Defense

Former Defense chief meets with House Republicans

Rumsfeld warns GOP lawmakers about the dangers of assigning a specific amount in spending cuts without reviewing the department's strategy and priorities.

Defense

Panetta urges lawmakers to protect Defense spending

Pentagon chief says Congress should focus on the mandatory spending that is largely to blame for the deficit, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Defense

Appropriators cut $695 million from fighter jet, cancel tactical vehicle

Panel chairman assures colleagues that the bill covers the military’s most pressing needs despite belt-tightening measures.

Defense

War-related contracting wasted up to $60 billion, commission reports

Panel finds $12 million may have been squandered every day for the last 10 years.

Defense

Pentagon personnel chief investigated for 'tyrannical' leadership

Complaints allege Clifford Stanley is vindictive, wasteful, and unfit for service.

Defense

Army secretary creates commission to simplify bureaucracy

But John McHugh acknowledged that large-scale institutional change can take years.

Defense

House GOP chairmen balk at defense cuts

Lawmakers want to know the national security implications of a worst-case deficit-reduction scenario.

Defense

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

Engine order is the largest Defense contract.

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

Joint Chiefs nominee warns against deeper defense cuts

At confirmation hearing, Gen. Martin Dempsey says cutting more than $400 billion over the next 12 years would carry heavy risks for the military.

Defense

GOP lawmaker balks at 'Gang of Six' defense cuts

House Armed Services Committee leader notes the proposal would require changes to military retirement and other benefits, a difficult issue on Capitol Hill.

Defense

Senate confirms Petraeus as CIA director

The Afghan war commander is credited with improving relations between the intelligence agency and the military's elite special operations forces.

Defense

Army's No. 2 officer worries about war's toll on mental health

Four-star general has become an advocate for soldiers suffering from invisible wounds.

Defense

Mullen initially wanted slower Afghan drawdown

Joint Chiefs chairman says he now supports the plan to pull 10,000 troops out of Afghanistan before the end of the year and bring home another 23,000 by next summer.

Defense

Ahead of Obama speech, key senator pushes withdrawal

Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin says he wants a “significant” reduction of forces in Afghanistan.

Oversight

Panetta confirmed as Defense secretary

He will be tasked with implementing the start of troop withdrawals from Afghanistan.

Defense

Senate panel cuts $6.4 billion from Pentagon request

Cut represents a modest portion of the $682.5 billion authorization plan.

Oversight

Mullen: Clock ticking for decision on Afghanistan troop withdrawal numbers

President Obama has committed to start removing U.S. forces from Afghanistan in July.

Defense

White House threatens to veto defense bill

The alternate engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is key point of contention.

Defense

Gates: Avoiding talk of cuts is 'managerial cowardice'

Outgoing Defense head says the military must determine what is essential -- and then be honest about the consequences of cuts.