Policy

McCain Brokers Compromise That Would Let Obama Close Gitmo

But there’s a big if: Congress has to approve the president's closure plan.

Policy

‘Road to Nowhere’: Defense Secretary Slams GOP Defense Budget

One day after Republicans passed a budget resolution that would boost defense spending, Pentagon leaders called it irresponsible and dangerous.

Policy

Democrats May Delay GOP Defense Bill Until Spending Caps Are Lifted

In both chambers, the minority wants to stop the majority from passing bills that skirt or exceed funding caps.

Ideas

Congress’ Flabby Defense Budgets Aren’t Entirely Lawmakers’ Fault

The Obama administration’s national security strategy is too vague to promote efficient budgeting.

Policy

Thornberry’s Acquisition Bill: Solid Contact, But No Home Run

The HASC chairman proposes several good ideas and several of less use.

Science & Tech

Why the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Dollars Don't Add Up

This is not the first time the Pentagon has had difficulty labeling its cyber investments.

Policy

Defense Trumps Domestic Programs as House Passes GOP Budget

After months of chaos, the GOP got the ball rolling on a budget that still faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Policy

The Provision That Could Destroy the Sequester

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Michael Enzi added a small provision into the Senate GOP budget designed to provide the flexibility to alter budget caps again.

Policy

How the White House and Congress Plan To Boost Defense: Ignore Sequestration

Washington is really planning to avoid dealing with the budget caps, and boost defense spending anyway.

Ideas

Lawmakers Should Listen to the Budget Hawks, Not the Defense Hawks

There are plenty of ways the Pentagon could spend its money more efficiently.

Policy

GOP Budget Hawks Want To Use War Funds To Skirt Defense Caps

McCain, but not everyone, dismissed using OCO funds as a 'dodge' around ending sequestration and getting back to a normal budget process.

Business

The Military's Cybersecurity Budget in 4 Charts

The White House is pitching $5.5 billion in cyber spending for FY 16. Here's what that money looks like.

Business

Navy To Increase the Number of Deployed Ships to the Middle East, Asia

The U.S. Navy’s new maritime strategy calls for more forward-deployed ships and preparing for war against a near-peer and insurgents, including Islamic State militants.

Ideas

The Air Force's Argument for Retiring the A-10 Makes No Sense

Service leaders claim the decision is based on cost and effectiveness. A close analysis of the data says otherwise.

Policy

Boats, Biometrics and Other Items in the Homeland Security Funding Bill

Congress just authorized $750 million for the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity operations and approved a new biometrics program for border agents.

Business

Bob Hale: Targeted Pentagon Budget Cuts Likely

Ashton Carter is the fourth defense secretary to lobby against sequestration, but former Pentagon comptroller Robert Hale says budget cuts are more likely.

Policy

How the DHS Standoff Ended, Avoiding Security Shutdown

Enough Republicans finally dropped their protest of Obama's immigration policies to pass a bill funding the Homeland Security Department for the fiscal year.

Policy

Kerry Presses Congress for More Power and Money To Fight ISIS

With ‘no military solution’ echoing in Washington, Secretary of State John Kerry tells Congress to put the money where his mouth is: into the non-military efforts to defeat the Islamic State.

Ideas

Why Size Doesn’t Matter When Judging the Intelligence Community

Instead of criticizing how big the Intelligence Community has grown, let’s get the US to do a better job explaining why.