Business

Gates’ Love-Hate Relationship with Bureaucracy

“Up close, Congress is truly ugly,” former Defense Secretary Bob Gates writes in his new memoir. By Tom Shoop

Business

The Day Bob Gates Almost Quit

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates praises and criticizes Obama, while revealing a deep exasperation for national security politics. By Kevin Baron

Policy

The Next Fight Over Military Sexual Assault Is Already Here

Senators Claire McCaskill and Kirsten Gillibrand are set to clash over competing proposals to reform military justice once the Senate returns. By Stacy Kaper

Threats

Poll: Cyber Attacks Biggest Threat to National Security

60 percent of respondents also say that the Army's budget should be cut as money becomes more scarce. By Jordain Carney

Business

How Sequestration Weakened the Defense Lobby

Warnings that sequestration would be Armageddon for the defense industry only hurt its credibility. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

The 600 Doomed Defense Bills of 2013

Believe it not, members of Congress introduced 600 defense-related bills last year. More than two-thirds went absolutely nowhere. By Jordain Carney

Business

Senate Backs NDAA With 1 Percent Pay Raise for Troops

The measure also extends the Pentagon's ability to provide housing allowances, reenlistment bonuses and foreign language incentives. By Eric Katz

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