Threats

America Has No Strategy to Stop ISIL

The adaptability of ISIL fighters in Iraq is raising serious concerns about perceptions of U.S. military power in the region. By Janine Davidson

Policy

U.S. Signs 25-Year Military Pact with Australia

Australia will train with U.S. troops based on its northern coast for the better part of the first half of this century. By Ben Watson

Threats

U.S. Air Strikes Are Having a Limited Effect on ISIL

After more than a dozen U.S. air strikes in northern Iraq, a top Pentagon official says ISIL is far from retreating. By Ben Watson

Threats

Pentagon Says More Strikes Are Possible in Iraq

The Pentagon is prepared for more strikes against ISIL, possibly in Baghdad where the U.S. has many assets. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

With Shrinking Budgets, Pentagon Should Rely More on Guard, Reserve Troops

The Pentagon must think more creatively about how to structure and when to use reserve forces. By Ret. Lt. Gen. David Barno

Business

Pentagon's Civilian Workforce Could Face New Performance Evaluations

The Pentagon plans a do-over for its poorly-received civilian pay and performance evaluation system from 2006. Will this attempt be any better than the last? By Eric Katz

Threats

U.S. Evacuates Embassy in Libya

Ongoing violence between Libyan militias forced the State Department to evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli on Saturday. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

If the Pentagon Buys Less, It Needs to Invest More

If the military is supposed to use the peace to prepare for the next war, it has to spend more on research & development. By Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Col. Tom Harrison

Ideas

What Stands in the Way of the Pentagon Keeping Its Best and Brightest?

The Defense Department's impending force drawdown could accelerate the departure of some of its best personnel. Here are a few ideas on how to keep that from happening. By Amy Schafer

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Won't Demolish Its Alaskan Research Facility Just Yet

Tin-foil theorists can keep their hats for one more year as the Air Force mulls a transfer of its 180-antenna Alaskan facility to university researchers. By Bob Brewin

Business

Competition Is Declining in Pentagon-Awarded Contracts

Three years after setting goals for competitively-bid contracts, the Defense Department has failed to meet even one of those goals. By Katherine McIntire Peters

Policy

Hagel Backs General on U.S. Border Threats

Defense Secretary Hagel supports his top general’s concern that Central American destabilization is fueling the migrant children crisis at the U.S. border. By Molly O’Toole

Threats

Dempsey Says Iraq Can’t Beat ISIL, Won’t Rule Out More U.S. Troops

Don’t call it ‘mission creep’ in Iraq, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dempsey says, call it ‘mission match.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Here’s How the Pentagon Could Save $108 Billion Over the Next Decade

Military retirees used to have their retirement pay reduced by the amount of any VA disability compensation they also received. That could save big bucks. By Eric Katz

Ideas

A Good Step Toward Ending Landmines

President Obama announced that the United States will no longer make or buy landmines. This is good, but he can do more to end this deadly scourge. By Joe Cirincione

Science & Tech

The Military Is About to Get New Spy Glasses

The Defense Department’s new smart spectacles go beyond Google Glass. By Patrick Tucker

Business

Army's Gen. Campbell Picked To Lead Afghanistan War

President Obama nominated Army Vice Chief Gen. John Campbell to take over in Kabul for the final stage of America’s 13-year Afghan war. By Ben Watson

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Wants To Buy 14 More Ground-Based Inceptor Missiles

The ground-based Midcourse Defense system broke a 6-year losing streak when it took out a simulated missile over the Pacific. Now the Pentagon wants $1 billion to buy 14 more of the interceptors. By Rachel Oswald

Threats

This Is Why Many of Iraq's Forces Dropped Their Weapons

Inside the rapid disintegration of a security force the U.S. spent more than $25 billion to build. By James Kitfield

Threats

Iraqi Forces Can Hold Baghdad, Pentagon Says

With ISIS members inching towards Baghdad, Pentagon officials say they believe the Iraqi forces can hold the nation’s capital. By Stephanie Gaskell