Science & Tech
The Problem With Calling Cyber Attacks 'Terrorism'
Are cyber attacks—designed to steal, corrupt, disrupt, degrade, or destroy—the equivalent of use of force or violence? By Micah Zenko
Science & Tech
Did the Pentagon's Switch to the Cloud Actually Save Money?
The Defense Department's inspector general wants to know if its recent switch to cloud computing is paying off. By Frank Konkel
Ideas
Defense One's Top 10 Stories of 2014
It was a frenetic year in national security that included Iraq, Russia, China, Robots and X-Ray Guns.
Ideas
The Tragedy of the American Military
The American public and its political leadership will do anything for the military except take it seriously. By James Fallows
Business
The Tank That Won't Go Away and Other Details in the New Defense Budget
Key reforms across every section of the Pentagon's budget have been altered or slashed by lawmakers. Here are a few of them. By Janine Davidson
Business
Ash Carter’s Asia Plans
President Obama’s pick to replace Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been an advocate for a pivot to Asia since the late 1990s. By Adam Tiffen
Science & Tech
Upgrades Will Let the Navy’s LCS Operate in More Dangerous Waters
The Pentagon approves a plan to upgrade the Navy’s littoral combat ships with more firepower and defensive equipment, but is it enough? By Marcus Weisgerber and Patrick Tucker
Ideas
Washington’s Window To Reform War Funding Just Opened
New leaders in Congress and the Pentagon should fix how the US funds warfare, not continue budgetary tricks. By Robert Gard
Policy
Levin Is Leaving Congress Disappointed the NDAA Doesn’t Do More
The longtime Senate Armed Services Committee chairman wanted to pass military compensation reform and move toward closing Guantanamo before he retires this year. By Molly O’Toole
Threats
The Failure of American Hostage Rescues
Saturday's raid in Yemen was the third failed rescue attempt of an American hostage in five months. By Adam Chandler
Business
Who Will Be the Next 'Mayor of the Pentagon'?
Congress wants to upgrade the chief management officer position to the third most powerful position at the Defense Department. By John Kamensky
Ideas
Want Bipartisan Success in Congress? Pass Defense Acquisition Reform
There are few things in Congress with more bipartisan support than fixing how the Pentagon buys everything – so get moving. By Andrew Hunter
Threats
US Commandos ‘Lost the Element of Surprise’ in Yemen Raid
American journalist Luke Somers is killed in a second attempt to rescue him from al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. By Gordon Lubold
Threats
Hagel Visits Afghanistan Amid a ‘Spike’ in Violence
Chuck Hagel is in Kabul on what is likely his last trip as defense secretary. By Gordon Lubold
Business
The Pentagon’s 2016 Budget Will Focus on the Pacific
Even though U.S. military airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the humanitarian response to the Ebola are at the forefront, the Pentagon’s next budget will still focus on the Pacific. By Marcus Weisgerber
Business
Obama Brings Ash Carter Back To Lead the Pentagon
The former Pentagon No. 2 vows to give President Obama his ‘most candid military advice.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Retaliation Against Victims of Military Sexual Assault Still Persists
The Pentagon’s report to the president on sexual assault shows progress – except on retaliation against victims. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Hagel Says the Decision To Leave the Pentagon Was Mutual
But the outgoing defense secretary reveals little about why the White House forced him out. By Gordon Lubold
Ideas
The US Should Condemn Bahrain, Not Rationalize For Them
As the 10th Manama Dialogue convenes, Bahrain’s monarchy is a human rights nightmare and source of insecurity the United States should be condemning, not celebrating. By Brian Dooley
Business