U.S. Department of Defense

On Topic

The Department of Defense is responsible for the security of the United States and oversees all branches of the armed forces; the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, along with all special forces and weapons systems. Within the DoD are the secretary of defense—the chief defense policy advisor; and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the chief military advisor.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks at his news conference at the Pentagon in Washington March 15, 2013 (REUTERS/Yuri Gripas).

Opinion

Which Military Opinions To Listen To

April 11, 2013, Paul R. Pillar

Following a recent CNAS study on the impact of public statements by senior military officers, Paul Pillar writes Americans should weigh these statements carefully, and only consider opinions that fall within the officers’ areas of expertise. Pillar writes that this is particularly true for topics such as political and diplomatic impact, national priorities and overall U.S. national interest.

Recent Activity

Refine by: U.S. Military Affairs | Defense | U.S. Defense Strategy | Middle East and North Africa

Interview | Charlie Rose

A Discussion About Drones

March 29, 2013, Peter W. Singer
Opinion | The New York Times

Will Russia Take "Yes" for an Answer on Missile Defense?

March 29, 2013, Steven Pifer
Opinion | The Daily Beast

Why The U.S. Is Not in a Cyber War

March 10, 2013, Ian Wallace
Opinion | The National Interest

Ill Will and the Multiplier Effect: Counterterrorism Attacks in Pakistan

March 5, 2013, Paul R. Pillar
Past Event

15 Ways to Rethink the Federal Budget—Part I: Budgeting for a Modern Military

February 22, 2013
In the News

There's a defense wing of defense hawks, and they've been pretty vocal about the impact on the Defense Department and national security, generally. And we know there's a hard-core group as well that's opposed to any and all revenue increases. And between the two of those, there's no agreed-upon path of what to do, and so it looks like they may prefer the sequester to any alternative — certainly the alternatives the Democrats are offering up.
February 21, 2013, Sarah A. Binder, National Public Radio
Opinion | The Monkey Cage

Thoughts on the Hagel Filibuster and its Political Implications

February 14, 2013, Sarah A. Binder
Opinion | Wall Street Journal

From SEAL Team Six To Retiring Without Health Insurance

February 14, 2013, Michael E. O'Hanlon and Lt. Col. John Barnett (USMC)
Opinion | The Washington Post

Hagel’s Misreading of How to Treat an Ally

January 31, 2013, Michael Doran
Opinion | USA Today

Hagel Defense Nomination Will Pass

January 30, 2013, Michael E. O'Hanlon