Hegseth’s Pentagon Acquisition Reforms Are Paying Off

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): As recent conflicts consume weapons at ferocious rate, U.S. defense industrial base is becoming more prepared to sustain major war, says new report. “The trends are moving in the right direction,” said Jerry McGinn, co-authored of study for Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank.

However, the study — described as a progress report on reforms to the defense manufacturing and acquisition system — still found numerous problems with ramping up and sustaining wartime production.

For example, “according to several measures — manufacturing lead times, critical munitions and materials stockpiles, and supply chain security — the U.S. industrial base has a long way to go to achieve resilience,” warned the analysis by CSIS’s Center for the Industrial Base.

Still, CSIS did find measurable improvements just since November 2025 (only eight months ago), when Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowed to “transform the entire acquisition system to operate on a wartime footing.”

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

LINDSEY GRAHAM

Lindsey Graham, GOP senator and retired Air Force Reserve colonel, remembered for relishing challenges of public life. In conjunction with his time in Congress, Graham spent 33 years in Air Force across three components — active-duty staff judge advocate, South Carolina Air National Guard officer, and senior lawyer in Air Force Reserve.

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death is major blow to Israel’s efforts to persuade U.S. to keep up its military campaign against Iran, as well as other Israeli goals in Washington.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Russia and U.S. are rediscovering the limits of nuclear weapons. Henry Kissinger often said that nuclear arms are “weapons in search of a doctrine.” After Cold War, some strategists tried to figure out what these weapons could buy them beyond deterrence. The answer, as it turns out, is: not much.

America’s military plans depend on infrastructure it doesn’t secure. Military power is meaningless if it cannot move.

America’s export controls are becoming a strategic liability.

HOMELAND DEFENSE

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), operated by Canada and U.S. has gaping holes in airspace radar coverage. Ottawa hopes to fill some of those gaps with new over-the-horizon radar system from Australia.

Money well spent. Pentagon has spent at least $2.64 billion on border protection operations at southwest border with Mexico.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Pentagon placed an immediate freeze on forthcoming cybersecurity requirements after government research suggested policy would drive many businesses out of defense industrial base at time when military urgently needs their innovations.

Department of Justice and Pentagon have created joint task force to identify and prosecute “unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information” to news media.

Democrat senators led by Kirsten Gillibrand called for Trump administration to disclose within next week findings from military investigation into Feb. 28 strike at girls’ school in Iran.

IRAN WAR

U.S. military will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran on Tuesday, U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said on Monday.

Central Command used three Corsair unmanned surface vessels to strike submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas naval base in Iran, marking “first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations.”

Video released by Pentagon shows three Corsair attack drones hitting Iranian naval base.

The sorry record of regime-change operations in Middle East. When Trump announced start of Operation Epic Fury, joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, among mission’s goals was overthrow of the Islamic Republic. “When we are finished,” Trump told the Iranian people, “take over your government. It will be yours to take.”

After proposing it just a day earlier, Trump nixes U.S. 20% Strait of Hormuz toll proposal, opting instead pursue trade and investment deals with Gulf states.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

9 nations have joined Ukraine in nascent anti-ballistic coalition to speed up production of Ukraine’s Freyja interceptor system (lower cost Patriot alternative) and get it operational within a year.

Ukraine lands armed robot ashore in Russian-held territory in southern Ukraine via drone boat, reflecting Kyiv’s rapid embrace of uncrewed systems o counter Russia’s invasion.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Germany’s Helsing raised $1.8 billion in Europe’s biggest-ever funding round for a defense-technology startup, valuing the company at $18 billion and continuing flurry of mega rounds for continent’s defense industry.

‘Hydis’ project to develop European interceptor against hypersonic threats settled on concept based on solid-propellant rocket motor, according to MBDA, Europe’s biggest missile maker.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Trump’s dangerous bet on Pakistan’s army chief as Iran mediator.

Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads to two more provinces.

US MILITARY

Active-duty airmen have 18 days to submit current waist-to-height ratio. Air Force reinforces focus on fitness, dress, and appearance standards to airmen.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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