Policy

Pentagon’s Top Lawyer: Our Current War Law Still Works, But We Need a Better One

In a rare address, Stephen Preston argues that Congress’ sanction of the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan permits today’s air strikes against the Islamic State and more.

Policy

The Paradox of Rand Paul’s National Security Moment

The young, alternative Kentucky senator who blasts Republicans and Democrats as trigger-happy hawks makes his pitch for commander-in-chief with an old backdrop and mainstream message.

Business

Six More Women Qualify For Army’s Elite Ranger School

Six more women now can attend the first gender-integrated Ranger Course on April 20. The last chance to join them begins Friday.

Policy

Iran Nuclear Talks Threatened by Politics at Home and Proxy War Abroad

Tuesday’s deadline for a political outline in the Iran talks is quickly approaching, but even if a deal is reached, it won’t necessarily give the White House the breathing room it needs.

Policy

War? What War? Afghan President Draws Far Less Interest From Lawmakers Than Netanyahu Did

Despite thousands of lives lost in Afghanistan, billions of dollars spent and now, a halt to the U.S. withdrawal, Ashraf Ghani’s address makes barely a ripple in Congress relative to the Israeli prime minister.

Threats

Obama Halts Afghanistan Drawdown And His Critics Still Pounce

The president slows the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan – and amplifies the distance between the legacy he wants to leave and the complex region he can’t.

Policy

'Imagine' Ted Cruz As Commander In Chief

The self-declared outsider launches his presidential bid with national security stances that don’t stray far from the ‘mushy middle’ he denounces.

Policy

How the White House and Congress Plan To Boost Defense: Ignore Sequestration

Washington is really planning to avoid dealing with the budget caps, and boost defense spending anyway.

Policy

GOP Budget Hawks Want To Use War Funds To Skirt Defense Caps

McCain, but not everyone, dismissed using OCO funds as a 'dodge' around ending sequestration and getting back to a normal budget process.

Policy

Tom Cotton, the GOP's Newest Hawk, Takes Flight

Is Sen. Tom Cotton the hawk to lead the GOP back to national security supremacy?

Policy

The Only Thing the White House and Congress Agree On About the War Against ISIS

Senators and Obama’s top officials agree on one thing on the war against the Islamic State -- Congress is unlikely to authorize it, and it’s unlikely to matter.

Policy

One Year Later, Obama Administration Still ‘Reviewing’ Lethal Aid to Ukraine

For roughly a year, Obama officials have been weighing lethal aid to Ukraine. Some 6,000 Ukrainians have been killed since, but they’re no closer to a decision.

Policy

More Democrats Urge Obama To Arm the Ukrainians

On the heels of Ash Carter and Martin Dempsey’s testimony the U.S. should ‘absolutely consider’ arming Ukraine, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing Obama further.

Policy

After Netanyahu, Senate GOP Move on Iran Bill Defies White House Veto Threat

Forget Bibi’s speech. Senate Republicans defied the White House on Iran by moving forward with a bill that goes farther than Bibi ever could.

Policy

Rand Paul Wins CPAC Straw Poll for 2016, But No National Security Frontrunner Emerges

When libertarian-leaning conservative Republican voters beat the drums of more mainstream hawkishness, what’s a potential GOP candidate for 2016 to do?

Policy

Scott Walker Walks Back Protesters and ISIS Stumble

The Wisconsin governor tries to limit the fallout for 2016 from comparing a fight with Wisconsin protesters to combatting the Islamic State.

Policy

2016 Hopeful Gov. Scott Walker Equates Wisconsin Protesters With ISIS

The governor said as commander in chief, he’d handle militant terrorists as he faced protesters back in Wisconsin.

Policy

Obama’s ISIS War Leaders Unclear on Proposed War Power’s Limits

Obama’s war leaders all have different definitions for his AUMF. But they want lawmakers to pass it anyway.

Policy

Kerry Presses Congress for More Power and Money To Fight ISIS

With ‘no military solution’ echoing in Washington, Secretary of State John Kerry tells Congress to put the money where his mouth is: into the non-military efforts to defeat the Islamic State.