Policy
Ukraine military-aid donors aim to set Kyiv up through 2027, Pentagon says
Thursday’s meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will be Austin’s last as SecDef.
Federal background-check overhaul is finally on track, DSCA says
Workers in national security-sensitive positions are now fully enrolled in continuous vetting.
Trump's promise to build more warships is on a collision course with his deportation pledges
The president-elect's efforts to clamp down on immigration could make it hard for shipyards already facing workforce shortages.
2024 in review: Policy
Preparing in the Pacific, learning from Ukraine, girding for a new administration—here are some of the policy stories that shaped the past year.
Congress averts shutdown with three-month stopgap at 11th hour
The Senate sent the bill to the president's desk after the deadline, but shutdown activities had ceased.
US force in Syria is larger than previously known, Pentagon says
Military operations against ISIS are increasing, along with diplomatic outreach to the new government.
Exclusive
Army will trim 5% of general-officer jobs in coming years, chief’s spokesman says
Gen. Randy George agrees the Army is “too top-heavy.”
Bill aims to beef up US shipbuilding
Bipartisan SHIPS Act would add funding, goals, oversight to boost U.S. military, commercial fleets.
US military needs to talk to China on space, cyber issues, officials say
While communications have improved since 2023, high-level strategic talks are still wanting.
Biden admin will send aid to Ukraine through the end of term
More than $1B in remaining security assistance likely to be spent by end of 2024.
The defense policy bill is handing the Army a to-do list
Add anti-drone systems, make robotic targets, pick a point PEO for open source software—and more in the 2025 NDAA.
Lawmakers wonder: why don't we hack back against China?
One senator said his colleagues often ask national-security officials why American cyber forces don’t go on the attack more often.
Lawmakers tee up efforts to keep spyware off troops' devices
The compromise 2025 defense policy bill would mandate security standards, reporting, and more.
‘Shock the system’: Startups and DOGE take over Reagan forum
But lawmakers advised caution and noted that Congress still controls the purse strings.
A day in the diplomatic life of America’s defense secretary
A busy slate of meetings illuminates Lloyd Austin’s efforts to weave a region’s militaries into a defense network.
Defense One Radio, Ep. 168: The decline of America’s commercial shipbuilding industry
We conclude our series of conversations about America's ailing shipbuilding sector.
Americans favor more international engagement, military spending: survey
The 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey found optimism in the wake of Trump’s reelection.
Featured eBooks
Could Trump’s pick for Pentagon No. 2 accelerate DOD’s hypersonic efforts?
Stephen Feinberg has an impressive business record and deep industry ties.
After delay, Trump opts for conventional FBI screenings of nominees, transition team
The president-elect's team had suggested skipping the background checks routinely used to protect secret and sensitive information.
Proposed rule would bar sale of Americans' financial data to adversaries
Consumer-protection agency aims to limit what data brokers can sell to foreign rivals and cybercriminals who seek intelligence and profit.
