Defense

Senator pushes Robert Ford as ambassador to Syria

Lieberman changes his stance on the appointment because of Ford's work to build ties with the Syrian people revolting against President Bashar al-Assad.

Defense

Obama clears schedule to meet returned bodies of fallen troops

President honors the 22 Navy SEALs and eight other American troops killed in Afghanistan on Saturday when an insurgent shot down their helicopter.

Defense

Pentagon appoints Army general to investigate fatal crash in Afghanistan

Helicopter downing caused the biggest single-day loss of life for American forces in the war.

Defense

Shadow war unlikely to slow down after SEAL deaths

A close look at an earlier incident suggests the pace of operations by SEALs in Afghanistan is likely to intensify, not decrease, in the months ahead.

Defense

Privacy groups challenge proposal expanding access to terrorist watch list

Plan making an FBI database available to more Homeland Security employees draws concerns about transparency.

Defense

Cutting F-35 would be complicated, costly, Pentagon says

Engine order is the largest Defense contract.

Defense

SEALs were on Afghan rescue mission when killed

The 22 Navy SEALs and 16 other troops were trying to reinforce another detachment pinned down in a mission targeting a key Taliban leader, coalition says.

Defense

Crash adds to growing doubts about Afghan war

More American troops died in the crash than have typically been killed in entire months of the grueling conflict.

Defense

Army shortens tours in Iraq and Afghanistan

Combat troops will soon deploy for nine months, rather than a year.

Defense

Army sets stage to slash 8,700 civilian jobs

More than 30 commands and agencies have 30 days to plan personnel reductions and timelines.

Defense

Obama steps up veterans hiring efforts

Task force headed by the Defense and Veterans' Affairs departments will develop reforms to ensure veterans will emerge from service better prepared for a career.

Defense

Acting special inspector general for Afghanistan quits

Herb Richardson's resignation injects new uncertainty into the troubled watchdog office.

Defense

Panetta: Across-the-board Defense cuts 'unacceptable'

Failure of congressional deficit-cutting committee to do its job would result in 'dangerous' spending decreases, Pentagon chief says.

Defense

Napolitano: U.S. doesn't expect a September 11 anniversary attack

'We have no specific or credible threats,' Homeland Security secretary says.

Defense

Under debt deal, military pay, veterans programs in play for cuts

Officers and veterans groups are concerned nothing -- including health care and education benefits -- will be immune from the belt tightening.

Defense

Panetta tries to assuage Pentagon budget-cutting concerns

Additional $500 billion cut that would come if congressional deficit reduction committee fails to do its job is meant to be a worst-case scenario.

Defense

IED attacks in Afghanistan hit all-time high

Official says it is critical to go after the source of materials for making the crude but deadly improvised explosive devices.

Defense

Senate panel cuts more than $500 million from spy operations

Bill would reduce intelligence spending by about 1 percent.

Defense

Panetta addresses Defense cuts in memo to Pentagon

"We can -- and must -- address the budget and protect the country," Defense secretary says.

Defense

Debt-ceiling deal saddles contractors with new uncertainty

Defense cuts that could reach $850 billion in a decade seen as divorced from strategy.