All Security
US promises military aid to Syrian rebels. Now what?US military aid to Syrian rebels is expected to begin arriving in a few weeks, delivered by the CIA through secret bases in Turkey and Jordan. Reports say it will include light weaponry, but not shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles. The Pentagon also has proposed a partial no-fly zone.
US to start arming Syrian rebels, but will it make much difference?Some senior US military officials question the strategic value of sending small arms and ammunition to the Syrian rebels. But other options 鈥� including a no-fly zone 鈥� also carry concerns.
Presidential cyberwar directive gives Pentagon long-awaited marching ordersThe 18-page, Top Secret 'Presidential Policy Directive 20' instructs the Pentagon to draw up a cyberwar target list and to protect US infrastructure from foreign cyberattack.
Military brass, senators united against sexual assault but at odds on remedyTop military leaders received a dressing down from lawmakers Tuesday for failing to curb sexual assault within the ranks. The brass, however, opposed changes to the military justice system.
American public has few qualms with drone strikes, poll findsPresident Obama's aggressive campaign of drone strikes has generated controversy overseas and among terrorism experts. But Americans seem fine with it, according to a Monitor/TIPP poll.
Nidal Hasan can represent himself at trial, raising specter of jihadist rantsThe judge in the Nidal Hasan murder trial ruled Monday that he can represent himself at trial. Hasan's only motivation is likely a desire to use the trial as an ideological platform, legal experts say.
Sexual assault: Women lawmakers push for change in US militaryIn the latest in a string of sexual assault cases in the military, US Naval Academy football players are accused of assaulting a female midshipman. More such victims are publicly telling their stories, and in Congress, women are leading the way to prevent such attacks.
Afghan massacre: In US soldier plea deal, signs combat stress was consideredAfter long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, analysts say, the military justice system may well be primed to offer lenient sentencing for crimes when post-traumatic stress disorder is seen as a factor.
Why Pentagon has doubts about no-fly zone over SyriaReports suggest the Pentagon is preparing no-fly zone plans for Syria, but experts and Pentagon officials say such a strategy might not accomplish much.
Chinese cyberattacks hit key US weapons systems. Are they still reliable?A new report suggests that many advanced US weapons systems have been hacked, and experts say China was behind the cyberattacks. If there were a war with China, the weapons might not be reliable.
Memorial Day warning: Americans too distant from those they send to warThe number of Americans who serve in the US military聽鈥� especially those sent to combat聽鈥� has gone down dramatically in recent years. Critics say civilians need to assume more responsibility for the moral burden of war as well as for the other costs of fighting.
How can Chuck Hagel fix military sexual assault epidemic?President Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel have stressed to graduates of the US military academies that rampant rates of sexual assault could corrode the force.
Obama, Hagel tell young officers: You must lead in ridding US military of sexual assaultSexual assault is growing in the US military, addressed by President Obama and Defense Secretary Hagel in speeches to young officers. 'This scourge must be stamped out,' Hagel said.
Would a US 'drone court' to authorize drone strikes be a good idea?President Obama this week tentatively opened the door to the establishment of a drone court, to provide greater accountability for drone strikes on Al Qaeda affiliates abroad. The idea is drawing mixed reviews.
Obama talks drones: Will it increase transparency for Pentagon to take lead?In a speech Thursday, President Obama acknowledged some of the complexities involved in the drone war. A new presidential directive released this week says that the Pentagon, rather than the CIA, should 鈥榟ave the lead for the use of force.鈥�
Military sex-abuse crisis hits new low in Fort Hood investigationFor the second time in two weeks, a military official tasked with combating sex assault has been accused of sexual assault. All military sex assault counselors must now undergo retraining.
'Sequester' hits home for Pentagon as 800,000 civilian workers furloughedThe sequester budget cuts have led the Pentagon to force the majority of its civilian workers to take unpaid leave 鈥� but the blow isn't as bad as it could have been.
China's growing military might: top 4 concerns for the Pentagon The US Department of Defense is carefully monitoring the growth of China鈥檚 military. These four items are currently at the top of their list.
Defense secretary worries sexual assault in military nearing a tipping pointDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel says that sexual assault allegations in the military are so alarming that they could hurt the Pentagon's ability to recruit and retain 'the good people we need.' Critics are pushing for reform.
Sexual assault in military: Pentagon report, scandal deal a double blowEven as the Pentagon prepared to report a dramatic increase in sexual assaults in the military, the officer in charge of the Air Force prevention program was alleged to have groped a woman.
