Threats

Hagel Declares ISIL Clear and 'Imminent Threat’ To U.S.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warns Americans – and skeptical lawmakers – that the extremists carving up Iraq and Syria threaten ‘every stabilized country on Earth.’ By Ben Watson

Threats

Top General Says Mexico Border Security Now ‘Existential’ Threat to U.S.

U.S. Southern Command’s Gen. Kelly calls U.S. border insecurity, Latin America’s broken societies and ‘insatiable’ American drug use 'existential' threats to national security. By Molly O’Toole

Science & Tech

Three Misconceptions About Drones

A new report by the Stimson Center’s Task Force on U.S. Drone Policy examines some common beliefs about drones. By Janine Davidson

Business

Now It's Official: Furloughs Frustrate Defense Department Personnel

Differences implementing the cost saving measure across the services led to grumbling about morale and problems with retention inside the department. And don't expect it to end soon. By Amelia Gruber

Ideas

70 Years After D-Day, the Legacy of WWII Veterans Carries On

The stories of valor that took place on Normandy Beach 70 years ago need to be passed on to future generations. Here’s one of them. By Christopher D. Kolenda

Business

Should You Need a License to Practice Cybersecurity?

The United States should consider a certifying body to grant and revoke permissions for cybersecurity professionals, a National Defense University professor says. By Aliya Sternstein

Science & Tech

The Military Is Building Brain Chips to Treat PTSD

The Defense Department is developing a new, mood-predicting brain chip to treat PTSD in soldiers. By Patrick Tucker

Policy

Personnel Costs Divide Senate, House Defense Bills

Soaring personnel costs have driven a wedge between the Senate and House versions of the 2015 defense authorization bill. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

Congress Considers Hundreds of NDAA Amendments This Week

The National Defense Authorization Act begins moving through the Senate this week, while the House sorts through its own NDAA amendments. By Billy House

Science & Tech

Pentagon’s Largest Solar Project Yet Coming This Fall

One-quarter of an Arizona Army base’s electrical needs could be met entirely by solar power. By Charles S. Clark

Threats

Reserve, Guard Soldiers Committing Suicide at Higher Rates

The good news is military suicides declined last year. The bad news is Army Guard and Reserve numbers are higher than previously thought. By Ben Watson

Policy

Sequestration and the Pentagon's 'Two Budgets'

The latest victims of automatic cuts: Defense Department innovation and weapons quality, a Pentagon official says. By Charles S. Clark

Policy

Russians Tell Hagel 'No Intention' of Crossing Into Ukraine

Secretary Hagel and Sergei Shoygu, in phone call, say neither intends to march into eastern Ukraine, said Pentagon spokesman. By Ben Watson

Business

Hagel Orders 'Troubling Gaps' Closed in DOD Background Checks, May Cut Clearances

Navy Yard shooting reviews prompt tougher ‘continuous evaluation’ of secret clearances. By Ben Watson and Kevin Baron

Science & Tech

Navy's Aegis Missile Defense Is Ready for Prime Time

Say what you will about ground-based interceptors, but Navy’s Aegis ballistic missile defense system is already on patrol and ready. By Scott C. Truver

Business

Holiday Surprise! TSA to Expedite All Troops Through Airport Security, Shoes On

Just in time for Christmas, TSA bumps all U.S. military members to the front of security lines at 100 airports. By Kevin Baron

Threats

Pentagon Seeks Vaccine Against Cold War 'Q-Fever'

Suddenly, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency wants a vaccine for bacteria the Soviets weaponized decades ago. By Diane Barnes

Threats

What Keeps DIA Director Flynn Up at Night

There’s a lot to worry about when you’re the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Here’s what keeps Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn up at night. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Five Takeaways from a Decade of War

After Secretary Hagel’s CSIS speech, Generals Cartwright, Chiarelli and Fogleman reveal key lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan the Pentagon should heed for the future. By James Kitfield

Ideas

Boring! Brass Worried Less War and Training Lulling Force

Joint Chiefs tell Congress the troops are getting bored as Afghanistan ends and sequester keeps them idle. By Stephanie Gaskell