Twitter Does It Again: Behold @cromnibus

(Photo from Twitter) Legislative crises have becoming a Holiday Season tradition in Washington right up there with powerful officials mingling with other powerful officials at invitation-only parties. But, thankfully, a snarky soul has created a Twitter account to help us all cope. On Tuesday evening, senior lawmakers rolled out what’s called a “cromnibus.” You may…

Roundtable Discussion: Defense Spending

With few predicting that the 2015 budget will be passed before the new fiscal year begins, Congress is expected to pass a continuing resolution lest its members cause another government shutdown. Meanwhile, defense leaders are already working on their upcoming budget request for 2016, having received the military services’ separate requests for the coming year. As well, Defense…

French Intel Agencies Detail Further Syrian Chemical Capabilities

On Sept 2, the French government released the executive summary of its declassified intelligence report on Syrian chemical weapons capabilities, and the five-page document adds some intriguing new evidence that the French claim shows the Assad regime continues to explore new ways in which to use its chemical stockpiles against civilian targets. The French intelligence…

Live Tweeting: Senate Panel Considers Military Strikes in Syria

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is considering whether to craft and move a resolution authorizing a military strike in Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey are testifying. Panel Chairman Sen. Robert Menedez says while he voted against the Iraq war, he supports a Syria…

After Election, Panetta Told Obama He Wanted to Retire

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta expressed his desire to retire to President Barack Obama shortly after the November election. Per a DoD press release issued this afternoon: Soon after the election, I informed President Obama of my intention to retire from public service and return home to California.  Today, the president announced that he will…

Photo of the Day: Jan. 4, 2012

The new congress was sworn in yesterday, and one of the changes that Democratic leadership looked to emphasize was the diverse nature of the party.  But what may be even more significant than the overall picture of many women dressed in red, is the woman standing next to Nancy Pelosi, Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). Duckworth is…