28 April Briefing

OpenAI and Anthropic briefed the House Homeland Security Committee in classified sessions on the cybersecurity implications of their latest AI models, including Anthropic's Mythos Preview and OpenAI's GPT-5.4-Cyber. The briefings covered risks to critical infrastructure, the companies' tiered release strategies, and a White House memo accusing China of industrial-scale AI model theft. Lawmakers expressed urgency for regulation after demonstrations of jailbroken AI models capable of planning attacks.

President Donald Trump hosted King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House on April 28, 2026, with a full military ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event aimed to ease tensions between the U.S. and UK, strained by Trump's criticism of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his refusal to join the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran and disputes over the Chagos Islands. Trump praised the "special relationship" and the king's role in diplomacy. At a White House state dinner, Trump claimed King Charles agrees with him that Iran should never be allowed nuclear weapons. Buckingham Palace responded that the king is mindful of the UK government's longstanding position on nuclear non-proliferation, risking embarrassment for the politically neutral monarch. The King addressed a joint session of Congress to mark America's 250th anniversary and gifted President Trump a bell from HMS Trump, a WWII submarine. The state dinner featured Trump praising the UK's 'richest inheritance'. The visit included a state dinner, a speech to Congress, and stops in New York and Virginia, where the King and Queen traveled to New York City for a memorial service for 9/11 victims. The King and Queen concluded their four-day state visit, which BBC's North America editor Sarah Smith analyzed for its achievements.

Gen. Michael Guetlein, the appointed czar for the US 'Golden Dome' national missile shield initiative, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the $185 billion project remains on track for operational capability by mid-2028. He outlined a scalable, modular architecture and partnerships with over 400 potential contractors, including an 'ecosystem hub' for industry engagement. However, Sen. Angus King expressed doubt about feasibility, and the Next-Generation Interceptor program faces delays with a first flight test now expected in 2029. The program's funding and timeline remain contentious in Congress.

OpenAI and Microsoft have revised their partnership, ending OpenAI's cloud exclusivity with Microsoft and allowing it to sell AI models through multiple cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and potentially Google Cloud. The new deal caps Microsoft's revenue share from OpenAI, removes a controversial AGI trigger clause, and grants Microsoft non-exclusive IP rights through 2032. The move intensifies competition in the AI platform market and eases investor concerns ahead of OpenAI's expected IPO.

The Pentagon has formally requested congressional approval to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, estimating a cost of $52.5 million. The rebranding, supported by President Trump's executive order, aims to signal readiness and deterrence. The cost is lower than the CBO's earlier projection of up to $125 million. The proposal allocates funds across defense agencies, military departments, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The request comes as the Trump administration seeks $1.5 trillion in defense spending for fiscal 2027.

Analysts suggest Iran has more resilience against the US blockade than initially estimated, with access to floating storage on Very Large Crude Carriers, spare onshore storage, and smuggling capabilities via the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This could allow Iran to maintain oil production for weeks to months, challenging the effectiveness of US maximum pressure strategy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claims production shut-ins have begun, but experts debate the timeline of Iran's pain threshold.

Hamas has exploited the fragile ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump to regroup, reassert control over the Gaza Strip, and recruit new administrative cadres. The group is also attempting to influence the new governance structure promised by Trump, despite Israel's refusal to allow Hamas any role in Gaza's future. This development highlights the ongoing struggle for power in the devastated enclave, where 70% of buildings have been destroyed and over 70,000 Palestinians have died since 2023.

The Federal Communications Commission has ordered an accelerated review of ABC's local station broadcast licenses, investigating whether the network's diversity, equity and inclusion policies violate FCC rules against unlawful discrimination. The move follows President Trump's criticism of ABC over a joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. While the FCC faces legal hurdles to revoke licenses, the investigation pressures ABC and parent Disney amid ongoing clashes with the Trump administration.

Elon Musk testified as the first witness in his billion-dollar lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing CEO Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman of betraying the company's original nonprofit mission. Musk seeks sweeping remedies including changes to OpenAI's corporate structure and removal of Altman and Brockman. OpenAI argues Musk is motivated by jealousy and regret for leaving the company. The trial is expected to run four weeks, with OpenAI targeting a Q4 IPO at a reported $852 billion valuation. Musk testified for a second day, reiterating his loss of confidence in Altman and alleging Altman tried to 'steal the charity.' OpenAI's lawyers argued no commitment to remain nonprofit existed and that Musk's suit is a competitive move for his xAI venture. Musk now seeks $150 billion in damages and a court order to return OpenAI to nonprofit status and remove Altman and Brockman from leadership. On the third day of testimony, Musk sparred with OpenAI attorney William Savitt, acknowledging he knew of early discussions about a for-profit shift but was reassured by Altman it would remain a nonprofit. Musk stated he did not read the fine print of a 2017 term sheet. The judge admonished Savitt for cutting off Musk's answers. Musk's aide Jared Birchall testified next. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

NATO is considering ending its practice of annual summits, with some members proposing biennial meetings to reduce political tensions and improve decision-making. The move is partly driven by concerns over US President Donald Trump's criticism of NATO allies for insufficient defense spending and lack of support for US military operations against Iran. The 2027 summit in Albania may be delayed, and no summit is planned for 2028, coinciding with the US presidential election. The decision rests with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Acting US Ambassador to Ukraine Julie Davis will step down in June 2026 and retire from the State Department after a three-decade diplomatic career. The State Department confirmed her departure is a retirement, not a resignation over policy differences, despite earlier reports suggesting she grew frustrated with differences with President Trump over Ukraine policy. Her departure leaves a key diplomatic post vacant as Russia prepares for a possible summer offensive and peace talks remain stalled. In related developments, former Ambassador Bridget Brink, who resigned in 2025 over Trump's Ukraine policy, is now a Democratic congressional candidate in Michigan. Separately, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote on John Breslow's nomination for ambassador to Cyprus on Thursday, and Senator Mitch McConnell criticized the Pentagon for withholding $400 million in Ukraine aid, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the funds have been released.

The Pentagon's fiscal 2027 budget request seeks 85 F-35 Lightning II fighters across the joint force, a significant increase from 47 in FY26. However, only 32 are funded through the base budget; the remaining 53 depend on a $350 billion mandatory funding request via a second reconciliation bill, which faces uncertain prospects in Congress. The request also includes $324 million to accelerate Block 4 modification kits and aims to improve the fleet's mission-capable rate from ~50% to 65%. Critics argue the buy rate is insufficient for fleet modernization.

Belarus released three Polish citizens and two Moldovans in a prisoner exchange on 28 April 2025, brokered by US Special Envoy John Coale. In return, Russia secured the release of Hermitage archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, wanted by Ukraine for looting artifacts in Crimea, and other individuals. The swap involved seven countries and included the release of Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut and Carmelite monk Grzegorz Gaweł. The deal highlights rare diplomatic cooperation amid the Ukraine war, though Belarus continues to detain hundreds of political prisoners.

The U.S. Senate voted 51-47 to block a resolution that would have required congressional approval for military action against Cuba, reflecting continued Republican support for President Trump's Cuba policy. Trump has escalated pressure with a de facto maritime blockade and hinted at military intervention. The vote underscores congressional reluctance to constrain executive war powers.

U.S. Army Master Sergeant Gannon Van Dyke pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges for allegedly using classified information to place $33,000 in bets on the prediction market Polymarket that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would be ousted and U.S. forces would enter Venezuela, earning $400,000. The case marks the first insider trading charges involving a prediction market and highlights national security risks from unregulated platforms.

U.S. Cyber Command is developing infrastructure to rapidly swap between AI models from any vendor, including open-source models from China, as it integrates AI into offensive and defensive cyber operations. The command has dedicated funding for AI programs for the first time in 2026, and is testing varying levels of human oversight while ruling out fully autonomous deployment. The move comes amid a broader debate over Pentagon access to frontier AI models from companies like Anthropic and OpenAI.

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is integrating artificial intelligence and autonomous systems at every level of its operations, commander Adm. Frank Bradley told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Bradley emphasized that AI and autonomy are critical for battlefield sensing, surveillance, and precision engagement, and that SOCOM is also helping partner forces adopt similar capabilities, learning from Ukraine's wartime innovations. The testimony highlighted SOCOM's agility in adopting disruptive technologies compared to larger military branches, and its focus on asymmetric warfare.

The Mexican military captured Audias Flores Silva, a top lieutenant of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in Nayarit. Flores Silva, seen as a successor to killed leader 'El Mencho', faces a US $5 million reward. His arrest is a major blow to the cartel amid ongoing violence and Mexico's crackdown under President Sheinbaum.

An analysis in Foreign Affairs warns that US tech billionaires including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, who have aligned themselves with President Donald Trump during his second term, risk becoming disposable oligarchs. Drawing parallels to the fates of oligarchs in Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, the article argues that such alliances offer short-term protection but ultimately make elites vulnerable to state predation once their utility expires. It highlights Trump's attacks on perceived enemies, the cozying up of tech leaders, and the potential for a new authoritarian state capitalism in the US. The article, published around the time of Trump's second inauguration, details the historical rise and fall of Russian oligarchs under Putin, the crackdown on business leaders in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and the current trend of US tech leaders cozying up to Trump, including Musk's role as a special government employee and the threat of government contract revocation.

The 142-meter superyacht Nord, linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov, sailed from Dubai to Muscat, Oman through the Strait of Hormuz despite an ongoing US-imposed naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. The vessel is registered to a company tied to Mordashov's wife. The transit highlights inconsistencies in maritime restrictions as most shipping avoids the route due to security risks. The blockade has contributed to rising global energy prices, with Brent crude above $100 per barrel.

A US-backed gas pipeline project in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Southern Interconnection pipeline, intended to reduce reliance on Russian gas, risks stalling the country's EU accession. Bosnian lawmakers passed legislation naming the newly formed US company AAFS Infrastructure and Energy as the project's investor, bypassing transparent procurement rules. The EU has warned that this violates Energy Community Treaty obligations and could jeopardize Bosnia's EU membership prospects and access to nearly €374 million in EU funding. The company, founded in late 2025 with no known pipeline experience, has links to individuals close to US President Donald Trump, raising concerns about political influence and financial viability.

An analysis published in Foreign Affairs argues that the United States should not pursue a comprehensive peace deal with Iran's new IRGC-led leadership, which it characterizes as hardline and repressive. Instead, it recommends a narrow arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining economic pressure, warning that broad sanctions relief would bail out the regime and undermine popular protests. The article draws lessons from the JCPOA, which it claims weakened the IRGC by offering targeted relief, and criticizes Trump's withdrawal from that deal as empowering the IRGC.

The U.S. Marine Corps announced it will release Ground Combat Element 2040 (GCE 2040), an updated land warfare doctrine focused on near-peer adversaries and drone-intensive combat. The plan emphasizes counter-UAS capabilities and lessons from the war in Ukraine, while maintaining core ground combat functions. The announcement was made at the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington, D.C., with officials highlighting the need to adapt quickly to evolving battlefield threats. The plan, dubbed GCE 2040, was unveiled at the Modern Day Marine Expo in Washington, D.C., with Maj. Gen. Jason Morris presenting a video outlining key elements. It emphasizes human-centric warfare, equipping the Marine rather than the machine, and integrates AI-enabled targeting, robotic systems, and resilient command and control networks down to the squad level. Ground-based air defense is to be devolved to the squad level to counter one-way attack drones. The plan also stresses interoperability with other U.S. branches and allies, and draws lessons from modern conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, particularly the threat from FPV drones and advanced electronic warfare. The Marines will publish a detailed document in the coming weeks.

The US Army and Navy are jointly developing the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS), a containerized high-energy laser for cruise missile defense as part of the 'Golden Dome for America' initiative. The system will start at 150 kW with potential to scale to 300-500 kW. The services plan to invest $675.93 million in R&D through fiscal 2031, leveraging lessons from the Navy's HELIOS and Army's IFPC-HEL programs. The JLWS aims to provide modular, ship- and ground-based directed energy capability against cruise missiles.

The US Navy and Boeing completed the first flight of a production-representative MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial refueling drone on April 25 at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The autonomous aircraft, designed to refuel carrier-based fighters, is the first of four engineering development models under an $805 million contract. However, Navy budget documents reveal initial operating capability (IOC) has slipped to February 2029, five years past the original 2024 deadline, due to COVID-19 impacts, design problems, and quality issues. The MQ-25 will free F/A-18 Super Hornets from tanker duties, extending carrier air wing range and strike capacity.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, speaking at the Modern Day Marine conference, pledged to avoid the equipment shortfalls experienced during the Global War on Terror, emphasizing the need to reform acquisitions and field the Golden Fleet, including the Trump-class battleship, to better equip future forces. He also answered audience questions and noted his son's upcoming Marine Corps commission.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao delivered his first public remarks at the Modern Day Marine exposition in Washington, outlining a vision focused on military culture, modernization, and the 'Golden Fleet' concept. He emphasized the need for 'alpha males and alpha females' and criticized 'cross-dressers' in the military. On modernization, Cao discussed a high-low mix of ships, including destroyers, frigates, battleships, and unmanned systems, and highlighted programs like the F/A-XX sixth-generation aircraft, Medium Landing Ship, and amphibious transport docks. The Navy is working within a constrained budget while pursuing a $1.5 trillion FY27 defense budget proposed by President Trump.

The US Navy plans to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile by September 2026, despite a strategic pause in US procurement in FY2027 due to testing delays and technical issues. Foreign military sales to partners including Italy, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, and Norway will continue. The missile is critical for suppressing advanced air defenses and will be integrated on F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, and eventually F-35 aircraft.

Bell has introduced a new armed concept of the MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor at the Modern Day Marine conference, aimed at replacing the US Marine Corps' AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters. The design includes anti-ship cruise missiles (NSM), Precision Attack Strike Munition (PASM), loitering munitions (ALTIUS-700M), and a three-barrel Gatling cannon. The Marine Corps is evaluating all options under its Future Attack Strike (FASt) program, with tiltrotor offering enhanced range and speed. Brig. Gen. Bob Finneran confirmed the service is evaluating all options, including the MV-75, and that top-level requirements are being finalized ahead of a request for information from industry. Bell displayed an armed model at the Modern Day Marine conference, painted in Marine Light Attack Squadron 267 markings. Separately, the Corps is also planning for a next-generation assault support platform to eventually replace the V-22 Osprey in the 2050s.

In October 2025, the US Navy conducted a live-fire test of a 20 kW Palletized High Energy Laser (P-HEL) system on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Atlantic Ocean. The system, based on AV's LOCUST laser weapon and on loan from the Army, successfully engaged and neutralized multiple drones, including swarms. This milestone demonstrates the feasibility of containerized directed energy capabilities on large warships, aligning with the Navy's push for modular, rapidly deployable systems to counter drone and cruise missile threats.

The US Marine Corps awarded contracts for two autonomous cargo helicopter prototypes under the MARV-EL program: the R66 Turbinetruck (Robinson R66 with Sikorsky MATRIX autonomy) and the Uncrewed 505 (Bell 505 with Near Earth Autonomy's Captain system). These medium-weight logistics platforms aim to resupply Marines in contested environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater, bridging the gap between small drones and crewed aircraft.

Textron debuted the RIPSAW M1 autonomous ground vehicle demonstrator at the Modern Day Marine conference. The vehicle is designed to augment Marine Corps capabilities in littoral operations, offering modular payloads for reconnaissance, counter-UAS, and loitering munitions, aiming to keep Marines out of harm's way.