Trump encourages Latin American leaders to use military action to help US fight cartels
The gathering came just two months after Trump ordered an audacious U.S. military operation to capture Venezuela’s then-president, Nicolás Maduro.
Pentagon & Congress
US to send anti-drone system to Mideast after successful use in Ukraine, officials say
The system that is being sent, known as Merops, flies drones against drones. It is small enough to fit in the back of a midsize pickup truck.
Pentagon acknowledges tough quest to counter Iranian drones
Pete Hegseth and other military leaders warned lawmakers that gaps in counter-drone technology could leave U.S. forces and assets increasingly vulnerable.
Veterans buck trend as jobless rates dip below national average
The development comes despite a cratering labor market for blue-collar jobs.
No deal with Iran except ‘unconditional surrender,’ Trump says
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump wrote that “IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE” should the Islamic Republic decide to put down its arms.
Pentagon says it is labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk ‘effective immediately’
The Trump administration is following through with its threat to designate the AI company as a supply chain risk.
House narrowly rejects Iran war powers resolution
It’s the second vote in as many days, after the Senate defeated a similar measure along party lines.
Democrats slam Hegseth for comments on first US deaths in Iran war
Hegseth accused the press of focusing on the fallen soldiers to make the president “look bad.”
Noem out, Republican senator in as new Homeland Security secretary
President Donald Trump demoted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, naming Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to fill the post.
Novel interceptor drones bend air-defense economics in Ukraine’s favor
Artificial intelligence plays no role yet in interception missions — today it is still manual ramming or close-in detonation.
Senate Republicans vote down legislation to halt Iran war
The vote forced senators to take a stand on a war shaping the fate of U.S. military members, countless other lives and the future of the region.
Trump to meet arms executives Friday in push to boost weapon supplies
The meeting will focus on rapidly replenishing the U.S. stockpile of munitions and weapons expended in the Iran war.
Despite air dominance, US ‘can’t stop everything’ Iran fires, Hegseth says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged on Wednesday that some Iranian air attacks may still hit their targets despite U.S. air superiority over Iran.
Mastermind of Iranian plot to assassinate Trump is dead, Hegseth claims
“Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.
Israeli F-35 notches first kill of a manned fighter in downing of Iranian Yak-130
In another first, the U.K. reported that its Royal Air Force’s F-35B jets had intercepted Iranian drones above Jordan.
Lawmakers revive push for veterans disability reform bill
The measure would allow medically retired military personnel to receive both their full retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
France sends aircraft carrier to Mediterranean as Middle East flares up
France is also working on a coalition to pool assets, including military, that will allow shipping traffic to resume through key chokepoints in the region.
