Business

Neither Clinton Nor Trump Will Be Able to Fix the Pentagon’s Budget

With the federal budget capped through 2021, defense spending will be an immediate first test of the next American president.

Science & Tech

Maybe the Secret Service Should Start Protecting Candidates’ Email As Well

Some private cyber investigators say it’s time the agency expand its reach beyond mere physical security.

Science & Tech

Obama Finally Decides Who’s In Charge When America Comes Under Cyberattack

For years, there’s been confusion in the private sector and among agencies about who does what when hackers hit the homeland. Not anymore.

Science & Tech

White House Wants 3,500 ‘Critical’ New Cyber Jobs Filled In 5 Months

One of the administration’s short-term moves calls for agencies to more than double the number of new people hired in 'critical cybersecurity and IT positions’ since October 2015.

Ideas

What Comes Next After Raqqa and Mosul?

Obama is making U.S. special operators and locals do most of the fighting. When ISIS falls, Iraq and Syria need better leaders to keep this from happening again. So, what’s the plan?

Science & Tech

White House Slates $19B for Cyber Defense. Next Step: Find Contractors to Help

The Cybersecurity National Action Plan seeks a 35% increase over last year's proposed budget.

Ideas

The Nuclear Football Goes to Japan

Obama will have the power of 22,000 Hiroshimas in the suitcase his aide carries with him. He still has time to change.

Ideas

The Latest Taliban Leader’s Death Changes What, Exactly?

Ask three people what they make of Mullah Mansoor’s death by drone and you’ll get three answers, none offering a swift end to the war.

Ideas

The Myth of American Disengagement

For too many in the foreign policy debate, "engagement" is code for unilateral military intervention. Here's a more honest way to measure Obama's record.

Ideas

If Diplomacy Fails, Then What for Syria?

What leverage has a United States that is so reluctant to fight?

Policy

Is There a Hillary Doctrine?

A conversation with Mark Landler about the foreign-policy differences between Obama and his former secretary of state.

Policy

The Detainee With No Country—And the 79 Others Still at Guantanamo

All are men, and most have not been charged with any crimes.

Ideas

The Pentagon's Intel Chief Already Has Some Advice for the Next US President

'The integration of intelligence of the past 15 years is a journey that is not finished,' said Marcel Lettre, undersecretary of Defense for intelligence.

Policy

Soldier Takes Obama to Court Over War on ISIS

A U.S. Army officer stationed in Kuwait argues the president has violated the War Powers Resolution in a case that carries major constitutional implications for the White House.

Ideas

Obama Drops Rhetoric as Assad Drops Barrel Bombs

As long as Syrian civilians are on the bullseye, nothing will be accomplished at peace talks.

Ideas

There Are No Good Alternatives to the US-Saudi Relationship

Obama’s former Mideast advisor also says the administration did just enough in Syria to perpetuate the conflict without resolving it.

Ideas

Obama's Last Chance To Change the Saudi Arabia Playbook

The U.S. can't be the sole guardian of the Gulf forever. It's time to bring in some more friends.

Ideas

In Increasingly Turbulent Middle East, US-Saudi Partnership Is Indispensable

A former EUCOM deputy commander looks makes the case for even tighter bonds with Riyadh.

Ideas

The Legacy of Obama's 'Worst Mistake'

It's not just in Libya—the last 15 years of U.S. military interventions has revealed a troubling gap in the way America goes to war.