The Senate confirms a new head of Veterans Affairs, and the Pentagon contemplates a Gaza plan. Plus, F-35s practice takeoffs from a Japanese ship.

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New VA Secretary takes office, and more Pentagon updates | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 2.8.25

New VA Secretary takes office, and more Pentagon updates | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 2.8.25

The Senate confirms a new head of Veterans Affairs, and the Pentagon contemplates a Gaza plan. Plus, F-35s practice takeoffs from a Japanese ship.

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 RELATED VIDEOS 

Change comes to the VA as new Secretary takes the helm

Former congressman Doug Collins is confirmed as new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and pledges reviews of Biden policies and advancement in VA care. Watch Now

See American F-35s land on a Japanese warship

The U.S. and Japanese militaries performed eye-catching sea trials in January involving American fighter jets and Japan’s flagship Kaga. Watch Now

Texas troops’ immigration arrest powers, and NATO’s defense spending - Headlines

National Guard troops from Texas get the authority to make immigration arrests, and NATO addresses defense spending levels. Those and more headlines. Watch Now

Pentagon contemplates a Gaza plan, and deportees arrive in Guantanamo

Trump administration policies continue to roll into the Pentagon’s purview, with leaders looking at the military’s role in a new Middle East posture, and more. Watch Now

Learn the Finnish Army’s concept of resilience in harsh conditions: “Sisu”

What is “sisu?” Check out the concept Finland’s Army describes as a form of hardiness earned only by fighting in harsh conditions. Watch Now

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On eve of visit, Europe braces for new defense demands from team Trump

The U.S. president’s insistence that Europe is underpaying for U.S. protection is likely to come up during meetings across Europe next week. Read More

Dutch military adds railway steel to rush troops to NATO’s east flank

“Deployment in anger is not something that is planned, that always comes up suddenly, so you need some kind of minimum own capacity." Read More

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DARPA continues quest to validate quantum computing utility

Through the program, DARPA wants to understand whether it’s possible to develop a utility-scale quantum computing system by 2033. Read More

Saab, Kongsberg again post record years on European defense splurge

The Saab CEO sees defense spending in Europe rising regardless of decisions regarding the NATO alliance and joint European programs. Read More


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Budgeting For Your First Home — Money Minute

Jeanette Mack from Navy Federal Credit Union is here to tell you how preparing today can set you up for success in your mission to buy your first home. Read More

 

L3Harris unveils Amorphous autonomy software to manage drone swarms

To date, the company has demonstrated the ability to connect multiple systems, but it envisions Amorphous eventually managing thousands of payloads. Read More

 

NATO laggard Belgium vows defense boost with more F-35s, third frigate

“This will put an end to what I can safely call a ‘period of national disgrace,’" said Belgium's new defense minister, Theo Francken. Read More

 

Deterring China, slashing waste top Pentagon priorities, Hegseth says

"Certainly, we want to send the signals to China that the [Indo-Pacific] area will be and continues to be contested.” Read More

 

Pentagon acquisition office orders review of Space Development Agency

The review is meant to ensure that SDA is on a path to deliver a proliferated satellite constellation that meets Defense Department requirements. Read More

 

The New World

Warfare has entered a new era where battles are fought not only with precision but at unprecedented speed. Read More

 

Senators detail desired missile defense elements for Trump’s Iron Dome

Two senators introduced a bill that would authorize $19.5 billion for fiscal 2026 to build out Trump's "Iron Dome for America." Read More

 

See American F-35s land on a Japanese warship

The U.S. and Japanese militaries performed eye-catching sea trials in January involving American fighter jets and Japan’s flagship Kaga. Read More

 

Texas troops’ immigration arrest powers, and NATO’s defense spending - Headlines

National Guard troops from Texas get the authority to make immigration arrests, and NATO addresses defense spending levels. Those and more headlines. Read More

 

Change comes to the VA as new Secretary takes the helm

Former congressman Doug Collins is confirmed as new Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and pledges reviews of Biden policies and advancement in VA care. Read More

 

Pentagon contemplates a Gaza plan, and deportees arrive in Guantanamo

Trump administration policies continue to roll into the Pentagon’s purview, with leaders looking at the military’s role in a new Middle East posture, and more. Read More

 

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