Business

The Questionable Security System That Gave Felons Access to Navy Installations

For years, many contractors have simply paid a fee and typed some ID data into an ATM-like machine to gain access to military bases. After the Navy Yard shooting, that could change. By Rebecca LaFlure and R. Jeffrey Smith

Science & Tech

Facebook's Advice to the NSA

The broader problem, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says, is the NSA's continued obfuscation of its programs, even after their revelation into the public mind and the public conversation. By Megan Garber

Business

Close the NSA's Reagan-Era Collection Loophole

There are many ways NSA could win back public trust, protect privacy, and still do its job. One way: cancel an executive order signed by Ronald Reagan. By Marc Ambinder

Policy

Senators Vow To Crack Down on Security Clearances

Capitol Hill wants the system that grants contractors elite access to be much more accountable. By Matt Berman

Threats

Dempsey: Securing Syria’s Chemical Weapons Is ‘Feasible’

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says securing Syria’s chemical stockpile will be ‘challenging’ during the ongoing civil war, but it’s ‘feasible.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

New Study: Budget Cuts and Strategic Uncertainty Could Deplete the Defense Industrial Base

Think tank analyst says that the Pentagon needs to do more to protect crucial parts of the supply chain in this time of uncertainty. By Charles Clark

Business

It Isn't the Military's Place to Weigh In on the Syria Debate

Too many servicemembers are violating ethics by making their opinions publically known. By James Joyner

Business

Exclusive Interview: Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale Braces for Sequestration, Round 2

Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale on budget cuts driving strategy, lessons learned and how he's preparing for another round of budget battles in Congress. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Why Did He Do It? Navy Yard Gunman Was Military Contractor, Former Sailor

Police say Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old defense contractor and Navy veteran, opened fire at the Washington Navy Yard, killing 12 people. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Navy Yard Shooting Talk Turns to Guns, Politics Before It’s Even Over

Political commentators from the left and right argue on Twitter on the causes of the latest tragedy in Washington. By Matt Vasilogambros, Patrick Reis and Lucia Graves

Threats

Joint Chief Adm. Greenert Evacuated From Navy Yard During Shooting

CNO Greenert was at the Navy Yard during Monday’s shooting, Defense One learned. The Joint Chief of Staff member was evacuated, briefed, and later visited with Navy families. By Kevin Baron

Business

Protect Retirement Benefits for Current Service Members, Obama Says

President reminds military compensation and retirement modernization panel about grandfather clause. By Kellie Lunney

Threats

America at a Crossroads – Able to Lead, or Gulliver in Lilliput?

We cannot pretend away what we have seen in Syria. Will we let Obama use the commander-in-chiefs tools or become Gulliver in Lilliput? By Michael Breen, Rachel Kleinfeld and Doug Wilson

Ideas

Does America Need to Give Up Some Security to Fix the NSA?

The agency -- and its director -- may have pushed the edges of the law. It's time that some of its power is drawn down, even if its comes at a cost. By Bruce Schneier

Policy

Kennedy's Battles With the Brass

JFK fought to rein in the military on multiple occasions. His actions may have prevented nuclear war. By Robert Dallek

Business

One Veteran’s Battle to Bring His Afghan Interpreter to the United States

It took five years, amid constant death threats from the Taliban, to get one Army unit’s Afghan interpreter and his family to the United States. There has to be a better way. By Matt Zeller

Business

How the Military’s 'Bro' Culture Turns Women Into Targets

A testosterone fueled environment is hindering efforts for the military's female personnel to combat sexual assault in their ranks. By Sara Sorcher

Ideas

‘War’ By Any Other Name Is the Plan

A war by any other name doesn’t matter. A strike on Syria is exactly what U.S. military is built to do and the Pentagon expects to do more of it. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Hagel the Grunt, McCain the Pilot, and Vietnam’s Effect on Syria

Vietnam combat veterans faced off in Congress over Syria on Tuesday, but when it comes to war, the difference between Hagel and McCain is about 30,000 feet. By Kevin Baron

Policy

Does Assad Win No Matter What the U.S. Does in Syria?

Secretary of State John Kerry admits that Bashar al Assad will ‘weather’ a limited U.S. strike against Syria for using chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell