Policy
Defense Policy Chief Ousted By White House
A Pentagon spokesman said he had “no information” that John Rood was fired for his role in Trump’s Ukraine scandal.
Policy
DHS to Waive Contracting Rules to Build Border Wall Faster
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is using a 2005 law to override certain requirements.
Policy
Will Trump’s Afghanistan Peace Deal Win Him Votes?
"I would not say that Afghanistan looms over American politics now the way that Iraq did,” said one analyst.
Ideas
America Is Alone in Its Cold War With China
If the Trump administration is truly going all-in on competition with Beijing, it’s not clear that Trump himself is fully on board. Nor, it’s now clear, are several of America’s closest friends.
Science & Tech
Expect 75 Recommendations to Improve Security, Plus Proposed Laws, from Congress' Cyber Commission
Rep. Jim Langevin says he and his fellow commissioners will propose streamlining Congressional oversight, incident reporting by industry, and more.
Policy
Esper Says White House 'Never' Pressured Him on JEDI
Denying claims that Trump meddled, Defense Secretary Mark Esper says he alone chose to review the $10 billion cloud contract.
Threats
US Agrees to Reduce Forces in Afghanistan ‘If Taliban Live up To Their Commitments’
The tests will begin with a seven-day ceasefire to start “very soon,” a senior U.S. administration official told reporters.
Ideas
Trump's Former Chief of Staff, John Kelly, Finally Lets Loose
The retired Marine general explained, in the clearest terms yet, his misgivings about Trump’s behavior regarding North Korea, immigration, and Ukraine.
Policy
DOD Nominee Who Questioned Ukraine Aid Holdup Denies Report About Her Ouster
A story from the New York Post ignited speculation that Elaine McCusker’s nomination could be withdrawn. It’s not clear that’s the case.
Ideas
How a Stock Bubble Could Unwind America’s National Security
Tesla’s astronomic rise portends a crash that will add heft to the forces of deglobalization.
Policy
100 US Soldiers to Transfer into Space Force in 2021
The Army is the first branch outside the Air Force to announce initial plans regarding the new branch of service.
Policy
Where Could the US Put Its Post-INF Missiles?
It would be a hard slog to get allies to agree to any sort of basing agreement.
Ideas
The US Military Is Not Ready for a Constitutional Crisis
In nine years on duty, I received no training in how to uphold my oath to defend the Constitution. Today's troops need to know how.
Ideas
DOD Civilians Would Get 1% Pay Raise Under 2021 Budget Proposal
That's more than the Trump administration's 2020 request, which would have frozen wages, but less than the 3.1% average pay increase enacted by Congress.
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.
Science & Tech
Amazon Wants Trump to Testify as It Protests JEDI Cloud Award
Amazon Web Services also wants to hear from Defense Secretary Mark Esper and has asked for White House communications in its case against the Defense Department.
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
Trump's Attacks on Public Servants Are Hurting America
Self-dealing and disdain for public service reinforce the autocratic conceit that democratic systems are no better than dictatorial ones, and undermine our biggest advantage.
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.
Threats