Outside the Beltway

The Army brass is worried about its diversity in critical mid-level posts.

And odd report from Washington Post and Stars and Stripes.

For some reason, President Obama wants to arm so-called “moderate” Syrian rebels.

After two and a half decades, the images of June 4, 1989 resonate with many, unless you happen to live in China.

The President’s second speech to the Corps of Cadets is a vast improvement over the first.

Once again, President Obama’s attempt to communicate a foreign policy vision falls short.

An imperfect timetable, but better than nothing.

For veterans who get in trouble with the law, *when* they commit a crime can have profound implications on their future. Does this make sense?

A bizarre hit piece in National Journal gives the false impression that our military leaders are considering removing the president.

The long investigation into rape at the Naval Academy has revealed some ugly truths.

West Point graduates account for nearly one in fifty deaths in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson will be the first woman to lead a service academy.

The Oval Office Address, once a common tool of the Presidency, has been in declining use of late.

Some interesting choices ahead for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

Tim Kane continues his campaign against the US military’s antiquated personnel system.

Greg Jaffe has an outstanding feature titled “In one Army family, women in combat evokes two different perspectives.”

Couples of the same sex can marry at the West Point chapel, they’re treated much differently under the Defense of Marriage Act.

The title of most impressive Heisman winner of all time goes to Pete Dawkins, who won the award in 1958.

One of West Point’s first female graduates has married her long-time girlfriend at the Cadet Chapel.

The David Petraeus/Paula Broadwell story gets curiouser.

The scandal that led to P4’s downfall has many layers, none of them flattering to the most famous American general of his generation.

The Afghan Surge announced by President Obama in December 2009 is over. By any objective measurement, it was a failure.

John Nagl, who became famous as a leading counterinsurgency theorist and practitioner, is taking on a new challenge: grooming young boys for life.

The novelist, playwright, and social critic Gore Vidal has died, aged 86.

Andrew Hacker argues that, while quantitative skills are “critical for informed citizenship and personal finance,” making kids master algebra to graduate high school has disastrous consequences.

The Wall Street Journal publishes a screed aimed at those about to graduate college.

A pattern that never ends: Perceived insults lead to mayhem and murder.

The military promotion system does not reward top performers rapidly enough.

The popular notion that the United States military is monolithically Republican is mistaken.

Everything the critics say about the decision is right–and so is the decision.

Bob Knight coached Mike Krzyzewski at West Point. Now, Coach K has broken his mentor’s record for all-time victories as a head coach.

A dwindling proportion of students are majoring in STEM fields. They’re likely making the wise choice.

Flashback: When David Petraeus was simply known as “Peaches” & was a member of the “French Club”

Texas Governor Rick Perry got lousy grades as an undergrad at Texas A&M. Does it matter?

The defense of torture as an extreme measure for extraordinary circumstances has evolved.tortu

Changing our relationship status to Complicated.

And when did it know it?

While elite schools confer many advantages on their graduates, they also wall them off from normal people and create an entitled, out-of-touch elite.

America’s war colleges have some problems but we can’t close them.

An increasing number of bright observers are questioning the notion that everyone needs to go to college.

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

The American military personnel system works against keeping the best and brightest officers in the service.

John P. Wheeler III, chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund during the Ronald Reagan era, has been murdered.

The story about the private security guards who “arrested” a journalist at a Joe Miller campaign event just keeps getting stranger by the day.

Lisa Murkowski is the worst kind of sore loser candidate, willing to screw over her party’s voters and her own donors to keep her seat