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Defense Department

All articles tagged with #defense department

Pentagon Leak Reveals U.S. Bears Most Missile-Defense Burden for Israel
politics3 days ago

Pentagon Leak Reveals U.S. Bears Most Missile-Defense Burden for Israel

A Pentagon leak reported by The Washington Post shows the United States has shouldered a heavier missile-defense burden for Israel than Israel does itself during Operation Epic Fury, with U.S. interceptors used up to half of some inventories while Israel’s magazines are kept in reserve. Experts describe a lopsided burden that could strain U.S. stocks and production, though Pentagon officials insist the defense network is layered and that both countries shared the burden effectively.

Texas wind projects hit by national-security review slowdown
energy8 days ago

Texas wind projects hit by national-security review slowdown

The U.S. Defense Department has paused routine federal permits for 54 Texas wind projects amid national-security reviews, part of a nationwide backlog that currently affects about 165 onshore wind developments. The interagency process, involving the FAA and DoD, has slowed to a crawl, delaying financing, local permitting, and construction while officials say reviews are necessary to prevent interference with military operations; critics argue the hold is slowing renewable energy during an affordability crisis.

Navy Secretary Ousted as Iran Blockade Presses On
politics1 month ago

Navy Secretary Ousted as Iran Blockade Presses On

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was abruptly removed, with sources saying he departed “effective immediately” after friction over shipbuilding reforms and direct communication with Trump; Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary. The shakeup comes as the U.S. Navy continues a blockade of Iranian ports during a ceasefire, redirecting 29 vessels and boarding two ships, with officials not yet clarifying the reasons for Phelan’s departure.

Pentagon ends universal flu vaccine mandate for troops, framing it as medical autonomy
world1 month ago

Pentagon ends universal flu vaccine mandate for troops, framing it as medical autonomy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Defense Department will stop requiring service members to get a yearly flu shot, arguing the policy restores medical autonomy and freedom while vaccines remain available and recommended. He tied the change to opposing Biden-era Covid policies, calling the old mandate overly broad and not rational, and said vaccination should be voluntary with conscience and health considerations respected.

Kushner Family Ties Fuel a $20B Anduril Pentagon Deal Amid Trump War Drive
politics1 month ago

Kushner Family Ties Fuel a $20B Anduril Pentagon Deal Amid Trump War Drive

The Defense Department awarded Anduril Industries a potential $20 billion sole-source contract to supply advanced defense tech (including Lattice OS, drones, and surveillance systems) over the next decade, with backing from Joshua Kushner, Jared Kushner’s brother, highlighting ongoing Kushner-family involvement in Trump-era security decisions.

Vatican Official Describes Pentagon Run-In With Trump Aides as 'Bullying' and 'Tense'
politics1 month ago

Vatican Official Describes Pentagon Run-In With Trump Aides as 'Bullying' and 'Tense'

A Vatican diplomat characterized a January Pentagon encounter with Trump administration officials and Cardinal Christophe Pierre as a tense, aggressive confrontation described as bullying, with U.S. officials allegedly insisting the U.S. military could act as it saw fit and pressing the pope to side with Trump. The disclosures follow reporting by The Free Press and The Pillar, prompting denials from the Trump camp and a counter-narrative from the Pentagon, while tensions between the Vatican and the Trump White House deepen amid Leo XIV’s criticisms of Trump’s policies.

Hegseth: Strait of Hormuz disruption won't last; plan in place.
world2 months ago

Hegseth: Strait of Hormuz disruption won't last; plan in place.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brushed off fears that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked due to the Iran war, saying the U.S. has a plan and that traffic will be restored as needed. The conflict sent oil prices higher, while questions about Navy escort readiness and a quick opening of the strait persisted among officials and analysts, who noted skepticism about rapid deployment and execution of a tanker-escort operation.

policy2 months ago

El Paso airport reels as sudden FAA flight ban sparks chaos, texts reveal

POLITICO obtained El Paso International Airport group texts showing night-time concerns as the FAA imposed a temporary airspace closure, with staff seeking information after being told ‘Not an error’ and debating whether the ban was due to a cartel drone incursion or a clash over laser-defense countermeasures; the order disrupted dozens of flights, was lifted the next morning, and highlighted coordination gaps between the FAA and the Defense Department.

Pentagon Bans Service Members From Elite Colleges and Think Tanks
defense2 months ago

Pentagon Bans Service Members From Elite Colleges and Think Tanks

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a sweeping policy to sever ties with nearly two dozen elite universities and seven prominent think tanks, banning military personnel from enrolling in those institutions starting in September and replacing programs with options at state universities and conservative schools; the move targets institutions the administration deems liberal-leaning and indoctrinating service members, and follows Harvard's earlier ban in this campaign, with 93 military students currently enrolled at affected programs.

Pentagon Pushes Scouting America to Overhaul Policies for Military Backing
politics2 months ago

Pentagon Pushes Scouting America to Overhaul Policies for Military Backing

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon will review Scouting America's partnership and could pull support if the organization doesn’t overhaul policies, including measures affecting transgender youths and adding a Military Service merit badge; Scouting America says it will implement reforms (such as waiving registration fees for military families and launching a Military Service badge) while keeping its name and continuing to serve girls, noting a long history of military ties and evolving inclusivity.