Threats

The D Brief: Political violence in the USA; House’s NDAA; Intel centers may close; Old ICBMs may operate longer; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

Lessons from this year’s unfunded priority lists

Just 15% of the value would go toward near-term readiness.

  • Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari
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.

  • Lauren C. Williams
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.

  • Gabe Murphy
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
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
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.

  • Tatjana de Kerros
Threats

The D Brief: DOD budget developments; Trump touts Everglades detention center; Lancet: USAID cuts could cost 14M lives by 2030; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Audrey Decker
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?

  • Patrick Tucker
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
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.

  • Meghann Myers
Policy

NATO chief to Europe: ‘Stop worrying’ about US, just increase spending

European officials hope the 5% defense-spending pledge will placate Trump.

  • Audrey Decker
Science & Tech

How drone warfare fares in the 2026 budget

The president’s proposal leans heavily on one-time reconciliation dollars.

  • Lauren C. Williams
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
Policy

USAF slashes F-35 buy, boosts next-gen fighter in unconventional 2026 budget proposal

The Pentagon’s spending request includes not just the usual appropriations, but also the still-under-debate reconciliation bill.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

The D Brief: ARRW is back; Amphib budgets; Putin’s AI plan; Europe’s aid to Ukraine; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Hegseth’s no-show; Ukraine’s lesson to the world; Space Force budget cut?; Border-mission mystery; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Policy

Despite Golden Dome, Space Force budget would shrink again under 2026 spending plan

The White House appears to be pinning its hopes on the one-time reconciliation bill.

  • Audrey Decker
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