Policy

Everything You Need To Know About the GOP’s 2016 Frontrunners On National Security

Defense One brings you our early take on the rumored Republican 2016 candidates’ national security credentials. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Dempsey Says US Ground Forces Possible If Coalition Strategy Fails

Top military advisors give the president their best advice based on the situation on the ground. That may mean ‘no boots on the ground’ complicates things. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Obama’s Dramatic Reversal on Bush’s Laws of War

Obama has launched an indefinite campaign against the Islamic State relying on Bush-era laws he pledged to end. Legal analysts aren’t buying it. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Islamic State Unites Congress, But Lawmakers Diverge on the Way Forward

The Islamic State may have provoked rare unity in a dysfunctional Congress -- but lawmakers’ support for Obama’s strategy comes with crucial caveats. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Islamic State Dominates the Post-Recess Conversation in Congress

Congress is unlikely to vote on authorization for broad war powers in Iraq and Syria ahead of the midterms, but the deepening debate could shape U.S. policy for years to come. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Don’t Expect a Pivot To Europe Anytime Soon

Once again, President Obama finds himself reassuring allies while also imploring them to do more. Is NATO listening? By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Democrats Break Ranks to Urge Military Assistance to Ukraine, Talks With Putin

Obama is off to the NATO summit amid increasing calls from his party for more direct action in Ukraine. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Republicans Recycle ‘Containment’ Line for Obama’s Iraq Strategy

Republicans once again hit Obama for ‘containment’ – painting the president as weak for not doing more to attack the Islamic State. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Obama, Iraq and the Coming War Powers Fight With Congress

To keep the U.S. fighting in Iraq, President Obama is quietly reconsidering the very Bush-era authorities he condemned. By Molly O’Toole

Threats

Obama OKs $10 Million for ‘Unforeseen Emergency’ in Africa

President Obama is sending France $10 million in military aid to bolster the fight against Islamic extremists in Mali, Niger and Chad. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Iraq Vets in Congress Support Air Strikes, But Are Wary of Another War

Iraq veterans in Congress largely support air strikes in Iraq, with an intimate understanding of the cost of U.S. military intervention. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Summit Showcases Africa’s Progress and Pitfalls

The U.S.-Africa summit showed that as quickly as Africa’s economies are growing, so too is the terrorist threat. How the continent responds will secure its future. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Is Rob Portman the GOP's National Security Dark Horse?

The longtime lawmaker from Ohio has two words for President Obama’s foreign policy record and 2016 candidates: experience counts. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

House, Senate Committee Reaches Compromise to Reform the VA

Just days before the August recess, a conference committee reached a deal to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs with a breakthrough $17 billion bill. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Central American Leaders Push Obama, Congress for Security Assistance

Amid political paralysis over border security in Congress, the White House and DOD are forging ahead with Central American counterparts to address the crisis. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

A New VA Secretary Is Just One Step on a Long Road to Reform

Congress has little time before the August recess to pass a sweeping VA reform bill that will determine whether Robert McDonald succeeds where his predecessors have failed. By Molly O’Toole

Threats

Obama: No Expanded U.S. Military Role in Ukraine

The Obama administration says the attack on an airliner over Eastern Ukraine should be a ‘wake-up call’ for Europe to do more to protect its national security interests. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Dunford Didn’t Endorse Plan to Pull Troops from Afghanistan by 2017

The president’s plan for withdrawing from Afghanistan can’t escape comparisons to Iraq – even from his top commander. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Obama’s War Budget: ‘Slush Fund’ or the New Normal?

Lawmakers are balking at Obama’s $65.8 billion Overseas Contingency Operations request. By Molly O’Toole

Policy

Senate Defense Bill Doubles Obama’s Request for Israel’s Iron Dome

As rockets fly over Israel and Gaza, Congress is doubling its spending on Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. By Molly O’Toole