Top stories
White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
"I don't have a ballpark," White House budget director Russell Vought told lawmakers Wednesday about the cost of the Iran war.
Army officer pleads guilty to 17 charges in firearms parts smuggling case
As part of a deal, the Army lieutenant colonel pleaded guilty to 17 of 21 charges against him.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
"I don't have a ballpark," White House budget director Russell Vought told lawmakers Wednesday about the cost of the Iran war.
AeroVironment launches new multifunctional drone variant
The MAYHEM 10 drone, a part of the Switchblade family, will serve as a multifunctional launch system, capable of deploying from various platforms.
Suicide rates among military families continue to climb
The total overall number decreased, a drop that coincides with smaller overall force numbers.
Bill from vets in Congress would keep military roles open to women
The bill, which lacks Republican sponsors, is explicitly described as a response to the Pentagon review of women in ground combat roles.
In other news
100-year-old B-17 turret gunner knighted by France
Phillip “Bruce” Cook flew 35 missions as a ball turret gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress, tasked with fighting for air supremacy over occupied Europe.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
China draws strategic lessons from US war with Iran | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.14.26
Monitoring from afar, one of the world’s top superpowers is watching the United States’ war in Iran from a strategic perspective. What are they learning?
Featured Videos
Trending Now
MORE STORIES
Utilities billing resumes for some military housing residents
Mock billing for at least three months will allow residents time to adjust before any charges or rebates start.
By Karen Jowers
FAA, Army failures contributed to fatal DC air collision, report finds
“We should be angry, because for years, no one listened,” NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said. “This was 100% preventable.”
By Patricia Kime
The US Coast Guard’s newest weapon in border security: Jet Skis
In its ever-evolving fight on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Coast Guard has unveiled its latest fighting tool.
Some remote Tricare families will get prescription drugs for free
Active duty families in Tricare Prime Remote in the U.S. will have a $0 copay for covered prescriptions outside military pharmacies.
By Karen Jowers
Rampant attempts to defraud troops warrants crack down, advocates say
Crytpo scams, romance scams, education scams, job scams. Advocates are pushing authorities to root out scamsters at the source.
By Karen Jowers
Hegseth puts more muscle into fixing troops’ household goods moves
The Pentagon has stood up a new operation to focus solely on permanent fixes for the decades-old problems of damaged and lost household goods.
By Karen Jowers
I used VR therapy to treat my PTSD. Here’s what happened next.
A firsthand look at how Neurova Labs is tackling PTSD — with just a headset.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
VA leader’s policies delaying care, destroying work force, report says
The VA has lost 40,000 employees in the past year, 88% of whom worked in the Veterans Health Administration, according to the report.
By Patricia Kime
AI-powered military neurotech: Mind enhancement or control?
AI's ability to monitor a warfighter’s mental state, visuals or inner dialog may outpace the ability to shield that data from misuse, some scientists say.
By Aliya Sternstein
Army doubling up soldiers in Hawaii barracks to meet housing demand
Army leaders met Tuesday with troops to detail their plans to house single soldiers during a planned buildup of roughly 690 service members this year.
By Patricia Kime