Ideas

‘War’ By Any Other Name Is the Plan

A war by any other name doesn’t matter. A strike on Syria is exactly what U.S. military is built to do and the Pentagon expects to do more of it. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Does Assad Win No Matter What the U.S. Does in Syria?

Secretary of State John Kerry admits that Bashar al Assad will ‘weather’ a limited U.S. strike against Syria for using chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

How the 'War on Terror' Changed the Way We Go to War

The irregular nature of the past decade of warfare has emboldened presidents to order military action in other nations. Now Congress is saying, ‘Not so fast.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Obama: Strike Against Syria Would Be a 'Shot Across the Bow'

President Obama said a internationally backed military strike against Syria would punish the regime for using chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Not Yet! U.S. Still Determining Syria Attack Objectives

Obama administration officials are still trying to decide what objective they want to achieve with an attack on Syria, fearing additional chemical weapons use. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Pentagon’s Syria Response Reveals Limits of Prized Cyber, Drone Arsenal

Here’s why the 'clarity' of a 20th century cruise missile strike likely will trump the 'sophistication' of the Pentagon’s 21st century drones and cyber-weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Kerry Makes the Case for Military Action in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry says it’s not about stopping the civil war in Syria anymore– it’s about ending the proliferation of chemical weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Whatever Comes Next, Syria Is Forcing a New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East

President Obama is deciding how to respond in Syria knowing that most Americans are wary of another mess in the Middle East. By Kevin Baron and Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Obama: U.S. Influence in Syria is ‘Overstated’

In an exclusive interview with CNN, President Obama worries about getting involved in Syria, questions the future of U.S.-Egypt relations and suggests the NSA might need a public advocate. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

How Badly Did Manning Hurt the United States?

Manning said he was sorry for leaking troves of classified information from Iraq and Afghanistan. But just how much damage did he do? By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Just 75 Al Qaeda, Room for the Taliban and Organized Crime. Is This How It Ends in Afghanistan?

The enemy in Afghanistan is “a complex mosaic” and "may continue this fight for many, many years.” By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

With Summit’s Collapse, Now Russia is Kerry and Hagel’s Problem

As Obama and Putin 'take a pause' in their relationship, Kerry and Hagel huddle with their Russian counterparts in Washington to tackle the growing tension between the two nations. By Stephanie Gaskell

Ideas

Gen. Amos on Reinventing the Marines, Owning Sequester and Why COIN Is More Relevant Than Ever

The Marine Commandant talks about the future of warfare and how budget cuts are here to stay. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Top U.S. Marine Amos on Yemen: ‘I Don’t Know How It’s Going to Turn Out’

In an exclusive interview, Marine Corps Gen. James Amos said he is concerned Yemen is becoming 'a breeding ground' for al Qaeda -- and he doesn’t know what to expect next. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

How the Pentagon Found $1 Billion to Cut Civilian Furloughs to Just Six Days

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announces that civilian furlough days will be reduced from 11 to 6 days. Here's how he found $1 billion to pay for it. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Interview with Ryan Crocker: Assad will Prevail 'Yard by Bloody Yard'

America’s premier diplomat would intervene in Syria if President Obama asked, even though it probably wouldn’t do much good. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Hagel Presses Congress with Grim Alternatives to Sequestration

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's SCMR lays out tough choices for Congress on how to cut the defense budget without sequestration. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Hagel to Reveal Sequester Review, Three Paths for Pentagon Future

With the Strategic Choices and Management Review in hand, Hagel will present three budget scenarios and their consequences to the Defense Department. By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

Congress: We're Still at War and We're Not Closing Gitmo

A House amendment to end the legal authorization for war fails as Republicans insist “terrorism is not going away.” By Stephanie Gaskell

Policy

But Is It a Coup? Obama Reconsiders Military Aid to Egypt

The Pentagon delays the shipment of F-16s to Egypt as Obama decides whether Morsi’s ouster was a military coup or not. By Stephanie Gaskell