The Pentagon plans to pull 1,100 active duty troops from the U.S.-Mexico border in August, just a month after the border saw a 30% increase in illegal crossings. The plans were confirmed by a defense official on the condition of anonymity to discuss details ahead of an announcement. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the 90-day…

Is the Ukraine war also a public relations war? The U.S. has sometimes promoted the idea that Putin’s power may be weakening. First, rumors that Putin had cancer began circulating. Then there was the Wagner Group’s short-lived rebellion against Russia’s military leadership. Putin, on the other hand, is pushing the argument that the West is…

While top U.S. officials have responded to the news of an Army soldier making an unauthorized crossing into North Korea, a military decision on the fate of the soldier had not been made as of early Wednesday morning, July 19. The soldier, identified as Private Travis T. King, crossed the inter-Korean border “wilfully and without…

Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, have introduced legislation to prevent the Defense Department from making more accounting errors when sending aid to Ukraine. In June, the Pentagon revealed it had overvalued aid it provided by $6.2 billion, allowing the DOD to send more.  The Pentagon said the accounting errors can be attributed…

Sweden wants to join NATO. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said his country met its obligations under an agreement with Turkey to join the military alliance and it’s time for Turkey’s Parliament to begin the ratification process. When he invaded Ukraine last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said one of his goals was to prevent…

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he will not back down from his hold on more than 250 military nominees, even as some of his fellow Senate Republicans are suggesting alternatives. Tuberville is protesting a Pentagon policy that provides paid time off and travel expenses for active duty members who get an abortion.  Sen. Joni Ernst,…

In an ongoing standoff over the Defense Department’s abortion policy, the confirmation of 160 military promotions remains on hold, causing concerns among top officials and raising questions about the impact on U.S. national security. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has utilized the promotions as leverage to urge the Defense Department to rescind its policy that utilizes taxpayer…

President Joe Biden ordered airstrikes in northern Syria after an American contractor was killed in a drone attack; the U.S. and Canada reached a border deal; and Starbucks’ CEO will work the counter. These stories and more highlight your daily rundown for Friday, March 24, 2023.  American killed in Syria drone strike An Iranian suicide…

The Senate is on track to repeal the authorizations for the use of military force against Iraq. The bipartisan measure led by Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., will undo AUMFs approved in 1991 and 2002 for the Gulf War and invasion of Iraq.  The sponsors said repealing the AUMFs will not impact…

A bipartisan group of senators wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that stated the United States needs to take a hard look at providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The senators want the Pentagon to be prepared, should the U.S. decide to send aircraft. “We are now at a critical juncture in the…