House Committee Passes $733B Defense Budget
The House Armed Services Committee passed a $733 billion defense policy bill.
Tensions Escalating in Persian Gulf
Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Over the weekend, the FAA warned that current tensions in the Persian Gulf area could pose a threat to air travel in that region.
Navy’s Aviation Accidents Keep Rising
Manned aviation accident deaths across the services continue to break records, but the steady six-year climb finally halted this year. Only the Navy did not improve in the total accident categories from 2017 to 2018 and is still 83 percent higher than in 2013.
Drones Change the Battlefield & Bases
Drones are already changing the battlefield and impacting US strategy. Increased robotic controls of drones will likely also reduce the human footprint of counterinsurgency as the technology advances.
Netanyahu Calls on Nations to Follow Trump’s Lead on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls on “responsible” nations to follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and impose sanctions on Iran.
Israel, US to Sign 10-Year Defense Deal
This is the largest and longest such agreement between the two nations. No details yet on the agreement’s impact on Qatar’s and Kuwait’s ability to clear long-awaited fighter sales from the US.
Budget Caps Good for Spending Discipline
Not all bad, experts say: statutory budget caps keep the brake on defense spending.
Orlando Shooter Worked For Counterterrorism Firm
Discovery that the shooter in the Orlando nightclub massacre worked for a counterterrorism firm calls into question how wisely security dollars are being spent.
State Officials Don’t Know if Cyber Plan In Place
80 percent of state elected and appointed officials and staff don’t know if their state has an emergency cyber plan in place.
Academy Returns Celestial Navigation Classes
Nearly 20 yrs since celestial navigation was deemed outdated, the Naval Academy will reinstate brief lessons on the tool impervious to cyber attack, the sexton.
