Policy
New plans detail State Department layoffs and changes
National-security offices and units that cover Asia and the Middle East will be consolidated or slashed as thousands of employees are laid off.
Policy
Pentagon aims to save money by reducing consulting contracts
SecDef Hegseth says DOD personnel should take over “system IT integration, implementation, or advisory services"—but the military's own IT agency is also bracing for cuts.
Policy
Hegseth halves staff of Pentagon’s testing-oversight office
The move may reduce the quality of DOT&E’s second opinions, but may not affect safety, former officials said.
Policy
Pentagon orders civilian employees to submit money-saving ideas
It’s the last step in the "5 bullet points" weekly email exercise.
Policy
An 18th-century war power resurfaces in cyber policy talks
An old-world legal concept has drawn interest as a way to give private firms more leeway to fight state-backed hackers.
Policy
The DOD’s tech agency braces for 10% workforce cut
The agency hopes to bring some staff back in a “surgical rehiring,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, head of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
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Pentagon accepts Qatari jet to use as Air Force One
The Air Force is preparing to award a contract to modify the luxury jet.
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Space Force losing 14% of its civilian workers
That’s more than other military branches, and it means the service will end the year with nearly 1,000 fewer people than expected.
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Special operations are becoming the Pentagon’s future ‘normal’
“SOF is floated as a one-size-fits-all solution for a lot of problems,” said one former official.
Policy
Is Trump’s ‘F-55’ fighter jet real?
One former defense official said the president is “very confused.”
Policy
US spy chief fires intelligence leaders who disputed Trump’s Venezuela-gang claims
A National Intelligence Council assessment rebutted the president's claims that Tren de Aragua is carrying out an “invasion” overseen by the Venezuelan head of state.
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Policy
JSOC commander likely to be SOCOM pick, sources say
The White House “loves" Vice Adm. Mitch Bradley, but final decisions are not yet in.
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Policy
State Department plans deeper-than-anticipated staff cuts
Some 3,400 jobs are now expected to be eliminated starting on June 2, up from around 2,000.
Policy
Senators question Army undersecretary nominee on transformation plan
The Anduril senior director was also questioned about his determination to hold onto defense-industry stocks.
Policy
Trump’s F-15 basing decision adds to Air Force’s training troubles
Service already had too few jets to prep pilots.
Policy
Could striking first in cyber be new Pentagon policy?
Bolstering cyber operations is top of mind for Katie Sutton, the White House’s pick to lead Defense Department cyber policy.
Policy
Trump’s Pentagon-personnel nominee wants to curb DOGE data access
But Anthony Tata, a retired Army general, couldn’t outrun past inflammatory and social media posts during his confirmation hearing.
Policy
Hegseth orders elimination of 10% of general, admiral jobs
Memo also orders the elimination of one-fifth of 4-star posts. No deadline, few guidelines given for shakeup.
Policy
‘Gimmicks’: GOP lawmakers slam Trump’s ‘trillion-dollar’ defense-spending proposal
White House claims of a 13% increase rest on unusual budgetary maneuvers, not a higher DOD topline.
Policy