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US troops, families adjust to new normal of Iran war
“To maintain this constant state of ‘Level 10’ alert vigilance, to be ready to go at the drop of a hat, is a very stressful ... operational mission."
House panel votes to reinstate non-Confederate base names and adopt ‘Department of War’
The House advanced a measure to return the names of nine U.S. military bases to those recommended by a congressional commission in 2023.
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Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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US strikes Iranian sites after Iran launches drones, in latest Gulf flare-up
U.S. forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites on Saturday after shooting down drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said.
Joint Chiefs head makes first official visit to post-Maduro Venezuela
The visit comes five months after the high-risk U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Unemployment rate for veterans drops to 3.2%, women vets surge on jobs market
The improvement was bolstered by a strong showing from women veterans on the jobs market and came despite growing fears of AI-triggered layoffs.
Lawmakers move to require chaperones for ‘sensitive’ appointments in military health system
Under the provision, a trained third party would have to be present for exams conducted by obstetrician-gynecologists at military treatment facilities.
In other news
Pentagon must divulge cost of Iran war under House proposal
A measure advanced Friday would require the DoD to report on the total financial cost of operations in Iran, including damaged or destroyed U.S. property.
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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Trump vows help for Afghan allies seeking safety, citizenship in US
President Trump promised more help for Afghan immigrants despite recent administration moves rolling back aid to those refugees.
Lessons learned from a military do-it-yourself move gone wrong
After a military officer's U-Haul ended up ransacked in a field, he's warning other troops about the possibility of theft during do-it-yourself moves.
By Karen Jowers
After delay, Senate confirms Sam Brown to lead VA memorial affairs
The combat-wounded veteran and former Senate hopeful will oversee operations at hundreds of VA cemeteries and memorial sites.
Longer assignments coming soon for troops heading to South Korea
Longer tours will bring more stability for military forces and improve readiness and service members' quality of life, officials said.
By Karen Jowers
Nonprofit helps expand child care for military families in five states
Summer camps and more care for school-aged children will help ease shortages in five locations.
By Karen Jowers
Advocates worry new White House order on homelessness could hurt vets
A White House plan would make it easier for local officials to force homeless veterans off the streets and into medical or criminal institutions.
Work on annual defense authorization bill will wait until September
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of July 28, 2025.
CENTCOM strike kills ISIS leader in Syria amid US troop drawdown
American officials said that Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani posed a threat to U.S. and allied forces.
DOD trying to head off problems with troops’ household goods moves
PCS task force working to solve troops' real-time household goods moving problems.
By Karen Jowers