Exclusive Policy

National Guard Scrambles for Funds After Congress Refuses to Cover Jan. 6-Related Costs

More than a half billion dollars in the hole, the Guard’s chief has ordered the heads of the Army and Air Guards to claw back money from state units.

Ideas

US Navy Punts on Building a Fleet to Compete with China

The 2022 budget proposal aims to increase future capability but misses the reality facing it today.

Policy

If China Is the No. 1 Threat, Why Doesn’t the 2022 Budget Reflect It?

The Middle East will continue to demand resources even as troops withdraw from Afghanistan.

Policy

Where the US Army’s Cut List and Wish List Overlap

Some programs slated for trimming in the 2022 budget proposal also appear on the service’s list of unfunded priorities.

Exclusive Policy

Space Force Seeks $831.7M for Unfunded Priorities

Projects left out of 2022 budget would boost Cheyenne Mountain security, space-based cryptology.

Policy

Is the Biden Administration Proud of its Pentagon Budget?

If the White House wanted to boast about its spending plans, it wouldn't have buried the news on Memorial Day weekend and given reporters just 10 minutes to ask questions.

Policy

Naval Spending Proposal Defies Calls to Buy Extra Ships, Boost Marines’ Budget

President’s first spending request seeks to cut procurement to free funds for operations and maintenance.

Policy

Biden Seeks State Department Budget Boost, But Ambassador Nominations Lag

Slow pace of nominations is the “missing piece" of the president's drive to emphasize diplomacy’s importance in foreign policy, one analyst said.

Business

Eyeing China, Biden’s First Pentagon Budget Would Cut Troops, Buy Future Weapons

DepSecDef Hicks called the president’s $715 billion spending request “a foundation for fielding a full range of needed capabilities.” Republicans called it “a cut.”

Science & Tech

Biden Requests Less Than 1% Boost to Pentagon R&D, Despite Hyping New Defense Tech

As the Defense Department shifts its focus toward more technologically advanced potential adversaries, it will have to research and develop more and sustain less.

Policy

US Air Force Details Proposed Cuts to Planes, Flying Hours

2022 budget request would retire scores of fighters and tankers and cut thousands of flying hours to fund modernization.