Business

The Army’s Misguided Crackdown on Tattoos

The Army’s new policies on tattoos and other physical appearance standards is part of a peacetime crackdown that usually lasts until the next war. By James Joyner

Science & Tech

Why the Military Needs Commercial Satellite Technology

The need for commerical satellite technology will only grow as data usage increases and more UAVs take to the air due to the asymmetrical threat environment. By Rick Lober

Business

A Government Shutdown Would Be Worse for DoD Than It Was in 1995

During the 1995 government shutdown, the Defense Department was largely spared thanks to approved appropriations bills. That's not the case this time. By Sophie Novack and Clara Ritger

Business

The U.S. Should Cut Its Nuclear Arsenal Before Sequester Does

The Pentagon needs to 'operate realistically' at the spending levels mandated by law and begin cutting back on its nuclear arsenal, a new report says. By Rachel Oswald

Science & Tech

Blackberry Bets Big on the Defense Department

With sluggish consumer sales, Blackberry is setting its sights on large organizations like the Defense Department. By Aliya Sternstein

Business

Did the Taliban Get the U.S. To Revoke an Afghan Interpreter’s Visa?

After years of working as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, Janis Shenwary was set to bring his family to the United States. Now his visa is on hold. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Wanted: A New Privacy Officer at the NSA

Candidates for the new NSA position must be highly regarded in the privacy and civil liberties community and would be paid $173,000 a year. By Leo Mirani

Business

Pentagon Prepares for Government Shutdown

Officials at the Pentagon are warning employees to prepare for a government shutdown on Sept. 30. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

The Questionable Security System That Gave Felons Access to Navy Installations

For years, many contractors have simply paid a fee and typed some ID data into an ATM-like machine to gain access to military bases. After the Navy Yard shooting, that could change. By Rebecca LaFlure and R. Jeffrey Smith

Policy

Will Obama and Rouhani Meet Face-to-Face at the United Nations?

This week’s United Nations meeting could open the door to an historic meeting between President Obama and the new Iranian leader. By Stephanie Gaskell

Science & Tech

Facebook's Advice to the NSA

The broader problem, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says, is the NSA's continued obfuscation of its programs, even after their revelation into the public mind and the public conversation. By Megan Garber

Business

Close the NSA's Reagan-Era Collection Loophole

There are many ways NSA could win back public trust, protect privacy, and still do its job. One way: cancel an executive order signed by Ronald Reagan. By Marc Ambinder

Policy

Senators Vow To Crack Down on Security Clearances

Capitol Hill wants the system that grants contractors elite access to be much more accountable. By Matt Berman

Business

Amos' Marines Could Go Even Smaller, to 120,000

All due respect, but Commandant Amos isn’t going deep enough. The Marine Corps can drop to 120,000 using MEUs. Here’s how. By Aaron Haubert

Policy

A September to Surrender: Syria and Summers Spell Second-Term Slump

Is Obama's power eroding quicker than before, or is this just typical of this stage in the presidency? By Major Garrett

Threats

Dempsey: Securing Syria’s Chemical Weapons Is ‘Feasible’

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey says securing Syria’s chemical stockpile will be ‘challenging’ during the ongoing civil war, but it’s ‘feasible.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Inside Obama’s Syria Deliberations: ‘The Promise of More Discussion’

Insiders detail a reluctance to engage in military action, and a disconnect between the president and the national security options prepared for his review. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Business

OMB Puts Agencies on Standby for Possible Shutdown

As the fiscal year comes to an end, Pentagon officials were put on alert to prepare for a government shutdown. By Charles Clark

Business

Navy Yard Tragedy Prompts Larger Review of Base Security

A new report from the Pentagon Inspector General suggests that an agency responsible for security at Navy installations had not done enough to mitigate risk. By Charles Clark

Business

New Study: Budget Cuts and Strategic Uncertainty Could Deplete the Defense Industrial Base

Think tank analyst says that the Pentagon needs to do more to protect crucial parts of the supply chain in this time of uncertainty. By Charles Clark