Business

After OPM Hack, Security-Clearance Requests Will Run Through the Pentagon

The White House directive comes as the OPM shifts its background investigations to a newly-created National Background Investigations Bureau.

Ideas

In an Era of Cheap Drones, US Can’t Afford Exquisite Weapons

Various technological advances are about to make hundred-drone swarms a reality, and a nightmare for today’s top-of-the-line weapons.

Ideas

'Kill-Em-All With Airstrikes' Is Not Working

Here’s a summary of the anti-ISIS bombing campaign: 30,000 fighters - 20,000 killed = 30,000 fighters

Business

The US Military: An Alternative to the Brutalities of the Modern Economy

Millions of service members who live on military bases around the world experience a kind of economic and social security foreign to most of America’s middle class.

Business

Guantanamo Set to Transfer 17 Prisoners, A Milestone in Several Ways

President Obama isn’t letting a legislative freeze stop him from whittling the detainee population to meet a long-held goal.

Business

NSA Will Overhaul Its Workforce Next Year

Spy agency wants to ‘break down cylinders,’ tie domestic and overseas action together, and create an entirely new legal regime.

Ideas

The US Military Just Lost Its Carbon Exemption, But Don't Expect Big Changes Soon

Under the Paris climate agreement, countries are no longer exempted from cutting military emissions. Here's how that figures into U.S. plans, which are not set to begin for many years.

Business

How US Military Structure Overcomes the Gender Pay Gap

While sexual harassment remains an issue, military pay is non-negotiable and all troops must 'lean-in'.

Ideas

Access to Talent: Why Shattering the Military's Glass Ceiling Matters

Future wars will be won far more by out-thinking enemies than by out-muscling them, and including women in every part of the U.S. military makes America’s defenses stronger.

Business

Special Ops Survey Showed 85% Opposed Serving With Women

If integration of women is going to work, special operations leaders will have to convince the rank-and-file.

Business

No Exceptions: Carter Opens All Military Jobs to Women

In a historic decision, Ash Carter rebuffs Marine Corps, says the joint “force of the future” must integrate at every level and open its doors to America’s finest — male or female.

Business

Carter Taps Former Aide as Military Adviser

The US defense secretary, who fired his previous aide, has asked Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Eric Smith to step in.

Business

Measure Twice, Cut Once: Pentagon Launches Personnel-System Overhaul

A first tranche of reforms omits some highly anticipated fixes, but seeks to lay the groundwork for more.

Business

Army, Air Force Acquisition Chiefs to Step Down

The departures of William LaPlante and Heidi Shyu will likely leave the Air Force and Army without permanent procurement leaders until 2017.

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.

Threats

Carter: Gulf Allies Need Better Special Operators, Ground Forces More Than 'Fancy' Jets

In an interview, the U.S. defense secretary says America’s Arab allies need fewer high-end fighter jets and more training of ground forces and special-operations troops.

Business

Can the US Military Win Wars If It Keeps Losing Talented Officers?

The Pentagon worries its rigid personnel system is driving away the leaders it will need for the conflicts of the 21st century.

Policy

Can the US Military Help the White House and Israel Move Beyond Iran?

The Iran-inspired breakdown in relations between Obama and Bibi has meant that Defense Secretary Ash Carter is now point man on maintaining the relationship.

Business

Troops' Privacy at Center of $43M Gas Station Tussle Between Pentagon, Watchdog

No one so far knows where some $42 million went for a $500k gas station in Afghanistan. But a fight between the Pentagon and its auditor is keeping the records out of the public eye.