Ideas

Future Threats Will Require Much More Than the A-10

Forget the A-10. The Air Force needs a mix of aircraft and capabilities for the 2023 fight. By Col. Robert Spalding

Threats

Here’s a Map of the World’s Fastest Growing Militaries

Twenty-three nations have doubled their defense spending in the past decade. By Ben Watson and Kedar Pavgi

Policy

Time Is Running Out for Real Action in Congress

Congress will start working on the National Defense Authorization Act next month, but real intelligence reform is unlikely before midterm elections. By Billy House

Ideas

‘Back to the Future’ Foreign Policy

Defense spending as a share of GDP measures militarization of our society, but that does not necessarily mean strength. By Ben Freeman and Mieke Eoyang

Policy

Army, National Guard Fight Over Apache Helicopters

The plan to give the National Guard’s Apache helicopters to the Army isn’t sitting well with Guard Chief Gen. Frank Grass. By Ben Watson

Ideas

Pentagon’s Reliance on Europe Is ‘Wishful Thinking’

If the U.S. wants to count on Europe, the Pentagon needs more precise analysis of European forces. By Michael Shurkin and Christopher G. Pernin

Ideas

Heed the Historical Warnings of Post-War Budget Cuts

Want to know how devastating post-war budget cuts can be? The Civil War is a good example. By Gordon Sullivan

Policy

Ryan Budget Calls for Return to Pre-Sequester Defense Spending

House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan puts national defense at the top of his budget breakdown. By Stacy Kaper

Business

The Pentagon Can't Buy All Its F-35s for $390.4 Billion

The latest downbeat watchdog report finds software woes likely to delay F-35 further. By Charles S. Clark

Business

The Myth Behind the Hollow Force

The disconnect lies in the difference between a smaller force and a hollow force. By Russell Rumbaugh

Policy

America Is Too Broke to Rescue Ukraine

In part because of two wars and a financial crisis that have drained America’s coffers. By Peter Beinart

Business

Pentagon’s New Health Record System Will Cost $1.5 Billion

The original system was ditched last year after costs spiraled to $28 billion. By Bob Brewin

Ideas

Three Myths About the Defense Budget

Critics who say the Pentagon’s FY15 budget request is a ‘skeleton budget’ that sets us back to pre-War War II levels are wrong. Here’s why. By Ben Freeman

Policy

Special Ops Moves from ‘Perpetual War to Perpetual Engagement’

Special Operations commander Adm. William McRaven tells Congress that ‘we need our friends and allies more now than ever before.’ By Ben Watson

Business

These Are the Pentagon’s Ideas for Reforming Retirement Benefits

The options would provide some benefits to military personnel earlier in their careers rather than upon retirement. By Eric Katz

Business

Pentagon Leaders Working to Define Military’s Post-War Purpose

With a post-war budget and (yet another) strategy, senior defense leaders are crafting a new mission for the U.S. military. By Kevin Baron

Science & Tech

What Will $5 Billion in Military Cyber Spending Pay For?

The Pentagon is spending more on cybersecurity, but is it spending it in the right way? By Patrick Tucker

Policy

Pentagon Wants to Keep Controversial War Budget Beyond Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan is winding down, but the Pentagon hopes its war budget goes on. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

The Biggest Threat to the Pentagon’s Budget Is Entitlement Spending

Our failure to reform mandatory spending is adversely impacting our nation and our national security. By Rep. Scott Rigell

Business

This Is Obama’s $26B ‘Wish List’ for the Pentagon

President Obama wants to create a special $58 billion fund to offset budget cuts. About half of that would go to the Pentagon. By Stephanie Gaskell