Policy
One Chart Showing Every Military and Civilian Pay Raise Since 1984
Since 2000, military pay raises have been either higher than or equal to civilian ones.
Ideas
Paris Pullout Shows How The US Is Shrugging Off Its Global Leadership
If America so easily tosses aside a hard-won diplomatic victory, what else is it willing to jettison?
Ideas
It Took Comfort 39 Days to Get Pierside in Puerto Rico. That's a National-Security Problem.
The hospital ship's poor utilization suggests that the US military's biomedical support doctrine needs shoring up.
Ideas
‘Military Options’ Against North Korea Isn’t the Problem—Loose Talk Is
There are a lot of ways for things to go wrong.
Ideas
Should the US 'Send In the Marines' After Hurricanes?
The military can make a big difference right away but humanitarian deployments should generally be rare and brief.
Threats
How to Tell If North Korea and America Are Actually Headed to War
Watch what Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un do, not just what they say.
Policy
Here’s How Much of Your Taxes Have Gone To Wars
Previously unreported Pentagon data shows how much the average U.S. taxpayer has paid for combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Syria.
Ideas
How Solar Power Can Protect the US Military From Threats to the Electric Grid
Military bases usually get their electricity from the civilian grid, which is vulnerable to attack and to disaster. Solar-powered microgrids could protect national security, and would save money.
Threats
In Fiery UN Speech, Trump Delivers The Far-Right Goods
The black-helicopter crowd, and the president’s base, should love this Bannon-esque, undiplomatic speech, filled with ‘America First,’ ‘radical Islamic extremism,’ and cries for sovereignty over collective security.
Threats
US Military Leaders Worry About Iran’s Media Operations
Forget Russian fake news. Iranian media and messaging are thwarting U.S. efforts across the Middle East.
Ideas
It’s Time to Move US Forces Back to Europe
Basing troops abroad will increase their deterrence, make them readier to fight, and even save money.
Ideas
How Mattis May Get Himself in Trouble With Trump
The secretary of defense could run afoul of his boss if his review of the policy on transgender troops follows the facts to their conclusion.
Policy
Trump Directly Counters Mattis, Military, In Tweet on North Korea
‘Talking is not the answer!’ says president, after threatening ‘all options’ following North Korean missile-launch over Japan.
Ideas
How James Mattis Tried to Explain Trump to the World
Just as Mattis sought to reassure nervous allies, back home there were numerous reminders that the populist and intemperate impulses of his boss will not be tamed.
Threats
How US Military Leaders Are Reacting to Charlottesville
While the president wavers in his criticism of white nationalist protesters, military leaders are speaking out against racism and intolerance in America’s ranks.
Ideas
Transgender Soldiers Want the Dignity of Serving Their Country
A CIA officer writes about the men and women in uniform alongside whom she serves.
Policy
Pentagon Tightens Rules After Fake Cops Buy $1.2M in Weapons
A sting operation run by the Government Accountability Office revealed a number of loopholes that bad actors could use to buy excess military arms and equipment through the 1033 program.
Policy
Trump’s Transgender Troop Ban Sparks An Instant Opposition of Unusual Allies
The commander in chief tweet-declares a stunning change for military personnel, but it’s far from clear he can make it stick.
Policy
Annual Defense Bill Aims to Rein in Pentagon Outsourcing
Supporters say measure would protect federal employees from seeing their jobs contracted out.
Science & Tech
Tomorrow Soldier: How The Military Is Altering the Limits of Human Performance
Breakthroughs in biometric science mean future troops will fight with weapons that understand them — inside and out.
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