General and former U.S. secretary of defense
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.
Dan Driscoll has resigned as US secretary of the Army after 18 months in the post, following reported months of clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Driscoll had raised concerns about Army transformation and readiness and opposed Hegseth's firings of senior officers. His exit leaves the Army short of permanent civilian and uniformed leadership during an ongoing conflict with Iran.
The Red Sea conflict has intensified as Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi air power, press to retake Sanaa and secure Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthis have escalated missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, while the U.S. supports allies with intelligence and targeting data but is not yet engaging in kinetic strikes.
The Supreme Court has denied appeals by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two co-defendants, upholding a lower court’s ruling that former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acted within his authority to withdraw plea deals. The deaths penalty remains on the table as the men prepare for a June 2028 military trial at Guantánamo Bay, following a decades-long legal saga tied to the 9/11 attacks.