National

Unpacking State of the Union Night Addresses

1:41pm February 13, 2013

NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin discusses Tuesday night's big speeches — President Obama's State of the Union; Sen. Marco Rubio's GOP response and GOP Sen. Rand Paul's Tea Party take — with Paul Glastris, editor-in-chief of The Washington Monthly and Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institution.

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Some companies, frustrated with intrusions into their networks by cyberattackers, are now trying to turn the tables in the ongoing and complicated cyberwar.

National

Victims Of Cyberattacks Get Proactive Against Intruders

8:56am February 13, 2013

by Tom Gjelten

Some affected private companies are so frustrated by their inability to defend against attacks that they have opted to go on the offense themselves. Some cybersecurity firms are now marketing cyberweapons and attack strategies to companies that want to go after their adversaries.

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An Oft-Told Tale: The Beauty Queen And The Quarterback

6:24am February 13, 2013

by Frank Deford

Last month, Brent Musburger was accused of being sexist when he gushed about "what a beautiful woman" Miss Alabama was during the BCS Championship game. Commentator Frank Deford says if Musburger was guilty of anything, it was failing to note what a cliche he was perpetuating.

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Homeland Security analysts watch for threats to U.S. technological infrastructure at the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center.

Pentagon Goes On The Offensive Against Cyberattacks

6:38pm February 12, 2013

by Tom Gjelten

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.

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A French military drone takes off in December 2010 from a U.S. airbase in Bagram, Afghanistan.

The Sticky Questions Surrounding Drones And Kill Lists

3:17pm February 12, 2013

Scott Shane, a national security correspondent for The New York Times, speaks with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about the drone-related stories he has helped break, including the revelation that President Obama personally approves targeted strikes against suspected terrorists.

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Sports Fixing: When Gambling And The Game Collide

2:30pm February 12, 2013

European officials say players and referees have fixed the outcome of hundreds of soccer games in recent years. The scandal has exposed the organized crime rings that cash in on cheating and has heightened scrutiny of the ethical questions that arise at the intersection of gambling and sports.

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Looming Cuts Could Mean Big Changes For U.S. Military

2:01pm February 12, 2013

Without a deal by March 1, across-the-board federal spending cuts will kick in — including deep cuts to the nation's defense budget. Michele Flournoy, former undersecretary of defense for policy, and NPR's Tom Bowman discuss what sequestration might mean for the U.S. military.

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U.S. Rep. James Clyburn explains the hope he carries along with him in his career to his granddaughter Sydney Reed.

National

Relentless, Despite Losses: Congressman's Climb To The Hill

11:26am February 12, 2013

by NPR Staff

Rep. James Clyburn talks to his granddaughter about his long road to becoming a U.S. congressman. After many losses, he never gave up, even when others suggested it was time to move on. Today, he's the highest-ranking African-American in Congress.

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Prison provides an opportunity for networking with more seasoned criminals.

When Crime Pays: Prison Can Teach Some To Be Better Criminals

11:26am February 12, 2013

by Shankar Vedantam

Research from an Ohio sociologist has found that inmates "earn" illegal money in greater amounts after they serve time. Prison may serve as a classroom where inexperienced delinquents learn from hardened criminals — and become more dangerous criminals themselves.

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a town hall meeting on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. She officially leaves her post on Friday.

Hillary Clinton Leaving The Stage — At Least For Now — And On A High Note

11:26am February 12, 2013

by Mara Liasson

The secretary of state ends her tenure Friday as a respected national figure with sky-high approval ratings. "I don't see myself getting back into politics," she says. But that hasn't slowed speculation about a 2016 presidential bid.

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