US military assembles largest force of warships, aircraft in Middle East in decades
The U.S. Navy will have at least 16 ships in the region, dwarfing the 11-ship fleet that was, until the Ford’s departure, positioned in the Caribbean Sea.
Pentagon & Congress
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
US soldiers earn French medal for 2023 Iraq rescue
In 2023, French special operations troops came under attack from ISIS fighters near Hawija, Iraq. Guardsmen boarded a CH-47 and sped off towards the fight.
VA to formally rescind controversial disability ratings rule
A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.
Army helicopter pilot wounded during Maduro raid receives Medal of Honor during State of the Union
Trump credited Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover for serving as the flight lead aboard the first Chinook helicopter to approach Maduro’s compound.
Trump presents Medal of Honor to 100-year-old Korean War veteran during State of the Union
“Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves,” Trump said, prompting a standing ovation.
House rejects bill requiring aircraft locator systems to prevent midair collisions like last year’s
The families of the victims who died when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter strongly supported the measure.
Army veteran detained by ICE in 2025 to attend State of the Union
“I hope my presence represents that they just can’t lie and have it be okay,” George Retes told Military Times.
Vets to VA: Formally rescind new disability ratings rule
Veterans want the VA to rescind a controversial regulation published Feb. 17 that put compensation ratings in legal limbo.
US pulls nonessential staff from Beirut embassy as tensions with Iran ratchet up
The drawdown is a “prudent” step to reduce the U.S. footprint in the region while Trump mulls a strike on Iran, a State Department official said.
Christian nationalist pastor speaks on his sermon to troops at Pentagon
Controversial Pastor Doug Wilson's theological and historical views, particularly on gender roles and slavery, have long drawn scrutiny and criticism.
How commercial drones make the Pentagon’s ‘Blue UAS Select’ list
For an off-the-shelf drone to be added to the Blue UAS list, it must pass rigorous testing and cyber security evaluations.
US military assets flock to Middle East amid Iran standoff
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is set to soon become the keystone of the Pentagon’s naval armada in the region.
VA restores gun rights to some disabled veterans
The VA announced it will immediately stop reporting veterans to the FBI’s national background check database if they need a fiduciary for their finances.
Trump reveals US helicopter pilots were wounded in Maduro raid
The president also said one of the soldiers who helped capture Maduro will receive the Medal of Honor.
Pentagon to deploy roughly 200 troops to Nigeria
The 200 troops will supplement a small team of American military officers already embedded with Nigerian forces.
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers
A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.
