Ideas
The Civil Service’s Preference for Hiring Military Vets Comes at a Hidden Cost
The U.S. government has long shown a hiring preference for veterans. But because of the demographics of the U.S. military, this has limited the federal workforce's diversity.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Mapmakers Want To Tap Mobile Ad Technology. Here's Why.
NGA is scoping private-sector technology at incubators in Boston, Austin and New York.
Policy
White House Vows to Audit the Pentagon, Which Would Be a First
The goal is audacious enough, but promises of a record spending increase makes it even more complicated.
Science & Tech
The US Military Has a New Technology to Finally Solve the Concussion Crisis
The Army is testing sensors that can detect the impact of explosions on the brain.
Ideas
How Should We Treat Our Military Robots?
Increasingly human-like automated weapons demand an honest accounting of our emotional responses to them.
Threats
ISIS-in-Afghanistan Is Losing Recruits to Other Groups, US Officials Say
SecDef Mattis says he’s made no decision on adding troops, but warns of a confrontation if Russia continues to arm the Taliban.
Business
Special Counsel Goes to Bat for Two Defense Whistleblowers
Friend of the court briefs try to overturn rulings against retaliation claims.
Science & Tech
Great-Power Rivalry May Turn Space War Real
A rising drumbeat of remarks from Pentagon officials suggest they’re worried about, and preparing for, warfare in orbit.
Ideas
The Marine Photo Scandal and the Cost of Indifference
Americans may finally be ready to confront the dehumanizing horrors facing women service members.
Policy
'Winning' or Not, Trump Doesn't Seem to Be Listening To His Generals
Based on what he says, Trump already is defying his generals. The real test is what he actually does.
Policy
3 Urgent Tasks for Trump’s National-Security Team
The administration needs a single line on various policies — but even more urgently, it must fill about 100 top federal jobs, says James Stavridis.
Ideas
Mapped: America's Collective Defense Agreements
The United States has agreements to come to the defense of more than 50 other nations.
Policy
Pentagon Spells Out Details of Troops' New Retirement System
The blended package goes into effect in 2018.
Ideas
The Dangerous Delusion of 'We Should've Kept the Oil'
The president has said he wants to support the troops, but his careless comments put U.S. lives at risk in Iraq.
Ideas
No Turning Back? First Woman Makes Army’s Elite 75th Ranger Regiment, Big Step For Women in Combat
One woman just made it that much harder for anyone to argue women don't belong in America's most elite combat positions.
Business
The Complicated Relationship Between John McCain and Frank Kendall
The Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer for the past five years says he’s lowered the cost of arms, but the watchdog senator never seemed satisfied.
Ideas
A Pledge for More of the Same at the Pentagon
James Mattis has no new ideas for solving America's most intractable conflicts. Neither does congress.
Ideas
How Many Airstrikes Did US Forces Execute in 2016?
Estimates from government releases show Iraqi and Syrian targets got hit the hardest.
Ideas