Department of Defense

List of Department of Defense articles

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks in front of the white marble Capitol Building on a sunny day. McCarthy's hands are raised to motion as he speaks, and other lawmakers stand behind him.
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks in front of the white marble Capitol Building on a sunny day. McCarthy's hands are raised to motion as he speaks, and other lawmakers stand behind him.

Diplomacy and Foreign Aid Funding Caught In Debt Ceiling Web

Programs aimed at countering China aren’t getting extra cash.

Soldiers run amid smoke and mud, with a tank in the background, while taking part in a large-scale NATO military exercise in Estonia.
Soldiers run amid smoke and mud, with a tank in the background, while taking part in a large-scale NATO military exercise in Estonia.

Estonia Plans a ‘Spring Storm’ to Match Russia’s Might

“Russia only understands one thing, and that’s power,” one senior officer said.

A blurry image of Biden speaking into a microphone, with the American flag behind him.
A blurry image of Biden speaking into a microphone, with the American flag behind him.

Debt Ceiling Knife Fight Threatens to Slash U.S. Credibility

And it’s coming just as Biden is set for a reassurance trip to Japan and Australia.

Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sit atop a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023.
Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, sit atop a tank in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023.

When Fighting Is More Rational Than Peacemaking

Sudan’s power struggle is a textbook case of the credible commitment problem in international relations.

Mark Milley is shown from the side in uniform, sitting before a microphone.
Mark Milley is shown from the side in uniform, sitting before a microphone.

DoD’s Making a List—and Checking It Twice

The Pentagon’s warfighting commands have sent billions in wish lists to Congress. Some lawmakers want to give them a lump of coal.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS John C. Stennis, left, and USS Ronald Reagan conduct dual aircraft carrier strike group operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS John C. Stennis, left, and USS Ronald Reagan conduct dual aircraft carrier strike group operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Biden Budget Expected to Stiff the Indo-Pacific

The Pentagon’s top military command charged with countering China believes it’s getting shortchanged—again.

Polish soldiers hold a NATO flag during a family photo after a training demonstration with the NATO multinational battle group eFP at the Orzysz training ground in Orzysz, Poland.
Polish soldiers hold a NATO flag during a family photo after a training demonstration with the NATO multinational battle group eFP at the Orzysz training ground in Orzysz, Poland.

Eastern Europe Wants NATO to Beef Up Defense Spending

Poland and Estonia are planning to push the alliance to raise its defense spending benchmark this year to at least 2.5 percent of GDP.

Children interact with an artificial intelligence robot at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing.
Children interact with an artificial intelligence robot at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing.

China’s Tech Money Is Now Radioactive

Washington is increasingly concerned about China poaching U.S. technology.

A missile is launched at night.
A missile is launched at night.

U.S. Gets Hypersonics Back on Track

The Pentagon tries to one-up China’s “Sputnik moment.”

U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, on June 29.
U.S. President Joe Biden (C) flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (L) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, on June 29.

Is Biden’s National Security Strategy a Match for a Chaotic World?

The long-awaited document leaves more questions than answers about the White House’s approach to global crises.

Lloyd Austin stares down, wearing a suit, his hands clasped together.
Lloyd Austin stares down, wearing a suit, his hands clasped together.

Biden’s Defense Chief Puts Alliances at Center Stage of U.S. Defense

A 10-day world tour ended with a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

Lloyd Austin walks off a plane on red stairs.
Lloyd Austin walks off a plane on red stairs.

U.S. Defense Secretary to Meet Chinese Counterpart

China has gained military and diplomatic footholds in Cambodia and the Solomon Islands.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and General Mark Milley (R), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 7 in Washington.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) and General Mark Milley (R), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 7 in Washington.

Yes, the United States Should Weaken Russia

The old approach of outreach and inclusion has failed. In the wake of Russia’s latest invasion, Washington must seek to erode Moscow’s power.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan  aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as it sails in South China Sea on its way to Singapore on Oct. 16, 2019.

Does the New U.S. National Defense Strategy Make Any Sense?

The Pentagon is scrambling to deter China while adjusting to war in Europe—but does its new approach amount to more than just rhetoric?

A plaque of the U.S. Defense Department seal
A plaque of the U.S. Defense Department seal

Pentagon Rolls Out Defense Strategy Amid War in Europe

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced the Pentagon to tweak its China-focused approach.

Chinese naval base in Djibouti
Chinese naval base in Djibouti

Fears of a Chinese Naval Base in West Africa Are Overblown

Reports about a possible Atlantic base reveal more about Washington’s military priorities than Beijing’s.

Russian hypersonic missiles fly over a military parade.
Russian hypersonic missiles fly over a military parade.

The Pentagon Wants to Ruin China’s ‘Sputnik Moment’

Microwaves and turbulent air could kill China’s hypersonic missiles on the cheap.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with U.S President Joe Biden during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, Switzerland in Geneva on June 16, 2021.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with U.S President Joe Biden during their meeting at the 'Villa la Grange' in Geneva, Switzerland in Geneva on June 16, 2021.

Biden Set for Putin Call to Ease Ukraine Standoff

The United States is demanding that Russia roll back more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s border.

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