To the Point
The Pentagon, 'Sequester' and National Security
How much defense the US needs and what it can afford are issues raised by "sequester." Will it happen or will the White House and Congress kick the can down the road again?
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenHow much defense does the United States really need? How much can it reasonably afford? These are just two of the questions raised by "sequester," which will require a 10 percent across the board cut in Pentagon spending by the end of this year. Will it really happen or will the White House and Congress kick the can down the road once again? Also, shoddy practices at big drug makers, and after 80 years, Newsweek magazine goes out of print.
Banner image of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta (3rd L) by Glenn Fawcett/DOD
In this episode
3 storiesShoddy Practices at Big Drug Makers
So-called "compounding pharmacies" regulated by the states have been taking heat since the recent outbreak of meningitis. Today's New York Times reports that one-third of the drug manufacturing industry overseen by the Food and Drug Administration is off line because of "quality issues."
Read the story8 minThe Pentagon, 'Sequester' and National Security
The US plans to spend more on defense next year than the next 17 countries combined. So why is Washington so worried about an automatic 10 percent cut? That's part of what's called "sequester," the deal made by both parties in August, when they failed to agree on an overall federal budget.
Read the story36 minAfter 80 Years of Print, Newsweek Going All-Digital
Two years ago, the Washington Post company sold Newsweek magazine for one dollar. The buyer, Sidney Harman, died the following year.
Read the story8 min
