Policy
Pentagon’s Esper Was Too Slow With Coronavirus Response, Senate Democrats Say
In a letter, lawmakers accuse the SecDef of causing confusion, showing ‘dangerous misunderstanding’ of the virus, and harming readiness.
Policy
Reinstate Capt. Crozier to USS Roosevelt, Navy Tells Esper
The decision now rests with Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Threats
Will the US Navy Sink Iranian Fast Boats in the Gulf? Maybe, Maybe Not
It may be time to formalize how orders are passed from the White House to the military.
Policy
‘Reopen’ Protestors Are A Minority Whom Public-Health Experts Say Threaten the Majority
Trump praises the movement even as Fauci warns that reopening too soon will delay economic recovery.
Science & Tech
SPECIAL REPORT: The Problem With Coronavirus Models Is How We Talk About Them
Despite what political leaders want them to say, COVID-19 models will become less predictive exactly when we need them most.
Policy
Pentagon IG: We Can’t Rule Out White House Influence on JEDI Award
A 300-page investigation reveals multiple ethics violations and a refusal by Defense Department General Counsel to let senior officials comment on communications with the White House.
Ideas
Don't Be Fooled. Trump’s Cuts to WHO Aren’t About the Coronavirus
Republicans have been hating on international organizations for decades. This is just a convenient excuse to take another shot, and it harms American security.
Policy
Republicans Seek to Punish China for Coronavirus as Trump Waffles
“Having the relationship I have with China is a good thing,” Trump says. But Republicans say China needs to “pay a price.”
Ideas
Where is NATO? And Where is Trump?
The virus is destroying economies and paralyzing societies in ways Russian military planners could only dream.
Policy
Congress Hears Options—And Concerns—for Using Smartphone Data to Fight Coronavirus
Other countries have been using various forms of location- and proximity-tracing to slow the spread of the disease, with widely varying levels of privacy protections.
Ideas
NATO Should Always Work From Home
Alliance leaders are using virtual meetings to make quicker decisions. That’s exactly what Russia should fear.
Policy
Pentagon Delays Budget Deadline to Help Staff Work from Home
Service officials had complained that a June 1 deadline was preventing them from implementing coronavirus-related social-distancing guidelines.
Policy
US Military Can Do More to Help with Coronavirus, House Armed Services Chief Says
The House Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat says the Pentagon needs to “get creative” in its response.
Policy
Trump Removes Acting Pentagon IG Slated to Lead Pandemic Oversight
Glenn Fine was ousted from the Defense Department’s acting IG position on Monday.
Policy
Acting Navy Secretary Quits After Slamming Fired CO to Carrier Crew
Thomas Modly flew to Guam on Monday, made a 15-minute speech aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, and spent the rest of the day trying to wriggle out of trouble.
Ideas
So Much for Keeping the Military Out of Politics
Acting Navy Secretary Modly’s Trumpian approach to the military and his firing of a carrier captain has gone over like a lead anchor. Now members of Congress are calling for his own firing.
Policy
Acting Navy Secretary Under Fire For Speech Calling Fired Captain ‘Stupid’
‘What the f-ck?’ a sailor can be heard yelling in the background of Modly’s speech over the ship’s PA system.
Policy
‘It Doesn’t Add Up To Me’: Current and Former Navy Officials Question Captain’s Abrupt Dismissal
“Why wasn’t there an investigation done before the captain was relieved?” one former senior official asked.
Policy
Russian Cargo Plane With Medical Supplies Lands in New York
Moscow seized the opportunity to promote its fulfillment of a U.S. purchase order.
Policy