Politico | Defense
Navy secretary breaks law with political statements about presidential race, watchdog says
6 September 2024 at 03:11

Navy secretary breaks law with political statements about presidential race, watchdog says

By: By Associated Press

6 September 2024 at 03:11

“The United States and the world need the mature leadership of President Biden,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in an interview.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro self-reported the comments, saying his intention was to focus on the importance of strong international alliances.

Politico | Defense
Progress toward Gaza cease-fire in peril after Israeli hostage deaths
4 September 2024 at 07:08

Progress toward Gaza cease-fire in peril after Israeli hostage deaths

Politico | Defense

By: By Erin Banco and Jonathan Lemire

4 September 2024 at 07:08

Recent optimism has deflated and worries mount that tensions between Israeli leadership and Hamas will only continue to increase.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is batting down any suggestion that he is not prioritizing bringing Israelis home from Gaza.

Politico | Defense
'Unfairly attacked': Army defends employee involved in Trump campaign incident at Arlington
29 August 2024 at 22:52

'Unfairly attacked': Army defends employee involved in Trump campaign incident at Arlington

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Connor O’Brien

29 August 2024 at 22:52

The Trump camp said the worker has mental health problems.

Bill Barnett (left), grandfather of Darin Taylor Hoover, and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in honor of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery, on Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia.

Politico | Defense
Trump team involved in ‘incident’ with staff at Arlington cemetery
28 August 2024 at 23:32

Trump team involved in ‘incident’ with staff at Arlington cemetery

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

28 August 2024 at 23:32

The incident reportedly involved pushing an employee and verbal abuse.

Misty Fuoco (left) sister of Nicole Gee, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump place a wreath in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia.

Politico | Defense
Army private who fled to North Korea to plead guilty to desertion
27 August 2024 at 09:48

Army private who fled to North Korea to plead guilty to desertion

Politico | Defense

By: By Associated Press

27 August 2024 at 09:48

Travis King’s attorney told the Associated Press that King intends to admit his guilt to military offenses.

A TV screen shows an image of Pvt. Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in South Korea on Aug. 16, 2023.

Politico | Defense
Ukraine to present Biden admin with targets it could hit in Russia, given the chance
27 August 2024 at 06:19

Ukraine to present Biden admin with targets it could hit in Russia, given the chance

Politico | Defense

By: By Erin Banco and Paul McLeary

27 August 2024 at 06:19

US officials are still adamant that lifting the restrictions will not have a significant impact on the ground.

Ukrainian officials have drawn up a list of targets they say Kyiv's military can hit inside Russia if President Biden were to lift the restrictions on U.S. weapons.

Politico | Defense
Trump's campaign has earthly problems. But he's focusing on outer space.
27 August 2024 at 06:06

Trump's campaign has earthly problems. But he's focusing on outer space.

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O’Brien and Lisa Kashinsky

27 August 2024 at 06:06

The approach is supported by top National Guard leaders, lawmakers and top leaders in both parties from states with space missions.

Donald Trump’s backing of the plan came as part of the broader barrage of attacks the Republican nominee and his campaign launched Monday against the Biden administration’s military oversight.

Politico | Defense
Ukraine uses Kursk success to press Biden on lifting weapons restrictions
24 August 2024 at 03:37

Ukraine uses Kursk success to press Biden on lifting weapons restrictions

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Erin Banco

24 August 2024 at 03:37

The White House isn’t budging, but that could change.

President Joe Biden's restrictions on when and where to use U.S.-donated longer-range precision missiles has created immense frustration for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Politico | Defense
US and South Korea begin joint military drills
19 August 2024 at 11:15

US and South Korea begin joint military drills

Politico | Defense

By: By Associated Press

19 August 2024 at 11:15

North Korea accused them of invasion rehearsal.

A U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams tank fires during a drill at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, South Korea, on Aug. 14, 2024.

Politico | Defense
The US is confident in its cease-fire proposal. Hamas has issues with it.
17 August 2024 at 05:26

The US is confident in its cease-fire proposal. Hamas has issues with it.

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil

17 August 2024 at 05:26

Mediators hope to close a deal at next week’s talks in Cairo.

President Joe Biden told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday that “we are closer to a [cease-fire] deal than we have ever been."

Politico | Defense
Biden ‘open’ to sending long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine
15 August 2024 at 23:01

Biden ‘open’ to sending long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine

Politico | Defense

By: By Erin Banco， Paul McLeary and Joe Gould

15 August 2024 at 23:01

The Pentagon is already working through fixes to allow Ukraine to launch the weapons from its fighter planes.

The air-launched missiles would give the Ukrainian air force a capability only a handful of other nations have.

Politico | Defense
The US and Cuba are at an impasse over expanding relations
14 August 2024 at 06:19

The US and Cuba are at an impasse over expanding relations

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil

14 August 2024 at 06:19

The Biden administration says Cuba needs to address human rights concerns before more progress can be made on diplomatic ties.

Progressives want President Joe Biden to go further, arguing the current policy isn’t pushing Cuba closer to being a democracy that respects human rights.

Politico | Defense
Progressives jostle for nat sec jobs under Harris
13 August 2024 at 17:00

Progressives jostle for nat sec jobs under Harris

Politico | Defense

By: By Nahal Toosi， Phelim Kine and Joseph Gedeon

13 August 2024 at 17:00

The liberal activists plan to offer Harris lists of names to consider, but their last such effort with Biden yielded little success.

Some of Kamala Harris' current top foreign policy aides worked for previous Democratic presidents, including her current national security adviser, Philip Gordon.

Politico | Defense
Walz’s China ties garner attention, provoke GOP criticism
10 August 2024 at 05:13

Walz’s China ties garner attention, provoke GOP criticism

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil and Jared Mitovich

10 August 2024 at 05:13

Republicans say the Democratic vice presidential nominee will be too soft on Beijing.

As a member of Congress, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz established himself as an advocate for human rights in China and a critic of its government.

Politico | Defense
Cost rising for US as it fights off Houthi drones
8 August 2024 at 05:28

Cost rising for US as it fights off Houthi drones

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary， Joe Gould and Connor O’Brien

8 August 2024 at 05:28

U.S. forces have launched roughly 800 missiles and seven rounds of air strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that have controlled Yemen since November.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree speaks at a rally against the U.S. and Israel in Sanaa, Yemen, on July 19.

Politico | Defense
US troops injured in attack in Iraq as tensions in region increase
6 August 2024 at 09:34

US troops injured in attack in Iraq as tensions in region increase

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

6 August 2024 at 09:34

Rockets struck the Al-Asad Airbase.

The region has been on edge the past week in the wake of the assassinations of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in Beirut and Tehran, respectively.

Politico | Defense
Washington lawmakers hope released opposition leaders revive anti-Putin movement in Russia
6 August 2024 at 03:30

Washington lawmakers hope released opposition leaders revive anti-Putin movement in Russia

Politico | Defense

By: By Miles J. Herszenhorn

6 August 2024 at 03:30

The historic prisoner swap freed Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, Andrei Pivovarov, and several other Putin critics from Russian penal colonies.

Freed Russian prisoners Ilya Yashin (from left), Andrei Pivovarov and Vladimir Kara-Murza enter a press conference in Bonn, Germany, on Aug. 2, 2024, a day after they were released as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States.

Politico | Defense
US preparing for all scenarios in volcanic Middle East, Jon Finer says
5 August 2024 at 01:40

US preparing for all scenarios in volcanic Middle East, Jon Finer says

Politico | Defense

By: By David Cohen

5 August 2024 at 01:40

"We are in a moment that appears to be of heightened threat," the deputy national security adviser said.

Iranians follow a truck carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard during their funeral ceremony in Tehran on Aug. 1, 2024.

Politico | Defense
Republicans praise Austin’s reversal of the 9/11 plea deal, but some victims’ families just want closure
4 August 2024 at 07:15

Republicans praise Austin’s reversal of the 9/11 plea deal, but some victims’ families just want closure

Politico | Defense

By: By Jared Mitovich

4 August 2024 at 07:15

The American Civil Liberties Union has pledged to challenge Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s sudden decision in court.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's reversal of the pre-trial agreements added another twist to the stalled litigation against the alleged plotters of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Politico | Defense
Defense Secretary overrides plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind and two other defendants
3 August 2024 at 09:16

Defense Secretary overrides plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind and two other defendants

Politico | Defense

By: By The Associated Press

3 August 2024 at 09:16

The order comes two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced it had reached plea deals.

The control tower is seen through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, on April 17, 2019.

Politico | Defense
US shifts aircraft carrier to Middle East amid fears Iran may attack Israel
3 August 2024 at 04:48

US shifts aircraft carrier to Middle East amid fears Iran may attack Israel

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

3 August 2024 at 04:48

Pentagon deploys the USS Abraham Lincoln, currently operating in the Pacific, to the Middle East along with additional fighter planes.

One U.S. defense official, who was granted anonymity to discuss an evolving issue, said details about the increased military assets are expected soon, given the unpredictability of the Iranian response.

Politico | Defense
US bets on Gaza cease-fire talks as assassinations tilt Mideast toward bigger war
1 August 2024 at 06:46

US bets on Gaza cease-fire talks as assassinations tilt Mideast toward bigger war

Politico | Defense

By: By Nahal Toosi， Erin Banco， Jonathan Lemire and Joe Gould

1 August 2024 at 06:46

American officials don’t seem to have a realistic plan B and are not thrilled with Israel’s suspected actions.

A woman holds a poster of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh during a protest to condemn his killing, at a Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, Lebanon, on Wednesday.

Politico | Defense
5 takeaways from POLITICO’s Go for Launch event
31 July 2024 at 03:30

5 takeaways from POLITICO’s Go for Launch event

Politico | Defense

By: By Matt Berg

31 July 2024 at 03:30

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson heartily approves of an astronaut being Harris’ VP.

POLITICO: Go for Launch: Shaping the Next Space Economy. Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill Hotel. Washington, DC, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Credit: Rod Lamkey, Jr. / POLITICO

Politico | Defense
Trump would ‘absolutely’ scrap Biden’s Air Force One colors, adviser says
30 July 2024 at 17:00

Trump would ‘absolutely’ scrap Biden’s Air Force One colors, adviser says

Politico | Defense

By: By Lee Hudson， Daniel Lippman and Connor O’Brien

30 July 2024 at 17:00

If reelected, Trump still has time to change the paint job back to red, white and dark blue. But it’d be expensive.

When he was president, Donald Trump displayed a model of Air Force One with his preferred paint scheme in the Oval Office.

Politico | Defense
Jon Stewart pushes VA to cover troops sickened by uranium after 9/11. Again, they are told to wait
27 July 2024 at 17:15

Jon Stewart pushes VA to cover troops sickened by uranium after 9/11. Again, they are told to wait

Politico | Defense

By: By Associated Press

27 July 2024 at 17:15

Some of the first forces deployed after the terror attacks were exposed to uranium at an old Soviet military base in Uzbekistan. Many have died and others are still dealing with illnesses.