Business
Defense One Radio, Ep. 199: Rep. Rob Wittman
The Virginia Republican discusses the Pentagon’s acquisition reforms, the SecDef’s legislative-affairs bottleneck, and his priorities for the upcoming spending bills.
Policy
Senate moves on shutdown deal that would fund DOD by CR until Jan. 30
Deal would also ensure administration follows law ensuring backpay. Next up: more procedural moves to send it to the House.
Policy
‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown
The funding lapse is set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.
Policy
It took 45 days to rush drone defenses to CENTCOM. That’s no longer good enough: Army vice chief
Agile funding could have cut that down to a few days, Gen. Mingus says.
Ideas
How Trump can make defense reform stick
It will require sustained presidential attention and unprecendented transparency.
Ideas
Lessons from this year’s unfunded priority lists
Just 15% of the value would go toward near-term readiness.
Policy
More automation—that's what the pick to lead Pentagon weapons testing wants
Meanwhile, the comptroller nominee described the conditions needed for a clean audit.
Ideas
‘Fund first, ask questions later’ is a bad way to go
Handing $156 billion to the Pentagon with no clear plan invites not just waste but danger. Here's why.
Threats
Army gets $2.5B for weapons, vehicles in reconciliation bill
Sum includes hundreds of millions for more missiles as Pentagon reviews stockpiles.
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.
Ideas
What the R&D budget proposal says about the future of war
The Pentagon’s research-and-development section heralds several quiet, monumental shifts.
Science & Tech
Defense Department budget request goes hard on AI, autonomy
The Pentagon is leaning into new technologies, but can it change the way it buys and builds to keep up with trends in AI and autonomy?
Policy
Air Force wants to retire the rest of its A-10s in 2026
The proposal is sure to get pushback from Congress.
Policy
DOD’s budget request finally drops, combining a real decrease with a one-time boost
Officials are relying heavily on Congress to pass the reconciliation bill.
Policy
NATO chief to Europe: ‘Stop worrying’ about US, just increase spending
European officials hope the 5% defense-spending pledge will placate Trump.
Science & Tech
