Threats
NATO members say they’re confident, mostly coordinated on how to deal with Russian drone threats
Alliance nations are working to do more together to counter increasing Russian air threats—and downplaying the possibility of a U.S. force reduction in Europe.
Policy
SecDef uses unprecedented meeting to unveil 10 personnel, due-process reviews
After summoning senior officers from around the world, Hegseth invites them to resign if they don’t agree with him.
Threats
Shutdown would curtail long-term intelligence work at DOD
Routine spying activities conducted by NSA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and others would continue, but some forward-looking intelligence planning would be halted, a department document shows.
Ideas
Don’t let the ‘unequal dialogue’ become a partisan one
Secretary Hegseth's short-notice summoning of flag officers evinces a dangerous lack of respect.
Threats
Shutdown could erode cyber defenses by sidelining critical staff, experts warn
And it would happen just as a bedrock law on sharing cyber threat data expires.
Ideas
Military AI needs guardrails—not to slow it down, but to keep it useful
Modifying commercial models isn’t as easy as removing the parts that discourage users from killing people.
Policy
TRADOC shuts its doors, part of Army effort to shrink the number of generals
Training and doctrine will now be handled by Army Transformation and Training Command.
Business
SOCOM to get robotic anti-drone turret for maritime platforms
Defense tech startup Allen Control Systems landed a contract for Bullfrog, which can use a variety of common weapons.
Business
Defense One Radio, Ep. 195: Europe's growing defense industry
The EU's ambassador to the U.S. underscores the importance of the bloc's $910 billion defense plans known as Readiness 2030.
Ideas
How Trump can make defense reform stick
It will require sustained presidential attention and unprecendented transparency.
Defense Systems
Air Force’s AI ambitions mean simplifying its tangle of networks
Over the next year, battle-networks chief aims to reduce systems to a “rational number.”
Threats
China, China, Chi—wait, what? Air Force mulls next steps amid homeland focus
Officials tout applicability of ongoing modernization, but experts and former officials have doubts.
Exclusive
Policy
More than 60K defense civilians have left under Hegseth—but officials are mum on the effects
Months into a hastily ordered overhaul, officials declined to disclose metrics, discuss problems.
Policy
Agencies should prep for mass layoffs if shutdown occurs, White House says
OMB is requesting updated reduction-in-force plans even if a shutdown is averted.
Threats
DOGE risks Americans’ data by operating outside federal law, Democrats say
A report released by the Senate Homeland Committee's ranking member says lax security practices cause “serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities, privacy violations, and risk of corruption.”
Business