In Age of Cyber Strikes & Sanctions, Will Only US Ground Forces Deter Putin?

Cyber strikes. Sophisticated sanctions. In an ever-more technologically and economically connected world, the US national security apparatus increasingly talks about and employs these “new” tools of conflict. But will either work against an adversary/irritant who still moves his forces via freight rail? One influential Washington think tank says no.

On Defense Cuts in Ukraine Legislation, It’s Hawk vs. Hawk

Congressional GOP hawks agree on one thing: To them, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade the southern-most part of Ukraine is US President Barack Obama’s fault. They also agree the US should send Putin a message. But a Senate measure intended to do just that is pitting hawk vs. hawk.

MRAP: From Symbol of Iraq War to Symbol of Washington ‘Waste’?

The massive 14-ton, blast-resistant vehicles called MRAPs became the symbol of America’s misadventure in Iraq. And now, the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected trucks are, one US senator says, the symbol of Pentagon and congressional waste. Sen. Tom Coburn, a self-described “fiscal hawk,” on Tuesday unveiled his “Wastebook 2013,” which identifies a long list of federal government…

Why Two Senate Amigos’ Opposition to Ryan-Murray Budget Plan Matters

Senate Majority Leaders Harry Reid, D-Nev., said early Friday morning that there are “certain things” the chamber must do before leaving for the holidays next Friday. “We need to do those two important bills: the budget and defense,” he said. To pass both, Reid must find 60 votes to end debate. The budget resolution, which…

Budget Drama: Paul Ryan Subtly Calls Out Tea Party Republicans

Rep. Paul Ryan, House Budget Committee chairman and potential 2016 presidential nominee, stood Monday evening in an unfamiliar place: a briefing room near the Senate chamber. As he did, he did something unfamiliar for establishment Republicans: He called out the tea party. Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., appeared Tuesday evening to…

Rand Paul Says Passing Any Budget Deal ‘May Be Impossible’ (Video)

“im·pos·si·ble adjective (ˌ)im-ˈpä-sə-bəl : unable to be done or to happen : not possible” That’s according to Merriam-Webster, the dictionary folks. And it’s also the odds Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is giving for Congress to pass a budget resolution. “It may be impossible,” Paul said during a major economic speech in Detroit when asked about…

McKeon To Wall Street Journal: Your Editorial ‘Misses The Mark’

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon, R-Calif., has fired back at an unlikely critic, the conservative and typically pro-defense Wall Street Journal. The rare flap between the HASC chairman and the newspaper’s conservative — and typically hawkish — editorial board broke out Tuesday with an editorial alleging McKeon and other GOP hawks want to…