Ideas

What has China learned from Russia and Iran’s use of proxies?

The answer may help U.S. planners anticipate and spot Beijing's next moves.

  • Mollie Saltskog and Colin P. Clarke
Defense Systems

Made in the USA: Defense companies tense as Congress pressures them to buy domestic

A draft version of the 2025 defense authorization act has several provisions targeting China-made critical materials.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Policy

Defense One Radio, Ep. 153: Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 2: China and the Indo-Pacific

Why is the region in the middle of an arms race? And what do analysts think China is really spending on its military?

  • Ben Watson
Policy

Defense One Radio, Ep. 152: Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 1: Russia

Russia is spending as much on its military as it did in the 1980s. How sustainable is that?

  • Ben Watson
Threats

NATO trainers to Ukraine?; Blackouts return to Kyiv; Gaza push continues; F-35s pile up on tarmac; And a bit more…

  • Bradley Peniston
Science & Tech

Navy secretary vows more money for anti-drone lasers

The Defense Department’s spending on lasers is down, but the need is up.

  • Patrick Tucker
Business

F-35s are piling up on Lockheed tarmacs, presenting ‘unique’ risks to the Pentagon

The program is trying to quash bugs that force pilots to reboot in midair, GAO says.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

Army’s future artillery may include wheeled howitzers, automated cannons, and long-range mortars

Wheeled howitzers are “having great effect in a place like Europe,” Army Futures chief says.

  • Sam Skove
Threats

U.S. military completes temporary pier off Gaza; deliveries to start within days

Thousands of tons of aid are on the way, one week after the IDF closed a key land corridor.

  • Patrick Tucker
Ideas

Kill the zombie Space National Guard idea

Guardsmen in space-related jobs belong in the Space Force.

  • Todd Harrison
Threats

The D Brief: Gaza pier opens; Israel closes border crossing; Russia’s space-nuke R&D; Congressional split; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson, Patrick Tucker and Bradley Peniston
Policy

Air Force picks homes for expeditionary ‘Air Task Forces’

The new deployment model will get its first real-world test next year.

  • Audrey Decker
Defense Systems

The Air Force needs more in-house coders

Andrew Hunter, the service’s lead buyer, said adding experts on staff would make the government a better software customer.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Threats

The D Brief: Russia pressures Kharkiv; Zelenskyy postpones travel; Putin to visit China; Army’s FPV drone plan; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Lauren C. Williams
Threats

Ukrainians plead with White House to lift missile-use restrictions

The White House is giving Ukraine more weapons, but also “limiting our capabilities,” officials warn.

  • Patrick Tucker
Threats

FPVs, tethered drones could become formal Army programs in 2025

The service is also planning an FPV pilot school.

  • Sam Skove
Policy

House authorizers: cut F-35 purchases to fix problems

Their version of the defense policy bill would reduce the Pentagon’s 2025 purchase by 10 jets.

  • Audrey Decker
Threats

The D Brief: The US military's EWs are not OK, SOF say; Houthis threaten Med shipping; US-Taiwan naval drills; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Defense Systems

Why DOD’s network agency is SATCOM-curious

The Defense Information Systems Agency is experimenting with multiple satellite communications providers as it works to make the network more resilient.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Science & Tech

The US is still falling behind on electronic warfare, special operators warn

New space and low-power solutions are needed to operate against modern jamming.

  • Patrick Tucker
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