

President Obama has begun his final push to close Guantanamo. But America’s bigger challenge is deciding what to do with tomorrow's prisoners in a war without end.

Policy

Obama to Families of American Hostages: 'We Will Stand By You'

The president announced Wednesday that the government will no longer threaten prosecution for families who try to pay ransom to hostage-takers.

Policy

NATO Members’ Defense Spending, in Two Charts

The alliance’s easternmost members are ratcheting up their budgets as Russian threats loom.

Policy

Senate, House a World Apart When It Comes to Nukes

It's not that the Senate isn't interested in the issue — the House just has a bigger mandate.

Policy

Here’s Why Hillary Clinton Is Staying Quiet on National Security

She's gambling that the Democratic base will vote on other issues. Will it pay off in November 2016?

Policy

John McCain Wants to Change How the Military Buys Weapons

Two big changes could make leaders and services accountable for weapons-contract overruns.

Policy

Everything You Want To Know About Iran Sanctions

As the P5+1 continues negotiating a deal, here's how Tehran came to face a dizzying array of punitive measures.

Policy

Democrats Retreat In the Battle Over Defense Budget 'Gimmick'

An 'overstuffed' war fund is ok with Democrats in a defense policy bill but not in a spending bill, adding further uncertainty to a key measure already facing a veto threat.

Policy

Putin Bad, GOP Candidates Agree

Less clear is what they’d do, as America's next president, about a more assertive Russia.

Policy

Senate Passes Amendment Banning Torture

The bill has little chance of becoming law if the White House vetoes the NDAA, but it is nonetheless a symbolic measure.

Policy

Senate Attempts To Arm Kurds Directly, Reform Military Justice Fall Short

The Senate voted to move forward with the annual defense authorization bill earlier than in recent years, but it's as peppered with controversy as ever.

Policy

Jeb Bush Enters 2016 Race, Keeping National Security at a Distance

Bush announced his candidacy with a promise to be the optimistic candidate of ‘Today and Tomorrow’ — and no word on his father’s and brother’s wars in the Middle East.

Policy

Hillary Clinton, Former Secretary of State, Isn’t Emphasizing Foreign Policy — Yet

The most experienced national-security candidate in the 2016 presidential race formally opened her campaign by talking mostly about her personal narrative and domestic-policy goals.

Policy

The Syrian War in Numbers, 4 Years On

After 51 months of fighting, the death toll is more than 230,000 Syrians, including some 14,000 children and 30,000 opposition fighters.