Policy
US Lawmakers Call for Space Force, Boost to Military Drills in Europe
The House and Senate Armed Services committees want the Pentagon to better prepare for war in space, but there’s disagreement on how to do it.
Ideas
Why Congress and the Pentagon Should Bypass Trump’s Defense Spending Bill
The NDAA markup is a chance for leaders on Hill and the Pentagon to show they are the badly-needed adults in the room on defense spending.
Ideas
Where Are the Grownups? It's Time for Congress to Step Up
The confused response to the Qatari crisis is just the latest warning that a depleted executive branch needs foreign-policy help.
Policy
Business Experience Bites Trump’s Pentagon Nominee
Congress might hold up the president’s pick for deputy defense secretary over his three-decade career with Boeing, among other things.
Policy
Lawmakers to Pentagon: Tell Us When You Use Cyber Weapons
A proposed law would require congressional notification when DOD conducts external cyber operations — offensive or defensive.
Policy
Devin Nunes Dives Back into the Russia Investigation
The California Republican supposedly stepped aside from the House Intelligence Committee’s Russia investigation. But on Wednesday, he used his power as chairman to issue subpoenas related to the inquiry.
Policy
Trump’s Military Buildup Won’t Begin Until 2019
Pentagon officials say they're working to fix readiness first, then grow the military.
Business
Defense Acquisition Is Bad and Getting Worse: Report
A Congressional panel delivers a peppery interim look at military acquisition as Rep. Mac Thornberry prepares to introduce new reforms.
Ideas
Congress, the President, and the Dwindling Oversight of War
Lawmakers’ tacit approval of modern military actions encourages more boundary-stretching.
Policy
Spy Chief Searching for Cuts Across Entire US Intelligence Community
Trump's new intelligence chief, Dan Coats, says he’s already moving on GOP lawmakers’ request to streamline all 17 agencies, including his own ODNI.
Science & Tech
America's Security Clearance System Is Broken, Former Spy Chief Clapper Says
The problem won't be easy to fix, but it could benefit from better employee monitoring and 'some very aggressive creative and sensitive education.'
Business
Defense Industry Bulls Are Turning Bearish
Trump’s first hundred days in office have dampened execs’ hopes that he might bust through spending caps.
Policy
President Trump's First 100 Days Could End in a Government Shutdown
The historical marker on April 29 will coincide with the expiration of federal funding—unless Congress can strike a bipartisan deal in time.
Policy
Would Better Messaging Help the Military Boost Its Budget?
Even if Pentagon leaders clarified their ‘readiness’ warnings, they’d still face an uphill battle for more funding in 2017.
Policy
GOP Lawmaker to FBI: Stop the Leaks in Russia Probe or Lose A Key Surveillance Tool
After top cop confirms investigating the Trump campaign, a House member threatens to hold investigatory powers hostage.
Policy
House Intelligence Leaders Show Shaky Marriage on Russia Hack Investigation
Chairman Devin Nunes says there’s no there there; ranking member Adam Schiff says it’s too early to judge.
Policy
The Foreign-Policy Establishment Defends Itself From Trump
'The question confronting us as a nation is as consequential as any we have faced since the late 1940s,' a group of Republican and Democratic experts write.
Ideas
US Air Force 'Urgently' Needs Funds By April
Pass a bill, top leaders tell Congress, warning another delay would 'reverse' badly needed expansions, upgrades, and readiness needed to fight the ISIS War.
Policy
What Happens Next Is Up to Republicans
It’s up to them whether a truly independent investigation occurs.
Threats