Policy
Air Force, Space Force chiefs make forceful cases for ‘warrior ethos’
The intense speeches were delivered to a less-than-full ballroom due to Trump-administration travel restrictions.
Threats
Chinese info ops, military sales driving ‘wedges’ between US and partners in the Middle East
Concerns come as the Trump admin slashes USAID—leaving space for more Chinese influence globally.
Policy
Hegseth orders suspension of cyber, information operations planning against Russia
U.S. cyber warriors are essentially curbed from gathering information that can be used to influence, disrupt, or sabotage Russian decisionmaking.
Threats
New products show China’s quest to automate battle
One system tested in a recent PLA exercise automatically dispatches drones, tracks targets, and assigns strikes.
Ideas
After Oval Office disaster, Europe emerges as Ukraine’s best hope
Friday’s fiery Trump-Zelenskyy meeting sets up hard choices across the Atlantic.
Policy
Comply with the next ‘what you did last week’ email, Hegseth tells Pentagon civilians
Defense Secretary’s memo aims to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s confusion and stress.
Science & Tech
A 3D-printed submarine? Not likely, but maybe something close
The Navy is bumping up its use of additive manufacturing to make critical, delay-prone submarine parts, said Christopher Miller, NAVSEA’s executive director.
Policy
Judge orders Trump admin to rescind order to fire probationary employees
The Defense Department had planned to begin firing some 5,400 workers on Friday, court filings said.
Defense Systems
As space becomes more crowded, Space Force turns to AI
The newest service wants to understand where automation can augment—or even replace—humans in monitoring space for threats.
Business
Trump administration asks agencies to cull consultants
A memo dated Wednesday asks agencies to review their contracts with 10 of the “highest paid” companies.
Policy
SECNAV nominee: Trump wants ‘shipbuilding, shipbuilding, shipbuilding’
Investor John Phelan wants to apply his business experience to the ailing defense industrial base, as Pentagon looks at cutting civilian shipyard personnel.
Threats
Looking to cut Pentagon costs? Start here, watchdog says
As audit fights loom, a watchdog found that DOD weapons costs are going up, not down.
Policy
Pentagon’s 8-percent budget shift could be ‘painful’ for the Air Force
But there’s still “hope” because the overall topline won’t be cut, and the service will be “a big part” of the future fight, an official said.
Science & Tech
Hypersonics, autonomous systems top DepSecDef nom’s emerging-tech priorities
Feinberg said it’s time to “move away from expensive, overly sophisticated platforms that take years to develop.”
Policy
Give carmakers a shot at making weapons, deputy defense secretary nominee says
Stephen Feinberg’s testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee stressed the need for detailed program reviews, clean audits, and new blood in defense contracting.
Policy