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Pentagon Considering Sending 10K Troops to the Middle East: Report

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By New York Post. The Pentagon is reportedly considering a plan to send an additional 10,000 troops to the Middle East amid the war with Iran.

The potential deployment would likely include infantry and armored vehicles and would be on top of the 5,000 Marines and sailors and roughly 2,000 members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division who have already been dispatched to the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“All announcements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of War,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the outlet. “

As we have said, President Trump always has all military options at his disposal.”

The reinforcements would provide President Trump with an even wider range of military operations, including potentially putting troops on the ground, as his administration pushes for a peace deal with Iran. (Read more from “Pentagon Considering Sending 10K Troops to the Middle East: Report” HERE)

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Additional 10,000 US Ground Troops Could Be Sent to Middle East: Report

By Newsweek. The Pentagon is considering the deployment of an additional 10,000 U.S. ground troops to the Middle East amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, The Wall Street Journal reports on Thursday, citing Defense Department officials with knowledge of the planning. . .

Those previously reported plans include potentially sending up to 3,000 paratroopers to join thousands of Marines moving toward the Middle East, augmenting an estimated 50,000 U.S. personnel already in the region.

The force would likely include armored vehicles and infantry, according to the Journal report. It is immediately unclear where the forces would be deployed, but would likely be within striking distance of Iran and Kharg Island, the report says.

The reported planning comes as the White House allegedly pushed a 15-point peace proposal, while regional attacks and counterstrikes continue, underscoring the risk of a broader escalation. (Read more from “Additional 10,000 US Ground Troops Could Be Sent to Middle East: Report” HERE)

Report: 3,000 Troops from Army’s Elite 82nd Airborne Set for Rapid Mideast Deployment

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The Pentagon is expected to order roughly 3,000 troops from the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East “in the coming hours,” according to a Wall Street Journal report outlining an imminent deployment of a rapid-response brigade combat team to support operations against Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing two U.S. officials, that a written deployment order is expected shortly for the unit, along with the division’s headquarters element responsible for planning and coordination.

The move would mark a significant expansion of U.S. force posture in the region, positioning a high-readiness ground force capable of executing a range of missions if directed.

The 82nd Airborne serves as the Army’s emergency response force and can deploy anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Its brigade combat teams are trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure airfields and establish footholds for follow-on operations.

Officials cautioned that no decision has been made to put American boots on the ground inside Iran. (Read more from “Report: 3,000 Troops from Army’s Elite 82nd Airborne Set for Rapid Mideast Deployment” HERE)

Pentagon Reportedly Activates 1,500 Troops For Potential Deployment Amid ICE Protests

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The Pentagon reportedly ordered roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota as protests against federal immigration enforcement continue in Minneapolis.

Two U.S. defense officials told Reuters the Army placed two infantry battalions from the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division on standby. The troops specialize in cold-weather operations. Officials said the soldiers would deploy if violence in the state worsens, though it remains unclear whether any will actually be sent.

The White House said in a statement to The Washington Post that it is typical for the Pentagon “to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.” Defense officials characterized the move as “prudent planning,” the Post reported.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell addressed the preparations in an emailed statement to the Associated Press (AP). He did not deny the orders were issued.

“The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon,” Parnell said. (Read more from “Pentagon Reportedly Activates 1,500 Troops For Potential Deployment Amid ICE Protests” HERE)

Pentagon Accepts Mystery $130 Million Donation As Democrats Withhold Troop Pay

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The Pentagon has accepted a $130 million donation to partially pay for troops while the government is shut down, the agency said Friday.

President Donald Trump announced the donation on Thursday, saying that a “friend” made the donation but did not elaborate on the benefactor’s identity. The Pentagon has shifted unused funds intended for research to pay out mid-month paychecks to troops, but it remains unclear if the shutdown will cause troops to miss their next paycheck at the end of the month.

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits,” Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops.”

The shutdown started on Oct. 1 after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led nearly all Senate Democrats to block a bipartisan clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. Nearly all Senate Democrats have voted down funding measures. while only a handful of Democratic caucus members have crossed party lines to vote for the stopgap bill. (Read more from “Pentagon Accepts Mystery $130 Million Donation As Democrats Withhold Troop Pay” HERE)

Pete Hegseth Doesn’t Dispute Plans to Have ‘Crowd Control’ Troops in Every State Ahead of 2026 Midterms

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn’t deny reported plans to have National Guard ‘response force’ in every state ahead of the 2026 midterms.

During a conference on Thursday (23 October), a reporter asked Hegseth about  a memo circulating on social media detailing, “the establishment of a National Guard response force that will be trained in crowd control and civil unrest  deployed in all 50 states by April of 2026”.

(Read more from “Pete Hegseth Doesn’t Dispute Plans to Have ‘Crowd Control’ Troops in Every State Ahead of 2026 Midterms” HERE)

US Considering Strikes Against Drug Traffickers In Venezuela

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The Pentagon is drafting plans to launch drone strikes against drug traffickers inside Venezuela within weeks, NBC News reported.

Military officials are targeting drug labs and cartel leadership as President Donald Trump seeks to halt the flow of narcotics from the South American nation, according to NBC News. The president has not approved the operations yet, but U.S. and Venezuelan officials are talking through Middle Eastern intermediaries.

Sources said the administration views Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as not doing enough to stop drug trafficking, the outlet reported. A senior administration official said Trump is “prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice.”

The U.S. has deployed eight ships with 4,000 personnel to regional waters and sent F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico. (Read more from “US Considering Strikes Against Drug Traffickers In Venezuela” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Pete Hegseth Fires Director of Defense Intelligence Agency After Iran Strike Report

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Air Force Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Kruse, following the release of a preliminary assessment regarding U.S. strikes on Iran in June, according to multiple reports.

The New York Times reported that both a senior defense official and a senator confirmed Kruse’s dismissal, making him the second top military intelligence leader to be ousted since President Donald Trump returned to office in January. Earlier this year, Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, head of the National Security Agency, was forced out after complaints raised by a right-wing commentator.

Kruse, a veteran intelligence officer, had been serving as director of the DIA since 2023. His removal was described by officials as stemming from a “loss of confidence,” though it was not immediately clear whether he would be reassigned within the Air Force. Two congressional officials told the Times that lawmakers were formally notified of the decision.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, sharply criticized the move, saying it highlighted what he called the Trump administration’s “dangerous habit of treating intelligence as a loyalty test rather than a safeguard for our country.”

The Washington Post also confirmed Kruse’s firing, citing two people familiar with the matter. They reported that officials did not immediately provide a reason beyond the stated “loss of confidence.”

Kruse’s dismissal came in the wake of a DIA preliminary report assessing the impact of U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in June. The assessment reportedly caused friction within the administration, though the precise contents of the report have not been made public.

The firing underscores growing tension between the Pentagon’s intelligence community and the Trump administration.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Pentagon Reports Increase in Female Military Recruits Across All Branches

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The Pentagon says female enlistment numbers have risen in every branch of the U.S. armed forces during Fiscal Year 2025, countering claims that recruitment among women has declined.

According to Pentagon data, 23,985 women have enlisted so far this fiscal year, compared to 16,725 at the same point last year — an increase of about 7,260 recruits. Female recruitment is rising alongside overall enlistment, with the U.S. Army surpassing its annual goal in June, four months ahead of schedule.

The upward trend follows record-low recruitment in 2022. Officials say numbers began to improve in 2024, with the armed forces bringing in 12.5% more personnel than the previous year.

Defense officials attribute the increase to a variety of factors, including leadership and a focus on core military readiness. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has previously stated that the department’s current emphasis is on “war fighting” and mission preparedness.

Members of Congress with military backgrounds have also noted the trend. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), an Air Force veteran, said she believes the current administration’s priorities have played a role in renewed interest among both women and men in joining the military.

The Pentagon has not released projections for whether the momentum in female enlistment will continue through the end of the fiscal year.

Photo credit: Flickr

Merger of European-U.S. Satellite Companies Raises Fears of Chinese Access to Military Communication

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The proposed merger between European satellite service provider SES, a major Pentagon space contractor, and Virginia-based Intelsat is raising national security concerns over SES’ strategic partnership with a Chinese state-linked satellite company, according to national security experts.

The $3.1 billion merger announced in April was followed a month later by SES reaching a strategic partnership with China’s AeroSat Link for an international airline inflight internet service program.

AeroSat Link is a subsidiary of state-run China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd., known as ChinaSat, that is part of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC).

Both ChinaSat and CASC are identified as Chinese military companies, and both were sanctioned by the Treasury Department in the past based on national security concerns.

Luxembourg-based SES operates a network of nearly 70 satellites in two different orbits, along with ground infrastructure that provides video and data services to 99% of the world’s population, according to the company website. (Read more from “Merger of European-U.S. Satellite Companies Raises Fears of Chinese Access to Military Communication” HERE)

Pentagon Ditches Admiral Who Allowed Drag Queen Performances On Aircraft Carrier

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The Defense Department is withdrawing the nomination of Rear Adm. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly, The Daily Wire can first report, under whose command drag performances took place on board the USS Ronald Reagan.

Donnel ly served as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier from April 2016 to September 2018, during which time Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley performed as a drag queen under the name “Harpy Daniels” at a department-sanctioned “Morale, Welfare, and Recreation” event on the aircraft carrier.

The Defense Department announced on June 18 that President Donald Trump had nominated Donnelly for promotion to vice admiral and an appointment as commander of the 7th Fleet, the largest overseas force that the Navy has.

Following inquiries from The Daily Wire about Donnelly and the drag queen shows he permitted on board the USS Ronald Reagan, a source at the Defense Department said that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is withdrawing Donnelly’s nomination to lead the 7th Fleet.

Hegseth is looking for a new 7th Fleet commander, the source shared. (Read more from “Pentagon Ditches Admiral Who Allowed Drag Queen Performances On Aircraft Carrier” HERE)