Ideas
Don’t Let the Pentagon Become the Next Enron
Bad financial assumptions and unwillingness to make hard choices threaten to undermine national security.
Policy
There's a Reason Ted Cruz Won't Say How Much His Pentagon Plans Will Cost
More soldiers, ships, subs, planes, drone pilots—in short, the fiscal conservative wants to spend en enormous amount of money.
Ideas
Obama Punts Controversial War Account to Successor
The president, who decried the Pentagon’s 'dishonest' war chest, will leave office with it firmly entrenched.
Ideas
Congress Must Stop the Decline of Our Military Readiness
Here's what President Obama's final defense spending request should have included.
Policy
The Coming Dogfight Between the F-35 and the New Bomber
A battle is brewing between the two multibillion-dollar aircraft programs — and the defense companies, lobbyists, and Pentagon offices that back them.
Ideas
Three Reasons the 2017 Defense Budget Won’t Be Enough (And How to Fix It)
The responsible path is not the easy path, but there is bipartisan support for a stronger defense budget and ways to make it happen.
Science & Tech
These Are the New Weapons the Pentagon Chief Wants for Tomorrow's Wars
Defense secretary lays out his vision for the next decade’s killer capabilities in 2017 budget preview.
Business
Pentagon Running Low on Smart Bombs for ISIS Campaign
In a preview of the Pentagon’s 2017 budget, Defense Secretary Carter signals a coming acceleration of the 18-month-old bombing effort.
Business
What to Watch for in 2016
It’s likely to be an important transitional year for many defense issues as the Obama administration draws to a close.
Ideas
We’re Long Overdue for Due Diligence in Defense
Defense Secretary Carter deserves applause for cutting the Navy’s LCS, and encouragement to think more broadly.
Business
Putting Civilians in US Troop Support Jobs Could Save Billions, Report Says
Converting 80,000 active-duty jobs to civilian positions could save as much as $5.7B per year, according to a new Congressional Budget Office analysis.
Policy
Obama Quietly Signs Guantanamo Freeze Into Law — But Hints at Executive Action
The president gave the defense authorization bill his signature, but rejected what he called unconstitutional restrictions on his push to close the U.S. military prison in Cuba.
Business
Fate of Pentagon War Budget Left to Obama’s Successor
The Obama administration will submit its final budget to Congress in February, a spending plan that will include tens of billions of dollars for a 15-year-old war in Afghanistan and a new war against ISIS.
Business
Congress Orders $200M Antivirus Scan for the Pentagon's Major Weapons
Buried in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act is a section requiring evaluations of cyber vulnerabilities in U.S. military weapon systems.
Ideas
Rand Paul Has a Point: How Much Defense Spending is Enough for GOP?
The next GOP debate could find even more substance by making candidates answer Paul’s question to the conservative movement.
Policy
Fate of Defense Authorization Bill Looks Favorable Second Time Around
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the NDAA, sending it to Obama’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it into law.
Threats
China Is Among the World Leaders in 'Secret' Military Spending, Report Says
And 'additional, off-the-books spending' could be as high as 50% of China’s official defense expenditure.
Policy
Budget Deal Is A Big Win for Pentagon
Even though it’s only a two-year agreement, the budget deal passed by Congress and the White House will get the Pentagon past the worst of the spending caps.
Ideas
Trick or Treat: A Pleasant Surprise for the Defense Budget
The debate over the defense budget is not really about defense. But this is the best possible deal.
Threats