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White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
"I don't have a ballpark," White House budget director Russell Vought told lawmakers Wednesday about the cost of the Iran war.
Suicide rates among military families continue to climb
The total overall number decreased, a drop that coincides with smaller overall force numbers.
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Pentagon & Congress
Amid focus on Strait of Hormuz, experts sound warning on Yemen’s Houthis and Red Sea
Foreign policy experts warn that the strait is not the only potential choke point that Iran and its proxies could leverage amid the war.
Bill from vets in Congress would keep military roles open to women
The bill, which lacks Republican sponsors, is explicitly described as a response to the Pentagon review of women in ground combat roles.
100-year-old B-17 turret gunner knighted by France
Phillip “Bruce” Cook flew 35 missions as a ball turret gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress, tasked with fighting for air supremacy over occupied Europe.
Pentagon’s women-in-combat review reassigned; deadline extended
A Pentagon-ordered review on the effectiveness of women in combat is now under new management, Military Times has learned.
In other news
Marines win top sniper competition
Two Marine snipers brought home the top prize at this year’s International Sniper Competition in a rare win for the Corps.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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China draws strategic lessons from US war with Iran | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.14.26
Monitoring from afar, one of the world’s top superpowers is watching the United States’ war in Iran from a strategic perspective. What are they learning?
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MORE STORIES
Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings
The effort is designed to show support for legal immigration of more Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the war overseas.
Lawmakers press VA for details on DOGE access to vets records
Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
Iran remains security threat even after airstrikes, CENTCOM warns
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Central Command said Iran still has 'considerable tactical capabilities' of concern to national security.
VA staff finished 2M disability claims faster than ever this year
The department is about 15% ahead of its claims workload pace from last summer.
Survey shows surge in support for US leadership in foreign affairs
Almost two-thirds of respondents in the Reagan Institute poll pushed for a bigger role for U.S. leaders on the global stage.
Pentagon leaders hail successful Iran strikes but wary of retaliation
The operation against Iran involved 125 American aircraft, 75 precision weapons and a bevy of other U.S. military assets.
US strikes on Iran draw support from GOP leaders, concerns from Dems
Saturday's attack on Iran nuclear sites is expected to spur new congressional discussions about presidential war powers.
US troops, bases in Middle East could be targets in conflict with Iran
About 40,000 U.S. personnel are spread throughout the region, giving Iran a chance to strike back at American military forces.
White House taps nominees for VA’s top benefits, technology roles
Karen Brazell currently works as a senior VA advisor and would serve as the department's next Under Secretary for Benefits.
DOD schools reorganize to target more support to military children
The school system is adding more psychologists and administrative officers, but there's concern about some positions being eliminated.
By Karen Jowers