Threats
US Strike Against Al-Shabab Leader Reflects Obama’s Counterterrorism Strategy
A targeted U.S. air strike against al-Shabab’s leader in Somalia is exactly how the Pentagon wants it to work in Africa and the Middle East. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Is There a Plan to Attack in Syria or Not?
White House and Pentagon spokesmen spent Friday explaining that the president and the Joint Chiefs have some plans to strike in Syria, but there is no plan. By Kevin Baron
Business
Is the Pentagon's Personnel Reform Turning a Corner at Long Last?
From one union's perspective, the Defense Department's negotiations with labor groups are progressing at a surprisingly positive pace. By Eric Katz
Threats
Airstrikes Not Enough to Defeat ISIL, Hagel Says
Defense Secretary Hagel said the U.S. would continue to attack the Islamic State and keep all options open, but the Pentagon is looking for greater regional support and nonmilitary means. By Kevin Baron
Ideas
John Allen: Destroy the Islamic State Now
What we’re facing in northern Iraq is only partly a crisis about Iraq. It is about the region and potentially the world as we know it.
Business
Here's How the Pentagon's Bean Counters Are Managing on a Tight Budget
The Pentagon's budget managers are increasingly turning to data analytics as they scramble to retain experts in an era of sequesters and furloughs. By Clarles S. Clark
Business
Congress Is Not Canceling the Pentagon-to-Police Weapons Program Anytime Soon
Some are calling for a legislative response amid the Ferguson firestorm. Good luck with that, lawmakers appear to be saying. By Daniel Newhauser
Policy
How Congress and the Pentagon Helped Create America’s Militarized Police
It all goes back to an obscure section from a 1990 defense bill. By Emma Roller
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