Business
Former Defense Secretary Mattis Is Returning to General Dynamics Board
The retired general had been a member of the defense contractor’s board until he became defense secretary in January 2017.
Policy
Why Trump Cares About the Pentagon’s Mega-Cloud — and Why That Terrifies Those Who Want It
Breaking up the $10 billion JEDI network project will hurt the U.S. military’s effort to speed data to troops, its fans argue.
Policy
One Theme Unites 2020 Dems: Rein in President’s War Powers
Many voted to repeal the old AUMFs; Buttigieg proposes a 3-year sunset.
Policy
Hyten Poised For Confirmation Despite Sexual Assault Claims
His accuser, who took a front-row seat at his confirmation hearing, says the Air Force four-star is lying to Congress.
Ideas
The Missing Debate about Afghanistan
The president’s talk about “wiping” the country “off the face of the earth” highlights the need for a serious talk about U.S. goals and strategy.
Ideas
Let the US Air Force Move Ahead with Its Heavy-Lift Rocket Program
Lawmakers' attempt to force the service to allow more companies to bid on satellite launches would do more harm than good.
Policy
Gen. Hyten to Get His Senate Confirmation Hearing
His previously uncontroversial nomination to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs was thrown into question after a former subordinate accused him of sexual assault.
Policy
Graham: I Told Turkey They Can Avoid Sanctions If They Don’t Activate Russian Radar
Sen. Lindsay Graham says President Trump asked him to make the call.
Threats
Esper Confirmed As Defense Secretary, Despite Opposition from Some 2020 Dems
Tuesday's 90-8 vote ends the longest period in history that the Defense Department has gone without a confirmed leader.
Ideas
How Can Congress Authorize War When It Can’t Decide What War Is?
There’s bipartisan agreement that the law governing America’s wars needs an update. There’s also bipartisan agreement that it won’t happen anytime soon.
Policy
After Trump Weighs In on JEDI, GOP Lawmakers Say Keep Out of It
Four members of the House Armed Services Committee asked Trump to let the Pentagon award its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract without delay.
Ideas
Don’t Expand the Covert Agents Secrecy Law
A House measure would put not only the press but the intelligence community at risk.
Threats
Did the US Invent Lyme Disease in the 1960s? The House Aims to Find Out
A decades-old conspiracy theory says Cold War bioweapons research is sickening tens of thousands of Americans a year.
Ideas
House to 2020 Candidates: Trump and Nukes Don’t Mix
Those who would win the Democratic nod should heed the vote to kill the new low-yield nuke.
Policy
Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics
During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.
Policy
Sen. Warren Spars with Defense Secretary Nominee Over His Lobbyist Work
The Democratic presidential candidate said that Mark Esper, who has declined to recuse himself from Raytheon-related decisions, should not lead the Pentagon.
Policy
Inside the Pentagon’s Game of Musical Chairs
Richard V. Spencer is the year’s third acting defense secretary — but there are a lot more moving pieces than that.
Policy
Milley: War with Iran Would Draw Forces from Great-Power Focus
The four-star Army general received questions but few challenges at his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing.
Threats