Business

Do the Military’s Nuclear Operators Need More Incentives?

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel wants to reform the troubled nuclear enterprise. Could more incentives and recognition help turn things around? By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Democrats Want to Reverse $6B Veterans Benefits Cut, Pay for It Later

Congress has agreed to reverse $6 billion in cuts to veterans benefits. They just can't agree on how to pay for it. By Stacy Kaper and Jordain Carney

Threats

Obama: Afghan War Will End With or Without Troop Deal

President Obama says the war in Afghanistan will be over at the end of the year, with or without a troop deal from Afghan President Hamid Karzai. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Obama’s Vision: No More War but Plenty More Fighting

President Obama’s speech illustrates America’s global security dilemma: stay out of wars, but don’t let up the fight. By Kevin Baron

Business

Lawmakers Vow to Repeal Military Pension Cut

Senators from both parties want to repeal scheduled cuts to the pensions of working-age military retirees. By Eric Katz

Policy

Budget Cuts Are Sending the Wrong Message to Veterans

President Obama will surely thank the troops during his State of the Union speech, but will Washington stop balancing the budget on the backs of veterans? By Alex Nicholson

Business

Special Report: The State of Defense 2014

As President Obama prepares to give his State of the Union speech, Defense One takes a closer look at the nation's military and the state of defense.

Policy

On NSA Reforms, Obama Passes the Buck to Congress

Once again, President Obama is kicking an important issue over to Congress. First it was Syria,now it's NSA reforms. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

The Syria Talks Are Doomed Without Iran

Why Washington must make harder choices and include Iran to save Syria. By David Rohde

Policy

Against Odds, Ban Ki-Moon Presses Nuclear Disarmament Forum

The United Nations secretary general, a longtime nuclear disarmament advocate, said he has not given up hope. By Global Security Newswire

Policy

America Is Bored of the NSA Story

There's been very little public interest in the NSA story since July, and it seems that's exactly what the White House wanted. By Lucia Graves

Policy

As Geneva II Convenes, One Unarmed Syrian Shadow Government Waits

The forgotten Temporary Syrian Parliament, or TSP, has no guns and no outside money. Here's why the United States should promote them in any Syrian opposition coalition. By Will McCants and Jomana Qaddour

Policy

Gates: I Was More Loyal to Obama Than His Own Staff

The former defense secretary says he got along well with Tom Donilon, President Obama's former National Security Advisor, but questions the loyalty of other White House staffers. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

Obama's NSA Proposals Fall Far Short of Real Change

The White House's tepid plan aims to calm the public, not curtail the government's surveillance programs. By James Oliphant

Policy

Congressional Intel Leaders Want Little Changed Ahead of Obama Speech

House and Senate intelligence committee bosses hope that whatever NSA and other reforms President Obama wants, he can do with executive authority and without legislation. By Stacy Kaper and Michael Catalini

Policy

Sen. Gillibrand Is Still Optimistic on Military Sexual Assault Reform

Sen. Gillibrand is looking longer-term, hoping to build off her first try to gather support for a future attempt to take the chain of command out of military sexual assault cases. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Democrats Could Wreck Obama's Biggest National Security Success

Derailing Iran negotiations means risking another military conflict in the Middle East. By David Rohde

Policy

HASC Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon to Retire

The longtime chairman of the House Armed Services Committee will not seek re-election. By Kevin Baron

Business

Military Pension Fight Rages On

The omnibus spending bill would repeal cuts to military pensions for some working-age retirees. The fight for a full repeal, however, goes on. By Eric Katz

Policy

U.S. Increases Humanitarian Aid for Syria

The latest round of funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Syrian conflict to more than $1.7 billion. By Jordain Carney