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

Policy

Congressional Intel Leaders Want Little Changed Ahead of Obama Speech

House and Senate intelligence committee bosses hope that whatever NSA and other reforms President Obama wants, he can do with executive authority and without legislation. By Stacy Kaper and Michael Catalini

Policy

Sen. Gillibrand Is Still Optimistic on Military Sexual Assault Reform

Sen. Gillibrand is looking longer-term, hoping to build off her first try to gather support for a future attempt to take the chain of command out of military sexual assault cases. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Democrats Could Wreck Obama's Biggest National Security Success

Derailing Iran negotiations means risking another military conflict in the Middle East. By David Rohde

Policy

HASC Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon to Retire

The longtime chairman of the House Armed Services Committee will not seek re-election. By Kevin Baron

Business

Military Pension Fight Rages On

The omnibus spending bill would repeal cuts to military pensions for some working-age retirees. The fight for a full repeal, however, goes on. By Eric Katz

Policy

U.S. Increases Humanitarian Aid for Syria

The latest round of funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Syrian conflict to more than $1.7 billion. By Jordain Carney

Business

Spending Bill Boosts Nuclear Warhead Funding by Nearly $1 Billion

The omnibus spending bill provides $7.8 billion for National Nuclear Security Administration work on the nuclear arsenal. By Rachel Oswald

Policy

The U.S. Is Still Officially At War in Iraq

Two years after U.S. troops withdrew, a group of bi-partisan senators want to repeal the authorization of the use of military force in Iraq, officially ending the war. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Cyber Command Budget More Than Doubles

The House fiscal 2014 spending package includes $447 million for U.S. Cyber Command -- more than double last year’s budget. By Aliya Sternstein

Business

Air Force Warns Against Further Cuts to Readiness

Congress wants to protect cuts to military benefits and that has Air Force Undersecretary Eric Fanning worried about further cuts to readiness. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

What's Driving Democrats to Defy Obama on Iran?

Is it domestic politics? Or something else? The stakes are high with the Iran deal, but for some Senate Democrats, apparently not high enough. By Ron Fournier

Policy

Can Iraq Be Trusted with U.S. Attack Helicopters?

Congressional leaders are uneasy about putting Apache helicopters under the control of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

In Congress, Military Benefits Are Still Sacred

Several members of Congress have proposed bills to repeal the cuts - a strong signal that military benefits are likely to remain virtually untouchable in the near future. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

Iran Sanctions Bill Gains Steam in the Senate

The Nuclear Weapon-Free Iran Act now has 48 sponsors, according to Senate staffers. By Global Security Newswire

Policy

The Next Fight Over Military Sexual Assault Is Already Here

Senators Claire McCaskill and Kirsten Gillibrand are set to clash over competing proposals to reform military justice once the Senate returns. By Stacy Kaper

Threats

Washington's Dysfunction Is Sabotaging America's Middle East Policy

Neither the left nor the right has offered a serious strategy for how to respond to the emergence of new types of militant groups across the Middle East. By David Rohde

Policy

The 600 Doomed Defense Bills of 2013

Believe it not, members of Congress introduced 600 defense-related bills last year. More than two-thirds went absolutely nowhere. By Jordain Carney

Business

Obama and Congress Are One Step Closer to Closing Guantanamo Bay's Prison

Measures tucked into the recently passed NDAA pave the way towards shutting the notorious facility down. By Stacy Kaper