Ideas
The US Military is Not, and Can Never Be, Afghanistan’s Police
If we were 'almost a police force' in Afghanistan, we already would have won.
Policy
Mike Pompeo Is Bigger Than the Pentagon — For Now
“I think that Pompeo is now running foreign policy in the Trump administration in the way that Cheney ran it in the Bush administration,” said one analyst.
Policy
Trump Will Release Suspended Military Aid to Ukraine, Lawmaker Says
Money to help Ukraine fight a war against Russia has sparked a political battle in D.C.
Policy
US Might Still Sanction Turkey For Buying S-400 From Russia
Any punishments would supplement Ankara’s ejection from the F-35 program.
Policy
US Lawmaker Threatens to Give the Next Attack Plane to the Army
Tired of USAF slow-rolling, Rep. Michael Waltz has already spearheaded legislation allowing SOCOM to seek light attack aircraft.
Ideas
When it Comes to Allies, Americans Get It
New polling reveals Trump's disparagement of U.S. allies remains a bridge too far for most Americans — and it should remain so.
Policy
Bolton Fired as National Security Adviser. Who's Next?
Trump's third NSA is let go after being sidelined at major international events.
Policy
Do Americans Really Want to End 'Forever Wars?' Survey says...
Some surprises, and unsurprising party lines, are revealed in the latest Chicago Council poll on American foreign policy opinions.
Ideas
The Mattis Two-Step
The forever general’s attempt to "stay out of politics" is bringing him right into it.
Policy
Lawmakers Expect a Stopgap Spending Measure to Avoid an October Shutdown
For the first time in decades, the Senate hasn’t marked up a single appropriations bill in subcommittee, a Democratic aide said.
Policy
Trump Told the VA to Order ‘a Lot’ of Ketamine for Vets
The president wants to make a controversial new nasal spray available to depressed veterans. The agency says it will consider incorporating the drug after it has more data.
Policy
The Pentagon Is Almost Two Years Late On Efficiency Reforms
Little progress have been made on various requirements ordered in the 2018 authorization act, GAO found.
Policy
Trump Threatens to ‘Release’ ISIS Fighters into France, Germany
The president wants European governments to repatriate and try citizens being held by Syrian resistance forces.
Threats
US Army: No Afghanistan Withdrawal Plans Yet
“We have not received any direction to do anything at this point,” says Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.
Policy
General’s Sexual Assault Accuser Was Deemed a ‘Toxic, Self-Centered Abuser,’ New Docs Reveal
Hundreds of previously unseen pages of two investigations paint Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser as an abusive coworker with motive for revenge against Gen. John Hyten.
Policy
Can US-Taliban Peace Talks End the War in Afghanistan?
U.S. officials say that they are close to reaching a deal with the Taliban, but peace in the country would still not be guaranteed.
Policy
State Dept. IG: Hiring Freeze Hurt Border Security, Counterterrorism, and Other Priorities
Imposed by Rex Tillerson soon after Trump took office, the 16-month freeze crushed morale and hindered operations, the inspector general found.
Science & Tech
3-Star General: Tomorrow’s Troops Need Controversial JEDI Cloud
Days after the new SecDef put a hold on the massive cloud program, two Pentagon leaders went on the record to defend it.
Policy
White House Pauses Some Diplomatic Spending
The move could provide a path for OMB to circumvent spending levels spelled out by Congress.
Policy