Topic: Military and Defense Policy
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Briefing China's growing military might: top 4 concerns for the Pentagon
The US Department of Defense is carefully monitoring the growth of China’s military. These four items are currently at the top of their list.
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Briefing After the 'sequester,' now what?
$85 billion in across-the-board cuts to defense and social programs took effect March 1. The cuts must occur this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Here's how things look.
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Hugo Chavez: 10 outrageous things he said about the US
Hugo Chavez, whose death was announced Tuesday, will be remembered worldwide as much for what he said as for what he did during his 14-year rule of Venezuela. From the vitriolic to bizarre, here is a list of 10 outrageous comments he made about the “Yankee empire” and its leaders.
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Opinion 4 ways Chuck Hagel can improve cyber security
Newly sworn-in Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel must guide the Department of Defense through a few key challenges to better secure the nation’s cyber networks. His focus at the Pentagon should be on these four key areas.
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If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right.
Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,” $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
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Terrorism & Security Japan to boost military budget amid regional tensions
The budgetary shifts are relatively modest but reverse the course of the past decade. The move comes at a time when Japan is increasingly at odds with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
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Focus Cyber security in 2013: How vulnerable to attack is US now? (+video)
Businesses, government, and individuals seek better cyber security measures, as cyberattacks mount in the US. One key focus is how to protect 'critical' systems such as power, water, and transportation.
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Focus Cyberwar: Who's been attacked? Who are attackers?
The US is often a target of cyberattacks, but its government is also known to be an attacker. The Pentagon's Plan X, moreover, will bolster US capabilities to wage cyberwar.
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The Monitor's View With Hagel at Defense, what would be America's 'special role'?
America's historic identity as a people with a universal mission faces a new era in Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary. Israel and even military cuts aren't the core issues. America's 'special role' is.
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Hagel's often blunt words are fodder for critics
The Vietnam veteran and former two-term senator from Nebraska will need to explain some of his comments and views as President Barack Obama's choice for the next secretary of defense.
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With John Brennan, Obama doubles down on drone strikes (+video)
President Obama wants John Brennan to head the CIA. In the confirmation process, he could face questions from the left and right about his past at the CIA and his vision for the war on terror.
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Energy Voices Chuck Hagel at Defense? Energy, climate activists intrigued.
Chuck Hagel is President Obama's pick as the next secretary of defense. The former Republican senator's views on climate change and national security could bode well for clean-tech advocates.
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Chuck Hagel: why Obama is using political capital on Pentagon pick (+video)
President Obama just made it by one 'fiscal cliff,' with more to come. But he has shown he won't shy away from a fight in nominating former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to run the Pentagon.
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Obama's 'in your face' cabinet picks: why he chose Chuck Hagel, John Brennan
President Obama officially nominated Chuck Hagel for Defense secretary and John Brennan for CIA chief Monday. Each brings a unique view of the organization he would lead.
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Who faces tougher nomination: John Brennan at CIA or Chuck Hagel at defense?
Early Monday afternoon, President Obama will nominate John Brennan to head the CIA and Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense. But both Hagel and Brennan may face an uphill nomination process.
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Hagel may face opposition if nominated as defense secretary
Senators from both parties are predicting a difficult confirmation due to controversial statements the former Senator has made in the past.
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Secret US cybersecurity program to protect power grid confirmed
The National Security Agency is spearheading a program, dubbed Perfect Citizen, to develop technology to protect the power grid from cyberattack. The project worries privacy rights groups.
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Obama-Karzai talks near: How many US troops should stay in Afghanistan?
Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be in Washington next week to meet with President Obama. Top of the agenda: deciding whether US troops should stay beyond 2014 – and how many.
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Little enthusiasm among GOP for Hagel, but he has Obama's support
President Barack Obama said he saw nothing that would disqualify former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel from being nominated for US defense secretary. However, some Republicans have expressed doubts about Hagel's positions on Iran and Israel.
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General Norman Schwarzkopf, Desert Storm commander, dies at age 78
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who had an illustrious military career which included many high-profile commands, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia.
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Terrorism & Security US embassy evacuated as rebels surge in Central African Republic
The turmoil in the landlocked African nation has prompted calls for France to intervene militarily in its former colony. 'Those days are gone,' said French President François Hollande.
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Chuck Hagel: why his candidacy for Defense post is losing altitude
Critics of Chuck Hagel's potential candidacy have focused on remarks he made years ago about Israel, Iran, and Hamas. Some even called him anti-Semitic, a charge branded as outrageous, even by other critics.
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South Korea charges North building missile that could reach US
South Korean officials say they have evidence that North Korea is working on an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach as far as the United States.
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Sexual assault reports jump at military academies, Pentagon finds
Despite the Pentagon's sexual assault awareness programs, reports at military academies rose by nearly a quarter in 2010-2011. Officials say women could be feeling more secure reporting the crimes.
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Violence in Iraq spikes. Are US security interests in jeopardy?
A recent rise in civilian deaths and injuries in Iraq is cause for concern, but Pentagon personnel say Iraqi security forces are proving to be 'very capable' in the year since US troops departed.
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31 fired in Army day care scandal
After two day-care workers were arrested for assaulting children at a Fort Myer, Va., Army day-care center about three months ago, additional background checks found a few-dozen workers with criminal convictions.
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'Zero Dark Thirty': Top 3 controversies from the Osama bin Laden film
"Zero Dark Thirty," which tells the story of the hunt and capture of Osama bin Laden, is already garnering critical accolades – and plenty of criticism, too. Here are the top three controversies currently surrounding the film.
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'Zero Dark Thirty' stirs controversy over torture scenes
'Zero Dark Thirty,' directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow, follows the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
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How 'fiscal cliff' is already hitting defense industry
Although lawmakers have been moderating dire predictions, some small businesses are talking about layoffs if no deal on the fiscal cliff is reached. And some have already lost contracts.
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Defense Secretary front-runner, GOP's Chuck Hagel has strong Obama ties
Hagel emerged last week as the front-runner for the Pentagon's top job, four years after leaving behind a Senate career in which he carved out a reputation as an independent thinker and blunt speaker.
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