Topic: The Pentagon

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Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever

On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
One World Trade Center and the four other tallest buildings in America

The new One World Trade Center tower is taking over as New York City’s tallest from the Empire State Building. But it’s not the country’s tallest. Here are the five tallest buildings in the country.
Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
Rick Santorum: Top 7 culture war moments

As a senator, Rick Santorum was one of the Republican Party's best-known culture warriors. Now, as a surging presidential contender, Mr. Santorum is still leading the charge, and facing questions about some of his old, and not so old, comments. Here is a sample.

All Content

A 'New START' to an arms race between the US and Russia?

How European missile defense is blowing up the 'New START' nuclear weapons treaty, US relations with Russia, and possibly reigniting a cold-war arms race.
Pakistan cuts supply lines, but US has options

The US military had begun shifting its Afghanistan logistics network away from Pakistan and toward Central Asia even before the latest tensions between Washington and Islamabad.
Squid robot: Gumby-like robot squeezes through tight spaces (VIDEO)

It's the latest prototype in the growing field of soft-bodied robots. Researchers are increasingly drawing inspiration from nature to create machines that are more bendable and versatile than those made of metal.
Pakistan and US offer different versions of border post attack

Pakistan's chief military spokesman said he didn't believe Pakistan fired on the Americans or that the border post attack could have been inadvertent.
Absent a super committee, now who'll lean on Congress to cut US deficit?

Global markets or deadlines for extending tax breaks may yet force Congress to try again for a 'grand bargain' to shrink the US deficit. But big action before the 2012 election is unlikely.
Pentagon 'doomsday'? Or are super committee failure fears overblown?

Pentagon leaders have said the automatic cuts set to kick in now that the deficit super committee has failed would be catastrophic. But in reality, the cuts might not be too bad, experts say.
Super committee rests in pieces: A briefing page

The deficit super committee failed. What do you need to know about the super committee deficit cutting effort? Check out DCDecoder's briefing.
Tax VOX
Five reasons why the congressional supercommittee failed

Congress’ goal when it created this panel was not to resolve a fiscal mess. It was merely to buy time so it could avoid painfully tough choices.
Will spike of violence in Egypt push US to act more forcefully?

Competing US demands for democracy and stability in Egypt have led to a stand-back policy approach. But a surge of deadly violence and signals from the Egyptian military may change all that.
Debt deal prospects sour amid partisan wrangling

Fanning out to the sets of the Sunday morning talk shows, Democrats and Republicans on the deficit-cutting "super committee" blamed each other for a deepening impasse that has all but doomed chances for an accord.
China gives cool response to US military activity in Australia

Chinese officials have reacted cooly to President Obama’s announcement Wednesday that US Marines will be based in northern Australia, closer to the disputed South China Sea than any other US land forces.
Cutting missile program won't save money. It will cost US – in lives and treasure.

America’s enemies, having failed to counter US missile capabilities abroad, may now have an opportunity to see them defeated on American soil. Pentagon budget cuts threaten the new Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) program, which can save funds and lives.
White House shooting suspect obsessed with Obama (VIDEO)

White House shooting: Oscar Ortega-Hernandez, arrested for allegedly shooting at a window in the executive mansion at the White House, is believed to have an obsession with President Barack Obama.
New US training base in Australia is all about the rise of China

For months Pentagon officials have been signaling a shift in US attention to the Pacific amid concerns about the rise of China as an economic and military power. The news from Australia is confirmation.
Editor's Blog
Is this the era of leaderlessness?

Their politics may be diametrically opposed, but the Occupy Wall Street protesters and the tea party activists have one thing in common: a deep distrust of leaders. Are they onto something?
New satellite launches: Will it improve weather forecasts?

The $1.5 billion, SUV-sized craft will monitor 30 features that affect daily and seasonal weather patterns, as well as long-term climate behavior.
Prototype of next-generation weather satellite: Can it go to work fast enough?

After cost overruns and years of delay, the US is set to launch a prototype weather satellite before dawn Friday. Its data are badly needed as the number of Earth-observing satellites dwindle.
Deficit-cutting 'super committee': Can it come up with a plan in time?

Congress's super committee may have just days to act in order to meet its deadline and prevent $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts to defense and nondefense spending. So far, no plan has emerged.
The New Economy
Iraq war will cost more than World War II

Iraq war, now winding down with US troop exit by December, has cost more than $800 billion so far. But ongoing medical treatment, replacement vehicles, etc., will push costs to $4 trillion or more.
Unmanned drone attacks and shape-shifting robots: War's remote-control future

The Pentagon already includes unmanned drone attacks in its arsenal. Next up: housefly-sized surveillance craft, shape-changing 'chemical robots,' and tracking agents sprayed from the sky. What does it mean to have soldiers so far removed from the battlefield?
Can Libya really be a 'model' for future US military action?

NATO's Libya campaign has been hailed as a model because it spread the financial and military burden and had limited aims. But some aspects of the Libya operation may be unique.
Obama's push to quell a nuclear North Korea

Obama can't risk a big nuclear test by North Korea during the 2012 election campaign. Hints of talks with Pyongyang suggest the US is ready for a deal.
The Vote
Herman Cain or Mitt Romney: Who is the best CEO for America?

Herman Cain is a marketer. Mitt Romney is a dealmaker. Both tout their business experience on the campaign trail, and each says his CEO style is better for the country.
What US manhunt for LRA leaders reveals about Obama's war strategy

Obama is sending 100 Special Operations Forces to central Africa to help track down leaders of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army), a brutal guerrilla group. Surgical strikes at enemy leaders are emerging as the preferred US strategy.
Deficit 'super committee' flooded with ideas. Will any of them work?

Friday is the deadline for congressional committees to submit ideas to the deficit 'super committee.' But there's little indication that any of the ideas signal an openness to compromise.