Ideas
The Future of VA Reform Can Be Found in Everything This Week’s Bill Left Out
It’s important to note what the VA reform bill doesn’t accomplish as a blueprint for Congressional action after the August recess. By Alex Nicholson
Policy
Does John Brennan Know Too Much to Be Fired?
If the Senate doesn't act now to rein in the CIA, what will it take? By Conor Friedersdorf
Policy
The Trouble With Cease-Fire Agreements in War
The Israeli-Gaza conflict is testing the limits of the concept of a ‘cease-fire’ as a departure from hostilities. If we can’t 'hear' the total silence from the guns of August, is there any way out of the cycle of violence? By Tara Sonenshine
Policy
VA Reform Bill Clears Senate, Heads to Obama's Desk
A long-awaited VA bill is on its way to becoming law, but more work remains to be done. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Sen. Mark Udall Calls for Resignation of CIA Director John Brennan
This comes after news that the spy agency had hacked into Senate computers. By Dustin Volz
Policy
CIA Admits to Hacking Senate Computers
In a sharp and sudden reversal, the CIA acknowledged it improperly tapped into the computers of Senate staffers reviewing Bush-era torture practices. By Dustin Volz
Policy
Clinton Waits For a Contender on National Security
A nervous GOP field is making early moves to beef up their foreign policy credentials expecting to spar with Hillary. By James Oliphant
Policy
What Comes After the Parallel Failures of Bush and Obama?
After Bush and Obama, how can presidential contenders truly increase America's ability to shape global events in 2016? By Ronald Brownstein
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