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
Navy Conducts Successful Missile Defense Test
Last week, off the coast of Scotland, the U.S. Navy conducted a successful test intercept of a ballistic missile target (video), the first live intercept of a ballistic missile in Europe. The Navy launched a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA interceptor from the USS Ross as part of a joint exercise with eight U.S. allies. The…David Poortinga -
- Opinion
Defense Analysts Explain Real Cost of Nuclear Forces
The United States is facing an increasingly constrained fiscal environment, with the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA) placing mandatory limits on spending. At the same time, all three legs of the U.S. nuclear triad—land-based, sea-based, and airborne—are due for extensive modernization. Further programs are needed to sustain the U.S. stockpile of nuclear warheads. These necessary…David Poortinga -
- Opinion
Defense Reform Is Far From Dead in Congress
Defense reform has gotten a lot of attention around Washington—from members of Congress and senior Pentagon leaders as well as the usual policy mavens and influencers. Lately, though, whispers wafting from the Pentagon have suggested that perhaps defense reform has peaked, that Congress won’t support meaningful reform. Bushwah! Defense reform is far from dead in…Justin Johnson -
- Opinion
8 Important Takeaways From the 2016 Defense Authorization Act
On Thursday the House (with the Senate shortly thereafter) will vote on the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. That’s a long name for the annual defense policy bill passed by Congress for 53 years in a row. While many of the issues addressed by the bill are extremely…Justin Johnson -
- Opinion
While Iran Receives Billions From Lifted Sanctions, the U.S. Military Is Cut by Billions
There are many reasons to think that the Iran nuclear deal is an awful agreement—one of those being the $150 billion (or so) that Iran will receive as sanctions are lifted. While Iran is receiving $150 billion, the U.S. military is struggling under cuts that total over $180 billion over the last four years. In…Justin Johnson -
- News
David Petraeus Calls on US to Escalate Military Action in Iraq, Syria
Former CIA Director David Petraeus returned to Capitol Hill Tuesday for the first time since his 2012 resignation to detail his strategy for the United States to escalate military involvement in Iraq and Syria. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Petraeus advised the U.S. to form enclaves in Syria protected by coalition airpower…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Forget the Talking Points. What Should the US Really Spend on Defense?
The debate about defense spending will likely reignite this month as Congress returns from recess and the end of the fiscal year draws near. Unfortunately, much of that debate will not be very helpful or informative. Instead of arguing the merits of a particular military spending level, much of the debate will revolve around Democratic…Justin Johnson -
- News
Army Photographer Founds Music Non-Profit to Help Struggling Military Members
When you meet confident, Emmy-winning Michael Henneberger, it’s hard to believe that just seven years ago he was diagnosed with both panic disorder and major depressive disorder. Henneberger, then 25, had joined the Army as a combat photographer. He was stationed at Ft. Meade, Md., for a year of training prior to his discharge. The former musician found…Leah Jessen -
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UK’s Former Defense Secretary: The West ‘Surrendered’ to Iran in Nuclear Talks
The nuclear agreement between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers merely places Tehran’s nuclear ambitions “on hold” and undercuts the international community’s ability to condemn the regime if it violates the deal, the United Kingdom’s former defense secretary said Thursday. Liam Fox, a conservative member of Parliament, said the P5+1 “caved” to Iran’s…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
How Much Should the US Spend on Defense?
The debate about defense spending will likely reignite in September as Congress returns from recess and the end of the fiscal year draws near. Unfortunately, much of that debate will not be very helpful or informative. Instead of arguing the merits of a particular military spending level, much of the debate will revolve around Democratic…Justin Johnson -
- Opinion
No More Double Standards for Women in the Military
Last week, two female Army officers and West Point graduates made history when they successfully passed Army Ranger School, known as one of the most physically challenging and difficult leadership schools in the military. Not only is this a phenomenal personal accomplishment, but they have paved the way for other women to advance in the…Amber Smith -
- News
More Than 200 Retired Military Leaders Push Congress to Reject Iran Deal
More than 200 retired U.S. generals and admirals added their names to the Iran nuclear agreement’s opposition this week after they sent a letter to top congressional leaders pressing lawmakers to reject the accord. The former senior military officers contend that the deal threatens U.S. national security, noting the estimated $150 billion that will pour…Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
There’s Rising Potential for a Tactical Military Clash on the Korean Peninsula
The greatest likelihood for military conflict on the Korean Peninsula is not from a full-scale North Korean invasion, but from a series of escalatory responses to a tactical-level skirmish. This is particularly true if an event occurs during already heightened tensions, as currently exists. Today’s inter-Korean exchange of artillery fire led to no injuries or…Bruce Klingner -
- Opinion
Should Military Chaplains Be Forced to Conduct Same-Sex Weddings?
Last month, the United States Army celebrated the 240th anniversary of the Army Chaplain Corps. Amidst the celebrations there was also concern: there seems to be a growing threat to religious liberty for military chaplains. What happens to chaplains from religious communities that view marriage as a union between one man and one woman? With…Greg Davis -
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ISIS Is Urging Supporters to Target Military Families. What US Should Do.
ISIS now claims it has the names, home addresses and other personally identifiable information of thousands of U.S. military personnel and government employees. It’s called for “local” supporters to use the information to attack the Americans listed. ISIS posted this data for about 1,400 people, but asserts this was just one percent of the data…Steven Bucci -
- Opinion
US Missile Defense Agency Conducts Successful Test
Last week, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful test of the new SM-6 interceptor. Over the course of several days off the coast of Hawaii, the USS John Paul Jones launched four separate interceptor missiles at distant targets designed to simulate both threatening aircraft and incoming ballistic missiles. The tests proved successful. In…Cameron Swathwood -
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Scott Walker ‘Absolutely’ Supports First Amendment Defense Act
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa—GOP presidential candidate Gov. Scott Walker says he supports the First Amendment Defense Act, a bill that would prevent the federal government from taking action against individuals or businesses because of their religiously held beliefs on traditional marriage. “Absolutely. To me, protecting our constitutional rights shouldn’t just take a piece of legislation,” Walker…David Brody -
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As Congress Finalizes Defense Bill, John McCain Calls for Repeal of Sequestration
Sen. John McCain is calling for the end of sequestration. McCain, R-Ariz, was joined by military experts at The Heritage Foundation Wednesday to discuss the future of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines the budget expenditures for the Department of Defense. The NDAA for fiscal year 2016 is being negotiated between the…Diana Stancy -
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Military Should Focus on Solving Real-World Problems
Over the last several years, there has been a noticeable uptick in terribly confused thinking about military matters that extends to understanding the nature of conflict, the role of military forces, and general thinking about military affairs. Sometimes the confusion emerges in the form of an identity crisis. The U.S. Army seems to have experienced…Dakota Wood -
- Opinion
Stanley McChrystal’s Accidental Exposé About the Military
Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal has penned a revealing book—but its revelations are not intentional. The combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and his team of co-authors intended to author a guide on how to use small teams to infuse organizations with dynamic and adaptive leadership. Instead they deliver an accidental exposé of what is…James Carafano