Policy

The US Military Held an American as an Enemy Combatant for Over a Year. Here’s What That Means.

The case could have upended the entire war on ISIS. Instead, it’s changing how we treat some detainees.

Policy

Military Intelligence Spending Just Posted Biggest Spike in a Decade

With an 18 percent increase this year, the Pentagon’s $22 billion intelligence tab is rising faster than civilian spy agencies.

Ideas

Secretary Mattis, Defend This or Resign

If Defense Secretary Mattis believes the migrant caravan is not a threat requiring 5,000 active troops deploying to the border, he should say so and quit.

Threats

'Extraordinarily Important': Top US General Defends Saudi Relationship, Yemen War

‘I think it is better if we are engaged,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel says in an interview.

Policy

Russia, US Offer Competing Vision of Cyber Norms to the UN

Two proposed versions of an “international code of conduct for international information security” set up a clash between autocracies and democracies.

Policy

What Mattis Said in the Middle East

The defense secretary said he pressed his Saudi counterpart on the murder of a U.S.-based journalist, but U.S.-Saudi relations appear little changed.

Policy

Will Trump Really Cut Defense Spending by 5%? It’s Way Too Early To Say

The Pentagon’s No. 2 confirms that the president’s surprise order will affect the military, but experts say there may ultimately be no decline at all.

Policy

NATO’s Largest Exercise in Years Will Test Alliance’s Core Ability

Held in and around Norway, Trident Juncture will test the bloc’s ability to come to the rescue of a treaty ally as tensions rise between Russia and the West.

Policy

Pentagon Officials Debating How Fast to Launch Space Force, Deputy Says

White House panel announces formal recommendations, while Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan confirms NRO will remain apart from Space Force.

Policy

US: Afghan Security Strategy Is ‘Working,’ Despite Insider Attacks

A Pentagon spokesman cites a two-thirds decrease in attacks since the war’s peak eight years ago.

Policy

Here’s The Pentagon’s Initial Plan For Creating a Space Force

Parts of the Air Force, Navy and Army would move into a sixth branch, but the NRO will likely remain independent.

Policy

NASA Chief Lifts Sanctions on Russian Space Boss, Russia Says

Russian state media says the Trump administration will temporarily ease Crimea-related sanctions to allow a visit to Houston. NASA officials can’t — or won’t — say if that’s true.

Policy

Pompeo's Foreign Policy? Follow Trump's Lead

Pompeo has responded to the Khashoggi affair in lockstep with Trump.

Policy

Mattis Asks Trump to OK US Space Command, Pick Leaders

The Pentagon has made a number of internal moves to create the 11th combatant command.

Policy

US Military Leaders Keep Quiet on Saudi Arabia Amid Khashoggi Outrage

The Pentagon has long accepted Saudi abuses as the price of friendship. The latest won’t change that.

Policy

The Khashoggi Affair Will Change the US-Saudi Relationship

Even if the storm largely blows over, U.S. law means some aspects will never be the same.

Policy

Khashoggi Situation Won’t Stop Saudi Arms Sales, But Could Slow Them

When it comes to blocking U.S. arms sales to foreign countries, Congress has a mixed track record.

Policy

Curtailing Korean Exercises Comes at a Price, Says USMC Commandant

Gen. Neller says training on the Korean peninsula is an integral — if not quite irreplaceable — part of Marine readiness.

Policy

The Navy’s Terrible Accident Record Is Now Hidden From Public View

The latest incidence of a government agency quietly removing data from its website demonstrates the dangers of an ever-changing internet.

Policy

‘It’s Complete Folly’: Hagel Says Trump Administration Can’t Threaten Iran Out of Syria

“I don't know what our foreign policy objective is in the Middle East or almost anywhere else,” says former defense secretary at Defense One interview.