Politico | Defense
Navy chief confirmed after Alaska senator drops last-minute block
1 August 2025 at 05:25

Navy chief confirmed after Alaska senator drops last-minute block

By: By Jack Detsch， Connor O'Brien， Joe Gould and Paul McLeary

1 August 2025 at 05:25

Dan Sullivan had planned to hold Adm. Daryl Caudle’s nomination until the Pentagon agreed to reopen a long-shuttered military base.

Rep. Dan Sullivan has said that expanding the U.S. military presence around Alaska is critical to deter Russian and Chinese incursions in the region, and he has obtained endorsements for reopening the station from some top military commanders.

Politico | Defense
MAGA is turning on Israel over Gaza, but Trump is unmoved
30 July 2025 at 07:19

MAGA is turning on Israel over Gaza, but Trump is unmoved

Politico | Defense

By: By Eric Bazail-Eimil， Connor O'Brien and Jake Traylor

30 July 2025 at 07:19

Prominent MAGA influencers have stepped up their criticism of Israel.

President Donald Trump told reporters that he doesn’t yet want to pressure Israel to come up with a longer-term solution to the conflict because “you could make the case that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that.”

Politico | Defense
Pentagon thrown into confusion over think tank ban
29 July 2025 at 04:05

Pentagon thrown into confusion over think tank ban

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary and Felicia Schwartz

29 July 2025 at 04:05

The department’s decision not to allow employees to participate in certain events carries bigger repercussions than missed attendance.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with the Defense Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the Pentagon on July 25, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Trump 2.0 Doesn’t Like Drama. So Why’s He Swallowing So Many Bad Headlines About Hegseth?
28 July 2025 at 17:56

Trump 2.0 Doesn’t Like Drama. So Why’s He Swallowing So Many Bad Headlines About Hegseth?

Politico | Defense

By: By Rachael Bade

28 July 2025 at 17:56

The White House continues to support the embattled Defense secretary — but even some Hegseth allies privately express concern that his messy management style could become his undoing.

President Donald Trump listens as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, speaks as they participate in a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on July 8, 2025.

Politico | Defense
‘They’re consolidating power’: Navy secretary’s staff try to undercut incoming deputy
26 July 2025 at 20:00

‘They’re consolidating power’: Navy secretary’s staff try to undercut incoming deputy

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary， Daniel Lippman and Joe Gould

26 July 2025 at 20:00

John Phelan and his chief of staff are taking control of the duties that would have gone to the future Navy undersecretary.

Navy Secretary John Phelan testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on June 10, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon suspends participation in think tank events
24 July 2025 at 23:37

Pentagon suspends participation in think tank events

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch

24 July 2025 at 23:37

The move comes a week after the Defense Department pulled out of the Aspen Security Forum due to “the evil of globalism.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Pentagon on July 21, 2025.

Politico | Defense
The Navy has struggled to construct ships. Now it may cut the admirals who help build them.
17 July 2025 at 04:10

The Navy has struggled to construct ships. Now it may cut the admirals who help build them.

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch

17 July 2025 at 04:10

The plan, which would gut the three-star positions atop five naval commands, is part of a Pentagon push to thin the military brass.

U.S. Navy sailors stand along the deck as they prepare for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to depart from the Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia.

Pentagon will start using Musk’s Grok

Politico | Defense

By: By Cheyanne M. Daniels

15 July 2025 at 03:43

The partnership comes as the relationship between Trump and Musk continues to deteriorate.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives for a meeting with Peru's Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer and Peru's Minister of Defense Walter Astudillo at the Pentagon, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Washington.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon probes examine key Hegseth allies
15 July 2025 at 03:40

Pentagon probes examine key Hegseth allies

Politico | Defense

By: By Daniel Lippman and Jack Detsch

15 July 2025 at 03:40

Investigators are asking about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s lawyer and a top aide as they look into the Signal app controversy.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the Pentagon on July 14, 2025.

Trump weighs new Ukraine aid package

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch and Eli Stokols

12 July 2025 at 02:38

The administration’s first military assistance to Ukraine would come after a controversial halt in weapons to Kyiv.

A rescue worker puts out a fire of a humanitarian aid storage site destroyed by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on June 14, 2025.

Politico | Defense
Appeals court lets Pentagon back out of 9/11 plea deals
12 July 2025 at 01:40

Appeals court lets Pentagon back out of 9/11 plea deals

Politico | Defense

By: By Josh Gerstein

12 July 2025 at 01:40

The plea deals would have eliminated death sentences for three alleged 9/11 plotters.

The plea deals divided victims and family members of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Politico | Defense
Rubio slams Russia over 'lack of progress' toward peace in Ukraine
10 July 2025 at 22:10

Rubio slams Russia over 'lack of progress' toward peace in Ukraine

Politico | Defense

By: By Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing

10 July 2025 at 22:10

The meeting between Russia and the U.S.’s chief diplomats comes on the heels of a phone call between Trump and Putin.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in Malaysia on Thursday.

Politico | Defense
Why Europe doesn’t trust Trump’s latest Ukraine reversal
10 July 2025 at 07:20

Why Europe doesn’t trust Trump’s latest Ukraine reversal

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

10 July 2025 at 07:20

US allies in Europe are worried that American support for Ukraine is fickle, and that the Trump administration will cut its troop posture on the continent.

A woman installs flags at a makeshift memorial for fallen soldiers in Kyiv.

Politico | Defense
Over 2,000 senior staff set to leave NASA under agency push
10 July 2025 at 01:14

Over 2,000 senior staff set to leave NASA under agency push

Politico | Defense

By: By Sam Skove

10 July 2025 at 01:14

The losses could endanger the administration’s plans for landing astronauts on the moon and Mars.

The losses are spread across each of NASA’s 10 regional centers, including the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and will impact everything from planning astronaut missions to the moon to sending out deep space probes.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon policy chief’s rogue decisions have irked US allies and the Trump administration
9 July 2025 at 09:47

Pentagon policy chief’s rogue decisions have irked US allies and the Trump administration

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Nahal Toosi， Paul McLeary and Joe Gould

9 July 2025 at 09:47

Even for an administration with a knack for moving fast and breaking things, Elbridge Colby’s moves at the Pentagon have caused frustration and friction.

Since joining the second Trump administration as the Pentagon's top policy chief, Elbridge Colby has made a series of rapid-fire moves that have blindsided parts of the White House and frustrated several of America’s foreign allies,

Politico | Defense
Halted military aid for Ukraine may start flowing again
8 July 2025 at 07:27

Halted military aid for Ukraine may start flowing again

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary

8 July 2025 at 07:27

High-level meetings between U.S. and Ukrainian officials this week could unfurl some of the weapons shipments paused by the U.S.

The U.S. has indicated to Kyiv that deliveries of engineering equipment and some armored vehicles will resume soon, though no timeline has been given yet.

Politico | Defense
CIA review of 2016 Russia election probe finds no major flaws
3 July 2025 at 09:14

CIA review of 2016 Russia election probe finds no major flaws

Politico | Defense

By: By Amy Mackinnon and John Sakellariadis

3 July 2025 at 09:14

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has presented a darker view on social media.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe prepares to do a television interview at the White House on April 30.

Politico | Defense
Trump allies caught off guard by Pentagon’s Ukraine weapons freeze
3 July 2025 at 08:28

Trump allies caught off guard by Pentagon’s Ukraine weapons freeze

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary， Felicia Schwartz and Eli Stokols

3 July 2025 at 08:28

The decision left officials on both sides of the Atlantic scrambling to find out how long the pause might last.

The pause — reported first by POLITICO — was driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby and a small circle of advisers over concerns that certain weapons stockpiles in the U.S. were running low.

Politico | Defense
As US weapons for Ukraine dry up, Kyiv changes tactics
3 July 2025 at 03:41

As US weapons for Ukraine dry up, Kyiv changes tactics

Politico | Defense

By: By Jack Detsch， Paul McLeary， Amy Mackinnon， Felicia Schwartz and Connor O'Brien

3 July 2025 at 03:41

With no new military aid coming from Trump, Kyiv wants permission to buy U.S. weapons via Europe.

As part of the new push,<b> </b>several European governments are exploring plans to buy American-made weapons from their defense budgets for transfer to Ukraine.

Politico | Defense
Republicans tear into Pentagon’s Ukraine weapons freeze
2 July 2025 at 23:45

Republicans tear into Pentagon’s Ukraine weapons freeze

Politico | Defense

By: By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

2 July 2025 at 23:45

Trump pledged to explore missile defenses for Ukraine. Lawmakers say the aid pause undercuts him.

Lawmakers of varying political stripes called the holdup of weapons approved during the Biden administration a breach of Trump’s renewed commitment to Kyiv at last week’s NATO summit.

Politico | Defense
Pentagon halting some promised munitions for Ukraine
2 July 2025 at 04:30

Pentagon halting some promised munitions for Ukraine

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary， Jack Detsch and Joe Gould

2 July 2025 at 04:30

The decision was driven by the Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, and was made after a review of Pentagon munitions stockpiles.

A review of Pentagon munitions stockpiles led to concerns that the total number of artillery rounds, air defense missiles and precision munitions was sinking.

Politico | Defense
Senators slam Lloyd Austin over new consulting firm
1 July 2025 at 05:22

Senators slam Lloyd Austin over new consulting firm

Politico | Defense

By: By Daniel Lippman

1 July 2025 at 05:22

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Rick Scott say the former Defense secretary is violating the public trust by going into the influence business.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Austin testified about the Biden Administration's FY2025 budget request for the Pentagon, which includes supplemental funding for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and other allies. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Politico | Defense
‘Obliteration’ or not, House Republicans argue Iran strikes were a diplomatic win
28 June 2025 at 02:17

‘Obliteration’ or not, House Republicans argue Iran strikes were a diplomatic win

Politico | Defense

By: By John Sakellariadis， Joe Gould， Connor O'Brien， Nicholas Wu and Meredith Lee Hill

28 June 2025 at 02:17

House leadership is framing the success of U.S. strikes on Iran as hinging on more than just damage assessments.

Speaker Mike Johnson, like other Republicans, insisted the strike resulted in a “substantial setback” for Iran’s nuclear program.

Politico | Defense
Trump claims Iran’s nuclear program has been ‘obliterated.’ Senate Republicans aren’t entirely convinced.
27 June 2025 at 07:02

Trump claims Iran’s nuclear program has been ‘obliterated.’ Senate Republicans aren’t entirely convinced.

Politico | Defense

By: By Connor O'Brien， Joe Gould， John Sakellariadis， Lisa Kashinsky and Calen Razor

27 June 2025 at 07:02

Several of Trump’s top military and intelligence officials briefed Senators on the latest damage assessment to Iran's nuclear facilities.

The U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer late Saturday, targeting three of Iran’s key nuclear sites to neutralize Tehran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon.

Politico | Defense
Hegseth defends Iran strikes, slams media over intel leak
26 June 2025 at 22:36

Hegseth defends Iran strikes, slams media over intel leak

Politico | Defense

By: By Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

26 June 2025 at 22:36

The Trump administration has lashed out against an early intelligence assessment that reportedly concluded components of Iran’s nuclear program remain intact.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s claim that the mission resulted in a “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear program.

Politico | Defense
Trump’s spy chiefs say new intel shows Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed
26 June 2025 at 08:03

Trump’s spy chiefs say new intel shows Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed

Politico | Defense

By: By Amy Mackinnon and John Sakellariadis

26 June 2025 at 08:03

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard joined the chorus of administration officials batting away an early intel assessment that U.S. strikes had limited impact.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, shown March 25, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe (right), issued their statements within hours of each other.

Politico | Defense
Trump signals deescalation in response to Iranian strike on US air base in Qatar
24 June 2025 at 01:54

Trump signals deescalation in response to Iranian strike on US air base in Qatar

Politico | Defense

By: By Megan Messerly， Nahal Toosi and Joe Gould

24 June 2025 at 01:54

Trump’s remarks could ease tensions between the two countries.

In this frame-grab made from video, missiles and air-defense interceptors illuminate the night sky over Doha after Iran launched an attack on U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, on June 23, 2025.

Politico | Defense
‘Severe damage’: Pentagon officials say it’s too soon to know if Iran strikes were successful
22 June 2025 at 22:12

‘Severe damage’: Pentagon officials say it’s too soon to know if Iran strikes were successful

Politico | Defense

By: By Amy Mackinnon， Joe Gould and Connor O'Brien

22 June 2025 at 22:12

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not specify how the administration would avoid getting drawn into a deeper escalation with Tehran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 22, 2025 after the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran.

Politico | Defense
Trump wants NATO to spend more on defense. Here’s who is actually paying.
22 June 2025 at 18:00

Trump wants NATO to spend more on defense. Here’s who is actually paying.

Politico | Defense

By: By Paul McLeary， Chris Lunday and Esther Webber

22 June 2025 at 18:00

A POLITICO analysis reveals telling gaps between the big spenders near Eastern Europe and those further from Russia, who are still creeping toward a decade-old target.

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