Ideas

Better Buying Power 4 Years On: Is It Making a Difference?

The plan to replace the V-XX, the president’s Marine One helicopter, is an example of the success of Better Buying Power. By Frank Kendall

Policy

How Will the Ukraine Crisis Affect the Defense Budget?

While one GOP lawmaker calls for raising Pentagon’s budget, his Democratic colleague favors an alternate path for the Defense Department's response to Ukraine. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Air Force Chief Explains Why He’s Retiring the A-10s

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, a former A-10 pilot, says after much debate, sequestration forced him to only one conclusion: Cut the A-10 fleet. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Actually, the Army Will 'Involuntarily Separate' Officers

A spokesman walks back Tuesday’s claim that the Army would not lay anyone off. By Eric Katz

Business

Army Denies It Will Lay Off 3,000 Officers To Meet Force Reduction Goals

The Army is pushing back against reports that it will have to force out 3,000 officers to meet fiscal 2015 personnel goals. By Eric Katz

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