The Pentagon’s $125 Billion Cover-up

The Pentagon’s $125 Billion Cover-up

Let’s say you ask somebody a question. They give you an answer you don’t like, so you pretend you didn’t hear it. Probably all of us would cop to something like this at some time in our imperfect pasts. For most of us though, that pretending hasn’t included...
This Industry is Literally Making a Killing

This Industry is Literally Making a Killing

The 2016 presidential elections are proving historic, and not just because of the surprising success of self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders, the lively debate among feminists over whether to support Hillary Clinton, or Donald Trump’s unorthodox candidacy. The...
Missing in Action: Political Reality and Leadership

Missing in Action: Political Reality and Leadership

Every federal budget is a dream sheet. They’re all unrealistic. It goes something like this: The president lays out a slate of new programs, revenue raisers, and strategic cuts. Then Republican leaders pull out their X-Acto knives, highlighting cuts to programs...
6 Reasons Not to Reboot the Cold War

6 Reasons Not to Reboot the Cold War

The Pentagon budget unveiled this week calls for quadrupling spending on efforts to counter Russia. The money would move more troops, tanks, and artillery into position near the Russia border. This last Obama budget would also fund another installment in a $1 trillion...
The Pentagon’s Pricey Culture of Mediocrity

The Pentagon’s Pricey Culture of Mediocrity

When the tank crew under my command ran into trouble on the battlefield, I never doubted the ultimate success of the mission because the Marines I served with were among the finest people I knew. But if we want to keep it that way, the Pentagon must stop mismanaging...