Policy

The Decline of the American War Hawk

There's been a backlash in the United States against foreign interventionism. By Conor Friedersdorf

Policy

Marco Rubio's Stumbling Start to Be the GOP's National Security Candidate in 2016

Sen. Marco Rubio is trying a new route to 2016: Foreign policy. By Peter Beinart

Policy

Military Sexual Assault Reform Fails on Chain of Command Issue

Sen. Gillibrand’s bill to remove sexual assault cases from the chain of command narrowly failed to get the 60 votes it needed to advance. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Congress Must Be Willing to Do More With Less Defense Spending

Those who think America spends too much for national defense are as mistaken as those who think that larger defense budget numbers translate into strong security. By Rep. Duncan Hunter

Threats

Gillibrand Links Military Sexual Assaults to PTSD and Suicide

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand opened a new dimension in the debate over military sexual assaults while continuing to apply pressure for her legislation. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

The Politics of Process Stalls Veterans Benefits Bill

A rift between Senate Democrats and Republicans over who gets to offer amendments and how many is threatening a key veterans bill. By Michael Catalini and Stacy Kaper

Policy

McCain Blocks Top Pentagon Civilian Picks

The key Republican flexed his legislative muscle, calling answers from Bob Work and Christine Wormuth 'nonsensical.' By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Meet the New Guard at the Pentagon

The Senate Armed Services Committee is considering the nominations of several top posts at the Pentagon. Here’s a look at who are they are. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Poll: It's Time for Congress to Agree to Close Military Bases

A National Journal poll of security insiders says Congress needs to get on board with military base closures, but agrees that it probably won't. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Complicated Vote Sends Simple Message from Congress: Don't Mess With Vets

Senators voted overwhelmingly to restore $6 billion in proposed veterans' benefit cuts, but paid with further sequester offsets. By Stacy Kaper

Threats

U.S. May Have to Wait for Karzai's Successor to Get Troop Deal

James Clapper, director of national intelligence, said he doesn't believe Afghan President Hamid Karzai will sign a troop deal before he leaves office. By Sara Sorcher

Defense Systems

US export control reforms advance

U.S. officials said they are completing a rewrite of export regulations in advance of proposed reform legislation.

Policy

How Obama Won the War on Iran Sanctions

The president is getting a chance to make negotiations with Iran work. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Inhofe Says There's Not Enough Support to Override a Veto on Iran Sanctions

President Obama says he will veto any measure to slap new sanctions on Iran. He may have just gotten his way. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Democrats Want to Reverse $6B Veterans Benefits Cut, Pay for It Later

Congress has agreed to reverse $6 billion in cuts to veterans benefits. They just can't agree on how to pay for it. By Stacy Kaper and Jordain Carney

Threats

Obama’s Vision: No More War but Plenty More Fighting

President Obama’s speech illustrates America’s global security dilemma: stay out of wars, but don’t let up the fight. By Kevin Baron

Business

Lawmakers Vow to Repeal Military Pension Cut

Senators from both parties want to repeal scheduled cuts to the pensions of working-age military retirees. By Eric Katz

Policy

Budget Cuts Are Sending the Wrong Message to Veterans

President Obama will surely thank the troops during his State of the Union speech, but will Washington stop balancing the budget on the backs of veterans? By Alex Nicholson

Policy

On NSA Reforms, Obama Passes the Buck to Congress

Once again, President Obama is kicking an important issue over to Congress. First it was Syria,now it's NSA reforms. By Michael Hirsh

Business

9 Ways Congress Wants to Reverse Cuts to Military Benefits

Congress may have restored some cuts to medically retired veterans, but the ax is still falling on $6 billion in military benefits. Here are some of the proposals to try to avoid that. By Jordain Carney