Why Dismiss the Army's Top General During War?
Among the questions not answered at the end: Why fire the Army's top general in the middle of a war?
Pentagon Briefing at 8 A.m. with Hegseth, Caine
Good morning all from the Pentagon briefing room. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine are due to brief the media here at 8 a.m.
Trump Considered Deploying U.S. Troops to Iran, Risking Casualties
Lots of back-and-forth over the Iran ceasefire, so putting this front and center: One of Trump’s alternative options likely called for U.S. troops on Iranian soil. The death toll on such a move was almost certainly not zero. Let's see what's...
Army Secretary Driscoll Stays, Despite Tensions with Hegseth
SCOOP: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has no plans to resign or otherwise leave his role at the Pentagon, he said in a statement on Tuesday, after a series of internal clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have caused other U.S....
Over 370 U.S. Troops Wounded; Army Makes up Two‑thirds
The number of U.S. troops wounded in the war with Iran now exceeds 370, according to a Pentagon tally. About two-thirds of those service members are in the Army.
Trump Claims US Jet Downed over Iran by Shoulder Missile
Trump, speaking at the White House, suggests at least one U.S. jet was shot down over Iran by a shoulder-fired missile. "You know, what hit this one was a shoulder, handheld shoulder missile, heat-seeking missile. ... They had probably a little...
Joint Chiefs Overhaul Leaves only Two Original Leaders
This move is a surprise to many relatively senior Army officials. It also comes close to nearly a complete remake of the Joint Chiefs since Hegseth took office. Only Gen. Eric Smith of the Marine Corps and Gen. Chance Saltzman of...
ICE Agents Deployed to Secure Bases Amid Iran Conflict
How did we get here? Top military commanders required increases to base security because of the Iran war. Marine officials sought outside help to bolster manpower. The help offered came in the form of ICE agents. But they're not doing immigration enforcement, defense officials...
91% of Injured U.S. Troops Back to Duty
Updated U.S. troop injury numbers in the roughly one month since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began: - 348 injured overall - 12 seriously injured overall, 6 of whom remain so now - 315 returned to duty (about 91 percent)
Secretary Hegseth’s Unpublicized Middle East Troop Visit
This morning, Secretary Hegseth disclosed that he visited troops in the Middle East on Saturday. Appears that no media was present to capture the story of rank-and-file service members. Also appears that the Pentagon did not disclose that trip in any way...
Trump Freely Predicts Any Timeline for Iran Conflict
Hegseth, speaking March 2 on the potential length of the Iran war: "President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take four weeks, two weeks, six weeks. It could move...
Planned Ground Operations Not Imminent, Pentagon Clarifies
Noting for clarity: It was suggested today in a question during the Pentagon press conference that "there's been lots of media coverage that suggested a ground invasion is imminent." Our Washington Post story on Saturday night drove some of that, and...
Trump’s Team Boasts Multiple Ground‑force Options, May Stay Unused
More here. Hegseth, speaking to concerns about the war in Iran from some of Trump's political base: "As far as President Trump and boots on the ground, I don't understand why the base, which they have already, they understand wouldn't have...
Hegseth Discloses Recent Centcom Visit, Calls to Finish Mission
Press conference at Pentagon just began. Hegseth says he was in the Centcom region for half a day recently -- something not previously disclosed. He has a notably different tone in his opener today, sharing details about what he saw and...
62% Oppose, 12% Support U.S. Ground Troops in Iran
Cited these poll results from @AP/@NORCNews in a story published Saturday. They found that there is a significant range in approval depending on *what kind of action* Trump takes in Iran. Sixty-two percent oppose deploying U.S. ground troops. Just 12...
US‑Israeli Strikes Cripple Iran’s Missile Production Sites
NEW: Four of Iran’s key ballistic missile manufacturing locations and at least 29 ballistic missile launch sites have been damaged in the first four weeks of the U.S.-Israeli offensive, undermining Iran’s strategy, according to a @washingtonpost review and analysis by...
Iran Conflict Options Could Unfold Within Weeks
Top story on Page 1 of @washingtonpost today is this look at military options for the war with Iran. One person told me the objectives under consideration would probably take “weeks, not months” to complete. Another put the potential timeline at...
Pentagon Readies Troops for Potential Iran Ground Invasion
SCOOP: The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, U.S. officials said, as thousands of American soldiers and Marines arrive in the Middle East for what could become a dangerous new phase of the war should President...
31st MEU Arrives in CENTCOM On Schedule
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has begun arriving in Centcom, officials say here. That's pretty much right on schedule with what had been anticipated.
Pentagon Silent for First Full War Week, No Briefings
This marks the first full week since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began that the Pentagon has done *zero* press conferences. Last briefing was held by Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine on March 19. Hegseth's public affairs team itself has not briefed...
US Fires 850+ Tomahawks in Weeks, Depleting Stockpile
SCOOP: The U.S. military has fired more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in four weeks of war with Iran, burning through the precision weapons at a rate that has alarmed some Pentagon officials and prompted internal discussions about how to...
Pentagon Greenlights 82nd Airborne Deployment Amid Israel War Escalation
NEW: The Pentagon on Tuesday approved written orders for a couple thousand paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to deploy to the Middle East, U.S. officials said, as President Donald Trump weighs a significant escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war.
Ex‑NCTC Official Warns US Troops on Kharg Island Disaster
U.S. ground troops on Kharg Island? “I just think that would be a disaster,” @joekent16jan19 said. “It would essentially be giving Iran a bunch of hostages on an island that they could barrage with drones and missiles.”
Leaders' Language on Casualties Shapes Wartime Credibility
A passage from here: "The language senior leaders use about casualties —and about the press — signals seriousness, accountability, and respect for service members, their families, and the public. In wartime, tone is part of credibility."
Judge Rules Pentagon Press Policy Unconstitutional, Credentials Restored
Statement tonight from the Pentagon Press Association: "The Pentagon Press Association celebrates the decision by a federal judge today that the Pentagon’s press credentialling policy violated the U.S. Constitution. "Since the ruling clearly states that the policy must not be applied...
Court Cites Pentagon Comments as Excuse for Legal Breach
At some length, this court ruling cites public comments that Pentagon officials made to rule why they didn't follow the law.
Unapproved Plan to Deploy 82nd Airborne to Iran
Can confirm that there is planning -- not yet approved -- to potentially send a few thousand soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division to Iran, per two officials. This comes after @WashingtonPost first reported earlier this month that the HQ of...
Boxer ARG and 11th MEU Accelerated to Replace 31
Can confirm the deployment of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from California has been sped up to occur within days, per two officials. The task force, with about 4,500 sailors and Marines, is expected...
Scrutiny of Military Decisions Earns Praise and Frustr
Two cents here from the back row of this briefing: In convos with veterans, military families and other Americans, I've heard thanks from some for asking hard questions and frustration from others. Our role is to scrutinize each step of the...
Officials Dodge Deconfliction Query, Point to Trump
Specifically asked U.S. military officials if Israeli forces deconflicted their attack on South Pars with U.S. forces -- a common practice to avoid friendly fire, collisions, etc. Military officials referred questions about the issue back to the White House. White House...
Pentagon Preps Press Briefing After Trump's Iran Threat
Good morning. In the Pentagon briefing room this morning for an 8 a.m. press conference with Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine. It comes after President Trump threatened overnight to “massively blow up” Iran’s South Pars gas field if Iran continues attacking...
Pete Sessions Broadens “Boots on Ground” Definition
With this argument, @PeteSessions extends the usual D.C. argument about what counts as putting boots on the ground (Do special operators count?) to include a conventional Marine Corps unit that would be on foreign soil. That's pretty much the definition of...
Leaked Allegations Unfounded; Caldwell Secures ODNI Role
Would note that commentary like this follows @PeteHegseth firing @dandcaldwell and others last year at the Pentagon and alleging they leaked classified information. No evidence emerged supporting that, and Caldwell just got a new job at ODNI, as @GregJaffe and @julianbarnes...
Iran Vows to Fight On Despite Leader’s Death
"The cable, circulated by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on Friday, relayed an Israeli assessment that Iran’s regime is 'not cracking' and is willing to 'fight to the end' despite the Feb. 28 killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and...
Hundreds of Sailors Lost Berthing in USS Gerald Ford Fire
Can confirm reporting here that hundreds of sailors lost their berthing in the fire aboard the USS Gerald Ford, per two U.S. officials familiar with the issue.
Over 200 U.S. Troops Wounded in U.S.-Israeli Iran Campaign
NEW: The number of U.S. troops who have been wounded or injured during the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran now exceeds 200 across seven countries, U.S. officials say, providing the most detailed accounting yet of how American personnel have been put...
Cooper Announces Major Strikes on Iranian Facilities, 100+
New update from Adm. Cooper. Highlights specific strikes on Iranian facilities, including what he says is a drone storage depot near the Strait of Hormuz. Also says that more than 100 Iranian vessels have been destroyed. Again says about 50,000 U.S. troops...
US Strikes Kharg Island to Thwart Iranian Defense Buildup
U.S. forces struck Kharg Island after seeing "indications" it might be reinforced with Iranian defenses, a U.S. official with knowledge of the operation says. The strikes, the official said, were designed to eliminate that possibility.
Marine Corps Post Aligns with Middle East Deployment News
What a coincidence the Marine Corps posted this tonight, after news of a deployment to the Middle East earlier today ...
Trump Claims He Ordered Strikes on Iran's Oil Hub
Trump says he has directed strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, an oil hub. There has been widespread speculation it could be targeted for strikes, U.S. seizure or both. https://t.co/qO3H1olaiI
US Deploys Marine Task Force for Limited Middle East Operations
Can confirm this news, per two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. This will put a Marine air-ground task force in the Middle East, along with three amphibious warships. That's not enough for a major invasion. But the unit, in...
US Injuries From Iran Strikes Occur Across Gulf, Officials Vague
Asked this morning about U.S. military injuries against Iran, neither Secretary Hegseth nor Gen. Caine shared great fidelity. But Caine did say they have occurred "in Kuwait, Jordan, down across the southern flank a little bit, a variety of places, most...
US Uses Mostly Air‑Launched Munitions, Standoff Missiles 1%
In presser this morning, @PeteHegseth says that "only 1 percent" of the munitions the U.S. is dropping on Iran today are "standoff munitions," meaning Tomahawk missiles and the like. They've shifted almost exclusively, he says, to munitions launched from aircraft...
U.S. Targets Iran’s Mine‑Laying Threat in Hormuz
Separate messages today from Secretary Hegseth and Gen. Caine about the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth disputed recent reporting that administration officials had underestimated the war’s likely impact on the strait, saying Iran “always” tries to hold the waterway “hostage.” “As the world...
Hegseth
At presser this morning, @PeteHegseth complained about CNN reporting that the war against Iran is intensifying. Then he and Gen. Caine both said more munitions would be dropped today than at any other time in the conflict.
Iranian School Hit After Being Misidentified as Military Target
NEW FROM WAPO: The Iranian school building where scores of children were killed as the U.S. and Israel began their massive aerial campaign was on a U.S. target list and may have been mistaken for a military site, multiple people...
B-2 Retired Years Ago, B-21 Slated Next
This is definitely false. B-2 line has been gone for years and the B-21 is up next.
Tomahawk
There are a finite number of countries that possess Tomahawk missiles. Iran is not one of them.
Doomsday Plane Myth Debunked Amid Twitter Misinformation
This post, with nearly a million views, is in no way based in fact. The "Doomsday" plane has an eye-grabbing name, but does not carry heavy ordnance. It carries the secretary of defense. Wading through X these days is an...
Obama’s Special Ops Deployment Sparked Washington’s Boots‑on‑ground Debate
During the campaign against ISIS, Obama put U.S. special operators in Iraq and Syria, leading to an extended argument in Washington about what counted as "boots on the ground." 1/