Author Archive

Kevin Baron

Kevin Baron

Executive Editor, Defense One

Kevin Baron was executive editor of Defense One from 2013 to 2023.
Kevin Baron was executive editor of Defense One from 2013 to 2023.
Defense

CQ Brown’s Confirmation Hearing Will Get Nasty

The right hated the “woke” Gen. Milley. Wait ’til they meet a general who has fought racism for years.

Exclusive Defense

Woke-ism Not to Blame for Army Shortfalls, Says Top Recruiting General

“That is not what I’m seeing,” says commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, as right-wing pundits target the military over anti-racism, anti-extremism, gender, and climate change policies.

Exclusive Defense

After Roe, ‘We Do Have Options’ to Avoid Anti-Abortion States, Army Chief Says

As ever, soldiers can indicate their station preferences—but the Army’s needs come first, Gen. McConville says.

Defense

What’s Taking So Long? Rename Those Confederate Bases

It shouldn’t be this hard or require this political theater to do what’s right, right now.

Defense

Viewpoint: Pentagon Won’t Throw Traditional Farewell Ceremony for Trump

It’s a shame, and a missed opportunity — not despite recent events but because of them.

Management

Viewpoint: This is Not a Coup

The mob riot on the Capitol Building was disgusting, violent, and deadly. It’s still not a coup. And that matters.

Defense

Biden Selects Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary, Reportedly

Austin, the last commander of the Iraq War, would be the nation's first Black defense secretary.

Defense

As Spotlight Fades, What's Next for Special Operators?

Under Trump, the Pentagon's "service secretary" in charge of special operation forces has changed hands eight times between seven people.

Defense

From Racism to Russia, Top General Says Army Must Change

Gen. McConville addressed the nation’s internal unrest, trust of the military, even QAnon, in a wide-ranging interview with Defense One.

Defense

Service Chiefs Acknowledge Racism in the Ranks, Pledge Dialogue, Change

After days of civil unrest and several Esper missteps, each one of the service branch chiefs has begun to speak out.

Defense

62% Disapprove of Trump’s Coronavirus Response, Reader Survey Finds

Most respondents feel “less safe” because of the president’s actions. Esper gets higher marks, but many fear premature reopening.

Defense

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.

Defense

Pentagon Bars Most Guests, Travelers Starting Monday

New restrictions apply to visitors, foreigners, ceremonies. International travelers must wait 14 days for entry.

Defense

General Takes Blame for ‘No Injuries’ Declaration After Jan. 8 Iran Strike

“I was never under any pressure at any time to shade this reporting,” CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie told Congress. More than 100 troops later were diagnosed with TBI.

Defense

Now It's 64. Wounded Troop Tally from Iran Missile Strike Rises Again

Trump “understands the nature” of brain injuries, says Defense Secretary Esper after the president downplayed Americans’ wounds as not “serious.”

Defense

Eleven U.S. Troops Were Injured in Jan. 8 Iran Missile Strike

The troops were medevaced this week to Germany and Kuwait to be treated for traumatic brain injury after experiencing concussion symptoms.

Defense

Pentagon Vows to Guard the Syrian Oil That Trump Wants to Seize

That includes warding off Syrian and Russian forces, SecDef Esper says, with murky justification under domestic and international law.