Top stories
Former sailor charged with attempting to finance ISIS attack on US troops
Seaman Bareen Dzayee attempted to pay an ISIS member to murder U.S. service members overseas with drones and RPGs.
Pentagon bows to criticism, admitting ‘mistake’ over new religious list
The Pentagon revised its abridged list of officially recognized faith affiliations after Utah lawmakers balked at the omission of Mormonism.
Latest
US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet strikes, disables oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
An F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition into the vessel's engineering and steering spaces.
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.
Military pay raises, changes to housing allowance included in House-passed $1.15 trillion defense budget
After controversial amendment votes, a House committee advanced a bill early Friday morning that would authorize the largest defense budget in history.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Flashpoints
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.
VIDEOS
More new tech and gear from Modern Day Marine | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.9.26
A remote turret that keeps you on target in heavy seas, and lightweight belt-fed options. Plus, advice from MOAA.
Featured Videos
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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?
Don't miss
MORE STORIES
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.
US forces board sanctioned tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.
By Reuters
House advances measure to give troops a discount on gas
The proposal would authorize the defense secretary to offer a discount on fuel at military exchanges that's equivalent to the price of the federal gas tax.
The US needs drones, not Trump-class battleships, Democrats argue
Lawmakers struck down a Democratic measure Thursday that would've scrapped $1 billion in defense funding to begin work on the Trump-class battleship.
By Riley Ceder
Navy fires leadership trio of ship repair facility in Japan
The service did not specify the reason for the firings.
By Riley Ceder
Navy eliminates regular performance, fitness reports for select paygrades
"Personnel in these paygrades have demonstrated a sustained history of superior performance ... that negate the requirement for annual periodic reporting."
By J.D. Simkins
Navy recognizes USS Carl Vinson with Battle ‘E’ award
The aircraft carrier returned to port in August 2025 after a nine-month deployment covering over 275,000 nautical miles.
Army identifies soldier who died in training accident in Iraq
U.S. Army Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, died on May 31 at Erbil Air Base. British Lance Corporal James Freeman was also killed in the incident.
By J.D. Simkins
Grab-and-go food stations will be open all day by end of 2026
In 2025, there were only a few grab-and-go food stations across all shore-based galleys. By the end of June, a majority will have them.
By Riley Ceder
DoD should review special needs health care programs to ensure they’re helping military families, watchdog says
The coverage amounts for Tricare ECHO services haven't increased since 2009.
By Karen Jowers