Also known as the Department of Defense; coordinates the U.S. Armed Forces.
Ukraine has reported that Starshield, SpaceX's military Starlink service, has been capped again at about 161 kph (100 mph), cutting connections to drones and some interceptors and allowing Russian strikes to get through. Kyiv says the limits are systematic; SpaceX has denied any change and U.S. officials have not publicly explained the cause.
U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have mediated two days of Russia‑Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi focused on a post‑war European security framework and prisoner swaps. Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on territory, Europe has pushed to join negotiations, and Kushner and Witkoff plan to brief President Putin in Moscow and President Zelensky in Ireland.
OpenAI and Anthropic leaders have urged world leaders to coordinate safety and standards for artificial intelligence at the United Nations Security Council, warning of existential risks as AI models potentially improve autonomously. The leaders call for global cooperation, shared standards, and rapid action to ensure controllability as technology evolves.
The US-led coalition has formally concluded its combat and operational presence in Iraq, winding down to an advisory role. Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga are expected to lead security efforts, with the government emphasising sovereignty while pro-Iran factions press for disarmament and continued influence.
Hegseth has announced a 20% reduction in flag and general officer positions across the U.S. military by January 1, 2027, following last year’s 10% cut. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline leadership and reduce bureaucracy, with critics warning of consequences for readiness and leadership turnover.
Defense Secretary has announced Project Meridian, a 120-day effort to identify future battlefield capabilities. Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich will co-lead, with Pentagon CTO Emil Michael guiding. The project aims to study future warfare domains and propose actionable technology solutions.
The Pentagon has unveiled six initiatives to accelerate autonomous warfare, including a new four-star command for drones and a collaborative project with Elon Musk and Newt Gingrich. The moves aim to speed fielding of autonomous systems, bolster resilience, and rethink military basing and officer development, all while signaling a shift to a more tech-enabled force.
SpaceX has launched a four‑person Crew‑13 to the International Space Station and the team has reached orbit after an eight‑hour express transit, a US speed record. Commander Jessica Watkins has become the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit. The flight includes Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, whose wife is due to give birth during the six‑month mission.
The Pentagon has announced the creation of a new Office of Religious Affairs. Reporting directly to the defense secretary, the ORA will coordinate religious support for service members and chaplain resources, while pledging not to compel participation or privilege any faith. Critics warn the move could entrench Christian nationalist influence.
NATO has presented a three-step operational framework — "block, blunt and break" — at the Warsaw Security Forum. General Alexus Grynkewich has said the plan will stop an invasion at the border, then halt advancing forces with precision strikes and finally degrade an attacker’s supply and command networks. Allies are warning of rising Russian "hybrid" activity while Moscow denies plans to attack Europe.
The US has redeployed a dozen B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford back to US bases after British authorities foiled an alleged plot to attack the Gloucestershire airfield. UK officials have said there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement; Tehran has denied the claim. The withdrawal will reduce the UK-based surge capability for strikes on Iran.
The United States has redeployed its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to the US after a new threat against the base, with Britain stressing that the site remains secure. Counter-terror police have been investigating a September incident near the base, and officials from the US and UK are citing ongoing security measures while confirming the move.
SpaceX shares have surged as analysts flag upside from Starship flights and AI-driven compute deals. Elon Musk’s net worth has crossed the trillion-dollar mark again, driven by SpaceX and Tesla ownership, with momentum continuing into Q4.
Anduril Industries has secured a $2.9 billion Navy contract and will invest heavily in Arsenal‑2, a new submarine parts facility in Maryland, to boost Virginia‑class submarine production. The project is paired with a broader government effort to strengthen the U.S. submarine industrial base and address long‑standing production delays.
The latest batch of reports indicates the United States has told the Pentagon to be ready for the possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran. The move could involve large-scale strikes on energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets and may occur before the U.S. midterm elections. Trump insists he will not attack Iran before the elections while officials say preparations are advancing; Iran and its allies are on high alert as regional tensions escalate.
The Iran war continues to drive global energy volatility. US forces maintain a naval blockade; oil prices have risen sharply, pressuring consumers as fuel costs stay elevated amid ongoing clashes and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
SpaceX has warned that a growing number of satellite operators are not sharing orbital data, increasing the risk of collisions in Earth's orbit. Starlink has observed hundreds of near-miss events this year, including incidents where Starlink satellites had to alter course to avoid others. SpaceX says gaps in data collaboration heighten the danger as constellations expand, even as the company expands Starlink with plans for tens of thousands of satellites.
The U.S. military has announced it will execute Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter from 2009, by firing squad in a procedure slated for December 3. It will be the first execution by the U.S. military since 1961, and details will be released by officials as preparations proceed.
Iran has strengthened its nuclear and military defenses while warning of broader retaliation if the United States resumes attacks. Satellite imagery shows reinforced facilities as regional strains escalate, with Washington preparing options for renewed strikes amid carrier deployments.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said Nidal Hasan, convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood shootings, is scheduled for execution by firing squad on Dec. 3 and that the military will make the execution public. The Department of Defense has declined to comment on how the execution will be presented to spectators or whether it will be broadcast.
Religious leaders, including Archbishop Broglio, are opposing the Pentagon's plan to livestream the Dec. 3 execution of Nidal Hasan, a Fort Hood shooter. They argue the broadcast could demean human dignity, harm the US military’s image, and set a dangerous precedent for public executions.
Ukraine has reported that Starlink's military variant, Starshield, was slowed in mid‑October, degrading its drone and air‑defence operations. The Wall Street Journal has reported Donald Trump phoned Elon Musk and asked him to restore full service; Trump and SpaceX deny a formal White House order. Kyiv says speeds have only been partially restored and the disruption has cost defensive capability.
The former president has publicly called for harsh penalties for leaks at a campaign event in Bullhead City, amid tension over recent covert operations and media reporting. Public figures have criticized leaks that allegedly reveal timing and details of military actions.
The United States has drawn up options for renewed strikes on Iran using the MOAB, though officials warn the move would be a symbolic escalation rather than a decisive shift. Reports indicate planning is under consideration and could target energy infrastructure or underground facilities, with officials stressing the weapon’s non-nuclear status.
President Trump has cancelled plans to livestream the Dec. 3 firing‑squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan after bipartisan domestic and international outrage. The administration has said the execution will proceed at Fort Hood and that immediate family members of victims may attend in person; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced criticism for announcing the broadcast plan.
Ukrainian defense sources have disclosed a disruption to SpaceX’s Starshield system, the military version of Starlink, affecting drone operations and front-line logistics. Officials say speeds above 100 mph were restricted, with some units experiencing cutoffs at 45 mph. By Thursday, services had largely resumed, but the incident highlights Ukraine’s dependence on SpaceX and the challenge of diversifying communications amid escalating tensions with external powers.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants have appeals rejected as the government maintains a June 2028 military trial date at Guantánamo. Plea deals that would have spared the death penalty have been voided by the Defense Secretary, keeping a capital outcome on the table.
Zelensky and US envoys are in Oslo with Finnish President Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Støre to push for a constructive diplomatic path amid strained US-Ukraine ties. Talks focus on early-warning intelligence, Starlink access, and Patriot missiles as Washington weighs its broader role in ending the Ukraine conflict.
Iran has repeated that its policies remain unchanged in the face of threats from the US and Israel, with Tehran saying that any renewed war would not alter its positions. Meanwhile, regional tensions in the Strait of Hormuz intensify as attacks on shipping continue and mediation efforts falter amid broader regional maneuvering.
The Pentagon has issued a memo barring all Defense Department personnel from using nonpublic information to place bets on prediction markets. The move follows cases where service members and contractors faced charges related to bets tied to operations, including Maduro’s ouster. Authorities warn that such trading can warp judgment and jeopardize operational security.
The U.S. State Department has approved a foreign military sale of up to 500 Patriot missiles, with donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway. The sale aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian attacks, with U.S. officials stressing no American funds are involved. Deliveries and ongoing support are part of a broader package, and Kyiv has pressed for faster delivery amid tensions.
Washington has long accused Confucius Institutes of being Chinese propaganda tools and has stepped up action against them. The Pentagon says 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities had popped up under different guises, with a mission to steal IP and influence students. The latest move adds these centres to the national security threat list as part of a broader, multi-agency effort.
Tech giants are pouring billions into AI infrastructure as data-centre investments surge. Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta report rising capital outlays to power AI tools, while profits slip due to costs and debt. Anthropic prepares to go public amid a liquidity-fuelled AI race.
The US State Department has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC‑3 interceptor missiles to Ukraine, funded by donations from Canada, Germany and Norway via the JUMPSTART programme and EU-backed loans. Kyiv has warned deliveries could take years and is urging immediate transfers from allied stockpiles to cover urgent shortfalls as Russian strikes intensify.
The latest strikes have killed 243 people in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September 2025, with SOUTHCOM saying the operations target narco-trafficking routes. Critics question legality, evidence, and effectiveness, as allies are being urged for approval in new strikes.
Poland has received information of possible acts of diversion or provocations near its border with Russia. Authorities report suspicious activity and have mobilized police, border guards and counter-terrorism units in Poland’s northeast as part of widening security measures.
The Pentagon has authorized continued National Guard support for the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. Memos signed Oct. 29 authorize 60 police cars, patrol boats, light towers, and rifles in some operations, while capping total troops at 3,500. The District argues the deployment remains legally questionable.
The impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has gained momentum as Democrats win Congress, with Rep. Thomas Massie pressing eight articles of impeachment. Jeffries supports removing Hegseth, arguing he has abused power and endangered national security. The debate centers on the war in Iran and calls for accountability.
The Pentagon chief has survived multiple scandals since taking office in early 2025, but Democrats have won a Senate majority and vow rigorous oversight. Trump and Vance blame the Iran war for political losses as Hegseth emphasizes his record and vows to press on. Impeachment talks and looming investigations promise shifting political currents.
Satellite imagery has shown Iran expanding underground facilities at multiple bases, including Garmdareh in Karaj and Shahroud, with possible connections to missile production. Analysts say Iran is moving infrastructure underground to defend against strikes, while officials insist stockpiles remain large.
The State Department has offered up to $20 million and possible relocation for information on Iran's nuclear programme, citing lost IAEA continuity on centrifuge production. US Central Command has publicised the reward as President Donald Trump repeats claims that US strikes have largely destroyed Iran's nuclear capacity while diplomacy continues through Qatari mediation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has lifted the 2,000-kilometer missile-range cap, signaling intent to demonstrate broader capabilities. Officials say Iran will show these capabilities in practice, amid heightened tensions with the US and allies. The comments come as regional instability and US-Israel pressure mount, with new sanctions enforcement and strategic moves shaping the Middle East landscape.
France has accused an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps cyber unit, Shahid Kaveh, of carrying out October hacks that raised supermarket fridge temperatures, spoiling food and sparking fires. Paris has opened a judicial probe, sought arrest warrants for three alleged operators and said it will press for EU-level sanctions. Investigations link the campaign to similar incidents across Europe and the US.
American refuelling tankers have been evacuated from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England after an unspecified Iranian threat. Officials say assets moved to meet operational requirements; Pentagon declined to comment. Trump has described momentum toward ending the conflict, while UK and US authorities stress ongoing vigilance.
The Pentagon chief has faced a press briefing and impeachment threats from Rep. Massie as Republicans grapple with midterms fallout tied to the Iran conflict. A House vote could come midweek, with support from Trump and concerns over the war's costs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has awarded Specialist Thomas Iglesias a Joint Service Commendation Medal after Iglesias loudly told Hegseth, his wife and senior aides to "maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Veterans Day on November 11. The Pentagon has defended the sentinels action as correct and respectful.
U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have met Vladimir Putin and told him Europeans will join the next round of U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Kyiv has welcomed European participation and signalled hopes for ceasefire steps and a large prisoner exchange, while Putin has refused to soften territorial demands or accept foreign peacekeepers.