Author Archive
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron and Elizabeth Howe
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
Defense
Biden Orders New Review of Sexual Assault Policies in Military
Combatant commanders are to send plans and best practices within two weeks.
- Kevin Baron
Defense
Purity Tested, Senators Confirm General Austin for Secretary of Defense
With little actual opposition in the end, members voted for the waiver and the man.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
Defense
Viewpoint: The Danger of Treating National Security Like a Political Sideshow
Monday was a dangerous day.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Marcus Weisgerber, Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron and Bradley Peniston
Defense
Pentagon Bars Most Guests, Travelers Starting Monday
New restrictions apply to visitors, foreigners, ceremonies. International travelers must wait 14 days for entry.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.”
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Kevin Baron
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.
- Katie Bo Williams and Kevin Baron