Policy

Three Post-9/11 Veterans Named to Senate Armed Services Committee

The GOP has selected three freshman senators, all veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan, to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Will a GOP Senate Let Obama Close Guantanamo?

The president's ability to fulfill his campaign pledge could depend on which side wins an inner-party debate. By Jordain Carney

Ideas

Coburn Has Gone Too Far Blocking Veterans Suicide Bill

By blocking veteran’s suicide prevention, Sen. Coburn shows exactly the kind of ego-fuelled hypocrisy exhausting Americans. By Montel Williams

Policy

Sen. Coburn Is Holding Up the Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill

Several senators want the Clay Hunt suicide prevention bill passed by unanimous consent, but its being held up by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. By Jordain Carney

Policy

Will Congress Investigate Drone Killings Next?

Details about how drones are used to kill terrorists remain unknown and the next Senate Foreign Relations chairman says it's an area ripe for oversight. By Lauren Fox

Policy

Congress Quietly Bolsters NSA Spying in Intelligence Bill

‘It grants the executive branch virtually unlimited access to the communications of every American,’ warns one lawmaker. By Dustin Volz

Policy

Levin Is Leaving Congress Disappointed the NDAA Doesn’t Do More

The longtime Senate Armed Services Committee chairman wanted to pass military compensation reform and move toward closing Guantanamo before he retires this year. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

John McCain, Former Prisoner of War, Says Torture Doesn’t Work

In a speech from the Senate floor, Sen. McCain commended the release of the Senate's CIA torture report, relying on his own experience in Vietnam. By Adam Chandler

Policy

Is the Special Relationship Between the US and Egypt Over?

Too much mistrust has built up between Washington and Cairo for the partnership to return to business as usual. By Bernard Gwertzman

Policy

Kerry Says the Fight Against the Islamic State Could Expand Beyond Iraq and Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry says Congress shouldn’t limit geography or ground combat in the war against the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

On the CIA Torture Report, Obama Can't Win

As the world braces for its long-awaited release, Obama is doing everything he can to avoid taking sides. By Lauren Fox and Dustin Volz

Policy

NSA's Mass Phone Spying Will Continue for at Least Another 90 Days

The NSA’s mass spying program earns another rubber stamp nearly a year after President Obama’s pledge to end it. By Dustin Volz

Policy

Former CIA Director Braces for 'Torture Report'

Anticipating a Tuesday release of a report from the Senate Intelligence Committee, Michael Hayden said it's is as if the agency 'has been tried and convicted in absentia.' By Allen McDuffee

Policy

John Kerry Is Trying to Stall the Release of the CIA Torture Report

The secretary of State is reportedly asking the Senate to wait to release its report on the Bush-era use of “enhanced interrogation” techniques. By Dustin Volz and Lauren Fox

Policy

House Lawmakers To Reintroduce Bill To Limit NSA 'Backdoor' Spying

The measure passed the House earlier this year with major bipartisan support, but was cut out of ongoing funding negotiations. By Dustin Volz

Policy

Hagel Says the Decision To Leave the Pentagon Was Mutual

But the outgoing defense secretary reveals little about why the White House forced him out. By Gordon Lubold

Policy

Rand Paul Wants To Tie Declaration of War Against ISIS To Defense Bill

Under Sen. Paul's largely symbolic bill, the U.S. would have 12 months to fight ISIS with limited ground troops. By Alex Brown

Policy

Will Sexual Assault Reform Derail the Defense Bill?

With time running short, Senate Armed Services leaders want to rush passage of the new defense bill without any amendments tacked on. By Jordain Carney and Alex Brown

Policy

Rand Paul Says War Should Be a ‘Last Resort’

The Republican senator and possible 2016 contender warns that ‘intervention has unintended consequences.’ By Shane Goldmacher

Policy

Lawmakers Warn Ash Carter’s Easy Confirmation Will Be Tough on Obama

To lawmakers, it’s not about Ash Carter as defense secretary. The pick is about the president. By Molly O’Toole