US troops, bases in Middle East could be targets in conflict with Iran
About 40,000 U.S. personnel are spread throughout the region, giving Iran a chance to strike back at American military forces.
Congress
Navy’s preliminary budget undercuts shipbuilding, senator says
The future looks murky for Navy shipbuilding due to budgetary uncertainty amid lagging ship production, Sen. Roger Wicker said at a recent hearing.
More missiles, dispersed forces are key to stopping Chinese invasion of Taiwan, says former US Navy official
A former submarine warfare officer warns two missile types will not be delivered in sufficient numbers under current U.S. procurements plans to defeat any attempted landing operation by China’s People’s Liberation Army across the Taiwan Strait.
US military may sidestep big budget cuts backed by progressives
While the cost of the nation’s pandemic response is putting pressure on the defense budget, its unlikely Congress will make a sweeping, indiscriminate cut, according to Senate Armed Services Committee chairman.
Pentagon’s dated budget process too slow to beat China, new report says
A new report argues for a sweeping overhaul of the Pentagon’s 60-year-old defense budgeting and appropriations process, so it can match the fast-moving commercial sector and outpace China’s technological development efforts.
With limited time, DoD to review five key investments for next budget
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks has ordered a targeted review.
DoD policy pick faces ‘critical’ confirmation hearing, says Reed
Amid warnings from a top Senate Republican, President Biden’s pick for Pentagon policy chief faces a make-or-break confirmation hearing.
Schumer says Senate will draft tech research funding bill
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday he is directing lead Senate Democrats to draft bipartisan legislation invest in developing disruptive new technologies and challenge Beijing.
After SolarWinds, US needs to toughen cyber defenses, says Microsoft president
Microsoft Corp. President Brad Smith asked the Senate Armed Services Committee to picture the danger from a cyberattack on the water supply or other national infrastructures.
Pentagon budget must prioritize Navy, Air Force and cyber, lawmakers say
Two sea power advocates in Congress are making the case to grow the Navy's budget, along with the Air Force and cyber capabilities, at the expense of the other services.
Cotton: Give China ‘crystal clear’ warning not to invade Taiwan
Sen. Tom Cotton's China strategy seeks economic decoupling.
