Policy
Senate Rebukes Trump in Historic Vote to Curtail Support for Saudi Campaign in Yemen
Lawmakers have tried for years to end U.S. involvement in Yemen. They just passed a big procedural hurdle, thanks to an empty chair at a Senate briefing.
Threats
Incoming HASC Chair: Scale Back Plans for New Nukes
Rep. Adam Smith laid out new terms for a debate over the Pentagon’s plans to expand the military’s nuclear arsenal.
Ideas
Nukes, the New Congress, and the Lost Art of Political Compromise
In the past, arms controllers and deterrence boosters compromised on deals that ultimately reduced nuclear dangers. No more.
Ideas
Lower House Poised to Take Upper Hand on National Security
Where are Congress’ new foreign-policy leaders? Look to the House's recently elected veterans and natsec pros.
Ideas
The Pentagon’s Getting More Secretive — and It’s Hurting National Security
Trump’s DoD is rolling back the kind of basic transparency that prevents waste and fraud, enables Congressional oversight, and promotes public trust.
Ideas
The Fiscal Calm Before the Storm
Next year’s budget will face three pressures that make it unlikely to be characterized as sustained or predictable.
Policy
Court OKs Suit Over Foreign Payments to Trump Business
U.S. lawmakers get permission to argue in court that the president is improperly receiving payment from foreign people, organizations, and governments.
Policy
Republicans Balk at Democrats’ Pledge to Snub Hackers
So far, only House Democrats have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable for how they plan to handle any stolen documents that come their way.
Policy
Hoping to Change Party's Image, Dems Marshal Veteran Candidates
“The Democratic Party just has a terrible brand within the military and we need to repair that. How do I hope to change it? Win. Get in."
Policy
McCain’s Likely SASC Successor Is No GOP Maverick
Sen. Jim Inhofe’s record suggests his Armed Services Committee will hew even more closely to Trump.
Ideas
John McCain, Nuclear Disarmament, and What Might Have Been
If McCain had become president in 2008, the world might have had far fewer nuclear weapons today.
Policy
The Death of Political Courage
Commitment to principle, despite its costs, is what America has lost with John McCain’s passing.
Ideas
Congress Rushes to Spend Billions on Space Weapons—Even if They Don’t Work
Even a bare-bones system would be ridiculously costly, and more likely to foster war than prevent it.
Policy
Opposition to a Space Force Simmers in the Senate
But Republicans who oppose the president’s push appear largely content to hold their fire until next year.
Ideas
Trump’s Space Force Will Have to Wait
The president has called for the creation of a new military branch. So far, Congress is ignoring him.
Ideas
There’s No Defending Trump Anymore
The spectacle in Helsinki is over. Now it’s time for Congress—and the American people—to act.
Ideas
A 2016 Congressional Candidate Asked For—and Received—Information Stolen by Russia
Robert Mueller's Friday indictment of 12 Russians who hacked for the military intelligence agency doesn't name the candidate.
Threats
Cyber Researchers Don’t Think Feds or Congress Can Protect Against Cyberattacks
Only 15 percent of cyber researchers think the U.S. can defend against a critical infrastructure cyberattack, according to a survey.
Science & Tech
Florida Airport Will Be the First to Scan Every International Traveler's Face
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is doing it to meet a Congressional mandate to speed up security lines.
Policy