Business
Obama Wants to Give Troops, Civilians a 1 Percent Pay Raise in 2014
President Obama issued an alternative federal pay plan late Friday that gives troops a 1 percent pay increase in 2014. By Tom Shoop
Business
Military Strike Against Syria Could Cost More Than $600 Million
The cost of a possible strike against Syria comes amid steep budget cuts at the Pentagon. By Defense One Staff
Ideas
The Battle Between the Air Force and the Air National Guard
The Air Force must stop pretending that it has no choice but to cut the Air National Guard and instead figure out ways to keep capability without being crushed by Congress. By Russell Rumbaugh
Business
More than 3,000 Civilian Medical Personnel Quit Amid Furloughs, Budget Cuts
Many of them are heading over to work at the Veterans Affairs Department, which has been sheltered from sequestration. By Eric Katz.
Ideas
Pentagon Pivots Within the Pivot, to Southeast Asia
First came the pivot to Asia. Now, there’s the pivot within the pivot. By Kevin Baron
Ideas
Pentagon’s Syria Response Reveals Limits of Prized Cyber, Drone Arsenal
Here’s why the 'clarity' of a 20th century cruise missile strike likely will trump the 'sophistication' of the Pentagon’s 21st century drones and cyber-weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell
Business
Former Air Force Secretary To Reduce Hagel's Staff by 20 Percent
Retired Air Force Secretary Mike Donley will lead a panel that's been directed to reduce the Office of the Secretary of Defense's budget by 20 percent. By Tom Shoop
Ideas
To Reach the East, NATO Must First Go North
NATO has an opportunity to engage its Asian partners and counterbalance the burgeoning Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic. By Robbie Gramer and Alex Ward
Threats
Pentagon ‘Stands Ready’ for Military Action in Syria as U.S. Warships Move to Region
President Obama huddles with his national security team to decide whether to take military action in Syria amid reports of more chemical attacks. By Kevin Baron
Business
DoD Will Lay Off 6,000 Civilians if Sequestration Continues
Major cuts to civilian defense employees are imminent If Congress can't come up with a plan to reduce the debt and sequestration continues next fiscal year. By Eric Katz
Business
The Cost of Mental Health Care in the Military: $4.5 Billion Since 2007
Mental health care costs are on the rise in the military. The Pentagon spent nearly $1 billion on mental health treatment last year – roughly double the amount it spent in 2007. By Bob Brewin
Threats
With or Without U.S. Intervention, Syria Will Become Iraq
Old line in Washington: Syria will be another Iraq if the U.S. military gets involved. New line: Syria will become another Iraq if they don’t. By Kevin Baron
Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants To Expand Program That Detects Foreign Nuclear Tests
A new solicitation indicates that the DoD is considering an upgrade to a system used to track nuclear activity abroad. By Aliya Sternstein
Threats
Hagel Admits U.S. Influence in Egypt Is ‘Limited’
In his first public remarks about the violence in Egypt, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says “it will be their responsibility to sort this out.” By Kevin Baron
Business
Sexual Assault Reform or 'Slippery Slope' for Military Justice?
The all-or-nothing battle over removing sexual assault cases from command authority shouldn’t stop real reform from happening. By James Kitfield
Science & Tech
Killing Machines: How Far Can Obama's Drone Wars Go?
Behind every drone is a system that plans, operates and executes operations. This is one glimpse into that world. By Mark Bowden.
Business
Pentagon To Provide Same-Sex Benefits Starting Next Month
The military will also allow troops to take leave to get married if they are stationed more than 100 miles from a state where same-sex marriage is legal. By Amelia Gruber
Business
How To Reduce the Growing Number of Bid Protests
The number of bid protests has ballooned in the past several years. But for most contractors, protesting a bid is a ‘high-stakes game of poker’ they'd rather not play. By William Keating and Peter McDonald
Business
The Military's Graduate Programs Aren't Really Training the Nation's Future Cyberwarriors
A new report recommends that the Pentagon's graduate programs revise their curricula to include cyber-specific training. By Brittany Ballenstedt
Policy