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

Live now on the Tablet Edition

Germans prep for post-2014 role in Afghanistan

The German armed forces will continue an assist-and-advise mission in the Afghanistan's north.
For S. Korean police, a primer on Americans in 238 pages

New book looks to ensure USFK-Korean relations don't get lost in translation.
Gallery

From the archives: Cold War chronicles

Throughout the Cold War, Stars and Stripes reporters were at the ready to report every rise in temperature.
Improved grenade design on the way

Troops can soon look forward to small improvements, even a possible complete redesign, of the fragmentation hand grenade.

Latest Blog Postings

Spouse Calls

Homeward bound

An Army wife writes about the journey she and her children shared with a soldier finally coming back to his loved ones
The Ruptured Duck

House Republicans push for backlog commission

The 15-person panel would weigh in on VA’s claims processing and evaluation problems.
Stripes Central

Busy lawmakers take time to help Muppets and the USO

When Cookie Monster asks for a favor, even Congress listens.
Europe Traveler

Hear some free music in Europe this summer

What beats an outdoor music concert? A free one! As summer kicks in, enjoy loads of musical performances at no cost during several weeks. Here's a hearty sampling.
Stripes Central

House moves to block another BRAC round

Defense budget language introduced by House lawmakers forbids DOD from planning or initiating another round of Base Realignment and Closure.
Good Game

All for One and One for all?

Microsoft unveiled the successor to its Xbox 360 on Tuesday and showed off a console that tries to do it all.

Most Read
E-mailed
Hot Topics

Female Marine gets reprimand, loss of pay in adultery case April 25, 2013
Audio: Confusion reigned before destroyer Porter's collision May 23, 2013
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs May 24, 2013
Female Marine convicted of 'attempted adultery,' lying April 25, 2013
DOD civilians use 'strength in numbers' to fight LQA loss May 24, 2013
DODEA director to retire May 24, 2013
Slain British soldier’s family didn't think he’d face danger at home May 24, 2013
Hagel pays tribute to fallen commander in speech May 24, 2013
Favorites survive scares to advance in baseball May 24, 2013
Lawson, others heat up on chilly track May 24, 2013

VA researcher quits over burn pit studies 17:36 May 19, 2013
DODEA to announce dates for school closings related to furloughs 17:26 May 22, 2013
Commissaries to close Mondays, some Tuesdays due to furloughs 13:58 May 24, 2013
WWII-era Navy photographer Wayne Miller dies 23:43 May 22, 2013
Military expert: Boston bombing 'not an anomaly' 07:25 May 20, 2013
Kenya police kill 'terror couple' 08:25 May 19, 2013
Does social media add fuel to servicemembers' degrading actions? 04:01 May 20, 2013
Welsh: Open to all options to stop military sexual assault 19:17 May 19, 2013
Air Force aims to reduce alcohol-related incidents by 20% in 2007 22:31 May 11, 2010
US senator urges look at security in Sprint deal 17:04 May 24, 2013

Graduation Tab
Book Club
Attention Shoppers

Graduation Tab

Don’t miss your chance to send your favorite grad a note of congratulations, printed in the pages of Stars and Stripes’ keepsake publication. The deadline for submissions is May 23rd.