Policy

‘Black Hawk Down’ Veterans to Receive 58 Silver Stars

The Army just upgraded combat medals given to 60 special operators of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, right as Pentagon officials decide whether to return to Somalia.

Policy

Austin: I Support Taking Military Sex Crime Prosecutions Away From Chain of Command

Defense secretary breaks with Joint Chiefs after they warn that Sen. Gillibrand’s leading UCMJ reform bill goes too far.

Policy

Pentagon Works to Sharpen Definition of ‘Extremism’

Review could reshape cooperation with domestic agencies, consequences for troops’ social media posts, and more.

Policy

If China Is the No. 1 Threat, Why Doesn’t the 2022 Budget Reflect It?

The Middle East will continue to demand resources even as troops withdraw from Afghanistan.

Threats

China Is Our No. 1 Priority. Start Acting Like It, Austin Tells Pentagon

Task force says the military Biden inherited from Trump had a “say-do gap” in the resources directed at China.

Policy

For Now, ‘Over the Horizon’ Protection for Afghanistan Will Fly From Existing Hubs, Acting Air Force Secretary Says

Service wants $10 billion for South Asia and Middle East operations as Pentagon develops long-term plan for Afghanistan support.

Exclusive Policy

Space Force Seeks $831.7M for Unfunded Priorities

Projects left out of 2022 budget would boost Cheyenne Mountain security, space-based cryptology.

Ideas

Three Fixes to Prevent Another Battle of Lafayette Square

A year after federal forces violently cleared the park near the White House, the legal loopholes that militarized D.C. remain wide open.

Ideas

The F-35’s Painful Lessons Must Inform Future Programs

Congress and the Pentagon must question dubious technical requirements, rosy buy-in costs, and optimistic schedule promises.

Ideas

The ‘Rule of Thirds’ Is Bunk

The military services’ shares of overall defense spending have always fluctuated with strategy and need.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 82: “Robert E. Lee and Me”

Ty Seidule, a retired Army brigadier general, talks about the Confederacy, and inclusive changes throughout the recent history of the U.S. military.

Policy

‘Hype’ Over Military Coup Fears Delayed Troops’ Jan. 6 Response, Miller To Tell Congress

In testimony, former Acting SecDef Christopher Miller will say he dismissed Trump’s warning that 10,000 troops should be ready for his rally in Washington, but blames the media and credits his own deliberations for slowing the military's response at the Capitol.

Policy

Army Reorganizes Investigations Office After Fort Hood Review; Austin, Milley Signal More Changes

The service will remove harassment investigations from units, but keep them within the military ranks. Is that enough?

Science & Tech

Nobody Wants Rules in Space

As space becomes more crowded, there’s little hope for new international rules to make it safer.

Threats

Pentagon Has No Plans to Shoot Down Free-falling Chinese Rocket

Secretary Austin is monitoring the large rocket’s decaying orbit, but spokesman says it’s “too early” to develop options to intercept.

Policy

‘That’s Why I Wear the Uniform:’ Milley Calls Racial, Religious Equality His ‘North Star’

The chairman’s remarks at an ROTC commissioning come amid Pentagon efforts to address inequality in the ranks.

Policy

Proposed Space National Guard Gathers Momentum

A space-focused branch of the Guard would aim to give the Space Force “a surge-to-war capability” in times of conflict.

Policy

US Air Force, Navy Extend 50% Work-From-Home Indefinitely

New memos suggest office space occupancy may never return to 100 percent.

Policy

No ‘Boogeyman’: Why the Bin Laden Raid Might be the Last Unifying Moment for US Foreign Policy

The changing threat facing the country and a growing political divide means there’s no common enemy around which Americans can unite.

Policy

Retired Generals and Service Chiefs Launch 'Operation Protect Democracy' in Wake of Capitol Attack

Group plans to advocate for increased voter access at the federal and state level. But will the legislatures listen?