Defense
Record-smashing $1.5-trillion spending proposal will fund only the ‘most essential things’: comptroller
The Pentagon’s acting CFO also said that just a sliver of the $153 billion reconciliation funds remains unallocated.
Hegseth orders ‘ruthless’ review of JAGs. Some see an attempt to evade accountability
Current and former military lawyers question the secretary’s motives and timing.
Senator eyes updating NDAA with AI use guidance
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said he and fellow lawmakers are discussing updating the National Defense Authorization Act with a framework for how artificial intelligence systems should be used in military operations.
Hegseth leaves Iran war’s timeline in Trump’s hands
The Pentagon is focusing on operational objectives for success, leaving out Trump’s calls for “unconditional surrender” and an “acceptable” new leader.
A year into Hegseth’s cuts, Defense civilians report ‘degraded performance’ and low morale
And the hiring freeze is still keeping overseas workers from taking new jobs stateside.
The Pentagon’s investment deals draw congressional scrutiny
DOD weapons buyer Michael Duffey testified about the decision to invest $1 billion in L3Harris.
Why the US went to war without a plan to evacuate DOD civilians, contractors, and others
A diplomatic veteran cites operational secrecy—and describes how things might have gone better.
Fake DOD memo about ‘compromised’ apps shows swift spread of deceptive messaging
The message, widely circulated as the U.S. bombed Iran, shows how quickly unverified information can reach troops.
Strikes on Iran will test US cyber strategy abroad, and defenses at home
The federal government’s cyber defense agency is short-staffed, and Tehran is known for its retaliatory cyberattacks.
The clearance system is mission infrastructure. Treat it like one
COMMENTARY | Clearance reform is not optional. Without sustained leadership and consistent execution, government modernization risks undermining the trusted workforce it depends on.
Exclusive
Some Army civilians worked during the shutdown—and were told to say they didn’t
What started as confusion became a coverup, employees and emails say.
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JAGs are becoming federal prosecutors in Minneapolis. Experts warn it’s new territory
Military lawyers have served as special assistant U.S. attorneys before, but never like this.
I ‘did not expect to be told to build a battleship,’ Navy’s surface warfare director says
The Trump administration’s priorities are forcing the service to rethink its shipbuilding plans.
Breaking News
US spy agencies contributed to operation that captured Maduro
The CIA helped locate the Venezuelan leader while others monitored electronic communications.
Pentagon preps to enforce ban on companies with ‘indirect’ ties to China
Defense firms will be notified of potential links to blacklisted Chinese-military companies a year before the contracting ban goes into effect, the assistant defense secretary for industrial policy said.
Pentagon will cough up summaries of 3 years of safety investigations, per NDAA
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pushed for the disclosure amid rise in military aviation mishaps.
Trump rebrands troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus checks
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now, it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
Exclusive
There’s a divide within the Space Force. Congress is forcing the service to address it
The new service was supposed to meld the “tribes” of operators and acquisition specialists. It didn’t happen.
Pentagon would have to explain future JAG firings under NDAA provision
The compromise version of the defense policy bill reflects lawmakers’ concern about Hegseth’s February purge of three judge advocates general.
Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill is possible
Analysts had warned that the $156 billion reconciliation bill might lead to efforts unsustainable without more money.
