Defense

Analysis: A Defense of Obama's Afghan-War Ambivalence

Why ordering a surge he wasn't totally confident in could have been a reasonable decision

Nextgov

The Future of the Army: Fewer Soldiers, More Robots, More 'Lethality'

If Google is doing it, DARPA is also doing it, but with more lethality.

Management

Watchdog: Pentagon’s Efficiency Effort Lacks Proper Metrics

Budget crunch constrains Defense’s ability to adequately track project aimed at saving the department $100 billion.

Defense

Iran Got Uninvited from the UN's Syria Peace Talks

Reports say that Secretary of State John Kerry personally lobbied Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to rescind the invitation.

Defense One

Deciphering Obama’s Necessary Message to the Intelligence Community

President Obama’s NSA speech was what the public, and intelligence workers, needed to hear. The president of one intelligence group explains why. By Joseph R. DeTrani

Pay & Benefits

Report: Boosting Military Retiree Health Costs Would Save Billions

Defense now pays $52 billion annually -- about 10 percent of its base budget -- toward health care.

Nextgov

BlackBerrys Will Make Up 98% of Mobile Devices on New Defensewide System

About 80,000 of them and 1,800 Apple and Android phones and tablets will be managed by the system launching Jan. 31.

Management

Obama: NSA Reforms Should Give Americans 'Greater Confidence'

But will they be enough to satisfy critics?

Tech

Obama Plan Would Limit NSA Phone Sweeps

Under proposal, government would no longer retain phone records.

Nextgov

Gates Tells Jon Stewart He 'Failed' on Joint Health Record

Could not overcome turf wars, the former Defense secretary says.

Defense One

HASC Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon to Retire

The longtime chairman of the House Armed Services Committee will not seek re-election. By Kevin Baron

Tech

The Upside of NSA Reform Is Far Too Small for Obama to Ignore the Downside

The politics of fighting terrorism are heavily and incontrovertibly stacked against loosening surveillance systems.

Defense

GOP Congressional Candidate Explains Why Military Rape Is Natural

Virginia State Sen. Dick Black, a former military prosecutor, is running for retiring Rep. Frank Wolf's seat.

Pay & Benefits

Military Pension Fight Rages On

Lawmakers, advocacy groups vow to press ahead for full repeal of COLA cuts.

Management

House Passes Fiscal 2014 Spending Package

Senate has to vote by Saturday on the measure funding federal agencies through Sept. 30.