Policy

It's Official: Furloughed Feds Will Receive Back Pay Once the Shutdown Ends

Bill signed into law on Wednesday also will ensure retroactive compensation for furloughed feds in future shutdowns.

Ideas

The Shutdown Is Doing Lasting Damage to National Security

With every passing day, America’s defenses are weakening.

Ideas

Democrats Are Wrong About Defense Spending

The need for investment is only likely to grow in the coming years.

Policy

GOP Lawmakers: Shutdown Could Last for Weeks

Trump summoned House and Senate leaders to the White House but failed to persuade them to fund the border wall.

Policy

Goodbye, Mattis. Goodbye, Syria. Hello, 2019

Dramatic shifts abound as Trump puts US military’s war plans in doubt, Democrats resurge in Congress, and the Pentagon gets a new boss.

Ideas

Congress Must Face the Truth about Trump

Mattis is telling you that the president lacks respect for allies and a clear-eyed view of malign actors and strategic competitors.

Policy

The Biggest Difference Between Inhofe and Smith? How Much Danger They Think the US Faces

The incoming SASC chair says “we live in the most dangerous world of my lifetime.” His HASC counterpart calls that “simple paranoia.”

Policy

New Armed Services Chair Says He Will Fund Military, Not Drive Foreign Policy ‘Like McCain Did’

'My job is to make sure we have the resources...I try not to get into debates,’ Inhofe says in an exclusive interview.

Policy

Senate Votes to Curtail Yemen Involvement in Rebuke of Trump

The 56-41 vote is largely symbolic — for now — but it shows that congressional outrage with Riyadh is unlikely to cool.

Ideas

'I Am Proud to Shut Down the Government,' Trump Says During Fight with Democrats

The president made his position clear, saying he will “take the blame” if some federal agencies close.

Policy

The Senate is Poised to Pass the Yemen Resolution. Now What?

The House is almost certain not to take up the measure while Republicans are still in control. But what about next year?

Policy

The CIA Presented a ‘Smoking Gun’ on Khashoggi. What’s the Senate Going to Do About it?

Lindsey Graham and others emerged from a CIA briefing convinced that Trump and SecDef Mattis are wrong about the murder.

Policy

Lawmakers Probe Role of Special Operations in Great Power Competition

The two four-stars up to lead CENTCOM and SOCOM faced questions about how their commands will change under the National Defense Strategy.

Ideas

Trump's Iran-Centric Syria Policy Takes Shape

Congress likely won’t take action to rein in the military powers it granted the president after the 9/11 attacks—powers that Trump uses with the broad aim of countering Iran.

Business

Mattis ‘Optimistic’ Pentagon Will Get Needed Budget from White House, Democrats

Mattis tells nervous defense industry execs and conservatives at Reagan National Defense Forum he doesn’t expect sharp budget cuts from House Democrats and President Trump.

Policy

Warren’s Big Foreign Policy Speech? Simple and Irresponsible

Sen. Elizabeth Warren just gave a foreign policy speech that national security professionals who want U.S. global leadership should fear.

Ideas

The Senate Takes a Step to Void America’s Blank Check to the Saudis

Washington can continue to work with Riyadh, but it need never again accept flagrant violations of human rights, international norms, or U.S. national interests.