Policy
Obama Signs Bill to Reinstate Troop Death Benefits During the Shutdown
President Obama signed the bill Thursday after the Fisher House Foundation offered to pay death benefits to families of fallen troops during the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
House Republicans Accuse the Pentagon of Shutdown ‘Politics’
Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale was berated by House Armed Services Committee members who accused the administration of using furloughs ‘for political purposes.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
Fisher House Rescues DoD on Death Benefits During Shutdown
The Fisher House Foundation will pay death benefits to families of fallen troops and get reimbursed by the Pentagon once the shutdown is over. By Stephanie Gaskell
Policy
U.S. Has Already Defaulted – On Its Promise to the Troops
Congress and the White House continue to argue over the debt ceiling, but they’ve already defaulted on their obligations to the military. By Alexander Nicholson
Policy
Obama Expects Troop Death Benefits Fix ‘Today’
The public outrage over the shutdown halting ‘death gratuity’ payments to the families of fallen soldiers has reached the White House -- President Obama says he expects a fix today. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Shutdown Could Crimp Pentagon Training and Confuse Contractors
Lack of funding will disrupt operations and impact the national security supply chain, a new report says. By Charles S. Clark
Science & Tech
Electrical Explosions Cause Construction Delays at NSA's $1.2 Billion Spy Compound
Persistent electrical surges apparently sparked explosions and a year-long delay that NSA officials did not disclose. By Aliya Sternstein
Business
Hagel Names Special Envoy to Close Guantanamo
The Defense Department appointed Paul Lewis, former HASC general counsel, to help close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
DoD Acquisitions Staff Are Back to Work, They Just Can't Buy Anything
If the shutdown lasts, acquisition and contract employees face being furloughed again because they don't have any money to buy anything. By Bob Brewin
Business
Why the Pentagon's CIOs Remain Furloughed
Defense Department lawyers say the Pay Our Military Act doesn't cover the Pentagon's civilian information officers and their staffs. By Bob Brewin
Ideas
America’s Longest War
America’s longest war has become its forgotten war. If there was ever a time to pay attention to Afghanistan, it’s now. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Hagel Orders Most Furloughed Civilian Employees Back to Work
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is putting most of the 400,000 furloughed civilian defense employees back to work despite the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Could a Brief, Hastily Written Law Put More DoD Workers Back on the Job?
The Pay Our Military Act was written in such a rush that it might give the Pentagon the power to decide who gets furloughed – not the White House. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Can the NSA Operate in Secrecy Anymore?
The NSA spent decades operating in almost complete secrecy, but those days appear to be over. By Bruce Schneier
Business
New House Bill Would Put Furloughed DoD Employees Back to Work
A new House measure would ensure all defense civilians would continue to work and be paid during the government shutdown. By Kellie Lunney
Business
Furloughed DoD Workers Will Get Paid - Eventually
Furloughed civilian workers want to know when they can go back to work, and if Congress will give them back pay for those missed days. By Kellie Lunney
Policy
Pentagon Waits Out Shutdown While Sequestration Looms
As the Pentagon waits for an end to the government shutdown, it’s getting ready for the next battle: sequestration. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Watchdog Finds 719 Problems with the Pentagon’s F-35 Program
In a review of the F-35 program, the Pentagon’s Inspector General says the military lost control of contractors and quality management. By Mark Micheli
Business
Congress Passes Bill to Pay Military and Support Personnel on Time During Shutdown
The measure now heads to President Obama's desk for signature, even as the rest of the government lurches towards a shutdown. By Eric Katz
Business