Americans still hold their military in high regard, according to the latest Gallup Poll. Gallup’s annual survey of public confidence in major American institutions shows that 73 percent have a great deal or a lot of confidence in the US armed forces. Closest in the ranking are policemen, while the least popular institutions are health maintenance organizations, big business, and Congress. The poll offered more bad news for a beleaguered Presidency: It fell 11 points in the percentage who hold it in high confidence.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.