News
Forward Observer: Days of Future Past
Debates about the situation in Iraq have a number of parallels to those in the run-up to the end of the Vietnam War.
Defense
Forward Observer: Beware Iran Hawks
Taking on Iran while U. S. forces are bogged down in Iraq would be inadvisable.
Defense
Forward Observer: War Is Asymmetrical
The Pentagon could benefit from an outside panel’s advice on how to respond to radically changed threats.
Defense
Forward Observer: Army in Extremis
With the Army’s budget set to be less than that of the Navy and Air Force through fiscal 2013, something has to give.
Defense
Forward Observer: Quagmire Costs
Taxpayers are paying more and getting less for their money because of the Pentagon's failure to hold down the costs of new weapons.
Defense
Forward Observer: Vietnam Veto Redux
The president’s veto power gives him the upper hand in Iraq discussions, short of dramatic developments on the battlefield.
Defense
Forward Observer: Herding Cats
The leader of the House Appropriations Committee faces the daunting task of lining up support for the wartime supplemental funding bill.
Defense
Forward Observer: Days of Future Past
If history is a guide, lawmakers may be slow to reassert their war powers, but will press on now that the process is underway.
Defense
Forward Observer: Tet II?
A troop surge in Iraq could have the unintended consequence of triggering more attacks on U.S. forces.
Defense
Forward Observer: General Garner's Lament
Veteran of Iraq efforts has a plan for getting the United States out of the current quagmire.
Defense
Forward Observer: A Chance to Make History
Veteran defense writer urges incoming leader of the House Armed Services Committee to invite on-the-ground military officials to testify on Iraq.
News
Forward Observer: Many Dollars, No Sense
To ensure military readiness, the Pentagon needs to redirect money away from outdated weapons systems and pet political projects.
Defense
Forward Observer: Hobson's Choices
Ohio lawmaker manages to kill weapons programs that don’t make sense to him without being called weak on defense.
News
Forward Observer: Leaky Logic
When uncomfortable truths are revealed to the public, government officials often attack the messengers.
Defense
Forward Observer: Another Seat at the Table
National Guard leader would have benefited from being a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Defense
Forward Observer: Enron on the Potomac
The Pentagon’s accounting practices are unlikely to improve until a panel of outside financial experts is appointed to help.
News
Forward Observer: Overdue Oversight
Lawmakers are getting more serious about their responsibility to oversee the Defense Department.
Defense
Forward Observer: Bartlett's Not-So-Familiar Quotations
Maryland congressman seeks to prevent the Navy from pricing itself out of an adequately-sized fleet.
Defense
Forward Observer: Rumsfeld's Potted Plants
Critics say military chiefs are failing to speak their minds on issues including troop levels, despite a 1986 law encouraging them to do so.
Defense