Threats
National Defense Strategy ‘falls short’ on nuclear, space threat: SASC chair
Russian space weapon is ‘very significant,’ head of U.S. Strategic Command says.
Science & Tech
The real danger of military AI isn’t killer robots; it’s worse human judgement
As Pentagon rushes to deploy LLM-based tools, research suggests they can undermine human thought and communication.
Ideas
The National Security Council is missing in action
The Trump administration's lack of a consistent rationale for the war on Iran underscores the importance of a functioning NSC.
Ideas
Pentagon leaders called Claude AI 'woke.' Tests show otherwise.
The blacklist against Anthropic deprives the federal government of one of the most rigorously neutral—and capable—AI models.
Threats
‘It takes money to kill bad guys,’ Hegseth says of $200B Iran war request to Congress
“Ungrateful allies” should say “thank you” to President Trump, he said.
Policy
Record-smashing $1.5-trillion spending proposal will fund only the ‘most essential things’: comptroller
The Pentagon’s acting CFO also said that just a sliver of the $153 billion reconciliation funds remains unallocated.
Threats
Lawmakers press SOUTHCOM on Hegseth’s ‘no quarter’ rhetoric
Gen. Francis Donovan repeated what others have said: that he wouldn’t follow an unlawful order.
Policy
How the Pentagon is working to wriggle out of China’s rare-earths grip
At a conference in Honolulu, the assistant defense secretary for industrial base policy detailed the challenge.
Business
Demand signals are up, but supply chain risks may still hinder production
As the Trump administration pushes for faster weapons production, supply-chain vulnerabilities could trip progress.
Threats
Iran’s defense industrial base is ‘functionally defeated’: Hegseth
“Bad things can happen,” defense secretary says of Thursday’s KC-135 crash over Iraq
Exclusive
Policy
Hegseth orders ‘ruthless’ review of JAGs. Some see an attempt to evade accountability
Current and former military lawyers question the secretary’s motives and timing.
Policy
NSA, Cyber Command get a permanent leader, ending 11-month gap
Gen. Joshua Rudd has spent his career largely in special operations and joint command roles.
Exclusive
Policy
A year into Hegseth’s cuts, defense civilians report ‘degraded performance’ and low morale
And the hiring freeze is still keeping overseas civilians from taking new jobs stateside.
Threats
SecDef leaves Iran war’s timeline in Trump’s hands
The Pentagon is focusing on operational objectives for success, leaving out Trump’s calls for “unconditional surrender” and an “acceptable” new leader.
Ideas