Policy
Post-Iraq Invasion Congress Members Demand a Vote on Syria
It's the members who joined Congress after the 2003 invasion of Iraq who are being the most vocal on demanding for a vote before any U.S. military action in Syria. By Shane Goldmacher
Policy
War with Syria: The Intersection of Interests and Ideology
In the realm of foreign affairs, it’s rare that a cause unites hawkish interventionists and neoconservatives, realists and liberal internationalists. By James Kitfield
Policy
Congress Urges Obama to Make His Case Before Striking Syria
Several members of Congress are reminding President Obama of his obligation to consult with Congress before authorizing military action in Syria. By Michael Catalini
Policy
The NSA Needs a Church Committee
It's time for a new Church Committee, the mid-1970s surveillance oversight investigation named for Sen. Frank Church, and this time it should be led by Sen. Ron Wyden. By Conor Friedersdorf.
Science & Tech
Exclusive: NSA Loophole Keeps Congress Clueless on Foreign Intel Violations
The leaked audit showing the NSA broke privacy rules nearly 3,000 times in one year is just the tip of the iceberg. The NSA is not telling Congress much more. By Marc Ambinder
Policy
Military Sexual Assault Victims Are Closely Watching Reform Efforts
Proposed legislation to take sexual assault reporting out of the chain of command is a start, but survivors say that more needs to be done to combat the ongoing crisis. By Stacy Kaper
Policy
McCain's Foreign Policy Bromance With Obama
Fresh from a trip to Egypt on behalf of the president, Sen. John McCain compares his relationship with Obama to "a classic romantic comedy." By Abby Ohlheiser.
Policy
Congress: We're Still at War and We're Not Closing Gitmo
A House amendment to end the legal authorization for war fails as Republicans insist “terrorism is not going away.” By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Intel Committee Approved Arms for Syrian Rebels
House panel had “reservations” but moved White House plan forward last week.
Policy
McCain Is Wrong About Dempsey on Syria
Sen. John McCain wants answer from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Syria. But surely he knows Gen. Martin Dempsey isn't going to answer them. By James Joyner
Policy
A QDR for the VA?
A bill before the House Veterans Affairs Committee would require the Veterans Affairs Department to conduct a four-year review, but is more paperwork what the agency needs? By Stephanie Gaskell
Defense Systems
Like it or not, controversial CISPA cybersecurity bill is back
Two members of the House Intelligence Committee on Feb. 13 reintroduced their Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which passed the House of Representatives last year but failed to make it through the Senate.
Defense Systems
Republicans pledge to work toward avoiding sequestration
A top Republican senator said Nov. 25 that his party is willing to be flexible about increased revenues provided Democrats give ground on entitlements in the quest to find a legislative solution to sequestration.
Defense Systems
Senate rejects Cybersecurity Act for second time
A chorus of voices that included Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other top national security officials was not enough to convince the Senate to pass the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 during a second vote on the controversial legislation on Sept. 14.
Defense Systems
Sequestration planning gets under way at DOD
The Defense Department is at last coming to grips with how it might handle $500 billion in spending cuts over the next decade scheduled to take effect Jan. 2 if Congress doesn't head off the impending sequestration with a deficit reduction plan.
Defense Systems
Cybersecurity legislation unlikely this year unless president steps in, says Rep. Dan Lungren
Congress isn't likely to pass cybersecurity legislation this year because the private sector is skeptical of government involvement and many Americans don't understand the urgent need for it.
Defense Systems
Informal discussions to head off sequestration underway, says SASC Chairman
There might be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the sequestration dilemma facing the Defense Department.
Defense Systems
Pending guidance on sequestration fosters wait-and-see mindset among contractors
Defense contractors frustrated that Congress still has not found a way to avert automatic budget cuts scheduled to begin Jan. 2 might in the days ahead alert thousands of their employees that their jobs are at risk.
Defense Systems
Sequestration creates friction between Congress and OMB
When the House and Senate return from recess in September, lawmakers will only have until Jan. 2, 2013, to pass a spending bill that eliminates $1.2 trillion or more from the federal deficit.
Defense Systems