Business
Pentagon Urges Mexico to Reopen COVID-Closed Factories That Supply US Weapon Makers
A surprising number of America’s defense manufacturers rely on parts made south of the border.
Threats
Inside the Wild Final Week of the Acting Navy Secretary
How it all fell apart for Thomas Modly in seven days that included a two-plane, 50-hour trip to chastise a fired skipper to his sailors aboard a COVID-stricken aircraft carrier.
Ideas
Haircuts in a Time of Coronavirus?
There have been too many confusing messages during this crisis. Senior military and civilian leaders should be enforcing social distancing as much as discipline, and with one voice.
Policy
Pentagon IG: We Can’t Rule Out White House Influence on JEDI Award
A 300-page investigation reveals multiple ethics violations and a refusal by Defense Department General Counsel to let senior officials comment on communications with the White House.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Isn't Following the Cyber Steps It Asks from Suppliers, GAO Says
The Defense Department has yet to fully implement multiple initiatives to track and improve cyber defenses.
Threats
Did the Coronavirus Escape from a Chinese Lab? Here’s What the Pentagon Says
Gen. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, directly addressed ‘rumor and speculation’ that COVID-19 is a made-in-China weapon of war.
Business
Pentagon Orders 60 Machines that Disinfect Desperately Needed N95 Masks
Each Battelle-made machine can clean up to 80,000 masks per day, allowing healthcare workers treating coronavirus patients to reuse them up to 20 times.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Supercomputers Puzzle Out How to Safely Airlift Coronavirus Patients
And that's just one of the various pandemic-related problems that Defense Department supercomputers are chewing on.
Threats
Wear Homemade Masks If You Can't Get Real Ones, Pentagon Tells Its People
N95 respirators and surgical masks will be reserved for health care workers and patients, the Defense Department said in a series of memos this week.
Policy
US Military Can Do More to Help with Coronavirus, House Armed Services Chief Says
The House Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat says the Pentagon needs to “get creative” in its response.
Policy
Trump Removes Acting Pentagon IG Slated to Lead Pandemic Oversight
Glenn Fine was ousted from the Defense Department’s acting IG position on Monday.
Policy
Acting Navy Secretary Quits After Slamming Fired CO to Carrier Crew
Thomas Modly flew to Guam on Monday, made a 15-minute speech aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, and spent the rest of the day trying to wriggle out of trouble.
Ideas
So Much for Keeping the Military Out of Politics
Acting Navy Secretary Modly’s Trumpian approach to the military and his firing of a carrier captain has gone over like a lead anchor. Now members of Congress are calling for his own firing.
Ideas
We Were Warned
When the inevitable inquiry into the government's response to COVID-19 happens, it will conclude that signs of a coming crisis were everywhere.
Ideas
National Security in the Age of Pandemics
We cannot reduce the danger and damage of the next pandemic by merely adding it to the ever-expanding laundry list of missions we expect the military to handle.
Threats
Thousands of Federal Employees Have The Coronavirus
Many more are quarantined due to possible exposure as employees are on the frontlines fighting COVID-19 and providing essential services.
Threats
Aircraft Carrier Captain Fired For ‘Poor Judgement’ In Sending Coronavirus Letter
Acting Secretary Modly’s Thursday decision to sack the skipper of Theodore Roosevelt was quickly criticized as retaliation for embarrassing Navy leaders.
Business
Military Leaders Worry About Health of Commercial Airlines
The leader of U.S. Transportation Command is looking for ways to give them work.
Business
Pentagon Will Modify Hundreds of Contracts for Coronavirus Response
The Defense Department is ramping up the purchase of certain items, including ventilators, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Threats