Business
Hagel: ‘No Magical Date’ for Post-2014 Troop Deal with Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says he wants a U.S. troop deal with Afghanistan in place as soon as possible. By Stephanie Gaskell
Ideas
Get the Message: Military Compensation Reform Is Sacred No More
That Congress was willing to touch the third rail of military retirement pay shows times are changing, as they should. By Maren Leed
Ideas
New Year, New Missions: Eight Challenges Awaiting the Pentagon in 2014
The New Year means new challenges for the Pentagon. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for 2014. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
NDAA Clears Key Hurdle, Final Passage Expected This Week
Wednesday's vote ran over Republican objections that prohibited additional amendments to the defense authorization bill. By Stacy Kaper
Business
Presidential Panel Blasts NSA Data Collection
White House advisors recommend 46 changes to how NSA collects and stores personal data. By Brian Resnick, Marina Koren and Dustin Volz
Business
Congress Wants Pentagon to Upgrade Nuclear Command and Control
A provision in the NDAA requires the Defense Department to create a special council overseeing nuclear communications technology. By Rachel Oswald
Business
Pentagon Reorganizes Intel Office, Adds Cyber Post
Under orders to cut 20 percent from its budget, the Pentagon’s intel office also has to balance its commitment to new threats like cyber. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Here’s Why the Proposed Military Retiree Benefit Cuts Are No Big Deal
Here are six reasons why it is hard to make an argument that the U.S. government is not acting in good faith for the men and women in uniform. By Lawrence Korb and Katherine Blakeley
Business
White House Refuses to Split NSA, CYBERCOM
The Obama administration decided to keep the spy agency head dual-hatted by a military commander. By Jordain Carney
Policy
So When Does the U.S. Really Need Afghanistan to Sign the Troop Deal?
Obama administration officials still want a troop deal in Afghanistan in place by the end of the year, but want and need are two different things. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
The General Who Opened Guantanamo's Prison Wants to Shut It Down
Retired Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert writes in an op-ed that the U.S. had insufficient evidence on many prisoners of "little intelligence value" who "should never have been sent" to GTMO. By Marina Koren
Business
Hagel Backs Budget Deal
The agreement doesn't solve all of the Pentagon's budget woes, but the defense secretary says it helps address readiness and procurement challenges. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Gillibrand’s Sexual Assault Bill Facing Long Odds
A tight congressional calendar and continued opposition from lawmakers does not bode well for the measure. By Jordain Carney
Policy
Karzai: There is ‘No Deadline’ to Sign Troop Deal
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the Dec. 31 deadline to sign a post-2014 troop deal is just ‘pressure’ from the U.S. But visiting Gen. Martin Dempsey said negotiations are ‘closed.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Budget Agreement Eases Pentagon's Sequester Pain
The Pentagon's budget remains undecided, as Congress punts the sequester just two years down the road. By Sara Sorcher and Stacy Kaper
Threats
U.S. Military Intervenes With Airlifts In Central African Republic
Airlifts are intended to avert a "humanitarian" crisis in the tiny, landlocked country. By Jordain Carney
Policy
GOP Divide Could Stall Defense Bill
The annual authorization bill could be held up if lawmakers throw up procedural barriers to stall SASC leadership. By Stacy Kaper
Business
Hagel Softens on Troop Deal, Gives Karzai Until February - But Not April
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel now says Afghanistan has to sign a troop deal by February’s NATO meeting. It’s not the April elections that worries him; it’s the runoffs. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Spared from Hagel’s Cuts: Cyber, Asia-Pacific, Homeland Policy Jobs
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is cutting 200 jobs from his front office – but he made sure to protect several key policy positions in homeland, cyber and the Asia-Pacific. By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats