Defense

Factbox: What happens in a U.S. government shutdown?

By Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker and Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell and Amanda Becker, Reuters

In shutdowns, nonessential government employees are furloughed, or placed on temporary unpaid leave. Workers deemed essential, including those dealing with public safety and national security, keep...
The Mysterious Threat to Pilots That the Pentagon Can’t Solve

By Ciro Scotti

Episodes of oxygen deprivation affecting the pilots of F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet — and other military aircraft including the F-35 — are on the rise and remain an unsolved mystery.
What Game Theory Tells Us About Trump’s ‘Madman’ Approach to North Korea

By Rob Garver

Is Donald Trump out of his mind? Maybe he wants North Korea to think so.
Does the Army’s $580 Million Handgun Have a Fatal Flaw?

By Ciro Scotti

Last January, the Army made a $580 million decision: It would replace its longstanding sidearm, the M9 Beretta, with a new modular handgun made by the U.S. arm of the German-controlled gunsmith Sig...
Why the Escalating Threats Between Trump and Kim Won’t End in War

By Patrick Smith

The supercharged threats volleyed between President Trump and Kim Jong Un this week bring us closer to war with the North Korea than at any time since Pyongyang tested its first nuclear device in...

Here’s the Real State of the $1 Trillion U.S. Nuclear Upgrade

By David Francis

The American nuclear arsenal is just about the same as it was when Trump took office.
Here’s Why North Korea Put Guam in Its Crosshairs

By David Francis

Hours after President Donald Trump threatened North Korea with fire and fury like the world has never known, Pyongyang announced it is "examining the operational plan" to attack Guam, a tiny U.S...
Why the Price of the F-35 Keeps Soaring

By Ciro Scotti

The most costly fighter ever built is getting even more expensive. A new General Accounting Office report says the Pentagon will spend an additional $3.9 billion over the next five years on “...
The Media Has to Stop Provoking Trump’s Worst Instincts

By Rob Garver

For a man constantly boasting about his extraordinary negotiating prowess, President Trump made a pretty obvious rookie mistake on Tuesday, with his apocalyptic-sounding promise to deliver “fire and...
Five Things You Need to Know About Plans to Privatize the Afghan War

By David Francis

The White House is actively considering a plan to turn a big chunk of the war in Afghanistan over to private contractors. That’s according to Erik Prince, founder of the Blackwater security firm, who...

How the Iran Nuclear Deal Can Reshape the Middle East

By Robert Berke, Oilprice.com

One month after the Iran nuclear deal was concluded, the Middle East is still reeling from profound shock. Long and well established alliances have led to bewildering changes, not only in the Mideast...
As Russian Weapons Stream In, How Far Will Putin Go in Syria?

By Rob Garver

As the situation in Syria becomes more and more complex, a seemingly minor bit of news over the weekend signaled just how little it might take to turn what is currently a regional struggle with some...
Obama’s New Pivot to Russia on Syria and What It Means

By Patrick Smith

Yet another “pivot,” as the Obama administration insists on calling its many foreign policy reversals--this one in its strategy in Syria. In less than a week, the president did a 180, jumping on...
Department of Homeland Insecurity? DHS Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks, Watchdog Says

By Millie Dent

A U.S. agency tasked with responding to national cybersecurity issues is having difficulty coordinating its own cybersecurity efforts, according to a new report . The Department of Homeland Security’...
McConnell: The Fight Over the Iran Nuclear Deal Isn’t Over Yet

By Martin Matishak

Frustrated by his inability to get an up-or-down vote on the Iran nuclear deal, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has decided to take the gloves off and force Democrats to go on record a...

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