Reporter
Bryan Bender, who joined the Globe's Washington Bureau in 2001, covers the US military, global terrorism, the international arms trade, and government secrecy.
Latest stories
House rejects measure to protect Otis base from cuts
By Bryan Bender , Globe Staff
A proposal to reverse planned cuts to Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod was voted down in the House late Thursday, a move that is expected to intensify efforts by the Bay State lawmakers to protect Otis and other at-risk bases across the commonwealth. The House, however, did pass an amendment that would prevent the Air Force from cutting staff or restructuring the mission at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford without congressional approval.
Effort to honor Vietnam veterans is sputtering
By Bryan Bender , Globe Staff
This Memorial Day is supposed to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of US involvement in Vietnam. Yet few events are planned.
Bedford’s iRobot fears cutbacks as wars near end
By Bryan Bender , Globe Staff
The firm is aggressively lobbying lawmakers to forestall cuts in Pentagon spending.
Tsongas measure would shield Hanscom from cuts
By Bryan Bender , Globe Staff
WASHINGTON _ A provision adopted this week as part of a pending defense spending bill would prevent the Air Force from making any cuts to the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base without prior approval from Congress. The directive is being hailed by Bay State officials and business leaders who worry that recent downsizing plans would harm the military’s ability to field cutting-edge technologies and strike a blow to the Massachusetts economy.