Policy
Obama Expects Troop Death Benefits Fix ‘Today’
The public outrage over the shutdown halting ‘death gratuity’ payments to the families of fallen soldiers has reached the White House -- President Obama says he expects a fix today. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
House Defense Champion Rep. Bill Young to Retire
The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee chairman and longtime defense hawk will step town after more than 40 years in Congress. By Kevin Baron
Business
House Scrambles to Reinstate Troop Death Benefits During Shutdown
The House Appropriations Committee is drafting a bill that will let Congress pay death benefits to families of troops killed in action during the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Hagel Names Special Envoy to Close Guantanamo
The Defense Department appointed Paul Lewis, former HASC general counsel, to help close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
DoD Acquisitions Staff Are Back to Work, They Just Can't Buy Anything
If the shutdown lasts, acquisition and contract employees face being furloughed again because they don't have any money to buy anything. By Bob Brewin
Policy
Week Two of the Shutdown: Will There Be a Compromise?
Lawmakers return to work for the second week of the shutdown. Are they any closer to reaching a deal? By Billy House
Business
Hagel Orders Most Furloughed Civilian Employees Back to Work
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is putting most of the 400,000 furloughed civilian defense employees back to work despite the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
New Bill Would Pay Furloughed Workers Retroactively
A new bill to pay furloughed civilian workers retroactively once the shutdown ends has bipartisan support in Congress and the White House 'strongly supports' it. By Eric Katz
Business
Could a Brief, Hastily Written Law Put More DoD Workers Back on the Job?
The Pay Our Military Act was written in such a rush that it might give the Pentagon the power to decide who gets furloughed – not the White House. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
How Obama Botched a Chance for Peace in Syria Last Year
One year and 80,000 lives ago, the United Nations envoy had carved a path for a government 'transition.' But the White House and Hillary Clinton rejected it. By Michael Hirsh
Business
Paying the Troops: Beyond the Shutdown
The government shutdown puts a spotlight on the growing concerns over the long-term cost of military personnel. By Maren Leed and Ariel Robinson
Policy
Pentagon Waits Out Shutdown While Sequestration Looms
As the Pentagon waits for an end to the government shutdown, it’s getting ready for the next battle: sequestration. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Can Taliban Founder’s Release Spark Afghan Peace?
Pakistan released Taliban founder Mullah Baradar, as President Karzai requested. But does Baradar still have the clout to bring peace to Afghanistan? By Carmen Gentile
Policy
GOP Says DoD Doesn't Have to Furlough Civilian Workers
Republican leaders say the Pay Our Military Act gives the Pentagon 'broad latitude' to keep paying its civilian workers. By Kellie Lunney
Policy
We Negotiate With Terrorists, Why Not With Congress?
Perhaps the Obama administration should adopt the same policy it applies to real terrorists: Don't negotiate at all in public, but meanwhile search for every back channel you can. By Michael Hirsh
Policy
The Beginning of the End for Washington
The political system is broken. What does Washington have to do to get back to work? By Ron Fournier
Policy
Obama to Military: Blame Congress
President Obama told troops they deserve better than their 'dysfunctional' civilian bosses in Congress in a video message delivered after the midnight shutdown. By Kevin Baron
Policy
The Government Has Shut Down
How did we get here? Here's a play-by-play of the late-night votes in Congress that failed to keep the government open. By National Journal Staff
Business