Military News
Coverage of the armed forces, defense spending, and global security challenges. The Daily Signal offers news, analysis, and conservative commentary.
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opinion
Lame Duck Can’t Hide From Defense Authorization
The top two items on the agenda in the waning days of the 116th Congress should be to pass appropriations bills to keep the government from shutting down Dec. 11 and to agree on the 60th annual National Defense Authorization Act. During an event Tuesday marking release of The Heritage Foundation’s 2021 Index of U.S…. -
news
America’s Might Again Rated as ‘Marginal’ in Index of Military Strength
The military strength of the United States again is rated as only “marginal” in a new report from The Heritage Foundation, a status that a key Texas congressman says doesn’t serve the American people well. “The fundamental point here is that we’re not where we should be,” Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking member of the… -
opinion
The Status of US Military Power in 2020
America’s competitors are developing and deploying new technologies that will make their conventional forces far more effective in open combat. The question before Congress is: Will the U.S. try to keep up? Unprecedented spending in response to the pandemic has driven the national debt to new heights. As Congress struggles to pass a now overdue… -
opinion
Maintaining Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense
This article is an excerpt from the “2020 Mandate for Leadership: A Clear Vision for the Next Administration.” It looks back at policy decisions made by the Trump administration over the past four years. You can purchase your copy of “Mandate 2020” here. Since publication of the last Mandate for Leadership, the Trump administration has worked… -
news
Attorneys for Teen Kenosha Shooter Say He Acted in Self-Defense
Attorneys for Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with killing two people and wounding another during a riot on Tuesday, said the teenager “did nothing wrong” and only pulled the trigger to defend himself from harm. “Kyle did nothing wrong. He exercised his God-given, Constitutional, common law and statutory right to self defense,” Pierce Bainbridge, the… -
opinion
‘Great Nightfall’ Provides Extraordinary Overview of Military Challenges Facing America
Americans who want to better understand the complex threats the United States faces might assume that they need to read at least several books to get the full picture. Indeed, the landscape is complicated. The range of threats today includes cyber, space, nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence-guided weapons, and robots; not to mention the more traditional… -
opinion
A Defense of Our Founding Ideas
It’s not just statues and American history that are under attack. The most essential ideas from America’s founding are under siege and on trial. Robert R. Reilly, the director of the Westminster Institute and widely published author, joined “The Right Side of History” podcast to discuss his new book “America on Trial: A Defense of the… -
opinion
Administration Ramps Up Use of Defense Production Act
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration was criticized for not using the Defense Production Act quickly enough or in sufficient quantity to counter the spread of the coronavirus. Now, after using the act 33 times since March 18, there is no denying that the administration is utilizing it to fight… -
opinion
House Panel Forgets ‘Water’s Edge,’ Again OKs Partisan Defense Bill
The House Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year 2021 funding bill for the Department of Defense on July 14 on a straight party-line vote of 30 to 22. If last year’s defense budget cycle teaches us anything, it is that this level of partisanship is a path for failure. In 2019, the House Armed Services… -
opinion
House Committee Shows Strong Bipartisanship in Approving National Defense Authorization Act
The House Armed Services Committee last week unanimously approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, with all 56 members who were present voting in favor of the legislation. The July 1 action was an important bipartisan show of support that eluded the House of Representatives last year, when the committee lost all Republican… -
opinion
Don’t Allow a Vocal Fringe Minority to Cut Our Much-Needed Defense Investments
This is one in a series on the importance of achieving peace through strength and keeping U.S. national security strong. Both long have been Heritage Foundation principles and a great foundation for America’s national power. Some voices call for reducing defense spending to focus on the response to COVID-19, but the need to fully fund our… -
opinion
US Can’t Be Negligent or Irresponsible in Military Funding Decisions
This piece is part of a series on the importance of achieving peace through strength and a strong national security for the United States. Both have long been Heritage Foundation principles and a great foundation for American national power. Some voices are calling for a reduction in defense spending in order to focus on the… -
news
The History of Presidents Using Military to Restore Order Within US
The National Guard has stepped in to quell the violence in Minneapolis in the wake of riots that occurred over the death of George Floyd. President Donald Trump tweeted, “The National Guard has arrived on the scene. They are in Minneapolis and fully prepared. George Floyd will not have died in vain. Respect his memory!!!” … -
opinion
Problematic Women: Air Force Veteran Talks Military Service, Marriage, and Feminism
If “the American dream” describes overcoming the challenges of a difficult childhood; serving in the armed forces; having the financial freedom to support not only yourself, but also your family; making a difference in your community through political engagement; and finding love along the way, then Anna Paulina Luna is living the dream. Luna joins… -
opinion
In the Wake of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Fracas, Some Insights on Military Protocols and Leadership
Americans concerned about the coronavirus threat have heard a great deal about how it’s affecting everything from hospitals to grocery stores. With so much to keep track of, though, it’s likely they know little about the outbreak that occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, let alone what to make of the debacle that led… -
opinion
The Defense Production Act: Why Voluntary Cooperation Is Nearly Always Better Than Forced
Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to invoke the authorities in the Defense Production Act for use in the coronavirus crisis, there has been a lot of talk about what he should and should not do with these enhanced powers. The Defense Production Act allows the administration to prioritize private sector… -
news
Sen. Toomey Rises ‘in Defense of Capitalism’ Against Critics on Left, Right
Families today are driving safer cars, living in larger houses, and using technology unimaginable 20 years ago. The standard of living in the United States is constantly rising as a result of market capitalism. While Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-described “democratic socialist,” is perhaps the most high-profile critic of market capitalism, even some on… -
news
Massive US Military Exercise in Europe Is Still a Go, Despite Travel Restrictions
KYIV, Ukraine—Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. military has plans to scale back, but not cancel, its biggest military exercise in Europe in 25 years. Some 20,000 U.S. troops were slated to deploy to Europe and back this spring for the Defender-Europe 20 exercise, which was to last through May and take place in… -
opinion
‘An Era of Great Uncertainty’: Retired Army Gen. Carter Ham on Today’s Military Challenges
Gen. Carter Ham, retired from the United States Army, is currently president and chief executive officer of the Association of the United States Army. On today’s podcast, he tells his story of why he decided to join the military, what he learned in some of his deployments in places like Africa and Somalia, as well… -
opinion
New Guidelines Could Help Secure America’s Defense Technology
Last week, the Pentagon released new guidelines on cybersecurity that it hopes will represent a big step forward for protecting American national security if implemented right. Designed to improve the cybersecurity of Department of Defense contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification should strengthen cybersecurity practices throughout the supply chain, which would lead to more…