Newsweek's Andrew Moravcsik argues that Beijing's military buildup isn't as scary as it seems.

Stephen E. Flynn and John Tierney argue that “the best way to mark the 25th anniversary of President Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ speech would be with a debate about its strategic relevance in our post-Sept. 11 world.”

Authors say it is close to $3 trillion, but it doesn't seem to add up. Amity Shlaes breaks down the cost of the Iraq war.

Over the coming months, Congress will continue to debate President Bush’s record $3.1 trillion budget request. Although the Democrats and Republicans do not see eye to eye on many issues, they are in total agreement that national security should receive the highest budgetary priority. Regardless of the rhetoric that this spending makes America safer, the proposed budget continues the trend of placing inordinate emphasis on offensive military strength at the expense of homeland security, argues Scott Borgerson.

Seymour M. Hersh of the New Yorker asks why Israel bombed in Syria.

The head of an independent commission investigating U.S. Army contracting practices tells CFR.org that inexperience, overwork, and neglect are creating opportunities for massive fraud.

With the number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans already at 1.6 million, soldiers’ advocates say a new U.S. health care crisis looms.  

While the American public focuses on bringing U.S. forces home from Iraq and Afghanistan, defense planners in Washington consider what to do with them when they get back.

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan redefine ground warfare, the U.S. Navy is pushing for a reinvention of its own.    

The ballooning price tag for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has angered Democrats, but military analysts say it’s the larger debate over long-term priorities that really matters.

Private security firms remain integral to U.S. operations in Iraq, but a recent shootout suggests contractors may be a growing liability for Washington.

The U.S. Army is reorganizing to create smaller, more mobile units without sacrificing firepower. Some experts, however, wonder whether that aim addresses the lessons of Iraq.

Lawmakers in both Washington and Baghdad took a summer recess gridlocked over how to resolve standoffs on policy to secure and rebuild Iraq.

The Bush administration wants to replace aging strategic nuclear warheads with a new, more reliable generation. Others see more pressing priorities for U.S. defense dollars.

U.S. and Iraqi lawmakers prepare to recess with little sign of compromise on critical Iraq policy issues.