Policy

Republicans Balk at Democrats’ Pledge to Snub Hackers

So far, only House Democrats have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable for how they plan to handle any stolen documents that come their way.

Policy

Hoping to Change Party's Image, Dems Marshal Veteran Candidates

“The Democratic Party just has a terrible brand within the military and we need to repair that. How do I hope to change it? Win. Get in."

Policy

McCain’s Likely SASC Successor Is No GOP Maverick

Sen. Jim Inhofe’s record suggests his Armed Services Committee will hew even more closely to Trump.

Ideas

John McCain, Nuclear Disarmament, and What Might Have Been

If McCain had become president in 2008, the world might have had far fewer nuclear weapons today.

Policy

Downplaying Ghazni, Mattis Defends Trump’s Afghanistan Strategy

The Taliban’s apparent willingness to negotiate is the more important signal of progress in America’s longest war, the defense secretary said Tuesday.

Policy

Mattis: US Troops Can’t Leave Syria Until UN Peace Talks Advance

They’re still fighting ISIS remnants, holding ground, and waiting for a political solution.

Policy

The Death of Political Courage

Commitment to principle, despite its costs, is what America has lost with John McCain’s passing.

Policy

When Free Speech and National Security Are at Odds

A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday in a case about whether keeping 3-D-printed guns from getting into the wrong hands limits First Amendment freedoms.

Policy

Trump’s Untested Authority to Revoke Security Clearances

Can the president restrict a person’s access to classified material for any reason he wants? It may take a lawsuit from former CIA Director John Brennan to find out.

Policy

Fund Meant to Protect US Elections May Be Too Little, Too Late

$380 million may sound like a lot — but it was originally approved in 2003, and won't be fully spent until 2023, ProPublica finds.

Policy

Even Trump’s Own Adviser Is Warning About ‘Politicizing’ the Threat From Russia

But the danger he sees is already here.

Policy

The US Will Spend Billions in Syria—Just Not on Rebuilding It

The Trump administration has ended a civilian aid program in the country, but the cost of the counter-ISIS fight far outweighs those savings.

Policy

Trump's Unprecedented Retaliation Draws Unprecedented Rebukes

A dozen former spy chiefs slammed the president after he yanked Brennan's clearance. What comes next?

Policy

US Enters Its Next Phase in Its Strategy to Pressure Iran

The State Department’s Iran Action Group will mostly focus on “nukes, terrorism, and the detention of American citizens.”

Policy

Pence Makes Hard Sell For Trump's Space Force by 2020

The administration wants a new military service branch, but space mission's future in the Pentagon and Congress is far from certain.

Policy

DIUx Drops the X, Becomes Permanent

Facing criticism, Pentagon signals to Silicon Valley the military isn't going anywhere.

Policy

5 Unanswered Questions About Space Force

As Pentagon leaders plan changes to the U.S. military’s orbital-operations organizations, analysts wonder whether they have done all their homework.

Policy

Opposition to a Space Force Simmers in the Senate

But Republicans who oppose the president’s push appear largely content to hold their fire until next year.

Policy

DHS Creates Cyber Risk Center to Protect High-Value Targets

The center will free up NCCIC to work on cyber threat sharing and incident response, officials say.

Policy

Pentagon Delays Space Force Report

The day after Defense One published details from an 11th-hour draft of the much-anticipated report, the Pentagon has delayed its release.