Joint Chiefs of Staff

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Venezuela five months after a U.S. military operation removed Nicolás Maduro. The visit focused on stability, security, and implementing Trump’s three-phase plan for Venezuela, which includes economic recovery and democratic transition. The U.S. military maintains a presence in the region, with recent strikes in Caribbean waters.

North Korea unveiled a new uranium enrichment facility to produce nuclear bomb fuels, with leader Kim Jong Un stating plans to exponentially expand the country’s nuclear forces. The site, the third disclosed uranium enrichment plant, was visited by Kim, who emphasized strengthening nuclear deterrence against 'ferocious enemies,' likely referring to the U.S. and South Korea.

Defense News celebrates 40 years of covering pivotal defense events, including the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986, the end of the Cold War in 1989, the Gulf War's Desert Storm in 1991, and the Mogadishu battle (Black Hawk Down) in 1993. These events reshaped U.S. military strategy, command structures, and technological advancements in warfare.

North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile and other projectiles over the sea, according to South Korea’s military. This follows a pattern of weapons tests by Pyongyang, with Kim Jong Un prioritizing nuclear and missile development since 2019. South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung emphasized enhancing military capabilities, including AI, drones, and potential nuclear-powered submarines, amid heightened tensions.

During Congressional testimony, Representative George Whitesides questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about canceling a command-initiated review, but redirected the question to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. Caine characterized the question as partisan, highlighting how partisan considerations have increasingly extended into military leadership discussions.

The Pentagon is drawing down thousands of troops in Europe by canceling deployments to Poland and Germany, as part of an effort to reduce the number of troops in Europe by about 5,000. The decision was made after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo directing the Joint Chiefs of Staff to move a brigade combat team out of Europe. This move reflects a growing rift between the US administration and traditional European allies.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine faced questioning on Capitol Hill about the war in Iran. The Trump administration is seeking $1.5 trillion for defense in the 2027 budget proposal. Hegseth called it a historic budget.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns about strained weapons stockpiles, saying recent reporting has exaggerated the issue. The comments come as questions about US weapons inventories have intensified following the Iran conflict. Hegseth accused Sen. Mark Kelly of improperly discussing sensitive information.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy questioned Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about military options and Iran's nuclear capacity. The exchange occurred during a Senate panel hearing on the Pentagon's 2027 budget request. This discussion may contradict President Trump's past statements.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will testify before a Senate Appropriations Committee panel about the conflict in Iran and President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request. Hegseth may face questions on his feud with Sen. Mark Kelly. The testimony will focus on the Pentagon's budget and Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces questioning from Congress over the Iran war and the Trump administration's 2027 military budget proposal. The conflict has led to higher fuel prices, posing political problems for Republicans. President Donald Trump is under pressure to address the economic shocks of the war.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will testify before the House Appropriations Committee on the President's fiscal 2027 $1.5 trillion budget request for the Pentagon. The hearing is related to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which is under pressure. Both sides have rejected proposals to end the war.

President Trump is meeting with his national security team to discuss possible military action against Iran after negotiations deadlocked. The US had waited 10 days for Iran's response to its draft proposal, but Iran's response was not positive. Trump is considering resuming military action to increase pressure on the regime.

The US military has a playbook to cripple Iran's military capabilities if nuclear talks collapse, targeting missile systems and command networks. Negotiations are fragile due to deep mistrust on both sides. The US is prepared to escalate if diplomacy fails.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine denied Iran has 'kamikaze dolphins', but didn't rule out US having them. The statement was made at a press briefing on Tuesday. The existence of such dolphins is uncertain.

Iran has attacked US forces more than 10 times since a ceasefire was announced on April 7, with Iran firing at commercial vessels nine times and seizing two container ships. Gen. Dan Caine reported this information. The attacks have occurred despite the agreed-upon ceasefire.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth denies Iran has 'kamikaze dolphins', Iranian officials allegedly discussed reviving a Cold War-era program involving trained dolphins to carry mines toward enemy ships. The US military has used dolphins in combat for mine clearance, but not as weapons. The speculation comes amid heightened tensions in the region.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth denies Iran's possession of 'kamikaze dolphins', a claim that emerged from recent reporting on Iran's potential tactics in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military has used dolphins in combat, but not as weapons. The speculation comes amid heightened tensions in the region.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine discussed Project Freedom, a U.S. operation in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation is related to the Iran war. The press conference was held at the Pentagon.

Iran has responded to U.S. amendments in a draft peace deal, signaling ongoing diplomatic efforts amid Trump's naval blockade and potential military action. The U.S. seeks to reintroduce nuclear negotiations, demanding Iran halt uranium movement and facility activity. Trump met with his security team to discuss military plans against Iran.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine questioned Gen. Dan Caine about the legal justification for U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and also asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the 60-day Iran war deadline under the War Powers Resolution. Hegseth claimed the ceasefire paused the deadline.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine highlighted the Pentagon's achievements during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Their statements were briefly interrupted by a protester.

President Trump is set to receive a briefing on new military options against Iran, including potential strikes and control of the Strait of Hormuz, as part of efforts to pressure Iran in negotiations. The plans, developed by CENTCOM, aim to break the deadlock over Iran's nuclear program or force a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Pete Hegseth, US defense secretary, denied that the US-Israel war on Iran is a 'quagmire' and criticized lawmakers as a greater threat than Iran itself. He testified before the House armed services committee alongside Gen Dan Caine, requesting a $1.5tn military budget as the conflict's cost to the US reached an estimated $25bn.

The Pentagon is addressing the challenges of securing AI in autonomous warfare, as highlighted by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine during a discussion at Vanderbilt University's Asness Summit. He emphasized that autonomous weapons are becoming an essential component of modern military operations.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are holding a briefing amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Both nations are competing to influence shipping traffic in the strategic waterway.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine will hold a press briefing amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran conflict. The briefing follows President Trump's announcement of an extended truce between Israel and Lebanon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine will brief the public on the Iran war status following a ceasefire extended by President Trump. The conflict has escalated into a tit-for-tat blockade standoff.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are briefing reporters amid escalating U.S.-Iran competition over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The tensions involve strategic competition for dominance in critical shipping traffic routes.

Over 10,000 U.S. troops are enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, with 14 ships turning back after warnings. The military has not boarded any vessels yet but has stated readiness to use force, including warning shots or seizures, against Iran-linked ships attempting to bypass the blockade.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine are set to brief reporters on Iran amid a seven-week war and a waning nine-day ceasefire. Trump officials are also heading to Capitol Hill as lawmakers debate ongoing conflicts.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will brief reporters on a U.S. military operation in Iran, amid a fragile ceasefire between the Trump administration and Tehran. President Trump recently imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iranian actions.

The U.S. military claims to have destroyed over 80% of Iran's air defense systems and more than 90% of its regular navy fleet during weeks of conflict, though Iran retains some capabilities. A U.S. F-15E jet was shot down, indicating Tehran's ability to retaliate despite administration assertions of near-total destruction.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Army Gen. David Hodne, shocking military officials and raising concerns about strategic implications for the Iran war and military modernization. The firings have disrupted key leadership roles and raised questions about the stability of military command structures during an active conflict.