Author Archive
Bradley Peniston
Deputy Editor

Bradley Peniston is deputy editor of Defense One. A national security journalist for two decades, he helped launch Military.com, served as managing editor of Defense News, and was editor of Armed Forces Journal. His books include No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf (Naval Institute Press, 2006), which has been featured in the Chief of Naval Operations' Professional Reading Program.
Ideas
A Joint Jump for US-UK Friendship Day
The British Army's Red Devils and the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute into Washington, D.C.’s baseball stadium.
- Bradley Peniston
Threats
Today's D Brief: Putin's EU gas squeeze; Germany's LNG 'trap'; #D1TechSummit, day 5; China's new carrier; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Today's D Brief: NATO chief at the WH; Yemen truce extended; Swedish aid?; Mass shooters getting younger; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Policy
The Navy’s New Long-Range Shipbuilding Plan Is More Like a Menu
With uncertainty rising at home and abroad, service leaders decided to offer Congress a trio of scenarios.
- Bradley Peniston and Caitlin M. Kenney
Policy
Top Marine Defends Corps’ Lighter Direction
Gen. Berger responded to retired four-stars’ critiques by saying he’s building the right force to deter China.
- Bradley Peniston and Caitlin M. Kenney
Policy
Confederate Names and Symbols on Hundreds of Military Roads, Structures, Ships Under Review
Congress’ Naming Commission has revealed what else besides base names may get relabeled or removed—right down to a water tank.
- Bradley Peniston and Caitlin M. Kenney
Policy
Navy Gets Budget Bump But Fleet Would Shrink Under Biden Request
Increasing spending by just 5 percent and cutting two dozen ships, the Navy asks for modest budget changes as it wraps up a new fleet plan expected to be heavy on uncrewed vessels.
- Bradley Peniston
Policy
Teleworking DOD Civilians May Be Recalled to In-Person Work
Two years after the pandemic sent DOD into “maximum telework,” Thursday’s memo points the way toward a new new normal.
- Bradley Peniston and Elizabeth Howe
Threats
Today's D Brief: Russian strikes hit Kyiv, Kharkiv; 40-mile convoy coming; EU nixes jet plans; 660,000 refugees so far; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
What Just Happened With Putin’s Nuclear Forces? Here’s What Experts Say
Whatever it is, U.S. officials are calling it escalatory–but not “high alert.”
- Bradley Peniston and Caitlin M. Kenney
Threats
Expect a Navy Fleet Plan of 500 Ships, CNO Says
Adm. Gilday says recent exercises and several years of analysis are helping the service converge on numbers for its long-range shipbuilding plan.
- Bradley Peniston
Policy
The Navy’s Messaging Choke Point
Some say the service needs to stop using jargon like “littoral operations” and “sea denial” if it wants to connect with more Americans.
- Bradley Peniston
Science & Tech
Navy Chief Sees Robot Ships Alongside Aircraft Carriers Within Five Years
The service may create a new enlisted specialty to operate them.
- Bradley Peniston