Debate on the Iraq war is in a new and inflamed phase today, kicked into overdrive by the hawkish Rep. John Murtha. The Pennsylvania lawmaker, a senior Democratic voice on defense, abandoned his former support of the war. In a statement, Murtha said, “It’s time to bring them [US troops] home.” Murtha’s declaration drew an immediate riposte from Rep. Duncan Hunter, the California Republican who chairs the House Armed Services Committee. “We must hold steady,” said Hunter. “We must endure. We must finish the job in Iraq.” You could catch Murtha and Hunter together in an appearance on the PBS NewsHour.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
