Pentagon let CBP use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace: Report
The confusing arc of events began as the FAA announced it was shutting down all flight traffic over the city on the U.S.-Mexico border for 10 days.
Pentagon & Congress
VA reorganization projected to cost at least $312 million
The reforms, known as the RISE initiative, are expected to begin this year with an aim to reduce the VHA’s administrative overhead, improve clinical care.
NATO kicks off ‘Arctic Sentry’ operation following Greenland brouhaha
The mission will tie together various allied activities in the region, according to NATO officials.
Mexican cartel drones breach US airspace, prompt El Paso airport closure, admin says
“The Department of War took action to disable the drones,” an administration official told Military Times.
Experts argue Marine pullback in Okinawa should be halted as China threat rises
A plan to shift nearly 10,000 Marines away from Okinawa would dangerously weaken deterrence against Beijing, warns an Atlantic Council report.
National Guard members shot in DC will receive Purple Hearts
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom were fired upon in an ambush-style shooting just blocks from the White House in November.
Ukraine seeks god mode with new control app for drone war
Mission Control feeds directly into Ukraine’s performance-based “gamification” model, where drone units earn points for verified kills.
Research on problem gambling included in defense funding law
Under a new Department of Defense program, gambling addiction is now a topic of research.
Negotiators push for more talks after US and Iran convene in Oman
U.S. and Iranian officials convened in Oman on Friday, opening the door to a modest easing of tensions even as American warships mass in the Arabian Sea.
Trump calls for new nuclear pact as US-Russia treaty expires
The Kremlin said Thursday it regretted the expiration of the last remaining U.S.-Russian nuclear arms pact, while Trump declared he wants a better deal.
US and Russia agree to reestablish military dialogue after Ukraine talks
High-level military communication was suspended in late 2021, as tension between Moscow and Washington rose ahead of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Raytheon to ramp up missile production in Pentagon deals
Raytheon has announced it will ramp up production of several key missile systems, weeks after Trump threatened to nix the company’s government contracts.
Iran, US to hold nuclear talks Friday as tensions remain high
Tensions between the countries spiked after President Trump suggested the U.S. might use force against Iran in response to the crackdown on protesters.
Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown
President Donald Trump signed a roughly $1.2 trillion government funding bill Tuesday that ends the partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend.
Senate approves Donovan as US Southern Command head
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan assumes the post as the Trump administration seeks to reassert U.S. military dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
Trump urges House to vote quickly to end partial government shutdown
Voting could begin as soon as Tuesday, which would be day four of the partial shutdown. The Pentagon, among other agencies, saw its funding lapse Saturday.
Taiwan-US ‘firepower’ center to hone asymmetric warfare tactics
Taiwan, for its part, would contribute “elite troops,” and Washington might assign personnel in Guam or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region to help.
