Author Archive

Sam Skove

Staff Writer

Sam Skove
Sam Skove is a staff reporter at Defense One, where he writes about the Army. He previously worked in Ukraine covering the Russia-Ukraine war for The Daily Beast, Radio Liberty, and The New Republic, among other publications. He holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree from Georgetown's Security Studies Program.
Policy

Estonia plans loitering-munitions unit to hunt enemy air defenses

Inspired by the wars in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, the new battery may be NATO’s first.

Threats

U.S. government shutdown could slow weapons transfers to Ukraine, Taiwan

Contracting and arms transfer vetting departments may not be able to process new requests.

Business

Beset by Russian airstrikes, Ukraine looks to make its weapons abroad

The country’s defense firms have cheap, battle-tested kit—and no safe place to build it.

Policy

Army recruiting: better than last year, still short of goal, officials say

The service inducted around 9,000 more new soldiers this year than in 2022, commander says.

Threats

Ukraine learns to fight with a hodge-podge of foreign artillery

It's also working to protect its field guns from loitering munitions and counter-battery fire, Ukrainian officer says.

Policy

Europe’s defense spending sluggish despite Ukraine war

Slow growth isn’t compensating for post-Cold War divestments, analysts say.

Threats

How a tiny Polish airport became a key node for Western aid to Ukraine

Daily jumbo-jet landings now eat up the fuel once allotted for a whole week of passenger flights.

Threats

Polish support for Ukraine brings lessons, but also risks

Warsaw is learning just what is killing its donated field guns, and battling Russian spy rings back home.

Exclusive Policy

EU plans to arm Ukraine bearing fruit, but more is needed, Estonia says

Ahead of a US visit, top defense ministry leader says effort to deliver a million artillery shells will likely reach its goal by next summer.

Policy

Women face misogyny, barriers to promotion in special operations forces, US Army study says

The “very small percentage” of respondents who espoused such views included officers and senior enlisted leaders.

Threats

Russian jets playing chicken with US planes over Syria, officials say

Air Forces Central Command reports head-on passes; denies Russian state-run media reports U.S. is doing it, too.

Threats

How innovation cells in Army combat units are harnessing soldiers’ ideas

Four divisions are turning projects around in record time, from leashed drones to mold trackers.

Policy

What a counter-drone truck says about US aid to Ukraine

Many programs are moving quickly—but there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Policy

Army now 2nd service without Senate-confirmed leader

At the “relinquishment of authority” ceremony, senior military leadership blasted Sen. Tuberville’s hold on nominations.

Science & Tech

AI-powered health monitors may boost readiness, Army's next top enlisted leader says

Weimer highlighted a program at his old command that uses health data to help candidates going through the rigorous Army physical tests.