Policy

Iran Sanctions Bill Gains Steam in the Senate

The Nuclear Weapon-Free Iran Act now has 48 sponsors, according to Senate staffers. By Global Security Newswire

Threats

Iraq’s Best Hope for Peace Is Replacing Maliki

The United States may have made a mess in Iraq, but Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s reign has only made things worse. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

The Next Fight Over Military Sexual Assault Is Already Here

Senators Claire McCaskill and Kirsten Gillibrand are set to clash over competing proposals to reform military justice once the Senate returns. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

It's Time to Cut Military Health and Pension Benefits

In a new poll, a majority of defense and national security experts say it's time to cut military health and pension benefits. By Sara Sorcher

Business

How Sequestration Weakened the Defense Lobby

Warnings that sequestration would be Armageddon for the defense industry only hurt its credibility. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

The 600 Doomed Defense Bills of 2013

Believe it not, members of Congress introduced 600 defense-related bills last year. More than two-thirds went absolutely nowhere. By Jordain Carney

Business

Finally Futenma: The Air Base Deal’s Place in The Pivot

What a belated air base deal says about the pivot to Asia. By Kevin Baron

Business

Senate Backs NDAA With 1 Percent Pay Raise for Troops

The measure also extends the Pentagon's ability to provide housing allowances, reenlistment bonuses and foreign language incentives. By Eric Katz

Ideas

Get the Message: Military Compensation Reform Is Sacred No More

That Congress was willing to touch the third rail of military retirement pay shows times are changing, as they should. By Maren Leed

Policy

Feinstein’s NSA Bill Is Officially on Life Support

Civil liberties groups have strongly pushed back against the bill, claiming that it "entrenches" the agency's surveillance programs. By Dustin Volz

Policy

Senate Passes Budget Bill Cutting Pension Benefits for New Feds and Military Retirees

The $85 billion savings package would fund the government well past mid-January 2014, and sets spending levels through fiscal 2015. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

NDAA Clears Key Hurdle, Final Passage Expected This Week

Wednesday's vote ran over Republican objections that prohibited additional amendments to the defense authorization bill. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Senators Eyeing Changes to Military Retiree Pensions

The budget looks like it will pass on Wednesday, but lawmakers are already gearing up to make plenty of fixes in the coming months. By Sarah Mimms and Michael Catalini

Policy

Assad Could Stay in Power After End of Syria’s Civil War

Officials are afraid that toppling the authoritarian could lead to a takeover by al-Qaeda backed Islamists. By Jordain Carney

Policy

Top GOP Senator: Iran Sanctions Bill Coming

The rollout of the bipartisan measure is dependent on a timetable set by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Bob Menendez, R-N.J. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Feinstein: Let Supreme Court Decide the Fate of NSA's Surveillance Programs

The California Democrat's statement comes in the wake of a monumental ruling by a federal judge on the intelligence agency's surveillance techniques. By Sara Sorcher and Dustin Volz

Policy

Why the White House Can't Defend Against the NSA Court Ruling

The intelligence agency's massive surveillance program was dealt a deep blow by a federal judge. By James Oliphant

Business

Here’s Why the Proposed Military Retiree Benefit Cuts Are No Big Deal

Here are six reasons why it is hard to make an argument that the U.S. government is not acting in good faith for the men and women in uniform. By Lawrence Korb and Katherine Blakeley

Policy

The Iran Deal Hasn't Collapsed

The Obama administration announced a series of new sanctions on companies linked with Tehran, while simultaneously launching a charm offensive to convince skeptical lawmakers. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Republican Senators Split Over Military Retiree COLA Cuts

Several key lawmakers want to halt the COLA adjustment to protect military retirees. By Jordain Carney