Defense Management

The Slow-Boil Revolt: Retired Senior Military Officers Face a Dilemma

They're growing more concerned that the Trump administration doesn’t want their advice, and struggling with how much they can say publicly.

Kathy Gilsinan and Leah Feiger, The Atlantic
November 12, 2019

The Slow-Boil Revolt: Retired Senior Military Officers Face a Dilemma

They're growing more concerned that the Trump administration doesn’t want their advice, and struggling with how much they can say publicly.

Kathy Gilsinan and Leah Feiger, The Atlantic
November 12, 2019

Viewpoint: How Best to Thank a Veteran? Avoid More Unjust Wars

A 2017 poll found that about half of Americans would support launching an unprovoked war on a country that poses no near-term threat.

Steven Katz, Defense One
November 11, 2019

McConnell Asked White House For Sanctions Position, Dem Senator Says

The Senate majority leader is weighing the myriad sanctions proposals on the Hill, Sen. Van Hollen said at the Defense One Outlook 2020 conference.

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
November 8, 2019

Viewpoint: Stop Denigrating the Civilian National Security Workforce and Fix It

To understaff and undermanage the military's civilian counterparts does our uniformed force an enormous disservice and undermines U.S. security.

Loren DeJonge Schulman, Defense One
November 7, 2019

SecDef: China Is Exporting Killer Robots to the Mideast

For the first time, a senior Defense official has called out Beijing for selling lethal autonomy.

Patrick Tucker, Defense One
November 6, 2019

Could Congress Reverse Trump’s Decision to Pull Troops Out of Syria?

Since the 1940s, Congress has largely let the president make decisions, while members of the House and Senate endorse or condemn those actions from the sidelines.

Sarah Burns, The Conversation
October 31, 2019

General: Trump Pullout Did Not Affect Baghdadi Raid Timing

“We struck because the time was about right,” said CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie, of intelligence and other factors.

Katie Bo Williams
October 31, 2019

Pentagon Vows to Guard the Syrian Oil That Trump Wants to Seize

That includes warding off Syrian and Russian forces, SecDef Esper says, with murky justification under domestic and international law.

Kevin Baron and Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 29, 2019

ISIS Leader Baghdadi Killed Himself During U.S. Special Ops Raid, Trump Confirms

Trump claims, against the evidence, that killing Baghdadi was administration's "top national security priority."

Kevin Baron and Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 28, 2019

The Intelligence Fallout From Trump’s Withdrawal in Syria

The chaotic withdrawal from Syria will severely weaken U.S. efforts in the country—and could also be a boost for Russia and Iran.

Mike Giglio, The Atlantic
October 18, 2019

US Agrees to Lift Sanctions on Turkey in Syria ‘Ceasefire’ Deal

“From what I understand it’s not a ceasefire,” Sen Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters on Capitol Hill. “You have one-hundred-and-X number of hours to get out of here before we kill you.”

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 17, 2019

Boeing’s 737 Woes Aren’t Hurting Its Pursuit of Military Contracts, Exec Says

The company is still sinking its own cash into prototypes that can help it win long-term work.

Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One
October 15, 2019

Esper Condemns ‘War Crimes’; Trump Orders 1,000 US Troops Out of Northern Syria

As Turkey strikes deeper into northern Syria, Trump says "let them" fight.

Patrick Tucker, Defense One
October 15, 2019

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Defense Secretary: I Can't Put Forces Between Turks and Kurds

Esper explained why the U.S.-backed rebels will get no air cover or other help. But he couldn't explain why U.S. troops were moved after this particular Turkish threat to invade.

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 11, 2019

Anti-ISIS Operations In Syria Cease Amid Turkish Assault

“The SDF is clearly focused on the northern border to protect their forces,” a defense official said.

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 11, 2019

As Assault Begins, Trump Vows to Make Turkey Keep Its Word While Lawmakers Vow Punishment

The president said 'far more than sanctions' awaits Turkey if its assault taking over northern Syria is not 'as humane as possible.'

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 10, 2019

Analysis: The U.S. Gives Military Aid to Corrupt Countries All the Time

Military assistance deserves more scrutiny in many cases. Ukraine is nowhere near the most important.

Kathy Gilsinan, The Atlantic
October 7, 2019

Pentagon’s Top Lawyer to Review All Ukraine-Aid Documents

But a Defense spokesman still won’t say when the department was told about the aid freeze at the heart of the impeachment inquiry.

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
October 4, 2019

The Pentagon Has Officially Taken Over the Security Clearance Process

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is now responsible for conducting 95% of the government’s background investigations.

Jack Corrigan
October 2, 2019

Trump's New Joint Chiefs Chair Is A Savvy Political Operator

The question is: how will Gen. Mark Milley work with the U.S. president?

Marcus Weisgerber and Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
September 30, 2019

Pentagon Caught In The Middle Of Trump's Ukraine Scandal

Some presidential allies want to hang the security-aid freeze on the Defense Department. There’s no evidence for that.

Katie Bo Williams, Defense One
September 27, 2019

A 2017 poll found that about half of Americans would support launching an unprovoked war on a country that poses no near-term threat.

The Senate majority leader is weighing the myriad sanctions proposals on the Hill, Sen. Van Hollen said at the Defense One Outlook 2020 conference.

To understaff and undermanage the military's civilian counterparts does our uniformed force an enormous disservice and undermines U.S. security.

For the first time, a senior Defense official has called out Beijing for selling lethal autonomy.

Since the 1940s, Congress has largely let the president make decisions, while members of the House and Senate endorse or condemn those actions from the sidelines.

“We struck because the time was about right,” said CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie, of intelligence and other factors.

That includes warding off Syrian and Russian forces, SecDef Esper says, with murky justification under domestic and international law.

Trump claims, against the evidence, that killing Baghdadi was administration's "top national security priority."

The chaotic withdrawal from Syria will severely weaken U.S. efforts in the country—and could also be a boost for Russia and Iran.

“From what I understand it’s not a ceasefire,” Sen Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters on Capitol Hill. “You have one-hundred-and-X number of hours to get out of here before we kill you.”

The company is still sinking its own cash into prototypes that can help it win long-term work.

As Turkey strikes deeper into northern Syria, Trump says "let them" fight.

Esper explained why the U.S.-backed rebels will get no air cover or other help. But he couldn't explain why U.S. troops were moved after this particular Turkish threat to invade.

“The SDF is clearly focused on the northern border to protect their forces,” a defense official said.

The president said 'far more than sanctions' awaits Turkey if its assault taking over northern Syria is not 'as humane as possible.'

Military assistance deserves more scrutiny in many cases. Ukraine is nowhere near the most important.

But a Defense spokesman still won’t say when the department was told about the aid freeze at the heart of the impeachment inquiry.

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is now responsible for conducting 95% of the government’s background investigations.

The question is: how will Gen. Mark Milley work with the U.S. president?

Some presidential allies want to hang the security-aid freeze on the Defense Department. There’s no evidence for that.

Thank you!