Senior U.S. uniformed leaders advising the president and defense secretary on military matters
Trump is rallying defense leaders and investors in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to spotlight a robust defense budget and U.S. industrial ties amid concerns over war funding, inflation, and a volatile security landscape. The event features top defense officials and corporate leaders as Republicans push for greater investment while critics warn of deficits.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Senate Appropriations Committee the US-Israel war on Iran has cost $37.5bn so far and that the Pentagon needs an $87bn supplemental request, including about $67bn for the Iran campaign. Lawmakers have challenged the figures, criticised shifting rationales for the conflict and warned funding gaps will force cuts to training and readiness.
Lawmakers have demanded accountability after reports show dozens of parents and spouses of active-duty service members are detained or deported as the administration tightens immigration enforcement, reversing decades of bipartisan shielding. The AP investigation highlights disruptions to readiness and family stability amid ongoing security commitments.
The Washington Post reports that during a July 8 Ankara stop, Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller plane to avoid an Iranian threat. Journalists and some aides remained on the decoy aircraft, while security officials say the move was to protect the president. Details of passenger lists and the full sequence remain undisclosed.
Army secretary Daniel Driscoll has resigned amid clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move follows a wave of firings and blocked promotions that have redrawn senior leadership, with lawmakers calling for accountability and a clearer path to modernize the force.
The CBS 60 Minutes interview with Bravo, the weapons systems officer, has revealed the harrowing moments after the April shoot-down and the long rescue that followed. Alpha was rescued quickly, while Bravo spent about 36-48 hours behind enemy lines, evading Iranian forces with a large US rescue operation on the ground and in the air.
Gen. Dan Caine has stated that the U.S. military is preparing to fight from the seabed to cislunar space, with the Space Force doubling in size over five years. The announcements, including on-orbit weapons, challenge long-standing norms that space remains peaceful.