Threats

The Four Things the US Military Brings to the Fight Against Ebola

Containing the virus' spread will come down to logistics and leadership, the types of skills where the U.S. military excels. By Janine Davidson

Threats

The Military Is Spending $750 Million To Fight Ebola In Africa

The American mission in Liberia will take 4,000 troops, cost $750 million, and could last more than a year. By Russell Berman

Business

The Trouble With Defense Acquisition May Be the Workforce

The Defense Department could be doomed to wasteful spending when it comes to large weapons contracts if it doesn't change key incentives guiding its acquisition managers, a new report says. By Katherine McIntire Peters

Business

Barack Obama's Friendly-Fire Problem

Leon Panetta is the latest former aide to criticize the president publicly. This kind of thing didn't always happen. By David Graham

Business

The Pentagon’s Special War Funding Account Isn’t Going Away

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work says let the Pentagon keep its Overseas Contingency Operation money with new rules on how it’s spent. By Marcus Weisgerber

Business

The Pentagon Will Need More Money from Congress To Fight ISIL

Whatever the defense budget for FY15 ends up being, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he will have to go back to Congress to ask for more money. By Jordain Carney

Business

Hagel’s Right-Hand Man on Acquisition Reform

Frank Kendall’s close relationship with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has helped elevate his plans for acquisition reform. By Marcus Weisgerber

Threats

With a New Afghan Leader in Place, Is a US Troop Deal Next?

There’s a new president in Afghanistan. Now U.S. military leaders need his signature on a deal to allow U.S. troops to stay. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Here's How the Military Wants To Fix the Way It Buys Weapons

Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall says the Better Buying Power 3.0 plan will keep the Pentagon from losing its technological edge. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Review Finds Few Efficiences in the Pentagon's Joint Basing Plan

A new GAO report reveals numerous geographic and technological problems to the Pentagon's plan to consolidate 26 bases into 12 joint facilities. By Bob Brewin

Ideas

Africa Needs the US Military To Fight Ebola

It’s up to the international community to change its response behavior and question its own assumptions about disease containment. By Melissa Hersh

Ideas

Why Do We Need ‘Hypersonic’ Strike Weapons, Exactly?

The Pentagon has a bit more explaining to do before the U.S. keeps developing its latest super-fast weapon. By James M. Acton

Threats

US Could Send As Many As 3,000 Troops to Africa To Fight Ebola

President Obama made the announcement Tuesday as part of a seriously ramped-up plan to combat the Ebola outbreak. By Sophie Novack

Business

DOD Will Reconsider Thousands of Vietnam Vets’ Discharge Statuses

Because PTSD was not officially recognized as a disorder by the medical profession until 1980, many PTSD claims filed by Vietnam vets were denied. By Kellie Lunney

Threats

Pentagon Confirms US Air Strike Killed Al-Shabab Leader

Monday’s U.S. air strike in Somalia killed the co-founder of the terrorist organization al-Shabab. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

The Pentagon Is $200 Billion Short of What It 'Needs' for FY15, Study Shows

Next year's Pentagon budget, a new analysis suggests, is dangerously dominated by personnel costs rather than a fully-realized national security plan. By Charles S. Clark

Ideas

Why 'More' Is Not a Better Plan for US Defense

The NDP missed a chance to help the Pentagon develop innovative solutions to its serious challenges. By Nora Bensahel

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