Policy

Clinton Pledges ‘360-Degree’ Homeland Security Strategy, But Can She Turn Around Voters’ Doubts?

After San Bernardino and ahead of the holidays, the former secretary of state says the U.S. can protect both itself and its values.

Policy

When National Security and Nativism Collide

Three months ago, a photo of a drowned Syrian refugee toddler sobered the world. Now even Donald Trump’s Muslims ban hardly shocks it. How did we get here?

Policy

A Senate Vote on Donald Trump's Religious Test

Ted Cruz and three other Republicans oppose an amendment resolving that the country "must not bar individuals from entering into the United States based on their religion."

Policy

Three Minutes With Ted Cruz on National Security

The Texas senator calls for “carpet bombing ISIS” in Iraq and Syria and “whatever is necessary” to defeat the Islamic State.

Policy

Pentagon Calls Trump’s Muslim Ban 'Counter to National Security'

GOP frontrunner draws extraordinary rebuke from Department of Defense, State, Homeland Security, Congress, and Republican Party leaders.

Ideas

Measure Clinton’s Plan for ISIS Against the Lessons of Iraq

A former Army division commander views the candidate’s proposed strategy through a McChrystal lens.

Policy

On the Campaign Trail in New Hampshire with ‘Two Amigos’ Lindsey Graham and John McCain

The longtime national security leaders and besties talk ISIS, the GOP presidential field, and the first time they met with Defense One.

Policy

‘After Paris,’ Graham and McCain See a Whole New 2016 Race

Lindsey Graham, stumping with his friend John McCain, believes recent attacks will boost his quixotic quest for the White House.

Policy

What Vietnamese Refugees in New Hampshire Think of the Syrian Backlash

As 2016 hopefuls arrive with pledges to block refugees from Syria, Vietnamese-American voters here respond with a conflicted mix of caution and compassion.

Policy

Jeb Bush Struggles to Clarify Response to Syrian Refugee Backlash

In a week meant to burnish his national security credentials, the GOP candidate calls for “added measures” to the vetting process but says he doesn’t know what that process is.

Policy

Clinton Details A More Aggressive US Plan for Middle East, Terrorism

The Democratic front-runner calls for an ‘intelligence surge,’ increased special operations, and more of nearly every U.S. tool to fight terrorism.

Policy

Ben Carson's National Security Ignorance May Not Matter to US Voters

While it isn’t news that Carson is untutored on foreign policy, his rise in the polls coupled with the Paris attacks have brought a new focus to his lack of experience.

Policy

Syrian Refugees Caught Between Political Rhetoric and Reality After Paris

Fear mongering may be 2016 politics, but it denies reality: Syrians seeking refuge in the U.S. undergo some of the strictest scrutiny in the world.

Policy

Do the Democrats Have a Strategy Against ISIS?

In the next presidential debates, Democrats should try laying out a plan to defeat the terrorist group instead of changing the subject or issuing vague platitudes.

Policy

The Mindless Logic of Republican Foreign Policy

A country’s strength isn’t measured by how many bombs it drops, or how many armies it funds.

Ideas

Rand Paul Has a Point: How Much Defense Spending is Enough for GOP?

The next GOP debate could find even more substance by making candidates answer Paul’s question to the conservative movement.

Policy

Why Veterans Day Won't Spark Real Debate on National Security

Veterans Day underscores how the public and politicos focus on manufactured patriotism instead of actual national security experience and policy specifics.

Policy

Defense Employees Favored Carson, at Least Until West Point Flap

A survey of U.S. defense workers showed favoritism for the current GOP 2016 frontrunner, but that was before one of his biggest gaffes yet.

Policy

Jeb Bush’s ‘Serious’ Foreign Policy Is Not Serious

The Bush campaign offered what it said were well-thought-out, serious foreign-policy views on Monday. And they were insane.

Policy

A Weakened Bush Swings at Rubio; Rising Rubio Aims at Clinton

Jeb goes negative, along with his poll numbers, awkwardly aiming at Rubio's absent Senate record.