Exclusive Policy

Iran war needs an inspector general, senator notes

The law says an IG must be appointed when an “overseas contingency operation” surpasses 60 days.

Policy

Key Army efforts pinned to lawmakers’ taste for a new reconciliation bill

White House puts funding for munitions, industrial development in precedent-breaking request.

Threats

Golden Dome defenders push back on $1.2T cost estimate

Program leader says CBO report based on Trump’s executive order doesn’t reflect current plans.

Defense Systems

In reversal, Hegseth now backs E-7 radar plane

SecDef says previous calls to cancel the program reflected a now-discarded ”divest-to-invest mindset.”

Policy

Hegseth rethinking Army reforms, cuts to aviation

One year after launching the Army Transformation Initiative, SecDef says he's reviewing the to-do list.

Policy

Congress waits on Iran-war costs while mulling $1.5T defense request

The administration’s latest estimate is $29B, but the Defense Department hasn’t answered lawmakers’ requests for details.

Policy

‘It would be insane’ for spy agencies to lack early access to AI models, lawmaker says

Commerce Department should also have a role in AI policy, top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee says.

Defense Systems

Golden Dome plan would cost $1.2 trillion, CBO finds

That’s seven times what Trump initially said, and almost double the congressional office’s first estimate.

Ideas

The next president must reimagine, not just restore, the administrative state

Careful calibration—not chainsaws—can produce a government that solves problems instead of getting in the way.