Policy
Trump’s Transgender Troop Ban Sparks An Instant Opposition of Unusual Allies
The commander in chief tweet-declares a stunning change for military personnel, but it’s far from clear he can make it stick.
Policy
Why John McCain Matters More than the GOP Realizes
Without McCain, Republicans have no clear leader on defense issues. Not that they ever listen to him, anyway.
Policy
Cuts Proposed for Key Cybersecurity Agency
House Appropriations Committee reduces but retains White House cuts to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Science & Tech
The US Isn’t Going To Launch a Military Space Corps—For Now
The effort still sends a message that the U.S. is concerned about the orbital military aspirations of geopolitical rivals like China and Russia.
Ideas
Make It Easier for Americans to Support Military Missions Abroad
Our nonprofit organization helped US commanders provide IED detectors to Iraqis confronting ISIS. Now Congress can make it a model for agile public-private partnerships.
Ideas
We Need to Focus on Space; We Don’t Need a 'Space Corps'
The US military’s top space commander wants deeper integration and more resources, not a separate Space Corps.
Threats
Spooked by North Korea, Lawmakers Resurrect an Old Missile-Defense Idea
Technical experts say space-based interceptors haven’t gotten any more practical since the Reagan era, but House lawmakers still want the Pentagon to plan for them.
Policy
Senate Defense Bill Bans Russian Anti-virus Software, Splits CIO Duties
The bill would reform how the Pentagon manages internal cybersecurity.
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