Policy
What Do You Call the Troops of the US Space Force?
The Pentagon wants your input — and space cadets and spacemen are not under consideration.
Policy
Stunts, Stagecraft and National Security in Trump’s State of the Union
Sounding like a campaign kick-off, the president leaned into one of his as-yet unfulfilled promises from the 2016 election: ending America’s “endless wars.”
Threats
The Iraq War Has Cost the US Nearly $2 Trillion
The figure includes $838 billion in “emergency” and “overseas contingency operation” funding and $59 billion spent by the State Department and USAID on Iraq and Syria.
Policy
What We Learned from the House Vote to Limit Trump’s Power to Fight Iran
Democrats, and some Trump allies, challenged the White House’s latest interpretation of presidential warmaking powers.
Ideas
A Marine Squadron Leader Begged for Help Before a Deadly Midair Crash. Now Congress Wants Answers
DOD's secret investigation into the 2018 collision shows the squadron leader had repeatedly asked for more training time, senior enlisted, and gear.
Policy
DOD Is Punishing Whistleblowers More Often and with Impunity, IG Says
Lawmakers and advocates say Trump's attacks on the whistleblower that kicked off his impeachment will do long-lasting harm.
Business
Lockheed Has Best Year Ever, And Expects a Better 2020
Three years of defense spending increases show as the company’s sales hit nearly $60 billion.
Ideas
A Call to Inaction on Defense Acquisition Law
The best thing Congress could do for a while is stop passing new legislation.
Ideas
The Case for Repealing, and Not Replacing, the Iraq War Authorization
It should be a top priority for Congress to correct its historic blunder of passing the buck when it comes to war and peace.
Science & Tech
State Department Still Has Poor Cybersecurity, Audit Finds
Spending more money didn't fix problems auditors have been reporting for more than a decade, State's IG found.
Ideas
To Prove Trump’s Bad Faith, Don’t Argue Policy. Show He Subverted the Process.
On Ukraine, the president dodged processes designed to ensure that U.S. foreign policy serves the public interest.
Policy
A Split-Screen Moment For Trump As Impeachment Trial Begins
The president is speaking at an economic forum as the Senate begins to debate whether to remove him from office.
Policy
Meet the House Republicans Who Want to Rein In Trump On War
After the Soleimani strike, a working group of moderate Republicans and Democrats trying to “clarify” Congress’s war responsibilities hope they can build momentum.
Ideas
The Global Race for Big National-Security Ideas Is On
The United States faces genuinely new challenges—but tries to understand them using outmoded theories from a bygone era.
Policy
House Passes War Powers Resolution to Limit War With Iran
The measure is legally toothless, but could still have some political impact.
Threats
US, Iran Back Away From Conflict—For Now
The crisis appears to be cooling, at least for now, as U.S. lawmakers — and presumably the president — return their focus to the looming impeachment trial in the Senate.
Ideas
The Soleimani Strike Defied the US Constitution
If Congress fails to respond effectively, the president will be left with the unmitigated power to take the country to war on his own—anywhere, anytime, for any reason.
Business
Boeing Has Relieved CEO Muilenburg. Now What?
The next CEO will have to right the 737 program, keep the tanker on track, and figure out why a recent rocket launch went awry.
Ideas