Business

Shake-Up Underway at Prominent Washington Think Tank

The departures of Andrew Krepinevich, the longtime president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, and budget analyst Todd Harrison follow a decline in government grants to the non-profit organization.

Threats

Pentagon’s IED Office Reinvents Itself For A New War

JIEDDO is now JIDA, with a permanent place in the bureaucracy and license to target more than roadside bombs.

Business

Pentagon Reconsidering Total F-35 Buy, Dunford Says

Gen. Joseph Dunford, the nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he’s willing to rethink the acquisition plan for the most expensive weapons program ever.

Threats

Pentagon Moves Money to Counter Russia

The midyear budget request to Congress includes more money for submarine detection devices, more powerful guns on the Army’s Stryker vehicles, and improvements to nuclear command centers.

Policy

Hagel: Vietnam War Offers Lessons for Islamic State Fight

The former defense secretary shares some insight ahead of the congressional commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the war in Indochina.

Policy

The Pentagon Wants To Train 15,000 Syrian Fighters. So Far It's Got 60.

Tense words between Sen. John McCain and Defense Secretary Ash Carter reveal that the U.S. has not decided how to defend the fighters if they are attacked by the Assad regime.

Policy

Obama: ISIS Can Be Pushed Back With ‘Effective Partner’ on the Ground

The president said the US will continue to bomb targets and train Iraqi forces to fight what France’s defense minister says has become a 'terrorist army.'

Business

Dempsey’s Final Instruction to the Pentagon: Prepare for a Long War

In a new National Military Strategy, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warns the Pentagon to reorganize its global footprint to combat prolonged battles of terrorism and proxy wars.

Science & Tech

Pentagon, OPM Shut Down Background Check Systems

Two critical systems linking information from the DOD to OPM are being shuttered while vulnerabilities are fixed.

Threats

Pentagon Building Cruise Missile Shield To Defend US Cities From Russia

The military moves to set up an expensive sensor-and-shooter network, but is the threat real?

Policy

John McCain Wants to Change How the Military Buys Weapons

Two big changes could make leaders and services accountable for weapons-contract overruns.

Business

One Does Not Simply Embed US Troops In Iraq

Calls to allow U.S. specialists to accompany Iraqi military units on offensive missions generally ignore the support requirements.

Business

What The Pentagon Has To Do To Recruit Silicon Valley's Nerds

Defense Department and national security political leaders are eager to attract tech minds. But are they willing to change enough?

Business

Watch Now: Defense One Live's ‘Force of the Future’

The Pentagon's acting personnel chief has vowed to upend the military's Cold War-era HR system. Watch him describe how and why.

Business

Pentagon Backs Major Changes to Retirement System

Defense Department leaders want, in part, to mandate participation in the 401(k)-type Thrift Savings Plan in the hopes it will save money and help retain top talent.

Threats

What the New US Troops Will Do in Iraq

The Pentagon hopes the new personnel will help increase the pace of the anti-ISIS air campaign.

Business

DoD's HR Overhaul: From Yugo to Maserati in a Year and a Half

Pentagon officials say they’re committed to overhauling the personnel system by the end of the Obama administration.

Ideas

How We're Planning the Biggest Personnel Overhaul in 45 Years

DoD’s acting personnel chief lays out the Pentagon’s plans to manage for talent, not just time served.

Policy

Defense Secretary: Plan to Close Guantanamo Is A ‘Constructive Step’

Ash Carter says he’s working with the White House on a plan that will be submitted “per longstanding request” to Congress, calling it a “good opportunity” to see if they “can actually get it done.”

Policy

Democrats' Opposition to GOP Defense Bill Is Slowly Crumbling

Democratic leaders now say they're willing to allow 'yes' votes on a critical defense authorization bill next week, even if the measure includes a controversial war funding account.