Topic: U.S. Department of Defense

Judge dismisses case involving targeted killing of Americans overseas

The ACLU and New York Times had sought access to government documents explaining the legal justification for a US drone strike that killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen and suspected Al Qaeda operative in Yemen.

Afghan violence falls, but insider attacks up in 2012

Insider killings by uniformed Afghans against their foreign allies rose dramatically in 2012, eroding confidence between the two sides at a crucial turning point in the war.

'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.

'Zero Dark Thirty' stirs controversy over torture scenes

'Zero Dark Thirty,' directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow, follows the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

Investors shun gun stocks in wake of Sandy Hook

Gun company stocks Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Smith & Wesson Holding Corp fall for the third straight day. Private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management says it will sell Freedom Group Inc., which makes the rifle used in the Sandy Hook massacre.

John Boehner's fiscal 'Plan B': What is it for and can it pass?

With a 'fiscal cliff' deal appearing closer than ever, Boehner offered up a fallback 'Plan B.' It seems designed to make Democrats uncomfortable and provide cover for Republicans ... if they pass it.

What Chuck Hagel would, and wouldn't, bring to job of Defense secretary

Chuck Hagel, a storied Republican maverick with a record of voting against his party, opposed the war in Iraq, supports engagement with Iran, and backed Barack Obama in his first presidential run.

Energy Voices
A123 sale to China: threat to US security?

The sale of advanced battery maker A123 to China's Wanxiang Group could recoup US taxpayer funds. But critics warn the threats to US security outweigh any benefits from the pending sale of A123.  

In Gear
Wanxiang buys bankrupt battery maker A123

Chinese auto parts maker Wanxiang Group Corp. on Sunday bought A123 Systems, the bankrupt battery maker which supplies Fisker Automotive and others. 

Supreme Court takes up gay marriage: what the justices have to decide

The main question before the Supreme Court is not whether the Constitution protects gay marriage, but whether Prop. 8 and DOMA discriminate in violation of the 14th Amendment.

With military's push, biofuels can grow

US Senate voted Wednesday to restore the Defense Department's ability to buy biofuels. As the largest petroleum user in the world, the US military says its dependence on oil is a national security threat.

ACLU files lawsuit over policy barring women from ground combat

The civil rights group argued in a legal complaint filed in federal court in Northern California that a military policy to bar women from combat roles on the basis of gender was unconstitutional.

Culture Cafe
'Zero Dark Thirty': What's the story behind the film about bin Laden? (+video)

The plot of 'Zero Dark Thirty,' the movie by 'Hurt Locker' director Kathryn Bigelow, has been shrouded in secrecy. Check out the trailer to learn more.

Satellites show more activity at North Korean missile site

Experts believe North Korea may be preparing a long-range ballistic missile test, due to an increase in people, trucks, and equipment at a missile launch site.

Energy Voices
Wind power: an interview with president of Shell Wind

Dick Williams, the president of Shell Wind, discusses a range of topics with Consumer Energy Report, including the current state of the wind industry and how Shell is positioning itself to be the energy company of the future.

'Fiscal cliff' 101: 5 basic questions answered

President Obama and congressional leaders are working to stop the US from going over the “fiscal cliff,” a combination of higher taxes and lower spending set to take effect Jan. 1. Here are five steps to understanding what's going on.

New Marine squadron of F-35B jets arrives in Arizona (+video)

New Marine squadron: Marine Corps pilots are the first to fly the new F-35B, a next-generation strike fighter jet. The new squadron will replace Cold War-era aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier. Is the F-35B ready for combat?

Lessons from Sandy: how one community in storm's path kept lights on

President Obama toured Sandy-hit areas Thursday, even as some communities still wait for power. Princeton University avoided power outages by using a 'microgrid' – and the idea is spreading.

Petraeus scandal: Did anything illegal happen? Five questions so far.

An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has now called into question the private lives and careers of two of the nation’s top national-security officials. Here is an accounting of what is known so far.

Tragic killing of Honduran teen leaves US asking questions

In May, Honduran soldiers tracked down and killed a 15-year-old boy. This week, the boy's father found that the soldiers had been trained and equipped by the US. The State Department is pressing the Honduran government for answers.

US cybersecurity report points accusing finger at China

An annual report to Congress says China is the biggest threat to US cybersecurity, spelling out in some detail who might be doing the cyberspying.

Petraeus scandal: 'Wouldn't call it welcome,' says White House (+video)

According to a nearly complete investigation, Marine Gen. John Allen played a role in the scandal which prompted CIA Director David Petraeus' resignation. General Allen's involvement has delayed a planned White House decision to transfer him to Europe. 

Widening Petraeus scandal comes at already troublesome time for Pentagon

Gen. John Allen, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, is under investigation by the Department of Defense, as part of the inquiry into David Petraeus's affair. The Pentagon already had big personnel moves planned, and budget questions loom.

Opinion: Veterans Day: To regain trust, Congress should take a cue from US military

This Veterans Day, the military is one of America’s most trusted institutions; Congress is one of the least. Confidence in many public institutions is low because they lack a sense of duty, trust, loyalty, and teamwork – qualities US troops hold dear, and which all Americans can practice.

Are you smarter than a US Marine? Take the recruitment quiz

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is made up of 10 tests. but only four are used to see if you qualify to join the US military. Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK)  are used to compute your Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score. Our 24 sample questions cover just those areas. The real recruitment test has 105 questions.

Are you smart enough to be a US Marine or Air Force pilot? Take our quiz.