Defense
Vast majority of national security insiders want Defense, CIA nominees confirmed
Insiders praise Hagel's independence and Brennan's close relationship with Obama.
Management
OMB: Consider hiring freeze, dropping temps
New guidance asks federal managers to ‘intensify’ contingency plans for sequestration.
Tech
Cannonballs, samurai swords, chastity belts: Items found at TSA checkpoints in 2012
A year's worth of (weird, revealing, scary) data from the nation's airports
Defense
Military suicides at record high, far outnumbering combat deaths
AP reports 349 military suicides in 2012, up from 301 in 2011.
Defense
Analysis: What Obama's missing in Afghanistan
More than troops, the president needs a strategy in the region -- and a diplomat.
Management
Boeing announces layoffs at Texas facility
Company cites general downward trend in defense budget as primary cause.
Defense
Sequestration endangers new bomber, Air Force secretary warns
Michael Donley says 'every program would be affected if sequestration were to hit.'
Defense
Pentagon No. 2 issues guidance to 'mitigate' budget uncertainty
Steps include hiring freeze, review of contracts, and curtailed travel and purchases.
Management
Special Afghanistan inspector blasts Pentagon, USAID waste
In first public speech, Sopko says temporary agency likely to last beyond 2014 U.S. withdrawal.
Defense
Panetta orders civilian hiring freeze, contract delays
Other ‘prudent measures’ to prepare for sequestration include more detailed planning for unpaid furloughs.
Defense
Security debate shadows nuclear chief's departure
Watchdogs have been seeking D'Agostino's resignation for months.
Defense
Zero Dark Thirty is about more than torture
It's about the brilliant, crazy-making figures like Jessica Chastain's character who drive Washington.
Defense
Pentagon would furlough all civilians under revised sequestration, analyst says
Officials should make rotations schedule public before March, Todd Harrison suggests.
Defense
The U.S. may not leave any troops behind in Afghanistan
Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes became the first Obama administration official to raise the possibility of a complete withdrawal.
Defense
Hagel pick could signal U.S. policy shift on Iran
Nomination might pave the way for a peaceful solution to the nuclear standoff.
Defense
Troops discharged under 'don't ask, don't tell' gain full severance pay
Settlement will affect 181 veterans who were only receiving half of their benefit.
Defense
Benghazi suspect released for lack of evidence
Only man arrested in embassy attack is out of jail.
Defense
Threatened delay in defense budget adds to planners’ uncertainty
Comptroller Hale puts new Pentagon sequestration figure at $45 billion.
Defense