Policy

China Declares Russia the Winner in Snowden Showdown

The growing alliance between China and Russia is the stuff of American diplomatic nightmares. By Heather Timmons

Ideas

Overcoming Snowden: New Urgency for Friday’s U.S.-Russia Meeting

It’s no surprise Obama cancelled his September summit with Putin. Now it’s time for Chuck Hagel and John Kerry to weigh in on nuclear weapons. By Joe Cirincione

Threats

Top U.S. Marine Amos on Yemen: ‘I Don’t Know How It’s Going to Turn Out’

In an exclusive interview, Marine Corps Gen. James Amos said he is concerned Yemen is becoming 'a breeding ground' for al Qaeda -- and he doesn’t know what to expect next. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Russia Hasn't Gotten Over the Cold War

Moscow still thinks its 1989, and its showing. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

A Big New Idea for U.S.-Pakistan Relations

After a cooling off period, the Obama administration put Pakistan back on the agenda last week promising new talks. It would help if the administration came prepared with something new to discuss. By Daniel Markey

Science & Tech

Israel Is Stuck in a Security Limbo

Even as Israel's neighbors grapple with internal turmoil, the fate of the negotiations with Palestine stands on a knife's edge. By Frida Ghitis

Business

Government Managers Rail At Budget Cuts

Senior executives are frustrated at constraints stemming from funding shortages, along with a lack of support from Capitol Hill. By Kellie Lunney

Business

How the Pentagon Found $1 Billion to Cut Civilian Furloughs to Just Six Days

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announces that civilian furlough days will be reduced from 11 to 6 days. Here's how he found $1 billion to pay for it. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Interview with Ryan Crocker: Assad will Prevail 'Yard by Bloody Yard'

America’s premier diplomat would intervene in Syria if President Obama asked, even though it probably wouldn’t do much good. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Military Aid Didn't Buy Pakistan and It Won't Buy Egypt

$1.3 billion in annual aid payments to Egypt won't buy the loyalty Washington is looking for. By David Rohde

Threats

Close to a Deal: U.S., Afghans Agree on Single Text

A bilateral security agreement is reachable by October, insiders say. But then what? By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Ideas

DC's Political Paralysis 'Means More Casualties' for Untrained Soldiers

The best place to learn how Washington’s budget impasse is putting troops at risk is the Army’s National Training Center, which has cancelled rotations for the first time since 1981. By James Kitfield

Business

Guantanamo Prison Complex Pricetag: $5.24 Billion

The operating costs for the Guantanamo prison complex will be more than $454 million this year. The cost of running a U.S. maximum security prison? Just $70,000 a year. By Lily Kuo

Business

Hagel Presses Congress with Grim Alternatives to Sequestration

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's SCMR lays out tough choices for Congress on how to cut the defense budget without sequestration. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

China is Building a 'New Silk Road' in Afghanistan

Meanwhile, the Pentagon and State Department's plans for a similar transportation network remains in the idea phase. By Steve LeVine

Business

The Government's Real Problem With the Bradley Manning Trial

Despite a guilty verdict on most counts, the government still can't share intelligence. By Matthew Cooper

Policy

Hagel to Reveal Sequester Review, Three Paths for Pentagon Future

With the Strategic Choices and Management Review in hand, Hagel will present three budget scenarios and their consequences to the Defense Department. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Ash Carter Got it Right in Aspen, Top DOD Nuclear Weapons Official Responds

Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter was accurate about nuclear weapons costs, but arguing misses the point. The U.S. needs them and can afford them. By Madelyn Creedon

Policy

Journalists and Whistleblowers Are the Real Winners in the Manning Trial

Manning's acquittal on the charge of aiding the enemy sent a strong signal to national security whistleblowers and journalists: Go ahead and leak. By Brian Resnick and Matt Berman

Policy

The Government Needs to Stop Overreacting to NSA Leaks

The more serious threat of NSA surveillance comes from the the collective insanity or the simple loss of perspective, that an attack evokes. By James Fallows