Five-sided U.S. military headquarters; center of defense policy
Iranian naval forces have captured a US Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, state media and multiple outlets have reported. The Pentagon has said the drone malfunctioned more than a day earlier and that the older model carried no classified sonar or radar equipment. Anduril has confirmed the loss but described the system as attritable.
A collection of anniversaries and remembrances reflect on the 9/11 attacks and their enduring health, security, and national unity legacies, across major outlets reviewing the events and their aftermath.
The IAEA board has voted 23–3 with eight abstentions to refer Iran to the UN Security Council after inspectors lost access to bombed sites and Iran failed to explain uranium traces. China, Russia and Niger opposed the motion. The referral is unlikely to trigger UN action because Russia and China hold vetoes.
Brent crude has risen above $100 a barrel after US forces struck multiple Iranian tankers and Iran and its proxies have struck vessels and Saudi facilities. Markets have pushed UK petrol and gas prices higher and analysts warn wholesale and household energy bills will increase ahead of winter.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing to depart San Diego as the Navy applies lessons from Lincoln and Ford deployments. Caudle says Roosevelt is maximizing logistics and improving quality-of-life measures amid ongoing US-Iran tensions, with a focus on self-sufficiency and better communication with families.
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Across major outlets, reflections focus on how intelligence failures preceded the attacks, how responses shaped two decades of security policy, and how new threats—from state actors to AI—shape the current security landscape. Readers are offered a panoramic view of evolving national security challenges while the consequences for civilians remain central.
Ceremonies are observed today to mark the 9/11 anniversary. Leaders across the UK and US have reaffirmed ties, honoring nearly 3,000 victims, including 67 Britons. Prime Minister has stressed resilience and shared messages of solidarity with affected communities as allies face ongoing global tensions.
Families and lawmakers have raised alarms about living conditions and mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been continuously at sea since November and has not made a port call for more than 240 days. Reports have cited food shortages, plumbing failures, water contamination and multiple attempted overboard incidents; senators have asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers.
The United States is circulating a nine-page questionnaire to NATO members and other allies, seeking to gauge support for its approach to defense and deterrence. The document asks whether allies have publicly supported US policy, whether they have placed restrictions on US access to bases, and whether they have aligned with the aim of strengthening “strong, clear, and quiet” messaging. Bloomberg reports the questionnaire reflects a push to involve allies in a broader Middle East strategy.
President Trump has ordered a substantial reduction in this month’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, citing his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un and the drills’ cost. The US and South Korea have agreed to shorten and scale back the exercises; Seoul has said the drills started as scheduled while Pyongyang has dismissed outreach and warned that scaled-back drills remain provocative.
President Trump has announced what he called the "most crushing economic operation ever" against Iran and warned any country that provides a lifeline to Tehran will face "tremendous economic consequences." Treasury officials have signalled stepped‑up secondary sanctions while Tehran has rejected the move; oil prices and US equities have reacted this week.
The drills Ulchi Freedom Shield are being halted ahead of planned meetings with North Korea, following President Trump’s order to scale back the exercise amid regional tensions.
Ukraine’s sacked Defence Minister has urged Zelenskyy to schedule presidential elections amid ongoing war. He says democracy must not be Russia’s hostage, while allies debate safe conditions for votes. Polls show strong trust in various leaders, complicating the scene.
The FAA is pursuing disciplinary action against two air-traffic controllers at LaGuardia who left early on March 22, leaving only two in the control tower as traffic surged and a ground emergency unfolded. The event, part of an ongoing NTSB investigation into a fatal crash, has intensified scrutiny of staffing practices and timecard policies across the industry.
Stars and Stripes has dismissed editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer and reporter Lara Korte after the Pentagon issued notices of separation citing insubordination. The journalists have filed a First Amendment lawsuit in Washington, DC, arguing the department is attempting to curb the paper's editorial independence after recent disputes over coverage and management changes.
The Pentagon has released its biennial report showing 33% of active-duty personnel reported unwanted sexual contact in fiscal year 2025, up from 25% in 2023. Reports to authorities have increased, while total incidents declined. Harassment among women and men has fallen, amid ongoing questions about leadership changes.
The United States has reduced two major joint military exercises with South Korea — cutting the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise from 11 days to five and suspending the Ssangyong marine drill — citing limited U.S. force availability tied to the war in Iran and presidential orders. Seoul and Washington are consulting on when to resume training while Pyongyang has launched ballistic missiles in response.
Luis Manuel Aviles, a 48-year-old handyman and father in Key West, has been detained in a case tied to a broader immigration crackdown affecting relatives of U.S. service members. His detention followed by release has drawn scrutiny as the USS Abraham Lincoln recently set a record for uninterrupted time at sea, with officials and advocates warning of ripple effects for military families.
The FAA has moved to fire air-traffic controllers tied to an early shift on the night of a deadly collision, while preliminary NTSB findings detail persistent communication gaps during Marine One departures. The incidents, tied to August events near Reagan National and LaGuardia, underscore ongoing safety concerns and subsequent policy responses.
Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and Middle East reporter Lara Korte have filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging retaliation for reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Pentagon reportedly fired them last week, citing insubordination after a CBS interview. The case underscores tensions over editorial independence in a partially funded military newspaper.
A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Defense acted illegally when it designated Anthropic a supply‑chain risk and barred agencies from enforcing related directives. Judge Rita Lin has vacated the designation, found the actions retaliatory and ordered agencies to rescind guidance; the government is expected to appeal.
The White House has confirmed that President Trump will not attend the New York Ground Zero ceremony on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Vice President JD Vance will represent the administration in New York, while Trump is expected to attend the Pentagon service. Preparations at Ground Zero continue under a nonpartisan memorial framework, with several former officials set to attend ceremonies in different locations.
Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed has apologized for remarks linking a Temple Israel attack to broader context and is pursuing outreach to Jewish voters in Michigan as the race against Republican Mike Rogers intensifies.
Iran continues to push for de-escalation and a reopening of Hormuz as sanctions bite. Tehran reports progress with Oman on a temporary corridor, while inflation soars and imports fall, in a war that has disrupted global energy routes.
Apple has updated Apple Maps to display “Lake America” to U.S. users after President Trump ordered the U.S. geographic names database to rename Lake Ontario. Google had already rolled out the change for U.S. viewers; Canada and many services continue to display Lake Ontario. MapQuest has refused to change and has seen a surge in downloads.
President Donald Trump has said NBCMeet the Press host Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission for what he called a "purposeful inaccuracy" after she said his endorsements have had "mixed results" this primary season. He named FCC chair Brendan Carr and urged the commission to act; broadcasters and rights groups are litigating alleged FCC pressure.
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 US is reviewing a position on the Falkland Islands amid reports it could pressure allies to meet defence spending targets. Britain reiterates the islanders’ wish to remain British, while Argentina’s claim remains unresolved. The UK warns that sovereignty rests with the islanders and will defend their right to self-determination.
Chevron has been assigned additional acreage in Venezuela’s Orinoco Belt and plans jointly to invest more than $7 billion over five years, aiming to double production to about 600,000 barrels a day. The move follows White House-briefed talks about a formal Venezuela visit by Chevron leaders and Energy Secretary Wright.
The US Army has awarded an $11.26 million contract to TERN to deploy AI-based navigation and vehicle health systems that can operate offline, providing independent positioning when GPS is disrupted. The system preloads a local map, works offline, and updates when connections return, with cybersecurity considered. The move aims to reduce GPS vulnerability on the battlefield.
The White House has faced mounting pressure to escalate actions against Iran following the November 3 elections. Officials say the administration is maintaining pressure while considering a calibrated ramp-up in military action if domestic and regional conditions evolve, with a focus on economic leverage to secure concessions in diplomacy.
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.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces widespread criticism in Canada after a social media post mocking a Canadian cadet and instructor. The post has drawn condemnation from Canadian officials, the Army Cadet League of Canada, and political figures amid a thawing but tense US-Canada trade dispute. The Pentagon says the post speaks for itself.
Argentina has declared the Falkland Islands historically and legally Argentine and is moving to sanction oil firms operating there. The UK maintains its unwavering commitment to the islanders’ right to self‑determination, while the US signals it may reassess its stance on the territory amid high geopolitical tension.
A dark-web service is selling over 150 million driver’s licenses and IDs tied to a Louisiana identity-verification firm. Independent and TechCrunch report FBI and U.N. agencies are investigating; Nexus went offline after Krebs exposed the breach.
The widow of Maj. Alex Klinner has pressed the US Air Force after learning her husband’s final pay included combat-related hazard pay and tax breaks, with officials acknowledging initial misinformation. The broader clash over naming the conflict continues as US strikes in Iran and allied responses unfold.
The Joint Staff is conducting widespread polygraph examinations on civilian and military personnel amid an investigation into leaks of classified information tied to dwindling U.S. munition stocks during the Iran conflict. Officials say the effort aims to identify leakers and deter future disclosures, with no one reportedly failing the tests thus far.
Documents released publicly detail what city officials knew about Ground Zero air quality after 9/11 and how they acted to limit liability. The release follows a 9/11 Health Watch settlement and covers health concerns, air quality, and the city’s response.
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Trump has again claimed to have been at Ground Zero shortly after the falls, a version met with skepticism from witnesses and journalists. Several outlets question the veracity of his account, while he defends it and reframes the narrative at public events.
Covenant has announced Anthem, a ground-launched cruise missile capable of carrying a 200+ kg payload. With multiple production sites and a goal of 5,000 missiles per year, the program aims to lower costs while expanding long-range reach, including Indo-Pacific defense considerations.
The Defence Secretary is facing internal resistance as resignations and blocked promotions ripple through the Pentagon amid a broader clash over modernization and culture war priorities.
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, memorial ceremonies are underway across the U.S., with victims’ families reading names and moments of silence observed. Leaders from across the political spectrum attend or plan to attend events, while health-impacted survivors receive renewed focus amid newly released documents about air quality and city response.