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House Approves Defense Bill to Increase Troop Pay and Reform Weapons Procurement

House Approves Defense Bill to Increase Troop Pay and Reform Weapons Procurement

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a comprehensive defense policy bill authorizing $900 billion in military programs. This legislation includes a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel and significant changes to the Department of Defense's weapons procurement process. The bill, which passed with a 312-112 vote, reflects ongoing tensions between the Republican-controlled Congress and President Trump's administration regarding military management. While the White House has expressed strong support for the bill, it includes measures that challenge the Department of Defense, such as demands for more transparency on military actions in the Caribbean and support for European allies like Ukraine. The bill also addresses climate and diversity initiatives, cutting $1.6 billion in climate-related spending and eliminating certain diversity programs.
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House to Vote on $900 Billion Defense Bill Requiring Release of Boat Strike Videos

House to Vote on $900 Billion Defense Bill Requiring Release of Boat Strike Videos

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a $900 billion defense bill that includes provisions for increased military pay, reduced Pentagon diversity efforts, and the release of videos showing U.S. forces targeting alleged drug boats. This National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a bipartisan effort that outlines the nation's defense policies. The bill comes amid scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over military actions off Venezuela's coast. Lawmakers are demanding the Pentagon release unedited footage of these strikes, threatening to withhold part of Hegseth's travel budget if the videos are not provided. The bill also mandates the Pentagon to disclose the orders behind each attack, as some legal experts and Democrats argue that a recent strike violated the laws of war.
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Factbox-Troop pay, Ukraine and social issues - US House passes massive 2026 defense bill

Factbox-Troop pay, Ukraine and social issues - US House passes massive 2026 defense bill

By Patricia Zengerle Dec 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a compromise version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, a nearly $1 trillion bill setting policy for the Pentagon that Congress has passed for 63 straight years.
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House is voting on a defense bill to raise troop pay and overhaul weapons purchases

House is voting on a defense bill to raise troop pay and overhaul weapons purchases

The House is headed toward a final vote on a sweeping defense bill that authorizes $900 billion in military programs
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Russia says it awaits an answer from the US on New START as nuclear treaty ticks down

Russia says it awaits an answer from the US on New START as nuclear treaty ticks down

By Guy Faulconbridge and Lucy Papachristou MOSCOW, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Russia on Wednesday said it was still awaiting a formal answer from Washington on President Vladimir Putin's proposal to jointly stick to the last remaining Russian-U.S. arms control treaty, which expires in less than two months.
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Bolivia Restores Diplomatic Relations with Israel After Two-Year Break

Bolivia Restores Diplomatic Relations with Israel After Two-Year Break

Bolivia has restored diplomatic relations with Israel, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy under the new right-wing government led by President Rodrigo Paz. The decision comes after Bolivia's previous left-wing government severed ties with Israel two years ago due to its military actions in Gaza. Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo and Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar met in Washington to sign a declaration to revive bilateral ties. This move is part of Bolivia's broader strategy to improve relations with Western countries, including the United States, after years of alignment with China, Russia, and Venezuela. The restoration of ties includes reinstating ambassadors and easing visa restrictions for American and Israeli travelers.
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USAID Freeze by Trump Administration Sparks Debate on Global Aid

USAID Freeze by Trump Administration Sparks Debate on Global Aid

The Trump administration has frozen the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), halting its significant role in global humanitarian and development aid. This decision has sparked a debate among various stakeholders, with some viewing it as a necessary reduction of government spending, while others express concern over the potential vacuum it creates for countries like Russia and China to fill. USAID has been a major player in international aid, spending billions annually across over 100 countries. The freeze is seen as part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reduce foreign aid and focus on domestic priorities.
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US Congress considers 'must-pass' defense policy bill that would top Trump’s spending request

US Congress considers 'must-pass' defense policy bill that would top Trump’s spending request

By Patricia Zengerle and Julia Harte WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Sunday unveiled an annual defense policy bill authorizing a record $901 billion in national security spending next year, billions more than President Donald Trump's request, and provides $400 million in military
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Factbox-Troop pay, Ukraine and social issues - Congress takes up the 2026 NDAA

Factbox-Troop pay, Ukraine and social issues - Congress takes up the 2026 NDAA

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives is due to vote this week on the final version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, a nearly $1 trillion bill setting policy for the Pentagon that Congress has passed for 63 straight years.
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Defense bill would require US military to end reliance on Chinese display tech by 2030

Defense bill would require US military to end reliance on Chinese display tech by 2030

By Stephen Nellis SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The final text of a U.S. military spending bill released on Monday would require the Pentagon to end its reliance on China and other countries for electronic display technology by 2030. The U.S.
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Trump's National Security Strategy Criticized for Overlooking Key Global Threats

Trump's National Security Strategy Criticized for Overlooking Key Global Threats

The Atlantic article critiques President Trump's new National Security Strategy, which is seen as ignoring significant global threats. The strategy focuses on economic security and downplays the strategic competition with China and Russia. It also overlooks the growing alignment among U.S. adversaries, such as China aiding Russia militarily and North Korea's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The article argues that the strategy fails to address direct threats to the U.S., such as cyberattacks from China and Russia's military advancements, and instead prioritizes issues like trade deficits and Western Hemisphere threats.
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China Responds to U.S. National Security Strategy Amid Global Tensions

China Responds to U.S. National Security Strategy Amid Global Tensions

China has issued a response to the latest U.S. national security strategy, emphasizing the importance of win-win cooperation between the two nations. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry stated that China is prepared to work with the U.S. to maintain steady bilateral relations while defending its sovereignty and security interests. The U.S. strategy, released under President Trump's administration, outlines economic and security priorities, with China being a primary focus. The strategy has been noted for its critical stance on Europe's handling of security and economic issues, aligning with some of Moscow's views.