Aaron Mehta

Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.


  • Interview: Alan Shaffer
    Interview: Alan Shaffer

    Alan Shaffer has helped guide the Pentagon’s R&D efforts since 2007. This summer, he is leaving that job to take a new one as the director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office.

  • With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice
    With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice

    President Obama’s selection of Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to have done the impossible — created consensus in Washington.

  • US Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger
    US Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger

    The US has formally begun training “moderate opposition” forces in Syria, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Thursday

  • DSCA Approves $3.5 Billion in Foreign Sales
    DSCA Approves $3.5 Billion in Foreign Sales

    The US State Department has approved five separate weapon sales worth an estimated total of $3.5 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on its website Tuesday.

  • With New Rules, Japan Emerges in Pacific
    With New Rules, Japan Emerges in Pacific

    A new agreement between the US and Japan sets the island nation to take a larger role in the politics of the Pacific while opening up new opportunities for military research and development.

  • Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman
    Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

    There are growing indications that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps.

  • Bayer Returns as Defense Business Board Chair
    Bayer Returns as Defense Business Board Chair

    Michael Bayer, who served as chair of the Board from 2007-2011, will return as chair when the group reconvenes in July, the Pentagon announced Wednesday evening.

  • French Air Chief Sees Long Mission in Iraq
    French Air Chief Sees Long Mission in Iraq

    French operations over Iraq will continue for some time, according to the head of France’s air force.

  • Analysts Call for Bipartisan US Budget Reform
    Analysts Call for Bipartisan US Budget Reform

    A group of 38 defense analysts and former DoD officials from across the ideological spectrum are calling for “bold action” on the Pentagon’s budget.

  • Iran Intercepts Cargo Ship, US Moves to Respond
    Iran Intercepts Cargo Ship, US Moves to Respond

    Iranian vessels fired upon a cargo ship flagged to the Marshall Islands Tuesday morning, forcing the ship to travel deeper into Iranian waters — and setting off another round of tensions between Iran and the US.

  • Interview: Alan Shaffer
    Interview: Alan Shaffer

    Alan Shaffer has helped guide the Pentagon’s R&D efforts since 2007. This summer, he is leaving that job to take a new one as the director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office.

  • With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice
    With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice

    President Obama’s selection of Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to have done the impossible — created consensus in Washington.

  • US Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger
    US Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger

    The US has formally begun training “moderate opposition” forces in Syria, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Thursday

  • DSCA Approves $3.5 Billion in Foreign Sales
    DSCA Approves $3.5 Billion in Foreign Sales

    The US State Department has approved five separate weapon sales worth an estimated total of $3.5 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on its website Tuesday.

  • With New Rules, Japan Emerges in Pacific
    With New Rules, Japan Emerges in Pacific

    A new agreement between the US and Japan sets the island nation to take a larger role in the politics of the Pacific while opening up new opportunities for military research and development.

  • Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman
    Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

    There are growing indications that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps.

  • Bayer Returns as Defense Business Board Chair
    Bayer Returns as Defense Business Board Chair

    Michael Bayer, who served as chair of the Board from 2007-2011, will return as chair when the group reconvenes in July, the Pentagon announced Wednesday evening.

  • French Air Chief Sees Long Mission in Iraq
    French Air Chief Sees Long Mission in Iraq

    French operations over Iraq will continue for some time, according to the head of France’s air force.

  • Analysts Call for Bipartisan US Budget Reform
    Analysts Call for Bipartisan US Budget Reform

    A group of 38 defense analysts and former DoD officials from across the ideological spectrum are calling for “bold action” on the Pentagon’s budget.

  • Iran Intercepts Cargo Ship, US Moves to Respond
    Iran Intercepts Cargo Ship, US Moves to Respond

    Iranian vessels fired upon a cargo ship flagged to the Marshall Islands Tuesday morning, forcing the ship to travel deeper into Iranian waters — and setting off another round of tensions between Iran and the US.

  • Interview: Alan Shaffer
    Interview: Alan Shaffer

    Alan Shaffer has helped guide the Pentagon’s R&D efforts since 2007. This summer, he is leaving that job to take a new one as the director of the NATO Collaboration Support Office.

  • With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice
    With Dunford, Obama Makes Popular Choice

    President Obama’s selection of Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff seems to have done the impossible — created consensus in Washington.

  • US Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger
    US Begins Syrian Training; Questions Linger

    The US has formally begun training “moderate opposition” forces in Syria, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Thursday

  • DSCA Approves $3.5 Billion in Foreign Sales
    DSCA Approves $3.5 Billion in Foreign Sales

    The US State Department has approved five separate weapon sales worth an estimated total of $3.5 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on its website Tuesday.

  • With New Rules, Japan Emerges in Pacific
    With New Rules, Japan Emerges in Pacific

    A new agreement between the US and Japan sets the island nation to take a larger role in the politics of the Pacific while opening up new opportunities for military research and development.

  • Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman
    Signs Point to Dunford as Next JCS Chairman

    There are growing indications that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commandant of the Marine Corps.

  • Bayer Returns as Defense Business Board Chair
    Bayer Returns as Defense Business Board Chair

    Michael Bayer, who served as chair of the Board from 2007-2011, will return as chair when the group reconvenes in July, the Pentagon announced Wednesday evening.

  • French Air Chief Sees Long Mission in Iraq
    French Air Chief Sees Long Mission in Iraq

    French operations over Iraq will continue for some time, according to the head of France’s air force.

  • Analysts Call for Bipartisan US Budget Reform
    Analysts Call for Bipartisan US Budget Reform

    A group of 38 defense analysts and former DoD officials from across the ideological spectrum are calling for “bold action” on the Pentagon’s budget.

  • Iran Intercepts Cargo Ship, US Moves to Respond
    Iran Intercepts Cargo Ship, US Moves to Respond

    Iranian vessels fired upon a cargo ship flagged to the Marshall Islands Tuesday morning, forcing the ship to travel deeper into Iranian waters — and setting off another round of tensions between Iran and the US.