NATO's air domain readiness is at one of the highest levels in Alliance history, driven by investments in fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35, integrated air and missile defense (IAMD), and new initiatives like Operation Eastern Sentry. The Alliance successfully defended against Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Turkish airspace in March 2025 and has fortified its eastern flank against Russian drone and missile incursions. NATO has also expanded into space-based surveillance with the APSS program reaching initial operating capability, and continues to rely on AWACS and AGS for command and control and intelligence.

The United States is promoting a power-sharing arrangement in Libya between the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), represented by Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, and the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli. The plan, backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senior Advisor Massad Boulos, would formalize family-based patronage networks rather than build inclusive institutions, deferring national elections indefinitely. Critics argue this approach bypasses popular will, as demonstrated by high turnout in municipal elections, and risks long-term instability by rewarding spoilers and alienating a young population with high unemployment and declining purchasing power.

Hizballah operates as a hybrid transnational organization combining militia, political party, social services, and smuggling operations. Despite Israeli military campaigns and Lebanese government efforts, Hizballah has reorganized and rearmed. The article argues that effective countermeasures require integrated solutions at local, regional, and international levels, including sustained state-building in Lebanon, regional cooperation to cut off Hizballah's financial and logistical networks, and U.S. pressure on Israel to cease hostilities and end its occupation of southern Lebanon.

Senior Trump administration officials have sharply criticized Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for attempting to return to Venezuela for a photo op during earthquake relief efforts, calling it 'grotesque political opportunism.' Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been blocked from entering Venezuela via Curacao and Panama, with U.S. officials fearing her presence could inflame political tensions and undermine the State Department-led recovery operation. The earthquake killed over 1,700 people.

As US electricity demand surges from AI, data centers, and electrification, states are increasingly turning to nuclear power. The article provides a policy roadmap for states, focusing on four levers: encouraging investment and cost recovery, public engagement, streamlined siting and permitting, and building workforce and innovation ecosystems. It highlights successful examples from Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, multi-year planning to attract private capital and ensure long-term energy security.

A Government Accountability Office report released June 30 finds that the Pentagon's drive to field weapons faster risks outpacing independent oversight after the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) was cut from 126 to 30 positions starting May 2025. The oversight list fell from 265 programs in FY2024 to 173 in FY2025, with only 15 of ~110 MTA programs monitored. Staff warned that rapid pathways could sidestep required testing, increasing risk of fielding systems with undocumented shortfalls. The report raises questions for lawmakers about whether MTA programs should be explicitly included in DOT&E's statutory oversight authority.

The US Department of Defense directed military services to reduce Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move spending by half by FY2030. The US Army responded by cutting over 12,000 relocations in FY2026 and over 13,600 in FY2027. The Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force are still reviewing their plans. The reductions aim to provide stability for service members and families, who often face financial burdens from moves.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has begun private outreach to progressive leaders and pro-Palestinian activists, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Uncommitted Movement co-founder Abbas Alawieh, as she prepares for a possible 2028 presidential campaign. The meetings aim to mend ties with left-wing Democrats who criticized her stance on Israel during the 2024 election. Harris also met with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and has discussed China, AI, and Venezuela with former aides. The outreach comes amid early polling that places her among top Democratic contenders, though she faces skepticism from multiple party factions. Recent calls and meetings with Mamdani and pro-Palestinian activists from the Uncommitted Movement further underscore her effort to repair relationships with the left wing of the party.

Sixty-four U.S. Navy sailors were exposed to diesel exhaust fumes from a backup generator aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska on June 22 at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Silverdale, Washington. The sailors experienced respiratory and neurological symptoms including coughing, headaches, dizziness, and nausea; six were hospitalized but later released. The Navy is investigating the incident and confirmed the submarine's nuclear reactor was not affected.

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the article argues that America's founding belief in universal human equality has historically underpinned its 'free-world' grand strategy, favoring an open, rules-based international order. It contrasts this with current critiques from both the left and the Trump administration, which advocate for a more transactional, realist approach. The piece warns that abandoning values for pure power politics could lead to instability and a return to spheres of influence, and urges continued support for allies like Ukraine and Taiwan.

Background: The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara was previously confirmed for July 7-8, with Turkey positioning itself as a mediator and key ally amid transatlantic tensions. Today's development: A new analysis by Rich Outzen, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, argues that Turkey's strategic weight within NATO is growing due to its defense industrial capabilities, role in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and its emergence as a key partner for European and Sunni states. The piece contends that despite criticism from some Washington circles, Turkey remains an indispensable NATO ally and that healthy US-Turkish relations are critical for Alliance and regional security, particularly ahead of the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara. The analysis highlights Turkey's production and export of NATO-standard equipment, its aid to Ukraine before the West was willing, its role in pushing Russia and Iran out of Syria, and its support for Trump's energy and peace diplomacy. It also notes that European NATO members are increasingly seeing Turkey as a viable gap filler for defense industrial and operational needs, with new cooperative programs involving Spain, Italy, and the UK. The article warns that anti-Turkey narratives in Washington, driven by Israeli politicians and some commentators, risk chilling bilateral defense initiatives and do not serve US national interests.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, gave an interview to the Atlantic Council Turkey Program's Defense Journal. She emphasized NATO's strategic return on investment, the critical role of Turkey in the Alliance, and the need for continued bipartisan support for Ukraine. Shaheen warned against political division among allies, criticized rhetoric questioning Article 5, and highlighted the importance of filling vacant ambassadorships, expressing concern over the hollowing out of American diplomacy with over 100 vacant posts. She called for credible defense spending commitments, deeper coordination with Indo-Pacific partners, and a just, lasting peace for Ukraine backed by strong security guarantees.

Echodyne, a US-based radar manufacturer, is investing $40 million in a new facility near Seattle to boost production capacity to 30,000 radar panels per year by early 2028, driven by explosive global demand for counter-drone systems. CEO Eben Frankenberg stated at Eurosatory 2026 that the counter-drone market is 'red hot' and expects demand for short-range radars to grow tenfold by 2030. The company's compact metamaterials-based radars are integrated into at least 29 counter-drone offerings at the show, including laser, microwave, and gun-based systems from AeroVironment, Epirus, and Kongsberg. Echodyne became profitable in 2025 and is open to IPO or acquisition.

A former US diplomat argues that as the US marks its 250th anniversary, its global influence, particularly in Africa, depends on the credibility of its democracy and its capacity for democratic renewal. The article traces the historical gap between American ideals and practice, from slavery to the Cold War, and argues that people-to-people ties, cultural diplomacy, and closing the gap between principles and actions are essential strategic objectives for maintaining US standing abroad.

The US Army and Marine Corps are advancing two parallel programs—the Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle-Heavy (ISV-H) and the Marine Corps' potential hybrid-electric JLTV (eJLTV)—to field high-energy laser weapons on light tactical vehicles. Both platforms address the critical power challenge of delivering sustained high-voltage spikes for directed energy weapons while enabling silent watch and mobility. The Army plans to procure 606 ISV-H vehicles starting in 2028, while Oshkosh Defense has demonstrated an eJLTV capable of 115 kW exportable power, explicitly designed for future laser systems. The developments reflect a broader shift toward distributed battlefield power and mass deployment of affordable counter-drone systems.

Ursa Major, a U.S. defense firm, is advancing hypersonic missile technology using 3D-printed propulsion systems. Its Havoc hypersonic missile, powered by the Draper liquid rocket engine, can be throttled and maneuvered in and out of the atmosphere, offering unique capabilities compared to solid-fuel or scramjet systems. The company also produces solid rocket motors for various munitions, including the SM-2 and SM-6, using additive manufacturing to enable rapid production scaling. Havoc is designed for air, ground, or vertical launch and aims to cost around $3 million per unit.

The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (3rd MLR), activated in 2022, served as mission commander for a joint task force maritime strike during Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines, integrating U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps capabilities alongside troops from the Philippines, Japan, and Canada. The regiment demonstrated its ability to synchronize sensors, intelligence, aviation, maneuver formations, and long-range precision fires, validating the Marine Littoral Regiment concept for distributed operations in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise showcased the unit's maturation from concept to operational capability, though its commander emphasized continued growth ahead.

HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division began fabrication of the future USS John F. Lehman (DDG 137), the seventh Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built at Ingalls. The milestone leverages a distributed shipbuilding model with six partner yards across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida to increase production capacity. The Flight III ships feature the AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. Ingalls currently has five Flight III destroyers under construction and seven more in early pre-planning and material procurement phases. HII plans to outsource more than 2.5 million hours of shipbuilding work in 2026.

Marines from the United States, Mexico, South Korea, and other nations conducted live-fire infantry drills and urban warfare training at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Training Area Bellows as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2025. The training, involving 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, focused on interoperability and tactical skills for potential future conflict. U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Valerie Jackson emphasized the importance of building partnerships before a crisis.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and Fleet Readiness Center Southwest have developed a 3D-printed composite patch repair method for F/A-18 Super Hornets that could cut repair time by 50%. The patches can be applied directly at forward operating bases, reducing reliance on specialized depot maintenance and improving operational readiness. Flight tests on operational aircraft are scheduled for summer 2025.

The Department of Defense's new Personal Property Activity (PPA) has implemented changes to improve military household goods moves during the peak summer season. Changes include earlier booking options starting in March, a dedicated call center that has handled 20,121 calls and emails since August 2024, and improved communication with moving companies. The PPA was designated a special activity in January 2025 after the termination of the Global Household Goods Contract in May 2025. Industry representatives report improved relationships and an earlier start to the peak season, with 138,570 pickups as of June 30, 2026, compared to 134,282 at the same time in 2025. The changes aim to address long-standing complaints about damaged belongings, delayed deliveries, and difficult claims processes.

The U.S. Marine Corps, which had acquired over 3,500 FPV attack drones since October 2025 and established the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, has now built a service-wide FPV drone training program from a cold start at Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico. The program was developed from scratch by a team of Marines, including Col. Scott Cuomo, CWO5 Steve Pearsoll, CWO3 Troy Hotaling, GySgt Jude Stewart, GySgt Justin Creasman, and Sgt Timothy Brockup, and covers the rapid transition from having virtually no FPV drones to a comprehensive training system, reflecting the Corps' adaptation to modern drone warfare. The episode highlights rapid innovation and adaptation to emerging drone warfare capabilities.

Three former senior U.S. Army intelligence and electronic warfare officers, now at Booz Allen, published an argument in War on the Rocks stating that the Trojan Spirit intelligence transport system, first deployed in 1990, is structurally inadequate for modern multi-domain operations. They claim incremental upgrades cannot overcome limitations including reliance on predictable connectivity, large physical footprint, vulnerability to electronic attack, and inability to operate at the contested edge. They advocate for a new cloud-to-edge architecture that is mobile, low-signature, and survivable against sophisticated cyber and electronic warfare threats.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber will not take part in any Fourth of July or America 250th anniversary flyovers, remaining at Edwards Air Force Base for flight testing. The clarification follows cryptic social media posts from Northrop Grumman and comments from President Trump that had fueled speculation. Two pre-production B-21s are currently in testing, and the Air Force plans to procure at least 100 units.