Ideas
Boost Defense Spending? Congress Owes Us a Better Explanation
The proposed 2022 budget plus-ups add to a long history of hiding flimsy arguments behind dramatic rhetoric.
Ideas
The Defense Budget Process Is Broken
What the U.S. needs isn’t more money for the Pentagon, but an honest and tough debate about strategy.
Policy
China Hawks Try for Beijing Olympics Boycotts on Defense Bill
Democrats rejected proposals that could affect military bases, but unlikely allies appear to be forming.
Ideas
Calculating the Costs of the Afghanistan War
The war in Afghanistan, like many other wars before it, began with optimistic assessments of a quick victory and the promise to rebuild at war’s end.
Policy
Lawmakers Load Defense Bill With Measures Demanding Answers for Afghanistan's Fall—and Its Future
Armed Services Committee members passed several bipartisan Afghanistan-related amendments amid partisan jabs at Biden.
Policy
The Future of U.S.-Taliban Relations
Blinken says cooperation is possible, but only if Taliban acts appropriately.
Science & Tech
House Bill Aims to Bridge Acquisition ‘Valley of Death’ In Race to Counter China
A draft of the House NDAA markup outlines two provisions to fix the gap between research and acquisition.
Policy
Air Force’s Kendall Creates Space Acquisition Office, Accelerates Absorption of Space Development Agency
And the new service secretary is asking Congress to allow him to move faster yet.
Threats
Taliban Take Presidential Palace as Kabul Falls With Americans, Afghans Still Trapped
U.S. races yet another 1,000 troops to Kabul. Total force on ground to jump to 6,000 within days.
Policy
Some Veterans Say Republicans are Blocking Their Ability to Vote
Democrats and veterans groups say the bill would expand access to early and mail-in voting, which can make voting easier for disabled veterans
Policy
Biden’s Allies Defend Afghanistan Withdrawal Amid Taliban Surge
“Another fifty years wouldn’t change anything,” said Sen. Chris Murphy.
Policy
What Will Decrease Training Deaths? More Training, GAO Says
A recent increase in non-combat vehicle deaths could be reversed with more, better training, GAO’s newest report says.
Ideas
A New Bill Seeks to Patch the Flaws in the Arms Export Control Act
The proposed legislation would help Congress regain a measure of sway over weapons sales.
Policy
Top Admiral: Defense Firms Are Lobbying Against the Weapons the US Navy Needs
Adm. Mike Gilday also accused companies of slow-rolling ship repair.
Policy
Pregnant Cadets, Midshipmen Must Give Up Their Child Or Their Career. Two Senators Want To Change That.
Sens. Ted Cruz and Kirsten Gillibrand have introduced a bill to give pregnant students at military schools more options.
Ideas
Coerced Ethics Pledges Harm National Defense
There is a process for changing the law, and extortion of individual DOD nominees is not it.
Ideas
Launch Arms-Control Talks with China
Instead of saber-rattling, the Biden-Harris administration and leaders across the political spectrum should be putting the pressure on Beijing to come to the table.
Policy