Military News
Coverage of the armed forces, defense spending, and global security challenges. The Daily Signal offers news, analysis, and conservative commentary.
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news
As Congress Finalizes Defense Bill, John McCain Calls for Repeal of Sequestration
Sen. John McCain is calling for the end of sequestration. McCain, R-Ariz, was joined by military experts at The Heritage Foundation Wednesday to discuss the future of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines the budget expenditures for the Department of Defense. The NDAA for fiscal year 2016 is being negotiated between the… -
opinion
Military Should Focus on Solving Real-World Problems
Over the last several years, there has been a noticeable uptick in terribly confused thinking about military matters that extends to understanding the nature of conflict, the role of military forces, and general thinking about military affairs. Sometimes the confusion emerges in the form of an identity crisis. The U.S. Army seems to have experienced… -
opinion
Stanley McChrystal’s Accidental Exposé About the Military
Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal has penned a revealing book—but its revelations are not intentional. The combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and his team of co-authors intended to author a guide on how to use small teams to infuse organizations with dynamic and adaptive leadership. Instead they deliver an accidental exposé of what is… -
news
What the Defense Department Learned From the Ebola Crisis
For most Americans, last year’s Ebola outbreak was a public health concern and cause for a debate over infectious disease practices, safety and travel. For West Africans, it was a real-life crisis with deaths in the thousands and desperate efforts to keep it from spreading. But for those tasked with developing the response for it… -
opinion
National Defense Authorizations: Useful Steps on Nuclear Policy
Last week, the House Armed Services Committee took a first step in ensuring that the government provides for the common defense and passed the fiscal year (FY) 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill now has to pass the full House, the Senate, and the President has to sign it. Managing a relationship with… -
opinion
What Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Said About World War II, U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hit the ball out of the park during his trip to America, but stumbled while rounding third base. Whether one highlights the success or shortcoming reflects the assessor’s focus either on the present or on Japan’s past. While most attention was focused on Abe’s historic speech to a joint meeting… -
news
Congressman: ‘Disturbing’ for Military Chaplains to Be Punished Over Views on Sexuality
While the nation debates whether Christian business owners should be forced by the government to cater same-sex marriages, the military is embroiled in its own dispute over religious freedom. In two high-profile cases, military chaplains have been punished for citing their religious beliefs during private counseling sessions and other official events, sparking questions about what… -
opinion
Can the Next President Deliver Better Defense?
There are more than a few signals indicating President Obama has been a poor steward of the nation’s defense. “Continuing to slash defense invites greater danger to national security while shamefully asking the country’s military men and women to do their jobs with shrinking resources,” wrote the chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Service… -
opinion
How Serious Is ISIS Threat Against Military Families?
Our military and their families carry a heavy burden on behalf of all of us. That makes the threat against them by a shadowy outfit claiming affiliation with ISIS particularly heinous. A group, calling itself the “Islamic State Hacking Division,” posted the names, home addresses and photos of one hundred American service members and called… -
opinion
Military Exercises Do Not Violate Posse Comitatus Act
Recent reports that several of the U.S. military’s various Special Operations elements may be participating in exercises in areas that are not on existing military facilities have raised concerns. These are fortunately unfounded. The military in general, and Special Operations in particular, have conducted exercises in civilian areas for decades. To be clear, even if… -
opinion
The World Is Becoming More Dangerous. So Why Are We Letting Our Military Power Decline?
The world seems to be becoming more dangerous these days. Not so coincidentally, America’s military power continues to decline rapidly. Before considering how and why, here’s a snapshot of what’s happening around the globe: Russia has annexed Crimea, is dismembering Ukraine, is probing the defenses of Northern Europe, and is again casting a covetous eye… -
opinion
Is Our Military Ready?
Most of us take it on faith that our military is the best in the world. But if asked to state in detail how ready we are to face certain challenges from around the globe, few of us would know how to answer. How prepared is each branch—Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines—to handle its… -
opinion
New Index of U.S. Military Strength: The Cyber Threat
The growing number of cyber attacks in recent years has highlighted the risks that U.S. interests, critical infrastructure, and military operations face in cyberspace. Cyber threats, once relatively weak in nature compared to other military offenses, are now potential weapons of war, and considered hard-power tools of armed attack. Yesterday, The Heritage Foundation released the… -
news
Republicans in Congress Demand Answers About Military Chaplain Disciplined for Referencing the Bible
A group of 24 Republican lawmakers are demanding an explanation about why the Army disciplined a military chaplain for making references to the Bible during a suicide-prevention seminar. In a letter addressed to Army Secretary John McHugh, lawmakers wrote: We believe this administrative action sets a dangerous precedent for Army suicide prevention initiatives, the role… -
opinion
Questions for Secretary of Defense Nominee Ash Carter
When it was announced on December 5, 2014, that former Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter was going to replace Chuck Hagel as President Obama’s fourth Secretary of Defense (SecDef), America immediately had many questions. Chief among them: “What does this mean for U.S. defense policy?” Carter is sure to be appointed, having broad bipartisan… -
opinion
We Need to Debate What’s Right, Wrong with American Military Power
Post-mortems on “How We Lost Iraq and Afghanistan” seem to be proliferating—even though there’s a lot of “mors” still happening in those battlegrounds. Of course, criticizing the conduct of war, even as bullets fly, is nothing new. Even “the Good War” had its share of cranky complaints about how the war was being won. One… -
news
Punished for Referencing Bible, Military Chaplain Tells His Side of the Story
In his first-ever media interview, the military chaplain who was punished for making references to the Bible during a suicide-prevention seminar last month says he was simply doing his job. “What I had tried to communicate with my audience is that depression can be conquered, depression can be overcome, and there are a myriad of… -
news
Military Punishes Chaplain for Referring to the Bible in Suicide-Prevention Seminar
The Army has disciplined a military chaplain for making references to the Bible during a suicide-prevention seminar last month. A serviceman brought the Judeo-Christian religious content to the attention of an atheist group, which complained about it. Now, the chaplain is fighting back, maintaining he did nothing wrong. The dispute has renewed a debate over the… -
news
Conservatives Train Fire on Government ‘Land Grab’ in Key Defense Bill
Parkland and wilderness provisions added to a defense policy measure have outraged friends of the military, who call the move both a “land grab” and a slap at men and women serving in the armed forces. Considered must-pass legislation, the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act details Republicans’ and Democrats’ military policy priorities. It ranks high on… -
opinion
Political Games Endanger America’s Military
As members of the House and Senate prepare to vote on the annual National Defense Authorization Act, it appears the bill will be saddled with extraneous non-defense measures. This threatens the integrity of both defense policy and the NDAA process. This legislative practice–tying together unrelated provisions to secure votes for bad policy–is so frequent that…