Business

Intelligence Agencies Granting Fewer Security Clearances

Security clearance approvals declined for the second consecutive fiscal year, according to a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. By Eric Katz

Policy

Pentagon Readies Record $11B Health Care Contract Bid

At stake is nothing less than one of the largest IT-related contracts in government. By Frank Konkel

Business

After Cheating Scandal, Air Force Switches to Pass-Fail for Nuclear Missileers

Air Force officials say an expectation that perfect test scores were needed for advancement up the ranks fueled the recent cheating scandal. By Rachel Oswald

Business

Air Force Chief Explains Why He’s Retiring the A-10s

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, a former A-10 pilot, says after much debate, sequestration forced him to only one conclusion: Cut the A-10 fleet. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Actually, the Army Will 'Involuntarily Separate' Officers

A spokesman walks back Tuesday’s claim that the Army would not lay anyone off. By Eric Katz

Business

Army Denies It Will Lay Off 3,000 Officers To Meet Force Reduction Goals

The Army is pushing back against reports that it will have to force out 3,000 officers to meet fiscal 2015 personnel goals. By Eric Katz

Ideas

Future Threats Will Require Much More Than the A-10

Forget the A-10. The Air Force needs a mix of aircraft and capabilities for the 2023 fight. By Col. Robert Spalding

Ideas

Planning for Withdrawal in Afghanistan May Be Smart, But It’s Not Wise

Getting the new Afghan president to sign a troop deal will require a steady hand through the next several months of political uncertainty. By Daniel Markey

Business

Audit Warns of Problems Launching U.S. Missile Defenses in Europe

'Significant delays' will continue if the Pentagon doesn't change its current plan. By Rachel Oswald

Policy

Border Corruption Is Costing the Afghan Government Millions

The U.S. has spent nearly $200 million since 2009 to help Afghanistan fight corruption on its borders. It’s not working. By Charles S. Clark

Ideas

Why the Pentagon Should Reduce Its Civilian Workforce by 15 Percent

Failing to cut the civilian workforce will just end up hurting the military in the end. By Rep. Ken Calvert

Business

The Pentagon Is Revising Its WMD Strategy

The new strategy replaces the 2006 plan and will better ‘reflect the global nature’ of the threat. By Diane Barnes

Business

Does the Military Have Enough Psychiatrists?

The military has increased the number of behavioral-health providers by 150 percent, but many say more needs to be done. By Clara Ritger

Business

Land-Based Nukes Escape Drastic Cuts Under New START Treaty

But the new START arms control treaty does get a boost from the Pentagon's decision to eliminate 50 weapons from its deployed ICBM fleet. By Diane Barnes

Policy

Army, National Guard Fight Over Apache Helicopters

The plan to give the National Guard’s Apache helicopters to the Army isn’t sitting well with Guard Chief Gen. Frank Grass. By Ben Watson

Ideas

SPECIAL REPORT: Afghanistan Election

Read the best of Defense One's Afghanistan coverage as the nation votes this weekend for a new president and sets the course of its future. By Defense One Staff

Business

USAID Accused of Covering Up Failures in Afghanistan

When asked to provide a list of 10 successful programs in Afghanistan, USAID replied with 'generalities' the inspector general said. By Charles S. Clark

Ideas

Realizing the Asia-Pacific Rebalance

Why the pivot to Asia ‘remains front and center in our national security strategy.’ By Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Business

U.S. Nuclear Bomb Designs Vulnerable, Says Government Watchdog

Energy Department investigator criticizes bomb data protections, questionable staff access. By Diane Barnes

Business

9 Air Force Officers Fired in Nuclear Missile Cheating Scandal

The commander of the nuclear missile wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana also stepped down after a massive cheating scandal. By Jordain Carney