Air Force Claims $10.4B in DOGE Savings, Most from Consultants and Contractors

The Department of the Air Force is claiming more than $10 billion in savings as part of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. The department did not provide a full breakdown of the savings, but the bulk appear to be derived from cancelling contracts or planned contract pools for consultants and cutting civilian jobs.

Radar Sweep

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Israel Strikes Syrian Capital, Sending Warning to Government

The New York Times

Israel launched deadly airstrikes on Syria’s capital on July 16, damaging a compound housing the defense ministry and hitting an area near the presidential palace, according to the Israeli military and Syrian authorities.

Ukraine Braces for Trump’s 50-Day Window amid Escalating Russian Strikes

ABC News

This week marked a possible pivot by President Donald Trump regarding Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with his Monday announcement of a "really big" deal to provide Kyiv with new weapons and threats to impose further sanctions on Russia if it fails to agree a ceasefire within 50 days.

USAF Denies It Refueled Israel’s Fighters During War with Iran

The War Zone

It’s been weeks since Israel concluded its 12-day war against Iran, and still many questions remain in regards to how the Israel Defense Forces were able to achieve what they did. One puzzle that stands out above all the others has to do with the Israeli Air Force being able to sustain operations and achieve significant effects over such great distances.

Hypersonics, AI, Drone Swarms: Pentagon Pours $179 Billion into R&D

Task & Purpose

The Pentagon’s proposed 2026 fiscal year budget comes in at more than one trillion dollars, and $179 billion of that is just for research, development, testing, and evaluation. That money doesn’t go toward buying new jets, tanks, warships, or missiles. It funds the programs and technologies that could determine who wins or loses the next fight.

SpaceOps: New Space Force Plan Aims to Boost Allied Teamwork

Aviation Week

The U.S. Space Force last week released its first International Partnership Strategy, revealing a shift in mindset from treating allies purely as customers for U.S. space capabilities to co-developers and operators, amid tightening budgets and growing threats in the domain.

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Through Trial and Error, Iran Found Gaps in Israel’s Storied Air Defenses

The Wall Street Journal

Israel’s recent war with Iran served as a cautionary tale for countries with sophisticated missile defenses and those that seek to have them. Over 12 days, Iran pierced Israel’s defenses with increasing success, showing that even the world’s most advanced systems can be penetrated.