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

Policy

Congress Has Less Than 10 Days To Make All of These National Security Decisions

From Iraq to the budget, Congress has a long way to go and a short time to get there. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Boehner Snubs Report, Pushes Forward on Benghazi

After the release of a recent GOP-led report vindicating the Obama administration, the House speaker wants to reappoint his own select inquiry into the 2012 terrorist attacks. By Russell Berman

Policy

Last-Minute Pitches for NSA Reform Fail To Gain Consensus

After a recent Senate defeat, the tech industry, privacy groups and reform-minded lawmakers are clamoring to salvage portions of the USA Patriot Act. By Brendan Sasso and Dustin Volz

Policy

Hagel: The Easiest Man To Throw Overboard

In Obama’s national security team, Chuch Hagel was always the likeliest sacrificial offering. By Steve LeVine

Policy

A Resurgent GOP Is Fuming Over Extending the Iran Nuclear Talks

The seven-month delay gives Iran and the U.S. more time to nail down terms on Iran’s nuclear program. It also gives Congress ample time to intervene. By Kaveh Waddell

Policy

What Rand Paul Gets By Declaring War Against ISIS

By declaring war against the Islamic State, he's also picking a legal battle with the White House. By Emma Roller

Policy

Who Will Be the Next Secretary of Defense?

Eyes are now on two Pentagon veterans and the current Air Force secretary, among others, as possible replacements for the outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. By Ben Watson

Policy

Only One Redacted Item Is Holding Up the CIA's Torture Report

Senators still think they can wrap up negotiations with the White House over redactions in a Senate report before the year ends. By Dustin Volz and Lauren Fox

Policy

The Battle Over Hagel’s Replacement For Defense Secretary Has Already Begun in Congress

Republican leaders cast Hagel’s fall as Obama’s fault, warning the White House to send a nominee they can confirm. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Military Suicides Decline, But Continued Failures Hold Lessons for Future Wars

To win the wars of tomorrow, we must understand the ways we are continuing to fail our troops today.

Policy

Democrat to NSA: Forget Congress, Stop Mass Spying Now

Senate Republicans blocked a bill to restrict domestic surveillance. But Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff says the administration should act anyway. By Brendan Sasso

Policy

Did Rand Paul’s NSA Vote Fight Government Spying or Protect It?

The libertarian says his opposition to a Senate bill protected Americans’ privacy. Privacy advocates disagree. By Dustin Volz

Policy

Walz Drops His Bid for Top Democratic Spot on House VA Committee

The former Army National Guard soldier faced pushback over seniority and a waiver that's allowed him to stay on the committee. By Billy House

Ideas

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Policy

White House Backs NSA Reform Bill

With a Senate vote on the measure looming, the White House strongly supports a bill to curb the government's most controversial domestic spying program. By Dustin Volz