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U.S. military commanders are emphasizing their readiness to defend the nation against cyberthreats from abroad. What they do not say is that they are equally prepared to launch their own cyberattacks against U.S. adversaries.

Congress, which has been pushing for answers, says there may have been serious security lapses. The attack killed two U.S. Marines.

As he prepares to leave his job, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reflects on his years of service. It's a career that has included 16 years in Congress, stints as White House chief of staff, and as the head of the CIA, where he oversaw the controversial drone program.

Although a fiscal cliff was narrowly prevented at the beginning at the year, there's another budget deadline approaching. If Congress doesn't act, billions in automatic budget cuts will slice military spending, possibly hurting contractors and some personnel.

The former Nebraska senator faces the Senate Armed Services Committee. After some initial doubts, the conventional wisdom in Washington is that he's likely to be confirmed. But Hagel will face some sharp questions about his views on key issues.

The groundbreaking move overturns a 1994 rule and opens up thousands of front-line positions for women. Panetta is expected to announce the decision along with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff tomorrow.

AeroVironment has an unusual combination of products — military drones and electric vehicle chargers. The company's president acknowledges that some workers are uncomfortable with the company's dual interests, but he doesn't see a conflict.

Facing sequestration cuts, a troop drawdown in Afghanistan and what's expected to be a contentious fight over the next defense secretary, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that some of the biggest challenges for the Department of Defense come from inside U.S. borders. Still, the Pentagon's job is to anticipate future threats — and prepare.

The fight over the former GOP senator's nomination to be the next defense secretary might be bigger than any other Cabinet nomination in recent history. Chuck Hagel's friends and foes are preparing for modern combat on TV and the Internet.

President Obama wants Nebraska Republican Chuck Hagel to run the Pentagon. Hagel's confirmation would put four men with close ties from their Senate days at the center of the nation's foreign policy and national security policymaking. And that's something Obama is willing to fight for.