The Pentagon’s IPO for War: Now With 100% More Cowbell

The Pentagon’s acquisition system is being overhauled into a “Warfighting Acquisition System,” turbocharging weapons production, slashing bureaucracy, and empowering officials to deliver arms at “wartime speed.” Portfolio Acquisition Executives now wield sweeping authority, startups are courted like prom queens, and the defense industrial base is being rebranded as Silicon Valley with missiles.

So much for the “peace president”—Trump’s arsenal of freedom looks more like an IPO for war, where venture capital meets missile launchers and bureaucrats cosplay as battlefield commanders.

Forging the Arsenal of Freedom

Related:

FoRGED Act Documentation

“The US actions against Venezuela are reinforced by Dutch ships.”

Venezuela and US edge toward war footing − but domestic concerns, international risks may hold Washington back

For the moment, SouthCom is framing the campaign as enhanced counternarcotics operations, rather than a prelude to a blockade or invasion. Statements have highlighted joint patrols and interdiction efforts with the Royal Netherlands Navy, Canada, the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom, and the humanitarian or information-sharing nature of missions.

Related:

Taiwan plans live-fire drills for 2nd batch of Abrams tanks +

Taiwan plans live-fire drills for 2nd batch of Abrams tanks

Related:

Taiwan nears full deployment of US-made Abrams tanks

It’s almost like they never heard ‘never fight a land war in Asia.’ Napoleon tried Russia. Disaster. The British fumbled Afghanistan—twice. The U.S. waded into Vietnam—we all know how that ended. Then they gave Afghanistan a go, stuck around for two decades, and still left in chaos. But sure, let’s run it back one more time for fun. Maybe they should watch ‘The Princess Bride’—you know, for strategic guidance. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Philippines to receive 20 F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets from the US as confrontations with China grow.

Philippines to receive 20 F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets from the US as confrontations with China grow.

The timing of this approval is significant as the Philippines has been engaged in a series of escalating maritime confrontations with China over disputed territories in the South China Sea. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have increasingly voiced support for Manila in countering Chinese maritime expansion. During his recent visit, Hegseth committed to “reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region,” calling attention to China’s growing assertiveness. Additionally, Philippine military leadership, including General Romeo Brawner, has publicly stated that a conflict in Taiwan would inevitably involve the Philippines, urging preparations for possible hostilities. Preparations for such scenarios have reportedly influenced the planning of joint U.S.-Philippine exercises, such as the annual “Balikatan” drills. These developments add urgency to the Philippine modernization program, of which the F-16 acquisition is a cornerstone.

Read More »

Trump appoints Brent Sadler, a Project 2025 contributor, to MARAD

Trump Appoints Top Naval Strategist Brent Sadler To MARAD

Sadler, a veteran naval officer and senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation (the think take behind Project 2025 but also several maritime initiatives), has been one of the few voices in Washington consistently beating the drum on maritime readiness, sealift capacity, and the critical role of the U.S. Merchant Marine in strategic competition. He’s not just another bureaucrat with a résumé. He’s a serious policy strategist who understands that America bleeds influence without hulls in the water, flags on sterns, and skilled mariners at the helm.

Read More »

Military medical system unprepared for future conflict, experts say + More

When it comes to combat casualty care, “without urgent intervention, the Military Health System will continue to slide into medical obsolescence,” a retired Air Force trauma surgeon told senators Tuesday.

Military medical system unprepared for future conflict, experts say

Related:

Pentagon’s Top Doc Defends Military Health System Budget, Lays Out Plans for Improvements

Trump’s Pick for Top Pentagon Health Care Job Was Fired by CIA