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

Afghanistan Needs ‘Thousands’ More Troops, US General Says

The commander of U.S. forces there lays the first major war decision on Donald Trump’s desk.

Policy

The Future Depends on Fixing Readiness Now, Vice Chiefs Tell Lawmakers

Service leaders’ annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill also serves as Phase One of Mattis’ long-range plan.

Science & Tech

As Fighting Resumes, Ukraine Extends a Wary Hand to Washington

Past missteps and half-measures have undermined trust in the U.S, but commanders still say there are ways to help.

Policy

'Even a Shining City on a Hill Needs Walls': Senator Tom Cotton

A Republican hawk acclimates to the Trump presidency—and threatens to reconsider the One China policy.