National Security News

The Daily Signal provides reports on national and homeland security issues, including military readiness, intelligence operations, border protection, and global conflicts. Featuring news, analysis, and commentary, this section explores how security policy decisions affect America’s national defense and freedom.
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    • Opinion

    UK Election Results: A Conservative Surge and a Defeat for Socialism

    Greatly exceeding expectations, the Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, surged in yesterday’s United Kingdom General Election, winning 330 parliamentary seats, enough to form a majority in the House of Commons. The socialist Labour Party won just 232 seats, and the Liberal Democrat vote collapsed, securing just 8 seats. The Scottish National Party…
    Nile Gardiner
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    • 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…
    Michaela Dodge
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    • News

    Your Federal Gas Taxes Pay for This Program. Congress Will Decide Its Financial Future.

    Every time you fill your car with gas, a portion of what you pay at the pump goes to a federal program called the Highway Trust Fund. Soon Congress will consider the fund’s financial future — and there are big implications for transportation spending hanging in the balance. Since 2008, the Highway Trust Fund has…
    Alex Anderson
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    • Opinion

    Is It the Role of a Federal Agency to Try to Hike Number of Women Politicians?

    One of the biggest problems in Washington is the overreach of federal agencies, many of which go far beyond their limited mandates. Instead of simply carrying out the duties assigned to them under federal laws, they invade the province of Congress, which is supposed to hold hearings, formulate public policy, and create the federal laws…
    Hans von Spakovsky
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    • Opinion

    How the Next President Can Improve Politician-Military Relations

    Relations among political leaders, civilian agencies and the military blow hot and cold. At this point, things are rather chilly. For more effective coordination between civilians and soldiers, the next occupant of the Oval Office will need to instill a better leadership style, review the command at the Pentagon, and renew the ethical foundation of…
    James Carafano
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    • Opinion

    How the Iran Deal Could Dangerously Undermine Our National Security

    The emerging nuclear deal with Iran has numerous flaws that could dangerously undermine U.S. national security. It lets Iran maintain a huge nuclear infrastructure that already far exceeds legitimate civilian needs. That includes illicit nuclear facilities, built in violation of Iran’s nuclear nonproliferation commitments. Particularly worrisome are provisions allowing Tehran to continue using uranium enrichment…
    James Phillips
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    • News

    Marco Rubio Talks Tough on Border Security: ‘No Right to Illegally Immigrate’

    Sen. Marco Rubio, ceding no ground to other Republican presidential candidates on tough immigration reforms, this morning said he has “a problem” with interest groups that claim illegal immigrants have a right to stay in America and become citizens. It’s one thing to appeal to the nation’s future or even morality, the Florida Republican said,…
    Ken McIntyre
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    • 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…
    Bruce Klingner
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    • Opinion

    How the Midwest Is Scaling Back Big Labor’s Special Privileges

    Labor unions have traditionally been the 800-pound gorilla of special interest groups. They have secured handouts and subsidies that other organizations’ lobbyists could only dream about. But that may be changing. This year a raft of Midwestern states have scaled back some of organized labor’s special privileges. States are starting to treat unions no differently…
    James Sherk
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    • Opinion

    House Intelligence Cyber Bill: Amendment Improves Cybersecurity

    Today, the House will vote on the Protecting Cyber Networks Act (PCNA) and various amendments to it. With the ongoing threat of cyber attacks from persistent adversaries, individuals and foreign government entities alike, this bill is designed to mitigate threats, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect the nation’s information systems. The House Intelligence Committee’s PCNA is innovative…
    David Inserra
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    • News

    How Your Airplane’s Wi-Fi Network Could Pose a Security Risk

    Modern, Internet-enabled aircraft may be susceptible to hacking, according to a new government report. “Modern aircraft are increasingly connected to the Internet,” warns the Government Accountability Office report. “This interconnectedness can potentially provide unauthorized remote access to aircraft avionics systems.” Much like your own computer, if a plane’s Internet-connected safety systems aren’t protected by firewalls,…
    Kate Scanlon
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    • Opinion

    Why Is China Building Artificial Islands?

    Check this: In a brazen move, the People’s Republic of China is now building “islands” in the South China Sea to bolster its position against several other East Asian countries—and the United States. Yes, I said “building.” China is actually dredging sand and piling it up on existing reefs to create new islands that, according…
    Peter Brookes
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    • 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…
    Kelsey Bolar
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    • 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…
    Matthew Rolfes
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    • Opinion

    The Palestinians Have Officially Joined the International Criminal Court. What the US Should Do.

    The International Criminal Court, the first permanent international court established to try and punish individuals committing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, now counts the Palestinians among its members. Earlier this year, the Palestinian Authority announced their intent to accede to the Statute of the International Criminal Court and officially…
    Brett Schaefer
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    • Opinion

    Homeland Security Official Used His Office to Give Visas to High-Ranking Politicians

    Alejandro Mayorkas, a deputy secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, gave favorable treatment to high-ranking political officials in helping them secure special EB-5 visas, according to the department’s inspector general. According to the inspector general, Mayorkas “exerted improper influence in the normal processing and adjudication of EB-5 immigration program benefits.” The inspector general found…
    David Inserra
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    • News

    Scott Walker Lands Former Senator as National Security Expert for 2016 Race

    Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has added one of Washington’s leading advocates of military readiness to the ranks of advisers helping prepare him for a likely campaign for president. Jim Talent, who represented Missouri in both the House and Senate before becoming a fellow at The Heritage Foundation, confirmed Thursday that he has joined Walker’s budding…
    Ken McIntyre
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    • Opinion

    Physician-Assisted Suicide Sends Message Some People Are Better Off Dead. That’s a Lie.

    Last night, Dr. Ryan T. Anderson, the William E. Simon fellow at The Heritage Foundation, was on “EWTN News Nightly” to discuss his new report, “Always Care, Never Kill: How Physician-Assisted Suicide Endangers the Weak, Corrupts Medicine, Compromises the Family, and Violates Human Dignity and Equality.” During the interview, Anderson explained the many policy problems…
    Daily Signal Staff
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    • News

    Republicans to Government Official: Why Has No One Been Fired Over Choke Point?

    The head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) told members of Congress Tuesday that part of the agency’s involvement in Operation Choke Point was a “mistake.” “Clearly there was misunderstanding with regards to the list, which was a mistake on our part,” Martin Gruenberg, chairman of the FDIC, said of the agency’s decision to…
    Kelsey Bolar
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    • Opinion

    It’s Not Compassionate: Four Policy Problems With Physician-Assisted Suicide

    In recent months, heartbreaking stories of Americans such as Brittany Maynard struggling with devastating diagnoses have captured our empathy—and launched a national conversation about physician-assisted suicide. In response, activists are using these stories to advance legislation that has otherwise been rejected by the people. At least 18 states across the country are considering whether to…
    Ryan T. Anderson
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