Business
‘Very, very strange time’: After a big 2025, what’s next for the defense industry?
A year of rising profits, rising Pentagon demands, and continued Congressional dysfunction sets the stage for another turbulent year.
Threats
Pacific Marines modernize, prep for a busy year
III MEF includes the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, which is “leading the service” in various capabilities.
Ideas
Trump’s new ‘battleship’ should not carry nukes
Producing a new nuclear missile for the Navy would leave us less safe.
Sponsor Content
Balancing the scales of conflict.
Strategies are helping allied leaders counter an emerging “axis of autocracy” in the Indo-Pacific.
Ideas
Now you can train for the next drone war on simulated Ukrainian front lines
A public version of the simulator used by thousands of Ukrainian drone pilots offers a terrifying glimpse into modern warfare.
Policy
The twists and turns of Trump’s 2025 war on unions
A look at how the Trump administration has sought to undermine collective bargaining at the Defense Department and across the federal government.
Sponsor Content
Zero Trust Architecture Starts with Modern ICAM
Learn why modern ICAM is foundational to Zero Trust—and how agencies can overcome identity silos without replacing legacy systems.
Business
Another 1,000 defense companies chosen for $151B Golden Dome competition
The number of awards doubled as more companies are selected to compete for the SHIELD contract vehicle.
Business
Pentagon preps to enforce ban on companies with ‘indirect’ ties to China
Defense firms will be notified of potential links to blacklisted Chinese-military companies a year before the contracting ban goes into effect, the assistant defense secretary for industrial policy said.
Ideas
To foster Middle East peace and prosperity, help Kurdistan fend off extremists
Two steps are urgently needed, says the regional government’s U.S. envoy.
Voices
Science & Tech
The Pentagon wants a common network for its counter-drone systems
The Army-led task force wants candidates by early next year.
Threats
Defense One Radio, Ep. 201: Conflicts to watch in 2026
CFR's Paul Stares unpacks the latest annual survey of foreign policy experts bracing for what might lie ahead.
Policy
Pentagon will cough up summaries of three years of safety investigations, per NDAA
Sen. Warren pushed for the disclosure amid rise in military aviation mishaps.
Policy
Leaders tapped to fill months-long vacancies atop NSA, Cyber Command
The signals-intelligence titan and the combatant command have been without a permanent leader since April.
Policy
Trump rebrands Congressionally-approved troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
Science & Tech
Special operators seek larger ranges for electronic warfare and drone development and training
“We're going to start having some of these uncomfortable discussions,” said one official.
Policy
Space Force Special Operations Command? Congress has questions, too
The service defended its need for a SOCOM component. Defense experts said it’s redundant.
Policy
After eight months, administration signals a potential leader for NSA, CyberCom
The White House has asked senators to confirm a promotion for Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, deputy director for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Policy
Nearly 300 days after purge, Pentagon taps new Air Force vice chief, JAG
Air Mobility commander nominated to be vice chief; Oklahoma Air National Guard commander to be top judge advocate general.
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