Ideas
The military needs strategic thinkers, not just operators
Secretary Hegseth's "reforms" miss the purpose of military education: learning to deter conflict and translate military power into enduring political advantage.
Policy
The civilian office overseeing special operations forces could get $45 million budget, 100 staffers
Hegseth’s proposed changes hinge on getting support from Congress.
Threats
Destroyer returns from 11-month-deployment
The Michael Murphy left Hawaii last December. Navy officials say this will be the norm for some time.
Threats
A natural-gas project off Alaska may be a Russian ploy
Surveys for the plant were funded by a UAE company steered by a Russian natural-gas giant under U.S. sanction.
Policy
GOP tries to speed-walk search for GAO's next chief
Given 24 hours to name candidates, Democrats decry efforts to "ram through another Trump crony."
Science & Tech
'Robot Wars': Defense One Futures, Ep. 1
The U.S. military and its NATO allies are rethinking how they buy, build, and train in the age of autonomy and AI.
Ideas
Keep US troops in NATO’s KFOR
Pulling them out would save almost nothing while handing Moscow a cheap strategic win.
Policy
CISA outlines internal plan to swiftly address cyber, infrastructure threats
Guidance to agency staff outlines what senior officials need to know about major risks, national preparedness and CISA’s ability to respond, using terminology familiar in military and intelligence planning.
Threats
Hegseth denounces impeachment charges in rare press briefing
The defense secretary called his potential removal an attack on his “success.”
Business
Trump nominates Palantir security chief Michael LoSapio to lead CISA
If confirmed, the cybersecurity executive would take over an agency rebuilding after workforce cuts and nearly 22 months without a permanent director.
Science & Tech
Trailer: Defense One Futures, our new podcast
Coming soon: How the United States and NATO are bringing robotics to the front line of combat.
Business
Tough choices, uncertainty, and scrutiny may lie ahead for defense contractors
With a new Congress in 2027, companies could see more anti-corruption probes.
Policy
Blue wave presages a defense-spending showdown
A reconciliation bill is likely off the table, and the presumed HASC chair is talking about a $1-trillion cap.
Policy
State Department's push to cancel hundreds of contracts left behind a trail of mistakes, watchdog finds
Several government oversight reports have found costly operational errors as agencies implemented administration directives.
Policy
'Permanent, serious' dialogue needed with China on AI: tech-focused lawmaker
“The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t want rogue AI agents hacking their systems and their water authorities any more than we do,” Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., said Thursday.
Threats
The war on Iran is stripping the western Pacific of US naval forces
“It’s really a big problem. It’s a problem for credibility. It’s a problem for our allies in the Far East,” one expert said.
Threats
Hackers are targeting refrigerators worldwide, US agencies warn
The warning follows Nextgov/FCW reporting that officials suspect Iran-linked hackers were behind freezer failures at military commissaries.
Policy