Policy

House NDAA draft mandates database of contractors used in covert operations

The early stage defense bill draft would create an internal list of contractor clients that assist the U.S. military in its secret operations “to facilitate deconfliction and risk assessment.”

  • David DiMolfetta
Threats

The D Brief: Army scores billions from BBB; NATO chief to the White House; DOD’s drone blitz; US voter support for immigration rises; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Meghann Myers
Threats

Army gets $2.5B for weapons, vehicles in reconciliation bill

Sum includes hundreds of millions for more missiles as Pentagon reviews stockpiles.

  • Meghann Myers
Policy

SASC to Pentagon: you need a new cyber-deterrence plan

Trump-administration nominees and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee recently traded views on how to deal with rising threats to critical infrastructure.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Threats

The D Brief: Trump’s first Ukraine aid?; China’s new coercion tool; State layoffs, imminent; Spies find it harder to hide; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Policy

DHS intelligence office halts staff cuts after stakeholder backlash

Pushback from law enforcement associations and Jewish orgs came after Nextgov/FCW first reported plans to shed most staff within a core DHS intelligence unit.

  • David DiMolfetta
Threats

The deadly Texas flash flood is a preview of the chaos to come

Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.

  • Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica
Threats

Army aims to quadruple Patriot missile procurement

Move comes amid conflict with Iran, questions about aid to Ukraine.

  • Meghann Myers
Policy

Civilian intel analysts get relocation tax break long given to troops

The measure is part of the "Big, Beautiful" policy-and-spending bill passed last week.

  • David DiMolfetta
Threats

The D Brief: DOD reviewing weapons to allies; Militarized border grows; Wicker and Rogers on reconciliation bill; NG chief commentary; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Lauren C. Williams
Ideas

Defense reconciliation bill begins rebuild and transformation of our military

The cost of deterring war will always be dwarfed by the cost of fighting one.

  • Sen. Roger Wicker and Rep. Mike Rogers
Threats

The D Brief: DOD halts ammo to Ukraine; USMC’s new narco sub; Reconciliation bill moves back to the House; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Meghann Myers
Policy

Air Force wants to retire the rest of its A-10s in 2026

The proposal is sure to get pushback from Congress.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

The D Brief: Uneasy ceasefire; FY26 budget plan, finally; ‘Largest Patriot engagement’; China’s drone mothership; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

The White House is looking for savings in the wrong place

The main acquisition challenge isn’t how the military buys weapons, but what it aims to do with them.

  • Julia Gledhill
Threats

Middle East unrest drives conversation on US troop presence

Potential plans to reduce force size in Central Command areas and Europe are up in the air.

  • Meghann Myers
Business

AUKUS review emerged after talks with counterparts, SecDef says

Hegseth cites “long, personal conversations” with UK, Aussie defense ministers.

  • Meghann Myers
Policy

Hegseth says chief of naval operations nomination is coming ‘in due time’

Lawmakers question firings of, and lack of replacements for, senior military leadership.

  • Meghann Myers
Threats

The D Brief: Will Israel attack Iran?; CJCS sees no “invasion”; Budget testimony; AUKUS under review; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Policy

Lawmakers rip into defense secretary over flat Pentagon budget

The Pentagon is counting on one-time funds from a reconciliation bill to fund investments in shipbuilding and missile defense.

  • Meghann Myers
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