Policy
Air Force leaders axe major China-focused organizational efforts
The service continues to unravel its “reoptimization for Great Power Competition” strategy.
NSA has 2,000 fewer people now, meeting Trump-admin goal
The exact size of the agency’s workforce is not publicly known, but a fact sheet distributed by Maryland last year put it at 39,000.
Congress to probe US strikes on boats in Caribbean
The U.S. Senate and House Armed Services committees will open bipartisan inquiries amid conflicting Trump-administration statements.
Lawmakers vow action to force Russian concessions in proposed Ukraine deal
House Republicans are adamant that the end of the war not be the “Munich Agreement all over again.”
DOGE is no longer a 'centralized entity,' personnel chief says
But the renamed U.S. Digital Service continues its work, as do DOGE teams throughout government, Office of Personnel Management says.
Most of the Air Force’s biggest programs will now be overseen by a 4-star under the deputy SecDef
The centralization of the ICBM, B-21, F-47, and Air Force One programs appears at odds with the Pentagon’s professed acquisition approach, one expert said.
FBI Director Kash Patel waived polygraph tests for deputy, senior staff
No previous deputy director has received access to some of the country’s most sensitive secrets without passing a standard bureau background check, insiders say.
Army scraps PEOs in bid to streamline procurement, requirements processes
Big defense contractors have “conned” services into believing they need bespoke systems, the Army secretary said.
Shutdown deal adds $850M for B-21, Sentinel construction projects
Lawmakers boosted projects in the three-bill funding package that reopened the federal government on Wednesday.
Feds should get at least most backpay by Nov. 19, administration says
Lawmakers added a provision for full backpay after the White House suggested it might illegally prevent workers from getting their money.
Senate moves on shutdown deal that would fund DOD by CR until Jan. 30
Deal would also ensure administration follows law ensuring backpay. Next up: more procedural moves to send it to the House.
As drones proliferate, Army pilots worry about their future. Will a new approach to flight school help?
The service is shedding aviation units and working to turn initial helicopter training over to industry.
Pentagon policy shop shifts story on pause in Ukraine aid again
A second Senate hearing this week further mined the tension between DOD and its congressional oversight bodies.
Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms
A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.
‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown
The funding lapse is set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.
Pentagon’s policy shop is a ‘Pigpen-like mess': Sen. Cotton
Senate Armed Services Committee members from both parties question DOD missteps, actions that contravened president’s foreign-policy positions.
Memo lays out path to removing even more defense civilians from their jobs
The department, which has met its 8-percent overall reduction goal, is now going after “low performers.”
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CyberCorps talent pipeline buckles under Trump hiring freezes
Federal logjams are keeping the scholarship program from delivering trained students to government cybersecurity positions.
Marine Corps axes plan for third littoral regiment, ready to move on medium landing ship
Halfway to 2030, the service’s latest Force Design update teases upcoming “capstone concept.”
Senators challenge Hegseth’s bottleneck on communications with Congress
The Senate Armed Services chairman said new limits in a recent memo “may need to be clarified.”
