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Despite the Shutdown, Pentagon Has Billions from the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'

Walter Pincus

Despite the Shutdown, Pentagon Has Billions from the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'

OPINION — “The [Defense] Department [DoD] will continue to defend the nation and conduct ongoing military operations. It will continue activities [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary

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The U.S. Needs More Patriot Missiles

The U.S. Needs More Patriot Missiles

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – On June 23, the U.S. Army used roughly 30 Patriot missiles to defend against an Iranian attack on Al-Udeid, the largest U.S. [...] More

DoDnational securitymilitary

Where Senate Appropriators are Steering Defense Dollars

Walter Pincus

Where Senate Appropriators are Steering Defense Dollars

OPINION — “The {Senate Appropriations] Committee recommends increases for [fiscal 2026 Defense Department (DoD)] programs and initiatives that are [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary
Can the U.S. Fix a Broken System of Acquiring Weapons?

Can the U.S. Fix a Broken System of Acquiring Weapons?

DEEP DIVE – It’s a rare area of bipartisan agreement in Washington: a belief that the U.S. must reform the way it develops and obtains its weapons. [...] More

military
The U.S. Has 40,000 Troops in the Middle East

The U.S. Has 40,000 Troops in the Middle East

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING -- Recent U.S. strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities propelled the 40,000 American forces in the region into the spotlight [...] More

Middle EastDoDnational securitymilitary

The Math Behind Trump's $1 Trillion Defense Budget

Walter Pincus

The Math Behind Trump's $1 Trillion Defense Budget

OPINION — “The President's FY ‘26 [Fiscal Year 2026] National Defense Budget requests $1.01 trillion, which is a 13 percent increase from FY '25 [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary
Beijing’s Rare Disclosure on DF-5B Missile Signals Shift in Nuclear Messaging

Beijing’s Rare Disclosure on DF-5B Missile Signals Shift in Nuclear Messaging

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING -- China’s state television put a rare public focus on Beijing’s DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month, [...] More

ChinaNuclearmilitaryAsia
Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran

Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran

EXPERT INTERVIEW – Tehran’s response on Monday to U.S. attacks against its nuclear facilities over the weekend was measured and possibly calibrated [...] More

IranNuclearIntelligenceIsraelMiddle Eastmilitary

The Many Parts of Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense Plan

Walter Pincus

The Many Parts of Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense Plan

OPINION — “The Golden Dome for America Industry Summit will be held on June 11, 2025 at the Von Braun Center downtown Huntsville, Ala., at the [...] More

Walter PincusFine Printmilitary

Where are the Sage Advisors When You Need Them?

Walter Pincus

Where are the Sage Advisors When You Need Them?

OPINION -- “There are few things you can do that are more gratifying and more satisfying, and when you look back, being able to say that maybe, you [...] More

IntelligenceWalter Pincusmilitary
As U.S. Commitment Wanes, Europe Faces Questions About its Own Defense

As U.S. Commitment Wanes, Europe Faces Questions About its Own Defense

EXPERT INTERVIEW – In the early weeks of the second Trump administration, questions were raised about Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, as the [...] More

EuropemilitaryNATO
The Challenges – and Opportunities – of a ‘Golden Dome’ Defense System
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deep dive

The Challenges – and Opportunities – of a ‘Golden Dome’ Defense System

DEEP DIVE – Donald Trump vowed Tuesday to finish building a “Golden Dome” defense shield before the end of his term that would protect the nation [...] More

militaryAmericasNorth AmericaReporting
For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’

For U.S. Defense Industry, These Minerals Really are ‘Critical’

DEEP DIVE – Coverage of the U.S.-China tariff war has focused on the impact for consumers – the potential for spikes in the prices of cars and [...] More

critical mineralsTech/CybermilitaryReporting