Iran leaves door open for peace talks as hunt for missing US pilot continues
The prospect of a U.S. service member alive and on the run in Iran comes days after Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.”
Pentagon & Congress
Trump seeks to double number of ship requests with 2027 defense budget
The proposed $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget would allocate $65.8 billion for shipbuilding, the White House said Friday.
Trump’s budget proposes massive defense spending with 10% cut to other programs
The proposed surge in defense spending includes a 5-7% pay raise for military personnel.
Hegseth asks Army’s top general to retire, fires two others as Iran war rages
The Pentagon intends to replace him with a leader aligned with Hegseth and President Donald Trump’s vision for the Army, an official told Military Times.
Bipartisan group of senators vow to keep US in NATO despite Trump threats
The senators reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO just one day after Trump threatened to abandon the transatlantic alliance.
Golden Dome, ships and missiles top Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense wish list
Trump is set to unveil the fiscal 2027 defense budget request on Friday.
Trump threatens to walk away from NATO
Trump’s rebuke of NATO allies stems from their reluctance to support American efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Pentagon, Boeing agree to triple PAC-3 seeker production
The contract framework, which will be spread across seven years, will match Lockheed Martin’s push to surge production on the PAC-3 MSE all-up round.
Hegseth reveals secret trip to Middle East amid escalating Iran war
Hegseth said morale is high and service members are determined to “finish the mission."
Italy turns away Middle East-bound US military aircraft from Sicily stopover
Use of the Sigonella air base for the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran falls outside of the scope of agreements, requiring parliamentary approval in Rome.
Limited missions, big risks: What a US ground fight in Iran could become
Military analysts point to several possibilities of what ground operations could entail, including coastal assaults and nuclear site raids.
Trump says massive military complex to be built beneath White House ballroom
The new White House ballroom "essentially becomes a [shield] for what's being built under by the military," Trump said.
Ukraine’s drone masters eye Iran war to kickstart export ambitions
Ukraine’s war has forced the country to become a trailblazer in drone interception.
Senator stalls 3 ‘unfit’ officer promotions in retort to Hegseth
The senator made clear the holds were a direct response to Pete Hegseth's decision to block the promotions of two Black and two female officers.
Japanese destroyer can now fire Tomahawk missiles, extending nation’s combat punch
Japan’s Tomahawk orders are unlikely to be affected immediately, but longer military campaigns in the Middle East could cause setbacks, one analyst said.
Hegseth reportedly removes 2 Black, 2 female Army officers from 1-star promotion list
Hegset has blocked promotions of four Army officers — two Black men and two women — to the rank of brigadier general, the New York Times reported Friday.
Donbas-for-peace offer raises fears of more war, nuclear spread
With Washington tying guarantees to territorial withdrawal, critics warn the deal could reward aggression and make nuclear proliferation more likely.
