Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Christine Wormuth on July 13, 2015 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. CSIS Screengrab
While the American public’s attention—when it focuses on Afghanistan—is centered on the withdrawal of U.S. forces and the uptick of terrorist attacks in Kabul and Khost, the Pentagon’s top policy chief says the Taliban are “definitely taking more hits than they did in 2014.” Read More
The following is the text of the July 14, 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the Islamic Republic of Iran and China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the U.K. and the U.S. over the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Read More
A Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear ‘H’ off the coast of Scotland in 2014. UK Royal Air Force Photo
A Russian Air Force strategic bomber has crashed outside the city of Khabarovsk, near the Chinese border, according to a Tuesday statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense via local media. Read More
An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22 prepares to touch down aboard Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 9. US Marine Corps photo.
A previous version of this story indicated the U.S. Marine Corps flies F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. In fact, the USMC flies the F/A-18 C/D Hornet. The post has been amended.
PENTAGON – The Marine Corps added one final test before deciding whether to declare initial operational capability for the Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF): a first-ever Operational Readiness Inspection. Read More
The following is the July 2, 2015 Congressional Research Service report, Acquisition Reform in House- and Senate- Passed Versions of the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735). Read More
USS Kauffman (FFG-59) departs Naval Station Norfolk for its final deployment. US Navy Photo
The last Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate deployment ended on Sunday when USS Kauffman (FFG-59) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va. following six months in U.S. Southern Command. Read More
Amphibious assault ships participating in exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2015 transit in formation off the coast of Sweden on June 12, 2015. US Navy Photo
NATO may be best known for its protracted counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan, or for its current efforts to shore up defenses in Eastern Europe with air and ground exercises. But moving forward NATO must also consider its role in the global maritime domain, as it is central to the twin security challenges of an increasingly aggressive Russia and a crumbling Middle East order that the Alliance faces right now. Read More
The following is the June 23, 2015 Congressional Research Service, Coast Guard Cutter Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) prior to a replenishment-at-sea on June 29, 2015. US Navy Photo
The Navy has issued a request for proposal (RFP) directly to General Dynamics NASSCO and Huntington Ingalls Industries for the third America-class big deck amphibious warship and six next-generation oilers (TAO(X)), the service told USNI News. Read More
U.S. Marine Corps pilots and crew of MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262),at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (MCAS Futenma), Aug. 12, 2013. US Marine Corps photo.
The Marine Corps may face yet another challenge to its plans to replace the Futenma airfield in Okinawa, Japan, with the new local governor poised to cancel approval for construction of the new base. Read More
