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
Is US Military Strong Enough? As We Fight Terrorism, Military Isn’t What It Was During Cold War
One of the very few things the federal government must do, per the U.S. Constitution, is protect our country and our national security interests. In fact, this is something that only the federal government can do. One of its primary tools to do so is the U.S. military and it spends a lot of money… -
opinion
Missile Defense Essential for Countering Iranian Threat
Recently, Iran conducted a successful test of a new precision-guided, long-range ballistic missile—dubbed “Emad.” This test is an outright violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231, which states that “Iran is called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using… -
opinion
The Army Is the Smallest It Has Been Since Before World War II, And Other Signs of the Military’s Decline
The state of our military isn’t good. The Heritage Foundation released its 2016 Index of U.S. Military Strength today, and its findings are cause for concern. While potential adversaries have either grown more threatening or maintained their levels of aggressiveness, U.S. military strength continues to atrophy due to budget cuts and lack of prioritization from… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
news
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
opinion
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… -
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… -
news
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…