Ideas
Trump’s defense-acquisition executive order hits the right notes
Conditions may finally be right for badly needed reforms, says a former defense industrial-policy chief.
Threats
Keep US troops in Europe, EUCOM commander says
Gen. Cavoli outlined security and military benefits to the United States from presence in Europe.
Policy
After NSA firings, will Trump appoint a loyalist to lead spy agency?
“No one, Republican or Democrat, wants to bring back" the domestic-surveillance abuses of the 1970s, one former NSA official said.
Policy
Trump fires head of NSA and Cyber Command
Gen. Timothy Haugh’s removal was spurred by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who, earlier Thursday, reportedly urged the president to terminate multiple National Security Council staffers.
Ideas
We tried ‘fighting China’ with lower budgets. It didn’t go well.
Tabletop exercises hosted by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments offer one big lesson for the fiscal 2026 spending plan.
Science & Tech
Space Force may use SpaceX satellites instead of developing its own, senator says
The satellites in question are part of the data transport layer of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Threats
Intelligence officials remain defensive about Yemen-bombing group chat
House testimony followed release of full transcript of the chat over the Signal app — including attack times and weapons.
Business
Shipbuilders swarm Capitol Hill to lobby for aircraft carrier funding
The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition wants $600 million to secure building of the years-delayed CVN-82.
Threats
‘Sloppy,’ ‘incompetent’ intelligence chiefs hammered for Signal chat
At Senate hearing, Gabbard, Ratcliffe struggled to recall details of Yemen-strike chat shared with journalist.
Policy
Service leaders beg for flexibility as full-year continuing resolution looms
Without a new budget—or relief from the strictures of its absence—the military can’t start new projects or pay for the unexpected.
Policy
