Ideas
A Horrible Day for American Leadership
In response to terror, a petulant president and a xenophobic GOP presidential field.
Policy
Pentagon Transfers 5 Guantanamo Detainees to the UAE as Battle Over Closure Heats Up
Days ahead of signing a legislative freeze on Guantanamo into law, the president defiantly moves five from Cuba.
Business
Fate of Pentagon War Budget Left to Obama’s Successor
The Obama administration will submit its final budget to Congress in February, a spending plan that will include tens of billions of dollars for a 15-year-old war in Afghanistan and a new war against ISIS.
Business
The Pentagon's Afghan 'Slush Fund' Will Now Have to Answer to Angry Lawmakers
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has given the DOD 48 hours to turn over its files on a controversial task force that may have misspent millions in Afghanistan.
Policy
Fate of Defense Authorization Bill Looks Favorable Second Time Around
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the NDAA, sending it to Obama’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it into law.
Policy
White House Won’t Rule Out Vetoing Defense Authorization Bill (Again) Over Guantanamo
New NDAA, same old showdown over Guantanamo.
Defense Systems
The future of ISR is unmanned, whether commanders like it or not
Air Force officials see the U-2 and Global Hawk as complementary, but they’ll soon have to do without one of them.
Science & Tech
The Latest Cybersecurity Bill Will Only Confuse Internet Providers Like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast
Lawmakers could possibly save years of court battles over allegations of mass surveillance if they nail down a few key definitions in a pending bill before a House committee.
Policy
Budget Deal Is A Big Win for Pentagon
Even though it’s only a two-year agreement, the budget deal passed by Congress and the White House will get the Pentagon past the worst of the spending caps.
Policy
A Weakened Bush Swings at Rubio; Rising Rubio Aims at Clinton
Jeb goes negative, along with his poll numbers, awkwardly aiming at Rubio's absent Senate record.
Science & Tech
Senate Passes Cyber Bill, Ducking Privacy Fears for Now
After months of negotiation, a cybersecurity bill to bolster defenses after a series of high-profile hacks moves closer to the president’s desk.
Ideas
Trick or Treat: A Pleasant Surprise for the Defense Budget
The debate over the defense budget is not really about defense. But this is the best possible deal.
Policy
Dunford: US Will Rethink Its Iraq Presence If Russia Goes In
Russia’s actions in the Middle East have U.S. lawmakers launching heated questions at top Pentagon officials. The answers so far have been less than reassuring.
Policy
Congress Might Actually Pass a Budget This Year — And Next
Negotiators are close to an agreement that would increase federal spending, and the debt limit, for the next two years.
Policy
The Benghazi Committee's Missed Chance at Clinton's Real Record
Both sides pledged they wouldn’t. Both went after each other anyway.
Policy
Can Paul Ryan Save the Defense Department from Sequestration?
As the defense policy bill awaits a threatened veto, Washington wonders whether the Wisconsin Republican will become House Speaker — and resolve the budget impasse.
Ideas
How Budget Battles Undermine National Security
Congress should raise the debt limit and break its dependence on continuing resolutions.
Policy
The Perseverance of Kirsten Gillibrand
Whether confronting the military over sexual assault or her fellow New York senator on the Iran deal, the Democrat’s ambitions stretch beyond Hillary Clinton’s shadow.
Ideas
How the Media Aids and Abets the Benghazi Committee
The investigation is functioning as partisan oppo-research organization, and the press is enabling it.
Business