Policy

House VA Bill for Firing Executives Advances to Senate

Co-sponsor of Monday's breakthrough VA reform package, Sen. Bernie Sanders, fully expects the measure to pass the Senate Thursday. By Eric Katz

Threats

Putin Appears to Be Preparing for Invasion Again

Just because many think it is unwise for Putin to escalate the crisis in Ukraine doesn't mean that he won’t do it anyway. By Janine Davidson

Policy

Meet the Man Now Responsible for Solving the VA Crisis

Incoming VA secretary Robert McDonald received unanimous support during his Senate confirmation vote Tuesday. Now the real work begins. By Jordain Carney

Policy

Congress Clears the Way for VA to Fire Senior Executives

A new bi-partisan bill to kickstart reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs could find its way to the president's desk by the end of the week. By Eric Katz

Policy

Want to Be the Next Intelligence Whistleblower? You May Want to Wait

Even the director of national intelligence admits there are inadequate safeguards for officials who want to bring attention to wrongdoing. By Conor Friedersdorf

Policy

Senate Thinks It May Have the NSA Reform Bill Everyone Can Agree On

Uniting the White House, tech companies, and privacy groups has proven nearly impossible so far. Will the Senate's latest attempt this week be any different? By Dustin Volz

Policy

Senate Panel's 1 Percent Troop, Civilian Pay Raise Now Faces House Hurdles

A more modest pay raise for troops and defense civilians looks safe in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But how will it fare in the Republican-controlled House? By Kellie Lunney

Policy

House, Senate Committee Reaches Compromise to Reform the VA

Just days before the August recess, a conference committee reached a deal to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs with a breakthrough $17 billion bill. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Why Is Israel Losing a War It's Winning?

Five reasons why Israel is losing the battle of perception over its Gaza offensive, even as it wins the battle against rockets and tunnels. By Jeffrey Goldberg

Ideas

Guantanamo's New Purgatory

If the Periodic Review Boards are to ever meaningfully review Guantanamo detainees' detention, they must address these issues of delay, transparency, and legitimacy. By Zak Newman

Threats

What Would the National Guard Actually Do at the Border?

How troops deployed to America's border with Mexico might elude the usual characterizations of 'militarizing' a region. By James Oliphant and Rachel Roubein

Policy

Central American Leaders Push Obama, Congress for Security Assistance

Amid political paralysis over border security in Congress, the White House and DOD are forging ahead with Central American counterparts to address the crisis. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

How to Find Yourself on the Terror Watch List

The Obama administration's newly revealed guidelines for tracking individuals are a Kafkaesque mess built on hubris. By Conor Friedersdorf

Policy

Republicans Want to Mandate a Vote on the Iran Nuclear Deal

A group of senators said late Wednesday that sanctions would be automatically reimposed if the White House does not consult Congress. By Clara Ritger

Policy

How Long Will Congress Take to Solve the VA's Problems?

Lawmakers have serious reservations about the VA's $17.6 billion request to fix the overburdened system. By Jordain Carney

Policy

What Egypt Stands to Win From the Gaza Conflict

Egypt just might be the last best hope for a cease-fire in Gaza. By Keveh Waddell

Threats

ISIL Is Now a ‘Full Blown Army’ in Iraq

House lawmakers grilled State and Pentagon officials to find out why the Obama administration has failed to stop ISIL from carving up Iraq and Syria. By Ben Watson

Policy

A New VA Secretary Is Just One Step on a Long Road to Reform

Congress has little time before the August recess to pass a sweeping VA reform bill that will determine whether Robert McDonald succeeds where his predecessors have failed. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Rick Perry Orders National Guard Troops to Texas Border

Absent consent from Obama, Perry said his state can't wait any longer and will pay to deploy its Guard troops to America's southern border. By Katherine McIntire Peters

Threats

Ukraine Says Malaysia Airlines Crash Is No Different Than 9/11

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko drew the comparison Monday in an attempt to rally U.S. support against Russia. By Marina Koren