Policy

Facing Divisions at Home and Wars Abroad, Obama May Go It Alone for His Final Stretch

On Guantanamo and other issues, the president has to decide whether he will let Congress stand in his way.

Policy

Senate Passes NSA Reform Bill

The USA Freedom Act, which will restore but reform the expired Patriot Act's spy authorities, earned final passage Tuesday and will be sent to the president.

Policy

Sen. Corker: NSA Should Do Far More with Your Phone Data

The NSA's bulk-data collection program is so scaled down that it's not nearly as effective as it should be, the Senate Foreign Relations chairman says.

Policy

In Senate GOP's Iran Standoff, the Rebels Are Losing

Most Republicans are siding against Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton in their quest for tough amendment votes.

Policy

Congress: Drone Strikes Are Here to Stay

Despite unintentionally killing three Americans, Republicans and Democrats maintain the U.S. drone program has been a valuable tool in the war against terror.

Policy

McCain: New ISIS War Powers Request 'Is Not Going Anywhere'

There never was much political incentive for anyone in Washington to officially declare war against the Islamic State group.

Policy

GOP's National Security Outsider Rand Paul Launches 2016 Bid

The latest Republican presidential candidate might be trying to rebrand himself on foreign policy, but he's not a defense hawk.

Policy

Defense Trumps Domestic Programs as House Passes GOP Budget

After months of chaos, the GOP got the ball rolling on a budget that still faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Policy

Can Congress Be Trusted With America’s Foreign Policy?

Iran, Ukraine and a new war powers request to fight the Islamic State give Congress plenty to consider and even more to mess up.

Policy

The Debate About ISIS War Powers Means Trouble for Rand Paul

The Republican senator is national security outlier in his party, and that could come back to haunt him in 2016.​

Threats

For Obama, US Military Intervention Remains a 'Temptation to Be Resisted'

In an interview with Vox, President Obama warned against 'quick fix' approaches to national security dilemmas facing the United States and its allies.

Threats

Homeland Security Bill Stalls in the Senate, Threatening Shutdown

Sen. Mitch McConnell now has until Feb. 27 to generate enough support to prevent a department shutdown that everyone agrees couldn't come at a worse time.

Policy

How a Lindsey Graham 2016 Bid Could Alter the GOP on National Security

Some see Sen. Lindsey Graham's possible entrance into the presidential ring less as a serious bid and more of an effort to change GOP positions on U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Threats

The US Doesn’t Know How Secure Its Border Is

Without one critical metric, it's hard to make accurate statements on how efficient the U.S. Border Patrol is -- or how a new bill would improve border security.

Threats

FBI Announces Charges in Alleged Russian Spy Ring

Three men were charged with spying and recruiting informants for information on U.S. economic and trade activity. By Matt Berman and Lauren Fox

Threats

Can Obama Get Congress To Help Him Fight Terrorism?

Of all the things he will propose Tuesday night, Obama’s biggest challenge remains getting buy-in from Congress on foreign policy. By Lauren Fox

Threats

CIA Review Clears Its Spies of Wrongdoing in Senate Hack

An accountability board attributed the CIA's spying on Senate networks to a 'miscommunication,' contradicting previous statements from the agency. By Dustin Volz and Lauren Fox

Policy

Now Is Not the Time To Reform the NSA, Republicans Warn

Republicans on Capitol Hill say the shooting in Paris shows that the NSA should be empowered and not hamstrung by reform. By Lauren Fox

Policy

Marco Rubio Seizes on Cuba Decision To Raise His National Security Profile Ahead of 2016

The junior senator from Florida carts out his hawkish foreign policy after President Obama announces monumental changes to the U.S.-Cuba relationship. By Lauren Fox

Policy

Will Congress Investigate Drone Killings Next?

Details about how drones are used to kill terrorists remain unknown and the next Senate Foreign Relations chairman says it's an area ripe for oversight. By Lauren Fox