Science & Tech

USAF Stands Up Space Mission Force to Counter Russia, China

The service is reorganizing for battle in space, but threats may be progressing faster than fixes.

Business

Afghanistan Growing More Dangerous for US Rebuilders

The Taliban now controls more territory than at any time since 2001, the inspector general noted in just one of many downward trends for a country now in its 15th year of fighting.

Policy

What Happened When Ash Carter Crashed Davos

The defense secretary's legacy may have been forged in the Alps, connecting economic elites to the Pentagon — and the war on terrorism.

Business

What to Watch for in 2016

It’s likely to be an important transitional year for many defense issues as the Obama administration draws to a close.

Threats

ISIS, Global Threats Boost US Arms Exports

Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense contractor, reported strong export growth, and it’s not alone.

Business

After OPM Hack, Security-Clearance Requests Will Run Through the Pentagon

The White House directive comes as the OPM shifts its background investigations to a newly-created National Background Investigations Bureau.

Science & Tech

US Approves $2B in Bombs for Iraqi F-16s

Five months after Iraq began flying its F-16 fighter jets against ISIS, the Obama administration has approved a $2 billion cache of guided bombs and missiles that will make them far deadlier.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Eyes Laser-Armed Drones to Shoot Down Ballistic Missiles

The high-flying aircraft would be the unmanned successors to the Air Force’s missile-zapping jetliner.

Business

Here’s What America’s Longest-Serving General Most Fears

Gen. John Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command, goes “over the side for the last time” with 45 years of perspective on U.S. war-fighting and its future.

Business

The Pentagon Wants Its Next Global Communication Systems to be Agile and Open

The Defense Information Systems Agency is looking to eventually turn off its old system currently maintained primarily by Northrop Grumman.

Business

The US Military: An Alternative to the Brutalities of the Modern Economy

Millions of service members who live on military bases around the world experience a kind of economic and social security foreign to most of America’s middle class.

Business

Guantanamo Set to Transfer 17 Prisoners, A Milestone in Several Ways

President Obama isn’t letting a legislative freeze stop him from whittling the detainee population to meet a long-held goal.

Business

NSA Will Overhaul Its Workforce Next Year

Spy agency wants to ‘break down cylinders,’ tie domestic and overseas action together, and create an entirely new legal regime.

Business

In Romania, US Wraps Construction of Anti-Missile Battery

With radar and interceptors in place, the Pentagon intends to be ready to shoot down Iranian missiles next year.

Business

Dunford: New Pentagon Staff Needed to Meet Transregional Threats

Today’s system of regional combatant commanders is ill-suited for broader challenges, Joint Chiefs chair says.

Business

How US Military Structure Overcomes the Gender Pay Gap

While sexual harassment remains an issue, military pay is non-negotiable and all troops must 'lean-in'.

Business

Putting Civilians in US Troop Support Jobs Could Save Billions, Report Says

Converting 80,000 active-duty jobs to civilian positions could save as much as $5.7B per year, according to a new Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Business

Obama Administration to Announce New Terrorism Alert System

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says the president will soon announce a new terrorism threat alert system to address what he called intermediate-level threats to the United States.

Business

Pentagon Bought Itself $150M in Unnecessary Luxury Homes in Afghanistan, Watchdog Says

Twenty percent of a special task force's budget went to things like queen-sized beds and private security guards rather than far cheaper stays on a military base, a new report alleges.

Business

Special Ops Survey Showed 85% Opposed Serving With Women

If integration of women is going to work, special operations leaders will have to convince the rank-and-file.