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Colonel (Ret.) Frank Briggs
Colonel (Ret.) Frank Briggs
Defense & National Security Reporter

Frank spent two decades in the military before turning to journalism. He covers defense spending, Pentagon politics, and national security.

186 articles published

Czech President Rejects Trump's Criticism of Europe's Iran Role
Defense
Czech President Rejects Trump's Criticism of Europe's Iran Role
Czech President Petr Pavel counters Trump's claims that Europe didn't assist in the Iran conflict, arguing allies were e
State Dept. Approves $8B in Gulf Arms Sales, Bypassing Congress
Defense
State Dept. Approves $8B in Gulf Arms Sales, Bypassing Congress
The State Department approved $8 billion in arms sales to Gulf allies and Israel, using emergency waivers to bypass Cong
GOP Armed Services Chiefs Blast Trump's Pullout of 5,000 Troops from Germany
Defense
GOP Armed Services Chiefs Blast Trump's Pullout of 5,000 Troops from Germany
Top GOP defense lawmakers on Saturday voiced alarm over Trump's decision to remove a brigade from Germany, warning it un
Pentagon Pegs Iran Blockade Losses at $4.8 Billion in Oil Revenue
Defense
Pentagon Pegs Iran Blockade Losses at $4.8 Billion in Oil Revenue
The Pentagon estimates the U.S. naval blockade has cost Iran $4.8 billion in oil revenue. The assessment comes as diplom
USS Higgins Loses Power After Electrical Fire in Indo-Pacific
Defense
USS Higgins Loses Power After Electrical Fire in Indo-Pacific
The USS Higgins, a Navy destroyer, lost power and propulsion after an electrical malfunction caused sparking and smoke.
Trump Declares Victory Over Iran, Demands Bigger Win Amid Stalled Talks
Defense
Trump Declares Victory Over Iran, Demands Bigger Win Amid Stalled Talks
President Trump claimed the US has already won against Iran but wants a bigger victory, rejecting a Strait of Hormuz pro
Moscow's Ukraine Toll Weakens Its Hold on Mali as Rebels Gain Ground
Defense
Moscow's Ukraine Toll Weakens Its Hold on Mali as Rebels Gain Ground
Russia's Africa Corps is retreating from northern Mali after rebel gains, as the Ukraine war leaves Moscow unable to rei
Pentagon Secures AI Deals with Seven Tech Giants, Excluding Anthropic
Defense
Pentagon Secures AI Deals with Seven Tech Giants, Excluding Anthropic
Seven major AI firms, including OpenAI and Google, have agreed to deploy their systems on Pentagon classified networks.
Hegseth Battles Senate Dems Over Iran War Price, Pentagon Purges
Defense
Hegseth Battles Senate Dems Over Iran War Price, Pentagon Purges
Pete Hegseth sparred with Senate Democrats over the Iran war price tag, Pentagon firings, and a $1.5 trillion budget req
Hegseth Claims Ceasefire Halts War Powers Clock on Iran Conflict
Defense
Hegseth Claims Ceasefire Halts War Powers Clock on Iran Conflict
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators the 60-day War Powers Act clock on Iran hostilities paused with the ceasefi
King Doubles Down: Iran War Cost Hits $50B, Pentagon Estimate 'Too Low'
Defense
King Doubles Down: Iran War Cost Hits $50B, Pentagon Estimate 'Too Low'
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) says the Iran war has cost $50 billion, double the Pentagon's estimate, citing base repairs an
Moulton Accuses Hegseth of War Crimes Over Caribbean Boat Strikes
Defense
Moulton Accuses Hegseth of War Crimes Over Caribbean Boat Strikes
Rep. Seth Moulton accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of war crimes over U.S. strikes on Caribbean boats, calling the
Hegseth Grilled on Iran War Costs, Pentagon Firings in Senate Showdown
Defense
Hegseth Grilled on Iran War Costs, Pentagon Firings in Senate Showdown
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the $1.5 trillion defens
Iran Nuclear Threat: How a Single Bomb Could Reshape the Middle East
Defense
Iran Nuclear Threat: How a Single Bomb Could Reshape the Middle East
A nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize the Middle East, with IRGC fanaticism making deterrence uncertain and a nuclear e
Hegseth Hearing Erupts Over Iran War Costs, Firing of Army Chief
Defense
Hegseth Hearing Erupts Over Iran War Costs, Firing of Army Chief
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp questions from House Democrats over the Iran war and the firing of Army Chief
Pentagon Releases $400M in Ukraine Aid After McConnell Op-Ed Pressure
Defense
Pentagon Releases $400M in Ukraine Aid After McConnell Op-Ed Pressure
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday that $400 million in Ukraine aid was released after Sen. Mitch McConn
Trump Demands Iran 'Cry Uncle' to End Strait Blockade, Rejects Nuclear Talks Offer
Defense
Trump Demands Iran 'Cry Uncle' to End Strait Blockade, Rejects Nuclear Talks Offer
President Trump demands Iran 'cry uncle' and abandon its nuclear ambitions to end the Strait of Hormuz blockade, rejecti
Hegseth under Fire: House Dems Press on Iran War Costs, Military Firings
Defense
Hegseth under Fire: House Dems Press on Iran War Costs, Military Firings
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp questioning from Democrats over the Iran war's economic toll, the Pentagon's