Defense
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.
Defense
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.
Oversight
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.
Workforce
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.
Defense
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.
Management
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.
Defense
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.
Defense
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.
Defense
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."
Defense
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.
Defense
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.”
Defense
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.
Defense
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.
Defense
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.
Defense
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.
Defense
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.'
Defense
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.
Defense
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.
Tech
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.
Defense