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Defense One
Will Assad’s defeat be Putin’s Waterloo?
The Assad regime in Syria has become a casualty of Moscow’s increasingly desperate efforts in Ukraine, and its collapse is a strategic and operational blow that undermines the narrative of Russia as ascendant, Kyiv as doomed, and Vladimir…
‘Shock the system’: Startups and DOGE take over Reagan forum
SIMI VALLEY, California—“Efficiency” was the word of the weekend at the Reagan National Defense Forum here. Defense-startup executives were giddy at the prospect of gaining comparative advantage through Trump-administration attacks on…
The D Brief: What’s next for Syria?; Defense-policy bill unveiled; New counter-UAV strategy; Some…
Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad fled his palace in Damascus on Sunday as a coalition of rebel factions poured into the city this weekend, capping a lightning advance from the north that began gaining significant speed just over a week ago.…
Can Syria’s triumphant rebel coalition unite the country?
The brutal 54-year reign of the Assad family in Syria looks to be over.In a matter of days, opposition forces took the major city of Aleppo before advancing southward into other government-controlled areas of Hama, Homs and…
Some Republicans remain unsold on Hegseth
SIMI VALLEY, California—Pete Hegseth, the president-elect’s controversial pick for defense secretary, spent last week on Capitol Hill trying to persuade Republicans that he’s fit for the job. But some lawmakers remain unconvinced. Sen.…
US strikes ISIS in Syria as Assad regime falls
U.S. military aircraft struck 75 ISIS-related targets in Syria on Sunday, just hours after the government of Bashar Al-Assad fell to rebel forces, according to the White House. “ISIS has been trying to reconstitute in this broad area…
‘Multi-headed monster’: Biden, Trump officials address China-Russia-Iran coordination
SIMI VALLEY, Calif.—China, Russia, and Iran are working closely together across the globe, which presents new threats to U.S. and allied national security, defense officials from the outgoing and incoming administrations said Saturday. But…
A day in the diplomatic life of America’s defense secretary
VIENTIANE, Laos—From his first memo on the job, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has centered the tending and extending of ties with America’s allies and military partners. One busy day—Wednesday, Nov. 20—offers a lens on the breadth and…
Russia in talks to send fighter jets to North Korea, INDOPACOM says
SIMI VALLEY, California—Russia may send North Korea “formidable, but…early fourth-generation” fighter jets, the leader of U.S. Indo-Pacom Command said Saturday.“We've seen some agreement” between Moscow and Pyongyang on the transfer of…
Want ‘government efficiency’? Help change agencies from within
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been tweeting up a storm about creating a Department of Government Efficiency — although to listen to some of what they are saying, such a department has already come into being through their tweets. Most…
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