Policy
Congress Will Scramble To Pass Crucial Defense Legislation After Midterm Elections
Most of the must-pass defense bills have been left for the uncertain last days of Congress after Nov. 4. By Molly O’Toole
Business
Review Finds the Military’s Health System Is Good, But Far from ‘World-Class’
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s comprehensive review of the military’s health system yielded mixed results one year after it was rolled out. By Ben Watson
Threats
US Will Destroy Landmines Everywhere But Korea
The ‘unique situation’ at the Korean Demilitarized Zone still prevents the U.S. from fully embracing the worldwide ban on landmines. By Ben Watson
Science & Tech
New DOD-VA Health Records System Coming to More Facilities Soon
One of Obama's 19 initiatives announced this week included a wider launch for a long-awaited health records system. By Bob Brewin
Science & Tech
Amazon Expands Its Cloud Services to the U.S. Military
The Defense Department's unclassified data will now be stored in an Amazon-built cloud, marking a big step forward eliminating old, redundant systems. By Frank Konkel
Business
DOD Could Save Millions in Health Care Costs If Congress Would Let It
A decades-old program within the military health system has outlived its usefulness, officials say. By Kellie Lunney
Policy
Obama’s War Budget: ‘Slush Fund’ or the New Normal?
Lawmakers are balking at Obama’s $65.8 billion Overseas Contingency Operations request. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
Despite Pentagon Concerns, Obama Requests No New Military for Border Threat
White House agrees the root causes of the border crisis threaten national security, but says the mission is not the military’s. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
Hagel Declares ISIL Clear and 'Imminent Threat’ To U.S.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warns Americans – and skeptical lawmakers – that the extremists carving up Iraq and Syria threaten ‘every stabilized country on Earth.’ By Ben Watson
Threats
Top General Says Mexico Border Security Now ‘Existential’ Threat to U.S.
U.S. Southern Command’s Gen. Kelly calls U.S. border insecurity, Latin America’s broken societies and ‘insatiable’ American drug use 'existential' threats to national security. By Molly O’Toole
Science & Tech
Three Misconceptions About Drones
A new report by the Stimson Center’s Task Force on U.S. Drone Policy examines some common beliefs about drones. By Janine Davidson
Business
Now It's Official: Furloughs Frustrate Defense Department Personnel
Differences implementing the cost saving measure across the services led to grumbling about morale and problems with retention inside the department. And don't expect it to end soon. By Amelia Gruber
Ideas
70 Years After D-Day, the Legacy of WWII Veterans Carries On
The stories of valor that took place on Normandy Beach 70 years ago need to be passed on to future generations. Here’s one of them. By Christopher D. Kolenda
Business
Should You Need a License to Practice Cybersecurity?
The United States should consider a certifying body to grant and revoke permissions for cybersecurity professionals, a National Defense University professor says. By Aliya Sternstein
Science & Tech
The Military Is Building Brain Chips to Treat PTSD
The Defense Department is developing a new, mood-predicting brain chip to treat PTSD in soldiers. By Patrick Tucker
Policy
Personnel Costs Divide Senate, House Defense Bills
Soaring personnel costs have driven a wedge between the Senate and House versions of the 2015 defense authorization bill. By Kellie Lunney
Policy
Congress Considers Hundreds of NDAA Amendments This Week
The National Defense Authorization Act begins moving through the Senate this week, while the House sorts through its own NDAA amendments. By Billy House
Science & Tech
Pentagon’s Largest Solar Project Yet Coming This Fall
One-quarter of an Arizona Army base’s electrical needs could be met entirely by solar power. By Charles S. Clark
Threats
Reserve, Guard Soldiers Committing Suicide at Higher Rates
The good news is military suicides declined last year. The bad news is Army Guard and Reserve numbers are higher than previously thought. By Ben Watson
Policy