2011 financial crisis

'Doomsday' defense cuts loom large for select 12 on 'super committee'

The six Republicans and six Democrats represent states where the biggest military contractors - Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics Corp., Raytheon Co. and Boeing Co. - build missiles, aircraft, jet fighters and tanks while employing tens of thousands of workers.

For cuts, Pentagon must choose among weapons, personnel

A decision to cut $350 billion in security spending over the next decade will force the Pentagon to make difficult trade-offs that could lead to layoffs, canceled weapons systems or a smaller nuclear arsenal.
U.S. credit down because of military spending, Rep. Frank says

A senior Democrat says the biggest reason the U.S. credit was downgraded is too much spending being "the military policemen of the world."
Panetta, Mullen continue press to head off excessive budget cuts

The United States military can handle targeted defense cuts, but if a “doomsday mechanism” of automatic cuts kicks in, national security will falter and downrange troops will suffer, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday.
15:43 August 4, 2011
As budget cuts linger, a call to spare special operations funds
Panetta calls deep budget cuts 'completely unacceptable'
Q&A: The Department of Defense and the debt deal
Debt deal includes billions in defense cuts, but pay and vet programs safe
Debt deal expected to hit Washington area economy, defense firms
Deal leaves defense hawks nervous
House Republican defense leaders blast Obama, Democrats over debt fight

Obama: Despite downgraded rating, U.S. still a triple-A nation

Eager to calm a nervous nation, President Barack Obama on Monday dismissed an unprecedented downgrade in the nation's credit rating, insisting investors will stand by the United States even as stock markets plunged.
Markets react to rating downgrade with steep decline
U.S. debt downgrade could mean rate hikes for all
China urges U.S. to handle debt responsibly
Budget battle moves on to super committee

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FEATURE STORY

China's naval aspirations: A 'blue-water' force

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U.S. naval commanders, ordered to move the bulk of their fleet to the Pacific theater, say it’s clear that China is building a “blue-water navy,” capable of sustained operations across oceans and able to project power far from the home country.
China's aggressive tactics turning off Asian neighbors

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Not long ago, China was the darling of its less powerful Asian neighbors with its growing economic importance and a policy of non-interference in external affairs that contrasted with bellicose U.S. foreign policy after 9/11. But a recent series of incidents has raised individual and collective concerns from India on one side to Japan and the Philippines on the other.
GALLERY

21: Changing of the Guard

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Changing of the Guard takes place every hour or half hour - depending on the season - at Arlington National Cemetery in a precise ritual that draws many tourists.

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Good Game

From the E3 showfloor, PC titles make their case

Console games tried to steal the spotlight, but there are several computer games on the horizon not to be ignored.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Storm 04W (Leepi), # 6

Projected path even further away from Okinawa, 160 miles west at 11 a.m. Thursday; 35-46-mph winds forecast.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Storm 04W (Leepi), # 5 UPDATED

Leepi now forecast to drift 130 miles west of Okinawa at mid-morning Thursday.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Storm 04W (Leepi), # 4

Leepi forecast to graze Okinawa with 63-mph gusts early Thursday; Kanto remains next destination.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Depression 04W (Leepi), # 2

Leepi moving rapidly north, should give Okinawa, Kanto glancing blows.
Pacific Storm Tracker

Tropical Depression 04W, # 1

Okinawa can expect a wet, windy Wednesday evening/Thursday morning.