Defense &
National Security

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Trump says whether he’ll commit to NATO mutual defense guarantee ‘depends on your definition’

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday injected some uncertainty over whether the U.S. would abide by the mutual defense guarantees outlined in the NATO treaty as he headed to its summit — comments that could revive long-standing concern from European allies about his commitment to the military alliance. “Depends on your definition,” Trump told reporters as he was headed to The Hague, where this year’s …

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Strike set back Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months: Report

An early intelligence assessment reportedly found that Tehran’s nuclear program was set back by only months after U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities this past weekend, findings that the Trump administration is pushing back against. A preliminary classified U.S. report found that the bombing did not destroy the main components of Iran’s nuclear program as it did not collapse the underground buildings, …

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On Our Radar

Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:

The Netherlands will host Day 2 of the 2025 NATO Leaders Summit tomorrow at The Hague, with President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to attend and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to give remarks.

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In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Senate parliamentarian rejects GOP attempt to authorize states to conduct immigration enforcement

The Senate parliamentarian has rejected several more provisions in the Republican megabill to enact President Trump’s agenda, including language authorizing states to conduct border security and immigration enforcement, which traditionally have been duties of the federal government. Parliamentarian …

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On Tap Tomorrow

Events in and around the defense world:

The Association of the U.S. Army will have a discussion with Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, at 7:15 a.m.
Defense Strategies Institute will hold its Digital Engineering for Defense Summit with the theme of “Leveraging Digital Tools to Transform How the DoD Approaches Integrated Mission Success,” at 8:45 a.m.
The Air and Space Forces Association will host a virtual conversation on “Efforts at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to ensure America never again faces a strategic technical surprise,” with DARPA Deputy Director Rob McHenry, at 9 a.m.
A House Oversight subcommittee will hold a hearing on “The National Guard State Partnership Program: Strengthening U.S. Security, One Partnership at a Time,” at 2 p.m.
A Senate Armed Services subpanel will hear from defense officials on energy, installation, and environment funding for the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act at 2:30 p.m.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) will speak at an Axios event on “Future of Defense: The Resource Battlefield,” at 5:30 p.m.

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets:

Military domestic violence convictions skyrocketed after commanders were removed from process (Military.com)
NATO leader’s aim? Give Trump what he wants: A win on military spending. (The New York Times)
Middle East unrest drives conversation on US troop presence (Defense One)

Trending Today

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

House torpedoes Rep. Al Green’s effort to impeach Trump over Iran strikes

The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly torpedoed an effort by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) to impeach President Trump over the U.S. strikes on Iran, underscoring … Read more

House GOP moderates tell leadership they won’t back Senate tax bill over Medicaid cuts

More than a dozen House Republicans warned they won’t support the Senate’s version of the tax and spending bill because the proposed Medicaid cuts … Read more