The U.S. defense budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 has raised the prospect of an increase in the monthly stipend paid out to troops in dangerous regions.
The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with plans to retire the A-10, which for decades has proven ideally suited for combat search-and-rescue operations.
An arsenal of drones, explosive‑laden robots and helicopters can help reduce risk, though de‑mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks.
As the Navy builds its presence in the Middle East, experts argue that the force should rely more on allies to improve the U.S. maritime industrial base.