National Journal Topics | NationalJournal.com

Why Lisa Murkowski Wants to Overhaul the Military-Justice System

Stacy Kaper | May 23, 2013

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has a long record of working to stop sexual assault both in Alaska and in the armed services. This year she readily signed on to three different bills to combat sexual assault in the military. But when it came to a sweeping bill that would take the decision-making power of which cases to prosecute out of the hands of commanders, she paused.

Obama Distances Himself From Bush Foreign Policy Legacy

George E. Condon Jr. | May 23, 2013

Even though he followed many of his predecessor's counterterrorism policies, Obama wants to move on.

Obama’s 20 Steps to Counterterrorism

Matt Vasilogambros | May 23, 2013

Unpacking the president's hour-long (with heckling) speech on drones, Gitmo, and everything in between.

Republican Trio Wants More Questions Answered on Benghazi

Kristin Roberts | May 23, 2013

Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Kelly Ayotte won’t drop it. Despite the White House’s release of Benghazi e-mails, the Republican trio has a long list of additional questions, all carrying serious political implications.

John Kerry in the Middle East: Eclipse of a Superpower?

James Kitfield | May 23, 2013

Doha, Qatar – Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in the Middle East on Thursday

Can Obama End the 'Forever War'?

Michael Hirsh | May 22, 2013

Ahead of Thursday's speech, the president is trying to narrow the use of drones.

President Obama: Mourner-in-Chief

George E. Condon Jr. | May 22, 2013

The president's most memorable speeches have come in the wake of tragedy.

Why You Won’t Own Your Road

Fawn Johnson | May 16, 2013

Cash-strapped states such as Virginia are turning to the private sector to help finance large infrastructure projects.

Former U.S. National Security Leaders Object to ‘More Restrictive’ Nuclear Trade Policies

Elaine M. Grossman | May 16, 2013

A half-dozen former U.S. national security leaders last month implored President Obama to avoid tightening restrictions on foreign nuclear cooperation in the interest of nonproliferation.

How the Afghan Conflict Will Be Decided

Michael Hirsh | May 16, 2013

A horrific week for U.S. casualties reaffirms President Obama’s rush to rely on the Afghan army. But can they handle it?

What Moscow's Arrest Says About U.S.-Russia Relationship

James Kitfield | May 14, 2013

As the U.S. and Russia go through the motions of expelling each other’s “diplomats” in the coming days, it’s likely they will only be pawns in a much bigger game.

NATO’s Plan for Afghanistan Post-2014: A ‘Stable Instability’

Michael Hirsh | May 13, 2013

U.S., allies are talking about commitments through 2018 and beyond, says top commander.

'Obamacare' Repeal: Will the 37th Time Be the Charm?

Billy House and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Sara Sorcher and and George E. Condon Jr. contributed | May 12, 2013

With tensions over fiscal issues building, and the three-month suspension of the nation’s debt limit set to expire Sunday, lawmakers this week will be rehashing on the House floor their messaging war over repealing President Obama’s three-year-old health care law.

Why Benghazi is a Blow to Obama and Clinton

Ron Fournier | May 9, 2013

Both parties are wrong about the scandal: It’s not Watergate and it’s not nothing.

Deputy Mission Chief Says He Was 'Stunned' by Rice's Early Depiction of Benghazi Attacks

Billy House | May 8, 2013

The top deputy to the U.S. ambassador killed during the attacks last September in Benghazi, Libya, said Wednesday he was “stunned” when U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice said on talk shows days later that the incident stemmed from “demonstrations” sparked by protests over an anti-Islamic video.

Why It's So Hard to Trust the Chain of Command in Military Sexual-Assault Cases

Ben Terris | May 7, 2013

A day after a high-profile arrest, a new Pentagon report shows sexual assaults have jumped by a third since 2010.

Mitt Romney Was Right: Russia Is Our Biggest Geopolitical Foe

Michael Hirsh | May 7, 2013

Obama meets with South Korea’s president, but it’s Kerry’s sit-down with Putin that matters.

How One Jihadist Magazine Is Trying to Fight U.S. Drone Strikes

Matt Vasilogambros | May 7, 2013

Help wanted: U.S. drone strikes have crippled our war effort—in need of expertise on how to disable or manipulate unmanned aircraft.

Insiders: Syrian Chemical Weapons Use Does Not Yet Justify U.S. Military Intervention

Sara Sorcher | May 6, 2013

Even though President Obama acknowledged chemical weapons use in Syria, nearly two-thirds of National Journal's National Security Insiders believe the American military should not yet intervene in the bloody fight against Bashar al-Assad.

5 Charts Showing Why Americans Aren't Eager for Intervention in Syria

Elahe Izadi | May 3, 2013

President Obama is acting cautiously on Syria -- and Americans aren't feeling so hawkish, either.

What Is a ‘Red Line’ Worth?

James Kitfield | May 2, 2013

Syria is testing the idea that nations can’t cross the United States. What happens if other countries copy it?

Iraq and Libya Haunt Obama's Syria Policy

Michael Hirsh | May 2, 2013

Weighed down by memories of Iraq and Libya, the president stands his ground.

Obama's Legacy: A Health Care Law That Hurts His Party

Josh Kraushaar | May 2, 2013

Like the Iraq war tarnished the Republican brand, ObamaCare could be a long-term political millstone for Democrats.

Obama Appears at a Loss to Define the Way Forward in Syria

Major Garrett | April 30, 2013

The fuzzy red lines and rhetoric blur what comes next.

Obama Is Still Fighting Bush's National Security Legacy

George E. Condon Jr. | April 30, 2013

The president's hesitance to intervene in Syria and eagerness to close Guantanamo Bay underscore how different he is from his predecessor.

Doing Nothing in Syria Is Riskier Than Getting Involved

James Kitfield | April 26, 2013

One allied ambassador: "If you continue to hesitate, the costs will be much higher when you finally act."

The American Dream, Downsized

Amy Sullivan and Sophie Quinton contributed | April 25, 2013

The middle class now worries more about holding on for dear life than about climbing the ladder to riches.

Insiders: Boston Bombings Should Not Change Terror Policies for Soft Targets

Sara Sorcher | April 22, 2013

Two-thirds of National Journal's National Security Insiders said the U.S. government does not need to reassess its policies to prevent attacks at high-profile events in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. But Insiders' opinions are more evenly divided on U.S. intervention in Syria.

Were Boston Bombers Lone Wolves or Long Arm of al-Qaida?

James Kitfield | April 19, 2013

What pushed two seemingly normal young immigrants past the tipping point of youthful anger and into wanton terrorism?

The Way to Combat Terrorism

Ronald Brownstein | April 18, 2013

America can persevere by embracing diversity.

In Boston as in Baghdad, Tragedy Cannot Be Ignored

Lara Jakes | April 18, 2013

Friends and colleagues ask why, and how, this was possible. Perhaps this is the way the world already is, and has been for some time.

Insiders: North Korean Threat Serious, U.S. Response Appropriate

Sara Sorcher | April 15, 2013

North Korea's saber rattling is a serious threat, National Journal's National Security Insiders say, and they overwhelmingly approve of the Obama administration's response.

Slow-Motion Gun Battle Plays Out in Senate

Billy House | April 14, 2013

Lawmakers will stage some slow-going drama this week as the Senate proceeds in its deliberations on gun-control legislation with a series of votes on amendments—many of them likely to usher in their own mini-floor fights, or even filibusters.

North Korea: The Family Business Is Failing

Michael Hirsh | April 12, 2013

Kim Jong Un is a third-generation heir to a business his grandpa started. Like most heirs, he may be driving the firm into the ground.

7 Things to Know About Obama's Budget

Matthew Cooper | April 10, 2013

You’ll see a lot about the aggregate budget size of $3.8 trillion. But here are the things that are really worth knowing.

Sen. Murray Keeps Hanford Nuclear Site Safe From Budget Cuts

Amy Harder | April 8, 2013

She may not attend Tuesday’s confirmation hearing for Ernest Moniz, President Obama’s nominee for Energy secretary, but you can bet Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will make sure the department has all the money it needs to keep the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in her home state running safely.

Agenda Is Stacked for Return of Congress; Obama Will Pile on More With His Budget

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Margot Sanger-Katz and and Sara Sorcher contributed | April 7, 2013

The prospects for renewed talks on a long-term deficit-reduction deal reach a pivotal point this week with the release Wednesday of President Obama’s budget plan, which offers cuts to Social Security and Medicare in the hope of softening Republican opposition to tax hikes.

Sen. Wyden to Grill Obama's Energy Nominee on Nuclear-Waste Site

Amy Harder | April 7, 2013

On Tuesday, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ernest Moniz, President Obama’s nominee for Energy secretary, are going to square off like it’s 1998.

Why Washington and Moscow Still Don't Trust Each Other

Olga Belogolova | April 4, 2013

I left the USSR in 1991. Going back showed that Cold War stereotypes don’t fade—even with time.

The Paradox of Syria's Chemical Weapons

Sara Sorcher | April 4, 2013

The surest way to keep the arsenal safe is to leave it in the hands of a murderous dictator.

Public Show Over, Obama Turns to Private Diplomacy in Middle East

George E. Condon Jr. | March 25, 2013

President Obama’s highly visible trip to the Middle East was seen as a timely and badly needed shot of public diplomacy in the world’s most volatile region. But what happens behind the scenes and out of public view now that the president is back in the United States may be even more critical to the decades-old American quest to forge stable peace between Israel and her neighbors.

A Decade of War: What the U.S. Military Learned

James Kitfield | March 22, 2013

The 10-year anniversary of the Iraq war has rightfully prompted extended soul-searching about a conflict that cost the nation dearly in blood, treasure, and international prestige.

When the Whole World Has Drones

Kristin Roberts | March 21, 2013

The precedents the U.S. has set for robotic warfare may have fearsome consequences as other countries catch up.

My Iraq War

James Kitfield | March 21, 2013

Fear, death, and even elegy—one witness’s recollections from a decade of war.

How Many Americans Are on the Kill List? Zero.

Kristin Roberts and Ben Terris contributed | March 20, 2013

No Americans are currently marked for death on the U.S. government’s terrorist strike list, according to the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Behind Obama’s Big 'No!' on Syria

Michael Hirsh | March 20, 2013

Despite terrible bloodshed and the risks of a wider war, the president is barely moving. Here’s why.

Empty-Handed Tourist?

Major Garrett | March 19, 2013

JERUSALEM — President Obama arrives in Israel less burdened than any previous U.S. president by the diplomatic malignancy known as the peace process.

On the Anniversary of War in Iraq, Who's Rooting for War in Syria?

Ron Fournier | March 19, 2013

McCain, Graham are pushing president Obama down a bloody slope.

The First Days of the Iraq War, as Seen Through National Journal Correspondents

Brian Resnick | March 19, 2013

Journalists were getting a sense of how this invasion would (for better or worse) begin to define the decade and the Bush presidency.

Past U.S. Presidential Visits to Israel

Matt Vasilogambros | March 19, 2013

What Happened to Michele Bachmann?

Tim Alberta | March 18, 2013

In the first two months of the 113th Congress Michele Bachmann has been practically invisible. What happened?

The Legacy of the Iraq War? Anti-War Democrats and Rand Paul

Michael Hirsh | March 18, 2013

The most enduring impact of the invasion is a neo-isolationism that will be with us for a long time.

Why Hillary Clinton Now Supports Gay Marriage

Elahe Izadi | March 18, 2013

Former first lady wanted to make her views known before the Supreme Court rules on the subject.

Mitt Romney's CPAC Speech Was As Lackluster As His Campaign

Beth Reinhard | March 15, 2013

But the former presidential nominee's speech was a reminder of his political mistakes during the 2012 presidential campaign.

VIDEO: Inside This Week's Cover Story

National Journal Staff | March 15, 2013

In this week's National Journal cover story, Michael Hirsh discusses how the United States could contain Islamism in the Middle East. In this video, go inside the story with the author himself.

The Next Arab Challenge

Michael Hirsh | March 14, 2013

Two years after the Middle East revolts, the Obama administration has mounted no real effort to understand the dynamics of political Islam.

Why John McCain Doesn't Matter Anymore

James Kitfield | March 14, 2013

The GOP is now more open to isolationists and deficit hawks like Rand Paul than to traditional pro-defense Republicans.

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman Back in Washington for ‘Internationalism’ Project

Christopher Snow Hopkins | March 12, 2013

In recent years, a number of prominent lawmakers have either renounced their party or been excommunicated.

National Security Insiders: It's Possible for Congress to Oversee Drone Program

Sara Sorcher | March 11, 2013

Plus: A narrow majority says Chuck Hagel will be a good Defense secretary.

Electromagnetic Pulse Caucus Battles Skeptics in Push to Protect the Planet

Billy House | March 10, 2013

A small but growing cadre of House members is set to relaunch efforts to protect the nation against what they say is a very real threat: the unleashing of an electromagnetic pulse either by a solar storm or a nuclear-armed foe that could cripple much of the nation’s electrical infrastructure.

Outsourcing the Fight Against Terrorism

James Kitfield | March 7, 2013

The United States is using local soldiers to fight al-Qaida allies in East Africa.

How Bibi Beat Barack

Adam B. Kushner | March 7, 2013

Obama desperately wants peace in Israel. Too bad there’s nothing he can do to force it.

Why Rand Paul's Case Against the White House Matters

Ron Fournier | March 7, 2013

The Kentucky Republican's filibuster reflects the pace of politics and the power of social media.

How Obama Fumbled Afghanistan

Michael Hirsh | March 5, 2013

How Obama stymied his own special envoy, Richard Holbrooke, and fumbled the administration's Afghanistan policy.

The 6 Species of Secretaries That Will Define Obama's Term

Matthew Cooper | March 5, 2013

The president has made most of his top administration picks. Here's how they all fit into his second term.

Does Ben Bernanke Care Too Much About Jobs?

Caren Bohan and Catherine Hollander | February 28, 2013

Critics say the Fed chair has tried so hard to get Americans back to work that he may cause another financial crisis.

Former Iran Hostages Are Still Seeking Justice

Jill Lawrence | February 28, 2013

'Argo' won the Oscar. But the 52 Americans held captive for another 14 months didn't get their feel-good ending.

Rand Paul: 'We Shouldn't Be Crisscrossing the Skies With Drones'

Sara Sorcher | February 28, 2013

The senator is concerned about the administration's use of drones for surveillance—and targeted killing—in the U.S.

How Both Sides Botched the Sequester Fight

Ronald Brownstein | February 28, 2013

The White House and congressional Republicans each notch tactical wins but fail on strategy.

The Rehabilitation of Chuck Hagel

Michael Hirsh | February 28, 2013

Looking beyond the sequester, the new Pentagon chief plans a fast trip, and a focus on veterans.

Fearing Blame Will Shift to Obama, Democrats Oppose Flexibility in Sequester Cuts

Amy Harder and Shane Goldmacher and Stacy Kaper | February 26, 2013

Top lawmakers spent Tuesday searching for leverage points in the coming public-relations war over the automatic spending cuts that almost everyone agrees will now occur even though they were never designed to go into effect.

Rand Paul Pledges to Hold Up Brennan’s CIA Nomination Until He Gets Answers on Drones

Sara Sorcher | February 26, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul sees it as a very simple question, which could easily be answered with a “yes” or a “no”: Can the Obama administration authorize the use of lethal force—such as a drone strike—against a U.S. citizen on American soil?

What the White House Looks Like Completely Gutted

Brian Resnick | February 26, 2013

In the late '40s, the executive mansion was in a condemnable state. To save it, everything had to go.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Kicks Off ‘Women Lead’

Alex Roarty | February 25, 2013

Reps. Chellie Pingree and Lois Frankel will lead a group to recruit and support female candidates for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in an effort to bolster the party’s already-prodigious edge among women, the political committee will announce Wednesday.

Insiders: Yes, Sequestration Will Really Hurt U.S. National Security

Sara Sorcher | February 22, 2013

Insiders also support arming Syria's rebels.

How to Use the 'Gymnastics of Language' to Fix Immigration

George E. Condon Jr. | February 21, 2013

Alan Simpson, the architect of the 1986 law, looks back at what went wrong.

TABLE: House Conservative Scores by Issue Area

Peter Bell | February 21, 2013

For a more detailed look at how member voting records compared in 2012, use this table to find their vote ratings on economic, social, and foreign policy. Click on the column headings to sort the table and see who was the most and least conservative in those three areas.

Fewer Afghan Civilians Are Being Killed, But Drones Are on the Rise

Matt Vasilogambros | February 19, 2013

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan released an annual report on the protection of civilians on Tuesday showing that while the number of civilian deaths in the conflict has decreased in the last year, there has been an increase in the number of deaths from drone strikes — a heated issue that has received greater attention in recent weeks, following CIA director nominee John Brennan's confirmation hearing.

Chuck Hagel, Strategic Thinker

Michael Hirsh | February 19, 2013

It looks awfully likely that Chuck Hagel will squeak through confirmation as President Obama's Defense secretary. But it is also likely that he'll enter the Pentagon a damaged figure, a nominee tainted by the lingering impression that he is not ready to handle the vast complexities of a defense budget slated for slashing.

Who's In and Who's Out in Obama's Cabinet

Catherine Hollander | February 15, 2013

President Obama has chosen many of the candidates for his second-term Cabinet, but he still has eight positions left to fill. Here's a look at which positions are open, the leading contenders to fill them, and the Cabinet choices he has already made.

6 (More) Reasons Why Americans Hate Washington

Ron Fournier | February 15, 2013

In a moment of eloquence almost unprecedented in the malapropistic career of Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader said Thursday, “Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, it gets worse.”

Is Obama's Drone Policy Really Morally Superior to Torture?

Sara Sorcher | February 14, 2013

Bush was condemned for waterboarding. But this administration kills from above.

Nothing Big or Bold About Obama's State of the Union Address

Ron Fournier | February 12, 2013

For all his swagger and political capital, the president subtly acknowledged the limits of what he can accomplish--even while promising in his State of the Union address to create “a rising, thriving middle class.”

Full Text: President Obama's 2013 State of the Union Speech

National Journal Staff | February 12, 2013

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, fellow citizens:

Live Blogging the State of the Union Address

Niraj Chokshi and Brian Fung | February 12, 2013

10:40.Florida Senator Marco Rubio takes a break from delivering the Republican response to take a drink of water… 10:38. Rubio said that the economy shrank during the last three months of 2012. And, according to the government’s first read, it did. But first reads are almost always revised, a...

The 9 Biggest Cliches in State of the Union Addresses

Matthew Cooper | February 12, 2013

Peggy Noonan, James Fallows, Matt Latimer, Eli Attie, and others weigh in on the hack phrases to avoid.

Expect to Hear an Absolutely Forgettable State of the Union Speech

George E. Condon Jr. | February 12, 2013

When President Obama takes to the speaker’s rostrum on the floor of the House of Representatives Tuesday evening, you can expect him to speak for more than an hour. But don’t bet on him saying anything you’ll remember a month later.

Security Insiders: Sequestration Most Likely Scenario

Sara Sorcher | February 11, 2013

Sequestration is now the most likely scenario, according to 78 percent of National Journal's National Security Insiders, who are not optimistic that Congress and the White House will reach a deal to reduce the deficit by the March 1 deadline.

John Brennan Shows Hagel How It's Done

Jill Lawrence | February 7, 2013

John Brennan radiated confidence and authority in his confirmation hearing to become CIA director. Just call him the un-Hagel.

John Brennan’s Love-Hate Relationship With Drones

Michael Hirsh | February 7, 2013

The CIA nominee wants to dump the drones program on the Pentagon, but Defense nominee Chuck Hagel won't be happy about that.

Don't Expect Much From Obama's Trip to Israel

Michael Hirsh | February 6, 2013

The White House plays down expectations for peace between Israel and the Palestinians—and it should.

How the U.S. Determines When to Kill One of Its Own Citizens

Matt Vasilogambros | February 5, 2013

The Department of Justice this week leaked its legal justification for drone strikes against Americans

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | February 1, 2013

This week's slate of Sunday shows will feature reaction to Defense Secretary-designate Chuck Hagel's marathon confirmation hearing, as well as some discussion previewing the Super Bowl. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be on...

With New Support Base, Obama Doesn't Need Right-Leaning Whites Anymore

Ronald Brownstein | February 1, 2013

For decades, Democrats shaped their policies around fears of the culturally conservative white voters to the GOP. But Obama’s winning coalition has altered that calculus.

Targeted Killings: Obama’s Endless War

James Kitfield | January 31, 2013

Even as it pulls forces out of Afghanistan, the Obama administration wants to continue high-tech targeted killings in the war against terrorists.

When Can the U.S. Kill Americans? The White House Won't Say.

Sara Sorcher | January 31, 2013

The administration refuses to say why it thinks it can kill American terrorists abroad—even to the lawmakers entitled to know.

Why Obama Is Giving Up on Right-Leaning Whites

Ronald Brownstein | January 31, 2013

For decades, Democrats shaped their policies around fears of losing right-leaning white voters to the GOP. But Obama’s winning coalition has altered that calculus.

If You Want a Friend in Washington…Don't Call John McCain

Ron Fournier | January 31, 2013

At Hagel's confirmation hearing, the Arizona senator hammers his "old friend" in a ritual display of D.C. hypocrisy.

The History John Kerry Doesn't Want to Repeat as Secretary of State

Matt Vasilogambros | January 29, 2013

Once his confirmation is behind him, John Kerry will be the first chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to become the secretary of state in more than 100 years. But if he has any ambition at all, he'd better hope his experience is nothing like his predecessor's.

Sobering Lessons for the Afghan Pullout in Paris Peace Accord Anniversary

James Kitfield and Sara Sorcher | January 25, 2013

Even as the Obama administration and the Afghan government are locked in intense negotiations over the terms of the withdrawal of U.S. troops after a decade of war, the United States is approaching a sobering milestone. January 27 will mark the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords ending America’s long war in Vietnam. By August of that year U.S. combat troops had pulled out of the country, though Washington continued to backstop South Vietnamese forces with airpower and other support.

A Guide to Obama's Staff Reshuffling

Caren Bohan | January 25, 2013

President Obama will tap Denis McDonough, a trusted longtime aide steeped in foreign policy and Capitol Hill experience, as his new chief of staff. Obama will announce the decision on Friday at 12:10 p.m. along with several other White House staff changes. The reshuffling is in keeping with Obama's management style of relying heavily on a tight inner circle of aides in his decision-making. Here is a look at the changes.

Kerry’s Task: Closing the Arab ‘Pandora’s Box’

Michael Hirsh | January 24, 2013

His tenure at State may well be defined by how he handles a vast new jihadist haven.

Think Women Haven't Been in Combat Situations Already? The History of Crossdressing Soldiers

Ben Terris | January 24, 2013

Meet the women who dressed like men to fight in the Civil War.

The Ban on Women in Combat Will Officially End

Elspeth Reeve - The Atlantic Wire | January 23, 2013

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that the Pentagon is lifting its ban on women serving in combat — even though women actually have been serving in war zones for years, according to several news reports. The decision comes less than two weeks after the Army began&nb...

Hillary Clinton Testifies on Benghazi: Full Text of Her Opening Statement

National Journal Staff | January 23, 2013

The State Department released a transcript of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's testimony opening statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.

Obama to World: Drop Dead

Michael Hirsh | January 22, 2013

In a speech devoid of foreign commitments, the president tells the world to keep away.

Insiders: Go Ahead, Slash the Defense Budget

Sara Sorcher | January 21, 2013

Defense cuts may be on the table in a new fiscal-cliff deal, as the deadline to avoid sequestration is just weeks away. National Journal's National Security Insiders say: Go for it.

Full Text of President Barack Obama's Second Inaugural Address

January 21, 2013

President Obama's speech given on January 21, 2013, at the U.S. Capitol.

The Second-Term Inaugural Jinx

George E. Condon Jr. | January 20, 2013

It's rare for a re-elected president to deliver a memorable inaugural address.

Insiders Split on Hagel Nomination

Alex Roarty and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | January 13, 2013

A majority of Democrats think President Obama's selection of Chuck Hagel to run the Department of Defense was -- politically speaking -- the right choice, according to the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll, but confidence in the nomination was nonetheless far from unanimous. Fifty-eight percent of Democratic insiders said the choice was the smart one politically, while 15 percent said it wasn't. Twenty-seven percent said it was too early to tell. Republicans, meanwhile, regarded the nomination as a mistake. Fifty-two percent of Insiders said the nomination was the wrong one, while 32 percent said it was too early to tell. Only 16 percent said the nomination was the right one. Politically speaking, was President Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel to the post of Defense secretary the right one? Democrats (109 votes) Republicans (102 votes) Yes 58% 16% No 15% 52% Too early to tell 27% 32%

Political Insiders: Republicans Divided on How to Address Gay Marriage

Alex Roarty and Naureen Khan and Peter Bell | January 10, 2013

Plus, Democrats aren't sold that Chuck Hagel is President Obama's best choice for Defense secretary.

Obama’s Betting on Chuck Hagel, Unlike With Susan Rice

Jim O'Sullivan | January 10, 2013

The president is fighting for the war hero and former senator in a way he didn’t for his first pick for secretary of State.

Can Obama and Karzai Avoid Iraq Redux?

James Kitfield | January 10, 2013

Friday's meeting will focus on the last two outstanding issues concerning America’s longest-ever war: how fast to withdraw the remaining troops, and what, if any, residual U.S. force to leave behind.

What 'Zero Dark Thirty' Says About How Washington Works

Matthew Cooper | January 9, 2013

Yes, it's about war and waterboarding. But there's much more to Kathryn Bigelow's epic and Jessica Chastain's character.

The Neocons vs. Chuck Hagel

Michael Hirsh | January 9, 2013

The attacks on the Defense nominee reflect an old struggle—and a philosophy that’s in eclipse.

Will Chuck Hagel and John Brennan Fight?

Michael Hirsh | January 7, 2013

Inside the future battle over targeted killing.

Chuck Hagel's Biggest Problem: He's Like President Obama

Ron Fournier | January 7, 2013

By nominating Chuck Hagel to be his Defense secretary, President Obama is putting forward an aloof contrarian who doesn’t suffer fools--a characteristic that closely describes the president himself.

Obama's Second Term May Be More Blessed Than Cursed

Akhil Reed Amar - The Atlantic | January 4, 2013

By looking at two-term stars more closely, we can see how and why Barack Obama might be more blessed than cursed for his second term.

The GOP's Failed 'Plan O': Inside the Fiscal-Cliff Saga

John Aloysius Farrell and Chris Frates and Nancy Cook and Billy House | January 2, 2013

This is the story of Plan O – the congressional Republicans’ failed attempt to meet the challenge of Obama’s victory. It begins in September and ends in the fiasco of the Christmas season, when Speaker John Boehner was repudiated by his own troops and had to pull his last, desperate solution from the House floor, leaving Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to cut the best deal he could with dramatically diminished leverage.

Hillary Clinton's Blood Clot Is Between Her Brain and Skull; Doctors Say She'll Be Okay

J.K. Trotter - The Atlantic Wire | December 31, 2012

The blood clot for which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized Sunday night is situated in a vein between her brain and her skull, reports CNN, but it has caused no neurological damage and the Associated Press says her doctors expect a full recovery:

Hillary Clinton Hospitalized with Blood Clot

Matt Berman | December 30, 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was admitted to New York Presbyterian Hospital Sunday after doctors found a blood clot during a follow-up examination for a concussion she suffered on December 13, 2012.

In the 'War on Terror', Hagel Hasn't Gone with the Crowd

Michael Hirsh | December 27, 2012

The truth about Chuck Hagel is that he saw before most that America was embarking on an unparalleled strategic disaster.

White House Wavers on Hagel, Considers Others for Defense

Michael Hirsh | December 23, 2012

Besieged by criticism from right and left, and considerable skepticism from his former Senate colleagues, Chuck Hagel appears to be following the path of Susan Rice as a trial-balloon nominee who finds himself quickly losing altitude in Washington. And as happened with Rice, the White House is now signaling that it may soon puncture Hagel's hopes.

Full Text: President Obama Nominates John Kerry as Secretary of State

National Journal Staff | December 21, 2012

The White House released a transcript Friday of President Obama's nomination of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State. Read the full text below:

Ambition and Anguish Drive John Kerry

Michael Hirsh | December 21, 2012

What kind of secretary of State will John Kerry be? The best answer to that question probably lies in something Kerry said 41 years ago, long before he became a politician—a statement that is still, unquestionably, the most memorable thing Kerry has ever said.

A Capitol Goodbye to Inouye

Elahe Izadi | December 20, 2012

On Thursday morning, the partisan back-and-forth stopped for a moment. It wasn’t the impending fiscal cliff that loomed largest. Instead, it was the larger-than-life memory of Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, who died Monday and lies in state today.

With Hagel At Defense, What a Senate 'Team of Mentors' Might Mean for Obama's 2nd Term

Michael Hirsh | December 18, 2012

In the summer of 2008, while the two of them were on a trip to Afghanistan, then-Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., gave a bit of advice to then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. "I told Obama he should pick [Joe] Biden as his running mate," Hagel recalled in a 2010 interview. "I said, 'He understands governance better than anyone else. In particular he understands Congress. He understands how it fits together like no one else you could get. He's got the political piece. He 's got the policy piece. There's nobody in his league.'"

Senator Daniel Inouye, 'One of the Giants of the Senate,' Leaves Long Legacy

Billy House and Elahe Izadi and Michael Catalini | December 17, 2012

Sen. Daniel Inouye, the Senate Appropriations chairman whose panoramic and compelling life story brought him from World War II hero to third in line in succession to the presidency, died on Monday.

The People, Not Washington, Will Solve America's Everyday Problems

James Oliphant and Stacy Kaper and Catherine Hollander and Adam Mazmanian and James Kitfield and Ben Terris and Fawn Johnson | December 6, 2012

Beyond the fiscal cliff, entitlement reform, and a tax overhaul, a host of other issues continue to vex Americans. They include burgeoning traffic, the shrinking pool of affordable housing, escalating gun violence, and the rising invasion of online privacy.

The Enemy Within

James Kitfield | September 13, 2012

The military-justice system has failed to check the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the armed forces.

Against the Tide

Olga Belogolova | July 26, 2012

Republicans are almost always in tune with the oil and gas industry, but they’re singing a different song on the drydocked Law of the Sea Treaty.

Should the U.S. Do More to Arm Yemen's Military?

Kevin Baron | June 4, 2012

Yemeni military officers captured by al-Qaida fighters complained in a recent PBS Frontline report that they were outgunned and out-supplied by the terrorist organization. The U.S. is increasingly active across a spectrum counterterrorism operations in Yemen, and has provided its military more than $300 million worth of aid. But the U.S. provided small arms, pickup trucks, and helicopter spare parts, in addition to "non-lethal" aid. No arms have come from Washington since last year. The Senate has approved the Pentagon's request to restart $75 million in aid, but that may not be approved until the end of the year. Should the U.S. consider doing more to arm Yemen's military sooner? Is the drone and secretive counterterrorism campaign good enough?

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - The Army's Gamble

March 29, 2003

V CORPS FORWARD TACTICAL COMMAND, Central Iraq-The sound came with such suddenness and ferocity that all heads craned skyward as if in supplication: An Iraqi Scud missile was boring back through the atmosphere at terminal velocity. Just to the right of the 110-vehicle convoy, a Patriot anti-missile battery answered, with the sparkling contrails of two missiles clearly visible as they soared toward an impact point nearly six miles overhead. Along the shoulder of the road, hundreds of soldiers scrambled to don chemical protection suits as a multiwheeled Fox detection vehicle ran down the column "sniffing" for lethal chemical agents. Within minutes, the Patriot battery reported a successful intercept and confirmed that the Scud would have hit the ground less than a third of a mile in front of the convoy.

MEDIA - The Fog of Journalism

March 29, 2003

Is there too much war news? When the cruise missiles had just started flying and every shred of news seemed meaningful, the question would have seemed ridiculous. On a story this big, it goes without saying that information is good, and the more information the better. Right?

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Reinventing Iraq

March 22, 2003

A country called Iraq has existed only since 1919. But some cities in that land were already 16 centuries old when the nearby Egyptians built their pyramids. Bureaucrats in Mesopotamia, as the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was known, began keeping written records in 3400 B.C. And despite three decades of political repression, economic mismanagement, and military disaster under Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, Iraq today-unlike Afghanistan in 2001, Yugoslavia in 1995, and Germany in 1945-is not a "failed state." (See "Occupational Hazards," this issue.) From food-distribution systems to local police forces, essential institutions and infrastructures have survived Saddam, albeit barely, and they will survive a war that successfully ousts him. So the good news is that Iraq will not have to start over from scratch. Unfortunately, the bad news is also that Iraq will not be able to start over from scratch.

NATIONAL SECURITY - The Orange-and-Yellow Yo-Yo

March 22, 2003

So, we bounced back up to "high-alert" Code Orange this week in anticipation of war with Iraq and with a certain sense of deja vu. Courtesy of federal homeland-security officials, our post-September 11 world has been cast only in hues of yellow and orange-yo-yoing between the two. The highest level, red, is too scary, so we had to drop down to yellow in order to have room to rise fairly comfortably as war neared. But why do we have five colors on the terrorism-threat warning chart, if only two are going to be used? Is this week's orange any different from February's orange?

POLITICS - As Bush Does Balancing Act, His Ratings Keep Slipping

March 15, 2003

As war with Iraq increasingly appears inevit-

FOREIGN AFFAIRS - Collateral Damage

March 15, 2003

The first American war against Iraq, fought a dozen years ago, produced an overwhelming, if transitory, U.S. victory, while also popularizing several phrases that slipped almost lightheartedly into the world's lexicon. But if the U.S. military's new "smart bombs" helped make a mockery of Saddam Hussein's bluster about winning "the mother of all battles," there was nothing funny about "collateral damage," the Pentagon's time-honored euphemism for the killing and wounding of everyday Iraqi people with cruise missiles and airpower.

NJ Topics Military Operations

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