Atlantic Media Prez Justin Smith announced today that it’s launching Defense One, a new media brand for the national security community, later this summer. Defense One, according to a morning release, aims to deliver “high-quality news and analysis” to defense leaders and stakeholders navigating “the unprecedented” transformation of U.S. defense strategy and operations. Ken Doctor broke the news of Defense One in a column about the “newsonomics of influentials” for Neiman Lab on May 9. Adweek wrote about it early this morning at 12:14 a.m. Adweek reports that the site has yet to hire an editor. The launch, as stated in the release, will be underwritten by Northrop Grumman.

The operation will start out small, says Atlantic Media spokeswoman Linda Douglass, but they ultimately plan to build a team of 18-20 staffers.

The product is geared to the national security leadership community — Defense leaders (military flag-officers, civilian DoD leadership, National Security Council and staff), Congress (House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees), and others who play an influential role, such as contractors and think tanks.

“Defense One will bring to this important market the disruptive combination of intelligent, indispensable journalism and leading edge digital expertise that is the hallmark of all of Atlantic Media’s properties,” said Smith in the release. “We see Defense One as a major growth venture and a core Atlantic Media brand.”

Also “unprecedented” in the defense media market, they say, Defense One will launch an iPhone and Android App in the fall and a special eBook Series by the end of the year.

But some are skeptical that this will be that different from what already exists. Read more

By Eddie Scarry and Betsy Rothstein

The New Republic celebrated its relaunch last night at Bibiana Restaurant where politicos and journalists from print and TV mingled with bigwigs like Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.J.) and Americans for Tax Reform Prez Grover Norquist over hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. The highlight of the evening: Answering the question, “Who is Franklin Foer?”

Meanwhile, we spoke to Publisher and Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, who was all smiles and relaxed. “I’m feeling super exited, energized,” he said, as we cornered him at the bar. “It’s a big moment for us.” Asked if he’s been sleeping, he replied, “I will sleep tonight.”

At around 7:30 p.m. FishbowlDC approached a man with glasses who we mistook for NYT‘s Nate Silver. We were all ready to ask if he was excited to be in the same room as Politico‘s Dylan Byers, who during the presidential election questioned whether Silver was a “one-term celebrity.”

The mystery man in question had a laugh with two other male attendees before denying that he was Silver. Except then he said he was Silver. Then said he wasn’t. Then someone else said he was. Finally, he identified himself as Franklin Foer, editor of TNR (pictured above). But by that point, we didn’t believe that either.

After consulting Google images, it was revealed that he was indeed Foer. It was our mistake, though Foer did acknowledge that he shares “some Semitic features” with Silver.

In a party speech, Hughes said the challenge ahead is to “produce a magazine 20 times a year that is as good” as the relaunch issue, which features an interview with President Obama. He called the TNR team “the best in the business” and said he wants the magazine to “become financially sustainable in the coming years.” In a moment that drew audible awes from the crowd, he admitted, “The day that Frank Foer agreed to come back to TNR was one of the best days of my life.”

Who showed up? See more pictures. Read more

National Journal‘s newsroom operation is making big shifts. The news outlet will be divided into “two distinct teams” — one for members, another for digital. Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Ron Fournier will be the “star reporter” on the digital platform. His titles are Editorial Director and National Correspondent. Brownstein, who will also write for digital, is shifting into a new corporate-level role of Editorial Director for Strategic Partnerships for Atlantic Media. Amid these changes also come 10 editorial layoffs.

They won’t name names.

“First, however, some unwelcome news,” a memo released to the newsroom today states. “One component of the reorganization involves eliminating 10 positions in the newsroom. We understand this is deeply disappointing for all of National Journal’s 174 employees. We have notified the individuals affected and will be working with them in the days and weeks ahead to assist with their transition.”

Atlantic Spokeswoman Linda Douglass wouldn’t discuss the departing employees. She told FishbowlDC: “This is an effort to take NationalJournal.com national in addition to serving insiders in Washington to aim at a national audience of sophisticated readers who are interested in politics and policy.”

The memo states that Fournier, in his new role, will now be able to devote nearly all of his time to reporting, writing and tweeting! We certainly hope he lets loose with his tweeting.

See the immense memo from Bruce Gottlieb, President of National Journal Group. We’ve bolded the important parts so your brain doesn’t explode reading it… Read more

On Dec. 13, several Washington female journos will convene to discuss their experiences on the campaign trail and the upcoming presidential election.

The reporters — ABC’s Ann Compton, NPR’s Mara Liasson, and WaPo‘s Karen Tumulty — will join The Atlantic’s Linda Douglass in a candid conversation at the Newseum. The event, which boasts a coffee and dessert reception, is being underwritten by ExxonMobil. A description: “With the 2012 election looming and popular interest in the political press corps surging, the discussion will combine analysis of the election and insight into political strategy as the evolution of women’s presence in political reporting and what it’s like to be a woman on the trail.”

More info: Contact Elizabeth Vargas at evargas@theatlantic.com.

Fox News put Politico on blast this morning, charging the site with ‘liberal bias’ after the Daily Caller exposed that Politico reporter Andy Barr was leaving journalism for a job with the Democratic Party in Arizona.  As Media Research Center’s Brent Bozell discussed Barr’s beat and coverage on “Fox and Friends,” FNC ran banners that read “SITE’S LIBERAL SLANT REVEALED” and “BARR’S EXIT EXPOSES POLITICO’S TRUE COLORS.”

Though the story is not nearly as sensational as FNC’s headlines, Barr’s departure does represent another hash mark in the list of journos who have hung up their hats for jobs in politics.  For example, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is the former Washington bureau chief of TIME magazine. Politico’s Jonathan Allen left the publication for a gig with Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) and then returned to Politico less than a year later. CNN senior producer Sasha Johnson is now at the Department of Transportation.  Both Jill Zuckman and Peter Gosselin left their jobs with Tribune to join the Obama Administration.  As did longtime ABC and CBS News reporter Linda Douglass who left broadcast journalism for a job at the White House.  Douglass, like Jonathan Allen, eventually returned to media.  She’s now a VP and Head of Communications for Atlantic Media, which owns National Journal and The Atlantic.  Steven Rattner, Obama’s car czar, spent nine years writing for the New York Times.  And Moira Bagley, former Roll Call reporter and Daily Caller Opinion Page editor, now works as communications director for Senator Rand Paul (R-KY).

UPDATE: It was brought to our attention that FNC’s morning package was not just sensational but also hypocritical. In 2010 Megan Whittemore, who once covered Capitol Hill for Fox News and FoxNews.com, joined the office of now House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) as a deputy press secretary. On the flip side, we almost forgot about WaPo reporter turned Biden flack Shailagh Murray.

Despite the sensational banners, generalizations and tabloid approach to journalism, “Fox and Friends” has a point.  What do you think: does a reporter’s departure for a job in politics prove slanted coverage in the past?

The Atlantic and ExxonMobil’s Women of Washington event is slated for July 28 at the Newseum.

With less than three weeks until the United States will face potentially catastrophic consequences should Congress fail to agree on how to raise the debt ceiling, The Atlantic is hosting a conversation featuring economist and former V.P. of the Federal Reserve Alice Rivlin with The Atlantic‘s own Linda Douglass. The discussion will speak to the eventual compromise to raise the nation’s $14.3 billion debt ceiling and explore potential revenue increases, spending cuts, and the future of our nation’s tax policy.

Inquire about attending by emailing Virginia Hall at vhall@theatlantic.com.

The event takes place at 8 a.m. at the Knight Broadcast Studio in the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC). It concludes promptly at 10:00 a.m.

The Atlantic is bringing on Natalie Raabe as Director of Communications in mid-March. She will be based in Washington.

The Atlantic will work with the outside public relations firm, the Rosen Group, until the end of March. But then Raabe will take over. “The Rosen Group has done excellent work and has given us great support as we searched for an in-house communications director,” said The Atlantic‘s V.P., Head of Corporate Strategic Communications Linda Douglass, in a release. “We look forward to working with them on special projects in the future.”

Raabe comes to the job after several years at ABC News in New York.  Most recently, she was Director of Publicity for “Good Morning America ” and before that, Director of Publicity for “World News with Charles Gibson.”   From 2004 through 2006, she was the publicity coordinator for “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” and “Nightline” in Washington.

Atlantic Media Company owner David Bradley is really getting into the Christmas spirit this year. He has invited all NJ staffers who received the buyout to the annual Christmas party.

And there is a wave of stunned amusement in the ranks. One ex-employee remarked, “Well, it was a little unusual but I think it was a nice gesture.” The individual said anyone who had taken the buyout had received an invitation, which means some 40 to 50 people.

The former employee said, “No, I don’t think I’m going to go.”

The invitation wasn’t formal. It was a note of appreciation that said, “If you’d like to come to the Christmas party please give us a call.” Bradley’s annual Christmas party is typically held at a hotel — word has it there’s not enough room in the conference room to fit all those warm bodies.

Atlantic Media Company’s VP, Head of Corporate and Strategic Communications Linda Douglass had this to say about Bradley’s invitations to those who received the buyouts: “It’s an invitation to people who worked together for many years to celebrate the holidays with old friends.”

Who is National Journal‘s biggest competitor?

“Myself,” replied Editor-in-Chief Ron Fournier this afternoon to a question posed within a small gaggle of media reporters convened in the Watergate office’s Shenandoah boardroom. “The only thing I worry about is if I’m up for the job. We really don’t see any one publication as a competitor.” He remarked that his “friend,” Politico‘s Editor-in-Chief John Harris, is building his own niche as are his “friends” at Bloomberg. But soon, Fournier blatantly employed Politico‘s own catch phrase: “I want to win the morning, every evening, and the year. We’re going to out-think everyone. But why can’t you have fun doing it? Why does it have to be a nasty fight?”

Competition. What competition? “No one is doing what we’re doing, or doing it better, insisted Fournier. “…We’ve found ourselves a distinctive spot.” By  the end of the week,  he added, “We’ll have you equipped for the dinner party.”

National Journal stayed up into the wee hours of Sunday morning putting the final touches on the launch of its new web site this morning, with some employees pulling an all nighter to get the job done. No matter that he stayed up late, he says. Fournier will take Friday off to spend time with family. The afternoon gaggle included Yahoo! News’s Michael Calderone, Mediaite‘s D.C. part-timer Nisha Chittal, and New York Observer‘s Nick Summers, who recently left Newsweek for his new job writing a weekly 1,000-word media column. The PR team, which includes The Atlantic‘s V.P. of Corporate and Strategic Communications Linda Douglass and Taylor West was present, but mostly stayed mum.

Upon shaking hands with Calderone, Fournier said, “Michael hasn’t always done what I wanted him to, but he’s always fair and thorough.” Calderone smiled in response.

During the overview, Fournier spoke thoughtfully and in a medium-volume voice.  “We seek to break news,” he said. “We don’t cede anything to anyone.” He said the newsroom will be supportive, not backbiting. Reporters will work hard and have traditional individual beats over which they will hold expertise. “We really think there is a market for serious journalism. Let the others race to the bottom. And son of a gun, there are people paying a lot of money for it in this town.”

Fournier management style appears easygoing but dogged. He said he wants his reporters working harder than they’ve ever worked, but wants them happy doing it. “‘Let’s work our butts off,’” he said he told his team today. “I worked for bosses at the AP who made me work hard not because they scared the crap out of me, but because they made me feel like I was a part of something bigger.”

When reporters do well, he plans to highlight it. And when they don’t? He plans to pull them aside and say, “That’s just not how we do things here.”

> Update: Read Yahoo! News’s Calderone’s take on today’s meeting as well as Chittal’s story.

NJ‘s suite of offices in the Watergate on the whole is drenched in whites and beiges. A number of employees, situated not far from an elegant spiral staircase, have this beautiful, meditative view of the Potomac. One such view belongs to Atlantic Media Company‘s V.P., head of Corporate and Strategic Communications Linda Douglass.