Defense

No Orders To Reduce Troops in South Korea Yet, Esper Says

With traditional U.S. deployments still under review, the defense secretary announced he hopes to visit China by year’s end.

Defense

Expect More Wargames, Attention and Allies in the Arctic, Say Air and Space Force Chiefs

The first Arctic strategy of the Space Force era declares the region vital for US satellites and nuclear missile defenses — and in need of a lot of foreign help.

Defense

Ban by Omission: US Military Leaves Confederate Flag Off Approved List

Esper’s order seems designed to bar the flag from display without provoking the president.

Defense

Russia’s Attempted Vaccine Hack Suggests Research — and Putin’s Grand Plan — Has Stalled

The Kremlin’s cyber attack on the UK, U.S., and Canada suggests their coronavirus vaccine — and a key Putin promise — is far from reality.

Defense

Build Allies Into Tomorrow’s Battlefield Network, Army Leaders Say

The service is trying to build a communications network that’s big enough to include coalition partners but small enough to fit on a truck and drive off to war.

Defense

To Block Trump's Troop Withdrawals, Congress Turns An Old Tactic Upside Down

Congress historically has tried to force presidents to bring troops home. But in the last three years, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to make laws to do the opposite.

Defense

US May Need to Nationalize Military Aircraft Industry, Air Force Says

That’s unless the Air Force can find a way to keep both competition and the few remaining U.S. plane-makers alive, the service’s acquisition chief said.

Defense

Peter Thiel’s New Man In The Defense Department

The new head of defense research and engineering comes from the White House with a relatively light resume.

Defense

We Need $10B to Pay Contractors’ Coronavirus Expenses, Pentagon Tells Congress

It’s the first time a defense official has put a specific price tag on DoD’s COVID relief efforts.

Defense

The Defense Bill Could Rewrite How the US Does Cyber Defense

A proposed new office would help private entities and the government respond together to major hacks.

Oversight

Eroding Private Border Wall to Get an Engineering Inspection Just Months After Completion

Months after the “Lamborghini” of border walls was built along the Rio Grande, the builder agreed to an engineering inspection of his controversial structure. Experts say the wall is showing signs of erosion that threatens its stability.

Defense

Top U.S. General Slams Confederacy As ‘Treason’, Signals Support For Base Renaming

“Those generals fought for the institution of slavery,” Gen. Mark Milley told a House hearing.

Defense

Army Was Reviewing More Than Confederate Base Names, Officials Reveal

Among the potential friction points eyed were Army National Guard units with nicknames honoring Confederate leaders.

Defense

Analysis: Why Soldiers Can’t Claim Conscientious Objection if Ordered to Suppress Protests

The U.S. military can exempt from service those who are religiously or morally opposed to violence. But conscientious objector status won't help soldiers who disagree with specific lawful orders.

Defense

We Don’t Have Enough Cash to Build New Nuclear Weapons, Says Air Force Chief

Nukes or conventional weapons, “the current budget does not allow you to do both,” says Gen. Dave Goldfein, suggesting Congress create a separate account.

Defense

Political Fight Over Russian Bounty on US Troops Appears to Warp Intel Debate

Democrats suspect the White House is trying to paint the assessment as less solid than it is.

Defense

GM Believes Army Troop Transport Deal Is Jumpstart to More Military Work

Now the company has its sights on Marine Corps, international, and more Army contracts.

Defense

The Army Team That Is Trying to See, and Shape, the Future

The team’s scientists are charting how advances in various fields will unlock more advances, out to 2050.