Outside the Beltway

Technology has saved the lives of countless American soldiers. But it’s made going to war easier.

The Navy is considering allowing its chaplains to perform same-sex marriages once “Dont ask, Don’t tell” ends.

An aide’s compliment about the president “leading from behind” has generated controversy.

It may be time to change rules keeping women out of combat roles. But “fairness” isn’t the right question.

My first piece for The American Conservative, which they’ve titled “War Isn’t for Everyone–The military needs civilian control, not citizen soldiers,” is in the May issue.

Defense Secretary Gates hinted this week that the U.S. would stay in Iraq if the Iraqis wanted. It doesn’t seem like they do.

Paul Ryan unveiled an ambitious plan to cut the deficit today. The question is whether it will be the beginning of a debate, or an opportunity for Democratic demagoguery

Modern life requires us to put a high degree of trust in those to whom we delegate responsibility

Did President Obama pull off a diplomatic masterstroke? Or is he muddling through?

Thanks to the help of a group of Tea Party Freshman in the House. Congress has finally cut off funding for a second engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that the Pentagon never wanted.

President Obama’s new budget involves nothing less than a thumb in the eye of anyone who hoped he would seriously address federal spending in his first term.

With just over a week to go before the 112th Congress convenes, battle lines are already being drawn in battle over the defense budget.

Marine Commandant James Amos is going all-out to keep gay Marines in the closet, saying allowing them to serve openly could get men killed.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates acknowledged in a newly released letter that the Wikileaks Afghan War document dump wasn’t as damaging as the Pentagon initially claimed. So what was the uproar all about?

Many commenters on civil-military relations change their tune according to whose ox is gored.

Dan Drezner asks, “Has Bob Woodward jumped the shark?” My snarky response is that he did that in Bob Casey’s hospital room.

Over the course of a little more than two hours, the “Burn A Koran Day” story merged with the “Ground Zero Mosque” story in a bizarre media circus that seems to have accomplished little other than give press attention to a bigoted Pastor in Florida.

Robert Gates has been a reluctant Secretary of Defense but his impact at the Pentagon has been tremendous.

The United States Army has granted case-by-case exceptions to three Sikh soldiers, allowing them to serve while wearing beards and turbans.

Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has proclaimed, “The most significant threat to our national security is our debt.” Is he right?

Either Obama’s Defense Secretary and commanding general are conspiring to undermine his July 11 deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan or that they’re carrying out his intent.

Robert Gates says he wants to retire next year, but will the call of duty cause him to stay longer ?

General Stanley McChrystal retired with full honors while being lauded by the Secretary of Defense.

Sarah Palin is among a group of Republicans concerned that the Tea Party movement’s fiscal conservatism could pose a danger to defense spending.