Policy

NSA Domestic Spying Will Start Stopping This Week

Lawmakers only have until Friday—not June 1—to resolve their standoff over the NSA's domestic surveillance, according to a new memo from the Obama administration.

Policy

NatSec Hawk Lindsey Graham Announces that He'll Announce His 2016 Run

The South Carolina Republican joins a very crowded GOP field — but could distinguish himself with his foreign policy experience.

Policy

McCain Brokers Compromise That Would Let Obama Close Gitmo

But there’s a big if: Congress has to approve the president's closure plan.

Policy

House Passes Amendment Requiring Obama To Pick a Hostage Coordinator

As the White House continues to review its policies concerning kidnapped U.S. citizens, the House may force its hand.

Policy

NSA Spying Heads to Critical Senate Showdown

After the House voted to end bulk collection of phone data, Sen. Mitch McConnell promised to force a vote next week to reauthorize it.

Policy

The ‘Rubio Doctrine’ Is a Rerun

For all his attempts to position himself as a fresh-faced foreign policy leader, Marco Rubio stands on the same national security stool the GOP recycles roughly every four years.

Policy

Sen. Corker: NSA Should Do Far More with Your Phone Data

The NSA's bulk-data collection program is so scaled down that it's not nearly as effective as it should be, the Senate Foreign Relations chairman says.

Policy

Jeb Bush Bets Voters Care More About Obama’s Iraq Than His Brother’s

With the U.S. public again finding its appetite for intervention, the real question facing Jeb Bush for 2016 is: What would you do about Iraq now?

Policy

While Ruling NSA Program Illegal, Appeals Court Suggests Path Forward

A recent federal appeals court ruling on the NSA's domestic surveillance program seems to be sending the political branches constitutional messages about how to proceed next.

Policy

Pentagon’s Budget, Middle East Summit Add Up to A Big Week in Washington

The House and Senate take up their respective defense authorization bills while the White House welcomes Gulf leaders for a two-day summit at Camp David.

Policy

Republicans Come Out In Force To Keep NSA's Domestic Surveillance Alive

Sen. Mitch McConnell and his fellow GOP security hawks are working hard to keep the spy agency’s phone dragnet. But they’re making some dubious claims in its defense.

Policy

Federal Appeals Court Rules NSA Spying Illegal

The phone data collection program 'exceeds the scope of what Congress has authorized,' a federal judge ruled Thursday in New York.

Policy

‘Road to Nowhere’: Defense Secretary Slams GOP Defense Budget

One day after Republicans passed a budget resolution that would boost defense spending, Pentagon leaders called it irresponsible and dangerous.

Policy

John McCain Actually Applauds A White House National-Security Move

Nobody is happier than the Senate Armed Services chairman that President Obama has picked Gen. Joseph Dunford to replace Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey.

Policy

In Senate GOP's Iran Standoff, the Rebels Are Losing

Most Republicans are siding against Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton in their quest for tough amendment votes.

Policy

Congress, White House on Collision Course Over Guantanamo

GOP lawmakers are trying to block Obama’s last chance to close the prison.

Policy

Democrats May Delay GOP Defense Bill Until Spending Caps Are Lifted

In both chambers, the minority wants to stop the majority from passing bills that skirt or exceed funding caps.

Policy

Bernie Sanders Enters 2016 Race as an Alternative to Hawkish Rivals—Including Clinton

The anti-war Vermont senator calls for accountable defense spending and better veterans care, setting him apart from other 2016 candidates on national security.

Policy

Tom Cotton, Twitter, and the Weird Future of Diplomacy

The freshman senator challenges Iran’s foreign minister to a debate, gets slapped down.

Policy

A Skeptic's Guide to the Iran Deal

Democrat Adam Schiff explains what worries him about the framework nuclear agreement with Tehran—and about his Republican colleagues.