Science & Tech

US Defense R&D Funding Falls As China’s Keeps Growing

2021 budget request would see Pentagon funding shrink from $64.5 billion to $59 billion.

Policy

DOD's 2021 Budget Would Trim Arsenal, Shift Funds To Arms Development

Some experts say the budget proposal assumes a worrying amount of near-term risk.

Ideas

Overspending on the Pentagon Won’t Make Us Safer

We spend far more on the military than the countries we most fear, while shorting the things that would actually help us compete.

Policy

What Do You Call the Troops of the US Space Force?

The Pentagon wants your input — and space cadets and spacemen are not under consideration.

Ideas

Why Does the US Spend So Much on Defense?

It is well to remember that the real bill includes not just DOD spending but VA, intelligence, and more. But those who would cut spending must also propose a new strategy.

Policy

The US Navy Needs More Money, Its Top Admiral Bluntly Argues

The sea service is pushing for a fleet of 355 ships in the next decade, and that’s not counting unmanned vessels.

Business

Increased Tensions With Iran Could Boost Defense Spending

After three years of substantial increases, the defense budget was supposed to flatten. Experts say that’s now unlikely.

Ideas

We Really Need to Fix the Federal Budget Process

With the 2020 defense policy bill close to done, here are some ideas for next year.

Ideas

A 3-Percent Solution for NATO

The alliance should up its members’ spending goals — and count much-needed resiliency investment toward the total.

Business

Pentagon Fails Its Second Audit — But Not As Badly

The comptroller's report said the Defense Department had fixed more than 550 problems — about one-quarter of them — listed in the 2018 audit.

Policy

SecDef: Expect ‘Trimming, Reducing, Some Eliminations’ in 2021 Budget

Esper touts "good progress" in high-level review intended to cut fat and find funds for projects to counter China and Russia.

Ideas

The Two Things Every Senior Pentagon Leader Is Worried About

Their top concerns don’t include the Mexican border, Iran, or even Syria.

Ideas

America’s Military Is Misdirected, Not Underfunded

U.S. strategy should be more focused on preventing conflict with nuclear-armed China than on spinning out elaborate war-fighting scenarios.

Ideas

The Pentagon Doesn't Need a ‘Skinny’ Authorization Bill

Sen. Inhofe’s proposal for a place-holder NDAA isn’t necessary, and could be counterproductive.

Business

As Secret Pentagon Spending Rises, Defense Firms Cash in

Classified spending has edged up faster than overall defense budget requests, and accounts for nearly 11 percent of the $716 billion proposed for 2020.

Policy

Lawmakers Expect a Stopgap Spending Measure to Avoid an October Shutdown

For the first time in decades, the Senate hasn’t marked up a single appropriations bill in subcommittee, a Democratic aide said.

Business

With China, Russia in Mind, Pentagon Adding Stealthy Cruise Missiles

Lockheed Martin is building a new factory to accommodate the military’s demand.

Policy

UK Defense Secretary: We Need a Stronger NATO Now More Than Ever

Penny Mordaunt recaps June’s NATO ministerial and looks ahead to the December NATO Summit in London.