Policy

Special Ops Moves from ‘Perpetual War to Perpetual Engagement’

Special Operations commander Adm. William McRaven tells Congress that ‘we need our friends and allies more now than ever before.’ By Ben Watson

Policy

Feinstein Says CIA Illegally Spied on Senate’s Torture Investigation

Sen. Dianne Feinstein accused the CIA of breaking the law when it tapped into a secure database of interrogation records. By Kevin Baron

Policy

The Decline of the American War Hawk

There's been a backlash in the United States against foreign interventionism. By Conor Friedersdorf

Policy

Marco Rubio's Stumbling Start to Be the GOP's National Security Candidate in 2016

Sen. Marco Rubio is trying a new route to 2016: Foreign policy. By Peter Beinart

Policy

The GOP's Foreign Policy Problem

After the crisis in Ukraine, international affairs could play a big role in 2016 -- to the Republicans' disadvantage. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

Why Russia and China Won’t Join Forces Over Disputed Islands

Too much history, too much risk, too little gain to believe that Beijing or Moscow are aligning against Japan. By Yun Sun and Hana Rudolph

Ideas

Obama’s Foreign Policy Reality Check

The president who wants to shutter America’s wars finds that new conflicts keep opening for business. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Policy

Military Sexual Assault Reform Fails on Chain of Command Issue

Sen. Gillibrand’s bill to remove sexual assault cases from the chain of command narrowly failed to get the 60 votes it needed to advance. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

The Reason China Isn't Backing Russia's Ukraine Invasion? Money

By now, it's clear Beijing believes its economic interests in Ukraine outweigh any reason to back Putin's folly -- for now. By Elizabeth Economy

Policy

Pentagon Wants to Keep Controversial War Budget Beyond Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan is winding down, but the Pentagon hopes its war budget goes on. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Congress Must Be Willing to Do More With Less Defense Spending

Those who think America spends too much for national defense are as mistaken as those who think that larger defense budget numbers translate into strong security. By Rep. Duncan Hunter

Policy

Obama Says the 'Window Is Closing' for a Mideast Peace Deal

In an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, President Obama discusses Iran, Syria and urgency of a Mideast peace deal. By Matt Ford

Policy

Ukraine Is Obama's Biggest Foreign Policy Test Yet

Forget Iran and Syria. Everything now depends on a show of diplomatic strength that will isolate Russia's Putin. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

Americans Are Divided Over Military Spending

A slim plurality of Americans wants to cut military spending, according to a Gallup Poll released Thursday. By Jordain Carney

Policy

The Politics of Process Stalls Veterans Benefits Bill

A rift between Senate Democrats and Republicans over who gets to offer amendments and how many is threatening a key veterans bill. By Michael Catalini and Stacy Kaper

Business

Here’s What the Pentagon Will Cut If Sequestration Happens Again in 2016

The Pentagon is gambling with Congress again over what another round of sequestration will cost the military – and this time, DOD’s threat is a bit more believable. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

McCain Blocks Top Pentagon Civilian Picks

The key Republican flexed his legislative muscle, calling answers from Bob Work and Christine Wormuth 'nonsensical.' By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Meet the New Guard at the Pentagon

The Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nominations of several top posts at the Pentagon. Here’s a look at who are they are. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Obama to Karzai: We’re Making Plans to Leave Afghanistan

On a rare phone call to the Afghan leader, President Obama warns that the U.S. is fully prepared to leave Afghanistan if a post-2014 troop deal isn’t signed. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Moving U.S.-German Relations Past the NSA Headlines

Despite recent headlines about Snowden and spying, U.S.-German interests remain in lockstep from Afghanistan to Syria, Iran and now the Ukraine. By Tara Sonenshine