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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.
Monitor BreakfastA no-fly zone over Syria? Harder to do than in Libya, warns top US generalSome US lawmakers want the US to establish a no-fly zone over Syria. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, questioned Tuesday whether that would do much to reduce Syrian attacks on civilians, never mind that it won't be easy.
Pentagon budget woes: furlough civilians, buy tanks you don't wantOnce again, the Pentagon wants to scrap a weapon 鈥� in this case, the Abrams tank 鈥� that Congress has an interest in preserving. But with 'sequester' cuts, the tradeoff will be civilian furloughs.
Syria chemical weapons: Pentagon weighs evidence, plans responsePentagon officials say they are still trying to confirm reports that Syria has used chemical weapons against civilians, but that they are preparing a military option for any outcome.
Top US general foresees 'prolonged provocation' by North KoreaBelligerence by North Korea, coinciding with Kim Jong-un's ascent as leader, is likely to continue for a 'prolonged' period, Gen. Martin Dempsey said Wednesday after a trip to China. He believes China's military to be as 'concerned' as the US about North Korea's actions.
US general aims to ease China's concerns over Obama 'pivot' to AsiaChina is deeply suspicious of US intent in its 'pivot' to Asia, and US Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is in Beijing this week to try to reassure China's military 鈥� and its people.
In US-China talks on cyber conflict, a top Chinese general owns to dangersAt a press briefing in Beijing with Martin Dempsey, chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Fang Fenghui offered some agreement on the damage of cyberattacks, a 'friction point' in US-China relations.
North Korea: US military braces for heightened readinessChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey says 'we鈥檙e in a period of prolonged provocation' with North Korea and its young dictator, Kim Jong-un. The US will continue holding military exercises with South Korea, Dempsey says.
Pentagon sends troops to Jordan to counter Syria chemical weapons threatThe Pentagon said this week it would send a small number of troops to Jordan to help forces there deal with Syria's chemical weapons threat and to prevent the civil war from spilling over.
Afghanistan war can yet be won, US general tells CongressThe commander of US forces in Afghanistan outlined three achievements that would secure a 'win' after 11 years of combat 鈥� acknowledging none is yet in hand. He gave Congress a report Tuesday on the war's progress.聽
Time for a preemptive strike against North Korea? Some say yes.A University of Texas professor argues for a strike against North Korea in a New York Times op-ed. Some US military planners are sympathetic to the idea, while others accuse him of being a warmonger.
