Defense One

Scoop: Hegseth, who last year gutted a Congressionally-created panel that oversaw his department’s legal community, is standing up a new one with a broader purview. The Pentagon declined to provide the memo. @DefenseOne has reviewed the two-page doc. defenseone.com/policy/2026/05…

COMMENTARY: Taiwan is a ‘model ally,’ not trade bait buff.ly/UIiONHt

Pentagon will ‘never again’ rely on a single AI provider, official says | Emil Michael, defense undersecretary for research and engineering, said new agreements with Big Tech companies are a “counterstatement” to the ongoing Anthropic-Pentagon conflict as the agency prioritizes flexible contracts. buff.ly/1oq2BTZ

With launches slated to grow a hundredfold, Space Force seeks more sites, money, people, and AI | Even today’s accelerated pace strains decades-old launch facilities. @tomnovelly reports from Cape Canaveral: buff.ly/LrXluIH

US investors warm to Ukrainian defense startups—but export laws slow cooperation | One firm says month-long wait for approval puts it at a competitive disadvantage. by @deftechpat buff.ly/QTxtseA

Air Force MQ-9 downs aerial targets with cheap air-to-air missiles | The Reaper demo is part of the service’s quest for cost-effective defense against inexpensive drones. by @tomnovelly buff.ly/GwccxrL

Five ways of looking at the Japanese sinking of a decommissioned Philippine ship | @jhlad reports from Balikatan: buff.ly/ewPx5g8

'This is how we prevail in the Pacific': US, allies train to repel amphibious assault | The U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division brought several new weapons to this year's Balikatan exercise. @jhlad reports from the Philippines: buff.ly/SSqPMPi

Space Force wraps decades-long GPS upgrade—and the next one is on tap | A last-minute rocket swap shows agility in pursuit of faster launches. @tomnovelly reports from Cape Canaveral: buff.ly/01zX8yD

Admin mum on whether Trump will seek to legalize Iran war | The 60 days allowable by the War Powers Resolution is about to run out, but the defense secretary thinks a ceasefire has paused the clock. buff.ly/aDDv7Gf

Air Force’s top general: Supplemental funding needed to replace US aircraft lost in Iran | The 2027 budget request was made before dozens of aircraft were destroyed during Epic Fury. buff.ly/VM3E8mi by @tomnovelly

Marine Corps considering Army’s MV-75 as an attack helo replacement | Bell unveiled an armed version specifically for the Corps at the Modern Day Marine conference. by @meghannmyers_ buff.ly/g4qbkn2

Marine commandant: Every combatant command has requested an amphibious ready group buff.ly/QV9U7d9 by @meghannmyers_

Marine commandant: Every combatant command has requested an amphibious ready group | The demand is about twice as high as the Marine Corps’ goal of three deployed at any given time, Gen. Eric Smith said Thursday. buff.ly/QV9U7d9

Former head of ‘Pentagon’s think tank’ joins Anthropic | The strategy expert calls adaptation to AI a "civilizational" challenge. by @deftechpat buff.ly/0FOSEAj

7 AI firms cleared to provide tools for classified Pentagon networks | The wide variety—which does not include Anthropic—is intended to prevent AI-vendor lock. buff.ly/E2C6xs3

COMMENTARY: Trump’s assumptions are running his Iran policy aground—again | His blunders underscore the importance of a vigorous interagency process. buff.ly/Da4to7e

Replacing the dozens of U.S. aircraft that have been damaged or destroyed in the Iran war will require more money than the staggering $1.5 trillion defense budget, the Air Force’s top general said. More here @DefenseOne: defenseone.com/policy/2026/04…

EXCLUSIVE: Meet the 3-star insiders say will be Space Force’s next top leader buff.ly/Os3P83U by @tomnovelly

Sixty days in, Pentagon estimates $25B spent on Iran war | by @meghannmyers_ buff.ly/vpnmqHg