Top 5     AI military targeting may move faster than humans can authenticate, critics warn (Military Times) Human approval may not be enough to ensure manual control over AI-enabled decisions, witnesses told Congress Wednesday, as artificial intelligence takes on a greater role in military target identification and recommendations, and in turn, compresses time available to intervene.       US ‘not prepared’ to respond to nuclear attacks in space, report says (Defense News) The possibility of an adversary detonating a nuclear weapon in space to disrupt U.S. satellite infrastructure and the global communications networks that rely on it is no longer a remote scenario, according to multiple officials — and American forces are not prepared for it, strategists found after bringing former officials together to war-game their responses to a potential nuclear danger in orbit.       3 National Guard members remain hospitalized from fatal weekend crash in Oregon (Stars and Stripes) Three National Guard members remained in an Oregon hospital on Wednesday, four days after a four-vehicle collision killed one person and injured 14 others, according to Oregon State Police.       US military must adapt as formations will be ‘hunted’ by autonomous systems, Caine says (Defense News) Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that the joint force must prove readiness ahead of a conflict in a time when adversaries are becoming increasingly interconnected amid the changing character of war.       China warns US space weapons could fuel arms race (Reuters) China urged the United States to halt its military build-up in outer space after Washington acknowledged it has weapons deployed in orbit, while Chinese state media warned the move could fuel a global arms race.   Operation Timeline     The human impact of policy changes at the DOD and VA (The War Horse) An ongoing timeline of the Trump administration’s actions focusing on the military and veterans.   Congress & Politics     McChrystal, Hayden join other flag officers to promote trust in American elections (Military Times) Seven prominent retired general officers are imploring the U.S. electorate to have faith in the election process, issuing a call for Americans to read and adhere to what they call five “principles for trusted elections.”       House speaker declares Iran nuclear issue 'taken care of' (CBS News) The Iran war has cost the U.S. military at least $33.4 billion — most of it on munitions — and not including hundreds of millions more spent by other agencies, the Pentagon says.       House approves sweeping Russia sanctions bill, sending it to Trump (The Associated Press) The House on Wednesday passed a broad package of sanctions targeting Russian officials and key pillars of its economy as lawmakers look to deprive President Vladimir Putin of the financial resources needed to wage the war against Ukraine.       Top Trump military adviser says US must prepare to fight around moon (The Guardian) Gen. Dan Caine comments at Washington summit come after U.S. revealed it has deployed weapons in space.   Your Military     Vietnam War conscientious objector falsified Silver Star award, defrauded VA (Military Times) A Missouri man who claimed conscientious objector status in 1966 pleaded guilty this week to submitting fake combat awards and documents in order to reap Veterans Affairs benefits, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri, said in a statement Tuesday.   Army     Army commanders can recommend rank bump for NCOs in first sergeant roles (Military Times) Battalion Commanders in the Army can now nominate senior enlisted leaders for promotion — and increased pay — commensurate with their position.       Army trainee struck by vehicle and killed while on foot outside Oklahoma base (Military Times) A U.S. Army basic trainee was struck by a vehicle and killed while on foot along a busy interstate outside of an Oklahoma base this week.       Army crowns top drill sergeants in first competition since sweeping command restructure (Military Times) This year, the U.S. Army’s top drill sergeants had to do more than hurl toe-curling insults and foam at the mouth like ferocious, rabid wolves. On Wednesday, the service wrapped up an intensive 72-hour competition to determine the Army’s best broad-brimmed hat-wearing men and women, announcing the contest’s first winners since the service brought recruiting and initial training under the same three-star command.   Marine Corps     Marines deployed to Iran war were ‘fully prepared for everything,’ commander says (Stars and Stripes) The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit quickly pivoted from routine drills to the Middle East and a supporting role in the war against Iran.   AIr Force     Air Force to add career field to strengthen defenses against attacks on bases (Stars and Stripes) The Air Force plans to develop a new weapon system and establish a career field dedicated to defending its bases from attack, the service’s top officer announced this week.   Coast Guard     Lawmakers surface Coast Guard housing, quality-of-life issues (Federal News Network) The Coast Guard’s master chief says it’s working with the other services and the Military Spouse Commission to address issues like the Basic Housing Allowance.   Veterans     Pentagon plans to exhume, identify Korean War remains in Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Stars and Stripes) A guard walks the mat at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on May 25, 2026. The crypt for the Korean War unknown is at the far left. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)   Defense Industry     Israel’s SPICE 1000 bombs can soon drop from F-35 fighters (Defense News) Israel’s SPICE 1000 bomb technology will soon be droppable from the country’s F-35 fighter aircraft, manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on Wednesday.       Spain’s Indra proffers ‘Squall’ for Europe’s emerging strike missile mix (Defense News) Spain’s Indra has launched a new low-cost cruise missile it claims will cost a tenth of top-of-the line current missiles, allowing users to saturate enemy targets with multiple strikes.       Germany, US to expand shared production of Patriot interceptors, strike missiles (Military Times) The defense leaders of Germany and the United States have signed an agreement positioning Germany as an additional production hub where workers can make scarce munitions for American weapons if stateside U.S. firms are overwhelmed by demand.   Ukraine     Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says new anti-drone weapon being tested (Reuters) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.   International     Canada applies to join UK-led military coalition (Reuters) Canada, seeking to diversify its defense ties away ?from the United States, has formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force military coalition, Prime ?Minister Mark Carney's office said on Wednesday.       Nato leader warns of ‘most dangerous and complex security environment in a generation’ (The Guardian) Mark Rutte asks U.K. and Europe to ‘provide hard power Nato needs’ in face of geopolitical uncertainty.       Saudis seek allies’ help as missile defenses run low in fight with Houthis, officials say (The Associated Press) Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has turned to regional and Western allies for assistance as its standoff with Houthi rebels in Yemen drags on, two regional officials said Wednesday.   Video     Recruiting workers for the defense industrial base | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.15.26 (Defense News) To build and manufacture the armaments needed for a modern military requires a specialized workforce. Can the U.S. recruit enough talent?       Nepal Army deploys drones to help flood victims and a look inside NATO’s arms production | Headlines (Defense News) Trying to reach survivors cut off by recent floods, the Nepali Army turns to heavy-lift drones. Plus, a look inside NATO’s defense production system.   Commentary & Analysis     The bells are ringing again, and this time Sweden is inside the alliance (The Cipher Brief) On August 25, CIA Director John Ratcliffe landed in Moscow. He met Russian officials, warned them against attacking NATO, raised Moscow’s support for Iran, and flew home. Allies and Kyiv were briefed before and after. It was the first trip of its kind since the former CIA Director William Burns made the same flight in November 2021, fifteen weeks before Russia crossed into Ukraine.       Strategic stability and the rebuilding of Xi’s military (War on the Rocks) For all the warnings about an increasingly capable Chinese military, this may very well be an awkward moment for Beijing to have that military tested.       Why Yemen’s Houthis have only grown stronger through years of war (The Associated Press) At various times over the last decade, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Britain and Israel have carried out punishing air raids on Yemen’s Houthi rebels — only to see them grow even stronger.       ‘The US can’t lose’: Pentagon plows ahead on AI despite warnings (Politico) Pentagon leaders are racing to insert artificial intelligence into nearly every corner of the military, even as lawmakers scramble to figure out guardrails.