“When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions where life is still under threat,” Zelensky posted on X. “We are working so that the day of peace comes for Ukraine as well. Russian aggression remains the last global source of destabilization, and if a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us too, in Ukraine.”

UKRAINE HOPES TO BENEFIT FROM TRUMP’S GAZA MOMENTUM WITH ITS OWN PEACE

TRUMP THREATENS TOMAHAWK CHOP: Just two weeks ago, Trump appeared ready to abandon his peace efforts in Ukraine, posting on his social media network, it would be up to Ukraine and its European allies to fight on, and indicating he was no longer going to be directly involved. “I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!”

“I thought that would be the easiest one because of my relationship with Putin,” Trump lamented in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron last month. “But unfortunately, that relationship didn’t mean anything.”

But now, flush from his triumph in securing a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, Trump seems ready to roll up his sleeves and try again to convince Putin to make peace, and is wielding the threat of arming Ukraine with American Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of a renewed effort in coercive diplomacy. 

“I might talk to him. I might say, look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,” Trump told reporters en route to the Middle East over the weekend. I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks. Do they want to have Tomahawks going in their direction? I don’t think so.”

“The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that. They don’t need that,” Trump said. “I think it’s appropriate to bring up. Yes. I want to see the war settled.”

In a Sunday interview with Fox News, Zelensky said he would push Trump for both long-range weapons and “real” air defenses. “They produce Iranian drones. They produce thousands of them, and they use for one day, during one day, they used 500 Iranian drones,” Zelensky said, conceding Ukrainian air defenses are being overwhelmed. “We are strong country, but not so big to be against Russia and Iranians and North Koreans, it’s too much.”

Zelensky said he has promised that if Trump approves Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine, it will use them only against military targets. “Only military. We never, even with all, you know, with all this pain of losses, losses of our families and our soldiers and our civilians and children, even with all this pain, but our people, we never attacked their civilians,” Zelensky said. “This is the big difference between Ukraine and Russia. That’s why if we speak about long-range, we speak only about military goals.

RUSSIA RATTLES NUCLEAR SABER: In what the Institute for the Study of War called a concerted “campaign to deter U.S. sales of Tomahawks to Ukraine,” Russia is raising the specter of a nuclear exchange with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev insisting Russia would have no way of distinguishing between Tomahawk missiles armed with nuclear or conventional payloads, and that the use of Tomahawk would show that the United States was directly involved in the war.

“Medvedev implied that Russia would have to respond to such a scenario and threateningly claimed that U.S. deliveries of Tomahawks to Ukraine would ‘not be good for anyone,’” the ISW noted. “The Kremlin is likely shifting its narratives following the October 12 Financial Times report about how the United States has been providing Ukraine with intelligence to facilitate Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign against Russia’s energy sector, including oil refineries.”

“Russia has employed missiles similar to Tomahawks since Day 1 of the full-scale invasion. This is NOT escalation,” retired Australian Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan posted in a thread on X. “It is just leveling the playing field for a three-year-long Ukrainian long-range strike campaign that has now achieved critical mass and momentum.”

“What the Ukrainians have achieved with their hybrid deep strike complex in the past four years is nothing short of stunning,” Ryan wrote. “It is hurting Russia’s economy, hurting Putin domestically, and demonstrating to Western political leaders that Ukraine retains agency in this war. Indeed, the long, almost four-year process.”

Zelensky also dismissed Russia’s veiled nuclear threat as bluster in his Fox appearance. “We don’t imagine that Russia can use nuclear weapons. Otherwise, you know, we need the new planet. So, I mean, this is crazy.”

Good Tuesday  morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE

HAPPENING TODAY: THE END OF AN ERA, OR END OF AN ERROR? From the day he took charge of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth thought it was a mistake to allow Pentagon reporters to walk the halls of the Pentagon to gather information and speak to trusted military and civilian sources. 

Hegseth immediately launched a take-no-prisoners war on the Pentagon press corps, evicting major news outlets from their workspaces in the correspondent’s corridor and beginning a scorched-earth campaign to make their jobs so difficult they would leave.

Today, that campaign comes to fruition, with almost all the new organizations — many of which have covered the Pentagon for decades — refusing to agree to new restrictions that they believe violate their constitutional First Amendment rights. 

The changes upend eight decades of norms and practice that built a unique relationship between the military and the media, demonstrating to the world the role of a free press in a democracy. But Hegseth, stung by leaks and irritated by critical reporting, has decided the Pentagon should be off limits, like any other “U.S. military installation.”

“Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES,” he posted on X. “✓ Press no longer roams free ✓ Press must wear visible badge, ✓ Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts. DONE. Pentagon now has same rules as every U.S military installation.”

Reporters have until the end of the day to sign on to the new restrictions, or turn in their credentials and clear out. “For the record, there are 17 pages worth of requirements, and the only people that buy this 3-checked shortened version are truly dummies,” retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, former commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, posted in response to Hegseth. 

THE PRESS CORPS IS ‘REVOLTING’: The issue of freedom of the press has united U.S. media outlets across the political spectrum in an unprecedented way. A majority of U.S. news organizations have announced they will not be signing the new policy, and instead will cover the Pentagon and the military from outside the building.

At last count, at least 18 news organizations, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Times, The Atlantic, Politico, CNN, NPR, Newsmax, The Hill, and the Washington Examiner, have issued statements explaining why the restrictions are unacceptable.

“We do not plan to sign the Pentagon document. The Washington Examiner does not sign agreements with people we cover in our reporting in any other area, and we do not plan to make an exception in this case,” Hugo Gurdon, editor-in-chief of the Washington Examiner, said in a statement last night. “The Department of War will set its rules, and we will continue to provide our readers with strong, independent news reporting.” 

“Journalists from The New York Times will not sign the Pentagon’s revised press pass policy, which threatens to punish them for ordinary news gathering protected by the First Amendment,” Richard Stevenson, Washington Bureau Chief, said in a statement. “Since the policy was first announced, we have expressed concerns that it constrains how journalists can report on the U.S. military, which is funded by nearly $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars annually. The public has a right to know how the government and military are operating. The Times is dedicated to pursuing the public interest through deep, fair reporting and an unwavering pursuit of the facts.”

“Newsmax has no plans to sign the letter. We are working in conjunction with other media outlets to resolve the situation. We believe the requirements are unnecessary and onerous and hope that the Pentagon will review the matter further,” the conservative site Newsmax said in its statement.

NEW YORK TIMES, ASSOCIATED PRESS, AND NEWSMAX SAY THEY WON’T SIGN PENTAGON PRESS RULES

PENTAGON PRESS ASSOCIATION: The organization representing reporters who regularly cover the Pentagon released a statement saying it expected most members to give up building access due to the new onerous requirements.

“This Wednesday, most Pentagon Press Association members seem likely to hand over their badges rather than acknowledge a policy that gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release,” the statement said. “There is simply no reason for this battle. The Pentagon has no reason for the new acknowledgment other than to chill reporters and their sources — something many of our members cannot abide.”

“Make no mistake – this is an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and on the American people, who deserve accurate reporting on how the world’s largest military is funded and managed with their tax dollars. It’s an affront to the Constitutional rights America’s sons and daughters in uniform have sworn an oath to protect,” another journalism organization, Military Reporters and Editors, said on its website.

“Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff have repeatedly misrepresented how members of the Pentagon press corps do their jobs and conduct themselves inside the building, where reporters have worked for decades,” the organization added. “Journalists have always worn press badges above the waist and have never accessed classified spaces.”

“Secretary Hegseth has not briefed Pentagon reporters in nearly four months, and Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson has not conducted a briefing in two months. The Defense Department has avoided questions from the press, all while U.S. troops are operating around the globe, the Pentagon has conducted legally questionable military strikes that have killed people in international waters, and the administration has deployed troops to American cities,” MRE said.

The White House and State Department Correspondents Association also released a joint statement decrying the restrictions. 

THE RUNDOWN:

Washington Examiner: Trump ushers in a ‘historic dawn of a new Middle East’ and sees peace as his legacy

Washington Examiner: READ IN FULL: Trump speech to Israeli Knesset after final living hostages freed

Washington Examiner: Trump calls Rubio greatest secretary of state in history after Gaza peace deal: ‘People respect him’

Washington Examiner: Ukraine hopes to benefit from Trump’s Gaza momentum with its own peace

Washington Examiner: Trump blunts GOP’s shutdown leverage with welfare and military carveouts

Washington Examiner: Vance says troops to be paid with tariff revenue during shutdown

Washington Examiner: Trump is sending in ICE, Border Patrol, and troops to these blue cities

Washington Examiner: Trump’s expansive use of the National Guard shatters longstanding norms, but may not break the law

Washington Examiner: How four courts ruled different ways on Trump’s National Guard deployments

Washington Examiner: What is the Insurrection Act, the law at the center of the debate over Trump deploying the National Guard?

Washington Examiner: Republicans see left-wing protests at ICE facilities as way to appeal to voters

Washington Examiner: US agrees to host Qatari F-15 fighter jets at base in Idaho: Hegseth

Washington Examiner: Bessent expects Trump to meet with Xi in South Korea despite trade dispute

Washington Examiner: Rare earth stocks soar as China tightens supply in trade escalation with Trump

Washington Examiner: UN makes a mockery of human rights as China, Iran score gig on wayward committee

Washington Examiner: Sikorsky unveils new autonomous Black Hawk helicopter

Washington Examiner: Intel Democrat rips US boat strikes in Caribbean as ‘illegal killings’

AP: Trump receives standing ovation at Israeli Knesset

AP: Despite momentous ceasefire, the path for lasting peace and rebuilding in Gaza is precipitous

AP: With a truce in Israel, Trump now says he’s ended eight wars. His numbers are off

AP: Things to know about the Qatar training facility planned for an Idaho Air Force base

AP: Naked bike riders demonstrate against federal troops in ‘quintessentially Portland’ protest

The Hill: Can Trump pay troops without Congress? Some Democrats don’t think so

Task & Purpose: Some Texas National Guard troops replaced in Illinois after failing to meet standards

Defense News: NATO to Kick Off Annual Nuclear Deterrence Exercise with More Aircraft

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Wilsbach Pledges Tight Coordination with Navy on AMRAAM and JATM Missile Buys

Breaking Defense: Lockheed Live-Fires New Vertical-Launch JAGM for Naval Counter-Drone Role

Air & Space Forces Magazine: First Flight of Anduril CCA Likely Delayed by Government Shutdown

The War Zone: A-10 Warthog Appears to Have Become A Drone Killer

Defense One: Boeing Unveils Concept for Army Unmanned Tiltrotor Aircraft Amid Military Push for Drones

Air & Space Forces Magazine: What to Watch as Senate, House Start Crafting Conference 2026 NDAA

Air & Space Forces Magazine: Wilsbach: Fewer PCS Moves Would Boost Air Force Retention

Task & Purpose: Air Force’s Highest Ranking Enlisted Leader Announces Retirement

Stars and Stripes: Army Looks to Expand Dining Privatization, Says It’s ‘Learning for All the Services’

THE CALENDAR: 

TUESDAY | OCTOBER 14 

9 a.m. Washington Convention Center — Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting Symposium and Exposition,” with Army Undersecretary Mike Obadal; and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus https://www.ausa.org/meet

9 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute “Czech-U.S. Defense and Security Forum,” with Czech Republic National Security Adviser Tomas Polar; Vice Adm. Jeffrey Hughes, deputy chief of staff for capability development for the NATO Allied Command Transformation; and Czech Republic Ambassador to the U.S. Miloslav Stasek https://www.hudson.org/events/czech-us-defense-security-forum

9 a.m. — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs Institute for Korean Studies virtual seventh annual North Korea Economic Forum Conference: “Discerning North Korean Economic Strategies: Sanctions Enforcement, Trump-Era Policies, and Geopolitical Realignment” https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/7th-annual-north-korea-economic-forum

9:30 a.m. 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW — Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies AI and National Security Symposium discussion: “AI and Military Power in U.S.-China Competition” https://fedsoc.org/conferences/ai-and-national-security-symposium

WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 15 

11 a.m. Charlottesville, Virginia — University of Virginia Miller Center in-person and virtual discussion: “U.S.-China relations in Trump’s second term,” with Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese Business and Economics, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Brantly Womack, Miller Center faculty senior fellow; and Aynne Kokas, director, University of Virginia’s East Asia Center https://millercenter.org/news-events/events/us-china-relations-trumps-second-term

FRIDAY | OCTOBER 17 

9 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute virtual discussion: “What Is North Korea’s Strategy?” with Glenn Chafetz, director, 2430 Group; retired South Korean Lt. Gen. In-bum Chun; Bruce Klingner, senior fellow, Mansfield Foundation; Dr. Taerim Lee, visiting Scholar, Institute for Korean Studies, George Washington University; and Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security chair, Hudson Institute https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-is-north-koreas-strategy

MONDAY | OCTOBER 20 

10 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies Defense and Security Department and the U.S. Naval Institute virtual discussion: “Submarines in an Era of Renewed Great Power Competition,” with Vice Adm. Robert “Rob” Gaucher, commander, Naval Submarine Forces, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet;aCommander, Allied Submarine Command; retired Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, CEO and publisher, U.S. Naval Institute; and Seth Jones, president, CSIS DSD https://www.csis.org/events/submarines-era-renewed-great-power-competition

WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 29

11 a.m. Charlottesville, Virginia  — University of Virginia Miller Center in-person and virtual discussion: “AI, national security, and democratic accountability,” with Ashley Deeks, Miller Center faculty senior fellow, and vice dean of the University of Virginia School of Law; Brian Lessenberry, senior national security practitioner; and Philip Potter, Miller Center faculty senior fellow https://millercenter.org/news-events/events/ai-national-security-and-democratic-accountability