{"id":2568188,"date":"2026-02-10T07:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T12:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hegseth-plays-good-cop-bad-cop-in-effort-to-pressure-defense-contractors-to-reform\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T07:36:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T12:36:21","slug":"hegseth-plays-good-cop-bad-cop-in-effort-to-pressure-defense-contractors-to-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hegseth-plays-good-cop-bad-cop-in-effort-to-pressure-defense-contractors-to-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Hegseth plays \u2018good cop, bad cop\u2019 in effort to pressure defense contractors to reform"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhegseth-plays-good-cop-bad-cop-in-effort-to-pressure-defense-contractors-to-reform%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2568188&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The piece centers on Pete Hegseth\u2019s aggressive push to pressure U.S. defense contractors to reform adn speed up weapon production under President Trump\u2019s January executive order. Rebranding his efforts as the \u201cArsenal of Freedom,\u201d hegseth has been traveling the country\u2014skipping high-profile defense summits in Brussels and Munich\u2014to publicly urge contractors to remove bureaucratic obstacles, reduce executive bonuses and stock buybacks, and deliver better weapons on time and budget. He delivered a fiery speech to shipyard workers at Bath Iron Works as part of this effort, portraying the mission as a national accountability drive rather than a political stunt.<\/p>\n<p>The report also describes a Pentagon crackdown that aligns with this agenda. The U.S.Army has moved to collect about $1.1 million in penalties from Northrop Grumman and Global Military Products for delayed ammunition shipments,and major reviews of contractor performance are underway,with officials signaling that noncompliance will lead to remediation plans or enforcement actions. Hegseth acknowledges internal Pentagon challenges\u2014urging the department to \u201cfix its own house\u201d by simplifying requirements and improving communication with industry\u2014while highlighting recent defense deals with major makers like Raytheon, Boeing, and Lockheed as examples of reform.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Hegseth plays &lsquo;good cop, bad cop&rsquo; in effort to pressure defense contractors to reform<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p><strong>HEGSETH&rsquo;S &lsquo;ARSENAL OF FREEDOM&rsquo; CRUSADE: <\/strong>Secretary <strong>Pete Hegseth<\/strong>, befitting his rebranded title, is on the warpath. Hegseth is skipping the NATO <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/en\/news-and-events\/events\/event-programmes\/2026\/02\/meeting-of-nato-ministers-of-defence?selectedLocale=\">defense ministers meeting<\/a> this week in Brussels. He won&rsquo;t be hobnobbing with top world and defense leaders at the weekend&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/securityconference.org\/en\/msc-2026\/\">Munich Security Conference<\/a> (Secretary of State<strong> Marco Rubio<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/releases\/office-of-the-spokesperson\/2026\/02\/secretary-rubios-travel-to-germany-slovakia-and-hungary\/\">will represent the U.S.<\/a> at the prestigious conference).<\/p>\n<p>Instead of appearing on the world stage, Hegseth has been assigned a singular mission &mdash; to implement President Donald Trump&rsquo;s Jan. 7 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2026\/01\/prioritizing-the-warfighter-in-defense-contracting\/\">executive order<\/a> to cajole, threaten, and consult with defense contractors to make more weapons, faster and cheaper.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4450737\/america-bombshell-claim-china-secretly-testing-next-gen-nuclear-weapons-alarms-arms-control-advocates\/\">America&rsquo;s bombshell claim that China is secretly testing next-gen nukes alarms arms control advocates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4448432\/ukraine-talks-yield-prisoner-swap-renewed-us-russia-military-contacts-little-else\/\">Ukraine talks yield prisoner swap, renewed US-Russia military contacts, little else<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4446901\/after-a-glitch-us-iran-talks-back-on-with-a-new-threat-from-trump\/\">After a glitch, US-Iran talks back on with a new threat from Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Monday found him at Maine&rsquo;s Bath Iron Works, preaching that message with the fire and brimstone of a country pastor, to a gathering of shipyard workers, as part of his barnstorming &ldquo;Arsenal of Freedom&rdquo; tour of the country. &ldquo;No more excuses. No more barriers to entry. No more monopolies. No more egregious bonuses. No more stock buybacks. No more ridiculous CEO salaries,&rdquo; Hegseth <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DOWResponse\/status\/2020980631996604604?s=20\">said<\/a>, invoking the president&rsquo;s directive.<\/p>\n<p>In that executive order, Trump fumed about &ldquo;underperforming&rdquo; defense contractors who &ldquo;pursue newer, more lucrative contracts, stock buy-backs, and excessive dividends to shareholders at the cost of production capacity, innovation, and on-time delivery.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Effective immediately,&rdquo; Trump said. &ldquo;They are not permitted in any way, shape, or form to pay dividends or buy back stock, until such time as they are able to produce a superior product, on time and on budget.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong>CONTRACTORS FEELING THE HEAT: <\/strong>This week, <em>Bloomberg<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2026-02-05\/army-seeks-payment-from-northrop-grumman-for-late-ukraine-ammo\">reported<\/a> that the U.S. Army is moving to collect $1.1 million in penalties from Northrop Grumman Corp. and Global Military Products Inc. over delayed shipments of large-caliber artillery shells, some of which were delivered 18 months late.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s an opening salvo in the Pentagon&rsquo;s crackdown aimed at holding contractors accountable. The <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/national-security\/pentagon-warns-major-defense-contractors-it-is-reviewing-their-performance-6a59ba0e?mod=hp_lead_pos11\">reports this morning<\/a> that &ldquo;sweeping performance reviews&rdquo; are underway to identify companies that aren&rsquo;t fulfilling their contracts and put them on notice.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have completed initial reviews to assess company performance as part of this executive order and will now undergo an extended period of review in which we will make noncompliance determinations,&rdquo; the <em>Journal<\/em> reported. The newspaper quotes from a Feb. 6 email to industry executives from <strong>Michael Duffey<\/strong>, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, which the <em>Journal<\/em> claimed it reviewed. &ldquo;Following the upcoming decision period, we will be in touch with identified companies to begin remediation plans.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Pentagon spokesman <strong>Sean Parnell<\/strong> told the <em>Journal<\/em> that defense contractors are already stepping up. &ldquo;If progress doesn&rsquo;t continue to be made, we will take enforcement actions,&rdquo; Parnell said. &ldquo;The Department of War will partner with those who perform &mdash; and hold accountable those who do not.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong>&lsquo;WE HAVE TO FIX OUR OWN HOUSE FIRST&rsquo;: <\/strong>Later, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/rebekazeljko\/status\/2020998100072964167?s=20\">speaking to reporters<\/a> traveling with him, Hegseth took a softer tone, conceding that in the past the Pentagon has been a big part of the problem with overdue, over-budget weapons delivery.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A lot of the hang-up has been us, so we&rsquo;ve gotta look at ourselves first, the way we do business,&rdquo; Hegseth said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been impossible to deal with, a bad customer, who year after year changes our mind about what we want or what we don&rsquo;t want &mdash; and then we make little small technological changes, which makes it more difficult for them to produce what they need to produce on time.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s mazes of requirements that this department has traditionally put on different systems and platforms that are impossible to navigate, and by the time you navigate them you&rsquo;re you know five years behind the actual technology,&rdquo; Hegseth said. &ldquo;We have to fix our own house first &mdash; provide clarity, simplify the system, allow more people to access it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Part of that effort, he said, is to dictate less and listen more. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to companies and say, &lsquo;tell us what you can do based on the parameters of what kind of capabilities we&rsquo;re looking for.&rsquo;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I encourage folks to look at the deals we&rsquo;ve cut recently with Raytheon, with Boeing, with other companies, Lockheed, on Patriot missiles, on THAADS, on other exclusive munitions &mdash;&nbsp;That&rsquo;s groundbreaking stuff that our department&rsquo;s never done.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Good Tuesday morning and welcome to <em>Jamie McIntyre&rsquo;s Daily on Defense<\/em>, written and compiled by <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> National Security Senior Writer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/jamie-mcintyre\"><strong>Jamie McIntyre<\/strong><\/a>  (<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jamiejmcintyre\">@jamiejmcintyre<\/a>) and edited by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/christopher-tremoglie\/\"><strong>Christopher Tremoglie<\/strong><\/a>. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#7c16111f151208050e193c0b1d0f1415121b08131219041d111512190e521f1311\">Email here<\/a> with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/daily-on-defense\"><em>DailyonDefense.com<\/em><\/a>. If signing up doesn&rsquo;t work, shoot us an email and we&rsquo;ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and\/or on X <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jamiejmcintyre\">@jamiejmcintyre<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/daily-on-defense\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTE TO READERS:<\/strong> <em>Daily on Defense<\/em> will not publish Monday, February 16 as we observe the Presidents Day federal holiday.<\/p>\n<p><strong>HAPPENING TODAY: ICE HEARING: <\/strong>With a funding cutoff looming for the Department of Homeland Security and Democrats demanding a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/jeffries.house.gov\/2026\/02\/04\/leaders-jeffries-and-schumer-deliver-urgent-ice-reform-demands-to-republican-leadership\/\">10-point list of reforms<\/a>, this morning&rsquo;s oversight hearing is expected to be fraught with tense exchanges, with three DHS officials in the hot seat.<\/p>\n<p>The 10 a.m. hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee will feature testimony from <strong>Todd Lyons<\/strong>, senior official performing the duties of the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; <strong>Rodney Scott<\/strong>, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and <strong>Joseph Edlow<\/strong>, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;ICE is out of control right now. The American people know it. And ICE clearly needs to be reined in,&rdquo; said Minority Leader <strong>Rep. Hakeem Jeffries<\/strong> (D-NY), at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-approves-gender-equality-act-in-224-206-vote\/\" title=\"House approves ...der \u2018Equality Act\u2019 in 224-206 vote\">news conference ahead<\/a> of the hearing. &ldquo;Our position has been clear &mdash; dramatic changes are needed at the Department of Homeland Security before a DHS funding bill moves forward, period, full stop.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The administration also needs to commit to the dramatic changes that Democrats have forcefully put on the table, including but not limited to mandatory body cameras; judicial warrant requirements; no masks; an end to roving patrols that are brutalizing American communities; no racial profiling; no targeting of sensitive locations, like schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and polling sites; and independent investigations to ensure that when ICE officials break the law, state, and local officials can investigate them and prosecute anyone who has committed a crime in the United States of America.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re tilting at windmills, trying to achieve things that the American public do not want to see,&rdquo; <strong>Sen. Bill Hagerty<\/strong> (R-TN) said on Fox Business News Monday, and said the Democrats&rsquo; demands go way too far. &ldquo;If we were to abide by all of them, we would basically turn the United States of America into a sanctuary nation,&rdquo; he told Fox&rsquo;s <strong>Maria Bartiromo<\/strong>. &ldquo;Will there be some movement on this? I think there will be, if you look at what&rsquo;s already in the bill. We&rsquo;ve already taken steps to provide funding for body cameras &hellip; The one thing this will not do is it will not defund ICE, because we already funded ICE in the big reconciliation bill that we did last year in 2025.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4451502\/dhs-leaders-oversight-hearing-congress-reckoning\/\"><strong>DHS LEADERS FACE TENSE OVERSIGHT HEARING IN CONGRESS: &lsquo;THE START OF A RECKONING&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE BOAT STRIKES CONTINUE: <\/strong>The U.S. Southern Command, now headed by Marine <strong>Gen. Francis Donovan<\/strong>, who took over last week, has conducted its third boat strike of the year. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southcom.mil\/News\/PressReleases\/Article\/4401932\/lethal-kinetic-strike-feb-9-2026\/\">news release<\/a> from SOUTHCOM contained the usual boilerplate language:<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But while killing two alleged narco-terrorists, there was one survivor, who was not targeted again. Instead, the U.S. Coast Guard was ordered to conduct a search-and-rescue operation for the survivor. So far, only three people have been known to have survived a U.S. strike, and of those, two were rescued, and one was never found.<\/p>\n<p>The strike on Monday was the 38th since the campaign targeting suspected drug runners started last September and has claimed 130 lives, according to a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2025\/10\/29\/us\/us-caribbean-pacific-boat-strikes.html\">tracker<\/a> kept by the <em>New York Times<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4450988\/us-urges-american-flagged-vessels-avoid-iran-waterways\/\"><strong>US URGES AMERICAN-FLAGGED VESSELS TO STAY FAR FROM IRAN IN NEARBY WATERWAYS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE RUNDOWN:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4450988\/us-urges-american-flagged-vessels-avoid-iran-waterways\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: US urges American-flagged vessels to stay far from Iran in nearby waterways<\/p>\n<p>Washington Examiner: DHS leaders face tense oversight hearing in Congress: &lsquo;The start of a reckoning&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4451919\/trump-canada-bridge-ontario-michigan\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: Trump forbids Canada from opening bridge to Michigan until US &lsquo;fully compensated&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4452022\/gop-leaders-extension-block-house-votes-trump-tariffs\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: GOP leaders seek extension to block House votes on repealing Trump tariffs<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4450952\/legal-war-immigration-detention-policy-not-over-win\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: Legal war over Trump&rsquo;s immigration detention policy far from over despite key win<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450779\/scottish-labour-leader-keir-starmer-resign-peter-mandelson-epstein\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: Keir Starmer defiant as Scottish Labour leader demands he resign over Mandelson affair<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4451461\/starmer-not-resigning-amid-potential-replacements-emerging\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: Keir Starmer insists he won&rsquo;t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-could-replace-keir-starmer-if-he-steps-down-as-uk-prime-minister\/\" title=\"Who could replace Keir Starmer if he steps down as UK prime minister?\">resign amid potential replacements<\/a> already emerging<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/4451620\/no-country-for-free-men-jimmy-lai-sentencing-china\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: Tom Rogan Opinion: No country for free men<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/editorials\/4448920\/dont-restart-new-start\/\"><strong>Washington Examiner<\/strong><\/a>: Editorial: Don&rsquo;t restart New START<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/israel-us-iran-trump-netanyahu-negotiations-5fab7bc1bd473f09a4d3967d1ef53aa6\"><strong>AP<\/strong><\/a>: Netanyahu wants Trump to demand more from Iran. The leaders will meet this week<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/national-security\/pentagon-warns-major-defense-contractors-it-is-reviewing-their-performance-6a59ba0e?mod=hp_lead_pos11\"><strong>Wall Street Journal<\/strong><\/a>: Pentagon Warns Major Defense Contractors It Is Reviewing Their Performance<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/09\/us\/politics\/trump-nuclear-arms-underground-tests.html\"><strong>New York Times<\/strong><\/a>: Newly Unbound, Trump Weighs More Nuclear Arms and Underground Tests<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-oil-sanctions-ukraine-trump-putin-d4db8311f04f70981b6e6a1caee3920e\"><strong>AP<\/strong><\/a>: Oil exports have been a cash cow for Russia. But revenues are dwindling, thanks to sanctions<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/10\/world\/americas\/nicaragua-cuba-us-immigration.html\"><strong>New York Times<\/strong><\/a>: Amid U.S. Pressure, Nicaragua Blocks a Once-Popular Route from Cuba<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/cuba-airplanes-fuel-shortages-us-blockade-oil-18d79e2f138520dcbf28c24c1599b1a5\"><strong>AP<\/strong><\/a>: Cuba says airlines can no longer refuel on the island as US <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >blockade deepens energy crisis<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/09\/world\/americas\/air-canada-flight-cancellations-cuba-jet-fuel.html\"><strong>New York Times<\/strong><\/a>: Air Canada Cancels Flights as Cuba Runs Out of Jet Fuel<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-vance-armenia-azerbaijan-69a04efaea7e62994d3a749bb2bf27fc\"><strong>AP<\/strong><\/a>: Vance is in Armenia, a country no sitting US president or vice president has visited before<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airandspaceforces.com\/f-35s-deploy-middle-east-us-talks-iran\/\"><strong>Air &amp; Space Forces Magazine<\/strong><\/a>: F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.twz.com\/air\/a-10-warthogs-protect-mine-hunting-littoral-combat-ship-in-arabian-gulf-exercise\"><strong>The War Zone<\/strong><\/a>: A-10 Warthog Protects Mine-Hunting Littoral Combat Ship in Persian Gulf Drill<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/defensescoop.com\/2026\/02\/09\/pentagon-adding-chatgpt-to-enterprise-generative-ai-platform\/\"><strong>Defense Scoop<\/strong><\/a>: Pentagon Adding ChatGPT to Its Enterprise Generative AI Platform<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/unmanned\/2026\/02\/09\/ukraine-seeks-god-mode-with-new-control-app-for-drone-war\/\"><strong>Defense News<\/strong><\/a>: Ukraine Seeks God Mode with New Control App for Drone War<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingdefense.com\/2026\/02\/ai-fundamentally-changing-adversary-behavior-leading-to-force-generation-reforms-official\/\"><strong>Breaking Defense<\/strong><\/a>: AI &lsquo;Fundamentally Changing&rsquo; Adversary Behavior, Leading to Force Generation Reforms: Official<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingdefense.com\/2026\/02\/pentagon-needs-more-time-to-finalize-defense-firms-on-naughty-list-after-initial-review\/\"><strong>Breaking Defense<\/strong><\/a>: Pentagon Needs More Time to Finalize Defense Firms on Naughty List After Initial Review<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airandspaceforces.com\/flying-the-new-t-7-one-squadron-gets-ready\/\"><strong>Air &amp; Space Forces Magazine<\/strong><\/a>: Flying the New T-7: One Squadron Gets Ready<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmag.com\/boeing-to-modernize-flight-deck-for-c-17\/\"><strong>Flying Magazine<\/strong><\/a>: Boeing to Modernize Flight Deck for C-17<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/un-us-financial-crisis-billions-trump-04ce06cd9c1744e6a2ae907427251583\"><strong>AP<\/strong><\/a>: UN is waiting to see how much the US intends to pay of the nearly $4 billion it owes<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airandspaceforces.com\/guard-members-shot-dc-attack-purple-hearts\/\"><strong>Air &amp; Space Forces Magazine<\/strong><\/a>: Airmen, Soldier Shot in DC Attack to Receive the Purple Heart<\/p>\n<p><strong>THE CALENDAR:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 10<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>9 a.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW &mdash;&nbsp; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion: &ldquo;Bluff or Death: How to Assess Nuclear Threats,&rdquo; with <strong>Jon Finer<\/strong>, fellow at Yale Law School Tsai Leadership Program; and <strong>George Perkovich<\/strong>, senior fellow, CEIP Nuclear Policy Program <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/events\/2026\/01\/bluff-or-death-how-to-assess-nuclear-threats\">https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/events\/2026\/01\/bluff-or-death<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. 310 Cannon &mdash; House Homeland Security Committee hearing: &ldquo;Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE, CBP, and USCIS,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>Todd Lyons<\/strong>, senior official performing the duties of the director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement; <strong>Rodney Scott<\/strong>, commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and <strong>Joseph Edlow<\/strong>, director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/homeland.house.gov\">http:\/\/homeland.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn &mdash; House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: &ldquo;Syria at a Crossroads: U.S. Policy Challenges Post-Assad,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>James F. Jeffrey<\/strong>, fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; <strong>Andrew J. Tabler<\/strong>, senior fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy; <strong>Nadine Maenza<\/strong>, former chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; and <strong>Mara Karlin<\/strong>, professor, practice at the Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies and visiting fellow, Brookings Institution <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\">http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10:30 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW &mdash; Hudson Institute discussion: &ldquo;Year One of Trump Foreign Policy,&rdquo; with <strong>Rep. Pat Fallon<\/strong> (R-TX) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/year-one-trumps-foreign-policy-discussion-congressman-pat-fallon\">https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/year-one-trumps-foreign-policy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>11 a.m. &mdash; Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: &ldquo;What are the implications of the 2026 National Defense Strategy for the Korean Peninsula?&rdquo; with <strong>Victor Cha<\/strong>, CSIS Korea chair; and <strong>Adam Farrar<\/strong>, CSIS nonresident senior associate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.csis.org\/events\/impossible-state-live-podcast-what-are-implications-2026-national-defense-strategy-korean\">https:\/\/www.csis.org\/events\/impossible-state-live-podcast<\/a><\/p>\n<p>11:30 a.m. 14th and F Sts. NW &mdash; National Press Club discussion: &ldquo;How Allied Command Transformation is helping ensure the Alliance remains ready for the challenges ahead,&rdquo; with NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation <strong>Adm. Pierre Vandier <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.press.org\/events\/npc-headliners-admiral-pierre-vandier\">https:\/\/www.press.org\/events\/npc-headliners-admiral-pierre-vandier<\/a><\/p>\n<p>1 p.m. 1957 E St. NW &mdash;&nbsp;George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion: &ldquo;From Revolution to Rivalry: U.S.-Iran Relations, 47 Years On,&rdquo; with <strong>Sina Azodi<\/strong>, GWU assistant professor, Middle East politics; <strong>Alan Eyre<\/strong>, Middle East Institute fellow; <strong>Naysan Rafati<\/strong>, Iran senior analyst at the Crisis Group; and <strong>Barbara Slavin<\/strong>, Stimson Center fellow <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/calendar.gwu.edu\/event\/from-revolution-to-rivalry-us-iran-relations-47-years-on-3054?utm_campaign=widget&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=GW+Calendar\">https:\/\/calendar.gwu.edu\/event\/from-revolution-to-rivalry<\/a><\/p>\n<p>1:30 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW &mdash; Hudson Institute discussion: &ldquo;France&rsquo;s Strategic Vision and Adapting Land Forces for High-Intensity Conflict,&rdquo; with French Army Chief of Staff <strong>Gen. Pierre Schill <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/gen-pierre-schill-frances-strategic-vision-adapting-land-forces-high-intensity-conflict\">https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/gen-pierre-schill-frances-strategic-vision-adapting-land-forces-high-intensity-conflict<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2 p.m. 2118 Rayburn &mdash; House Armed Services Subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces, Readiness joint hearing &ldquo;V-22 Osprey Program Update,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>Vice Adm. John Daugherty<\/strong>, commander, Naval Air Systems Command; Marine <strong>Brig. Gen. David Walsh<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-u-s-navy-makes-history-first-time-refueling-jet-with-unmanned-drone\/\" title=\"WATCH: U.S. Navy ... History: First ... Refueling Jet With Unmanned Drone\">program executive officer<\/a>, Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs, Naval Air Systems Command; and <strong>Diana Moldafsky<\/strong>, director, defense capabilities and management, Government Accountability Office <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/armedservices.house.gov\/calendar\/?EventTypeID=214\">https:\/\/armedservices.house.gov\/calendar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn &mdash; House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe hearing: &ldquo;Weaponized Mass Migration: A Security Risk to Europe and the U.S.&rdquo; with testimony from retired <strong>Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery<\/strong>, senior director and senior fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; <strong>Matthew Boyse<\/strong>, senior fellow, Hudson Institute Center on Europe and Eurasia; and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan, deputy director, International Program, Migration Policy Institute <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/1EmJv48iGvM\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2:30 p.m. 138 Dirksen &mdash;&nbsp;Senate Appropriations State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee hearing: &ldquo;Haiti 2026: Security and Foreign Assistance Priorities.&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/appropriations.senate.gov\">http:\/\/appropriations.senate.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3:30 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW &mdash; Hudson Institute discussion: &ldquo;Rebooting America Defense Industrial Base,&rdquo; with <strong>Michael Cadenazzi<\/strong>, assistant secretary of defense secretary for industrial base policy <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/assistant-secretary-war-michael-cadenazzi-rebooting-americas-defense-industrial-base\">https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/assistant-secretary-war-michael-cadenazzi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>6 p.m. 14th and F Sts. NW &mdash;&nbsp;Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft discussion: &ldquo;Why Serve? What Drives Americans to Military Service in a Changing World,&rdquo; with <strong>Yvette Bourcicot<\/strong>, former principal deputy assistant Army secretary for manpower and reserve affairs; <strong>Bishop Garrison<\/strong>, former vice president for policy, Intelligence and National Security Alliance; <strong>Jeremy Thompson<\/strong>, former all source intelligence analyst with the first battalion for the Army Special Force 20th Special Forces Group; and <strong>Adam Weinstein<\/strong>, deputy director, Quincy Institute Middle East Program <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/quincyinst.org\/events\/why-serve-what-drives-americans-to-military-service-in-a-changing-world\/\">https:\/\/quincyinst.org\/events\/why-serve-what-drives-americans-to-military-service<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 11<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>8:30 a.m. 14th and F Sts. NW &mdash;&nbsp;We Think Big discussion: &ldquo;How Acquisition Reform Will Reshape U.S. Power,&rdquo; with <strong>Michael Duffey<\/strong>, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment; <strong>Mackenzie Eaglen<\/strong>, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow; <strong>Carlton Haelig<\/strong>, fellow, Center for a New American Security&rsquo; Defense Program; and <strong>Lewis Muller<\/strong>, CEO, We Think Big <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.press.org\/events\/how-acquisition-reform-will-reshape-us-power\">https:\/\/www.press.org\/events\/how-acquisition-reform-will-reshape-us-power<\/a><\/p>\n<p>9 a.m. EST Brussels, Belgium &mdash; NATO Secretary General <strong>Mark Rutte<\/strong> holds press conference at NATO headquarters ahead of Thursday meeting of defense ministers <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/en\/news-and-events\/events\/event-programmes\/2026\/02\/meeting-of-nato-ministers-of-defence?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Media%20programme%20-%20Meeting%20of%20NATO%20Ministers%20of%20Defence%20-%2012%20February%202026&amp;utm_content=Media%20programme%20-%20Meeting%20of%20NATO%20Ministers%20of%20Defence%20-%2012%20February%202026+CID_316b2acf6b67efa7f21a98d01783ec02&amp;utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&amp;utm_term=event%20programme#tabs-250320dc01-item-33a72a5bf3-tab\">https:\/\/www.nato.int\/en\/news-and-events<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. 2362-A Rayburn &mdash; House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing: &ldquo;Potential DHS Shutdown Impacts,&rdquo; with testimony from<strong> Adm. Thomas Allan<\/strong>, acting vice commandant of the Coast Guard; <strong>Madhu Gottumukkala<\/strong>, acting director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; <strong>Ha Nguyen McNeill<\/strong>, acting administrator, Transportation Security Administration; <strong>Matthew Quinn<\/strong>, deputy director, U.S. Secret Service; and <strong>Keith Turri<\/strong>, acting associate administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Office of Response and Recovery <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/appropriations.house.gov\">http:\/\/appropriations.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn &mdash; House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: &ldquo;Restoring Mission Focus at the State Department: Authority, Accountability, and the Role of the Foreign Service&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>Jason Evans<\/strong>, undersecretary of state for management <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\">http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. 1310 Longworth &mdash; House Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party Committee hearing: &ldquo;Lies, Lawfare, and Leverage: The CCP Gaslighting and Manipulation to Marginalize Taiwan,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>Julian Ku<\/strong>, professor, constitutional law, Hofstra University; <strong>Shirley Kan<\/strong>, independent specialist in Indo-Pacific security affairs; and <strong>Mira Rapp-Hooper<\/strong>, partner, Asia Group <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov\">https:\/\/selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. Munich, Germany &mdash; <em>Politico<\/em> virtual discussion: &ldquo;What to Expect at this Year&rsquo;s Munich Security Conference,&rdquo; with <strong>Paul McLeary<\/strong>, <em>Politico<\/em> Pentagon reporter;<strong> Laura Kayal<\/strong>i, <em>Politico<\/em> defense correspondent; <strong>Jacopo Barigazzi<\/strong>, <em>Politico<\/em> senior defense correspondent; <strong>Felicia Schwartz<\/strong>, <em>Politico<\/em> diplomatic correspondent; and <strong>Jack Detsch<\/strong>, Politico defense reporter <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/munich-security-conference-2026\">https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/munich-security-conference-2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. &mdash; National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations virtual discussion: &ldquo;The Outlook for Peace or Conflict in the Gulf,&rdquo; with <strong>Nawaf bin Mubarak Al Than<\/strong>i, president of the Council on International mediation; <strong>Joseph Kechichian<\/strong>, senior research fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies&rsquo; Office of the Chairman; <strong>Kenneth Katzman<\/strong>, Soufan Center senior fellow; <strong>Abbas Kadhim<\/strong>, director, Arab Gulf States Institute Iraq Program; and <strong>Amin Tarzi<\/strong>, adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Policy and Government <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RY6TxrOPFH0\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?<\/a><\/p>\n<p>11 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW &mdash; Hudson Institute discussion: &ldquo;The National and Economic Security Implications of Fusion Energy.&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/national-economic-security-implications-fusion-energy\">https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/events\/national-economic-security-implications-fusion-energy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn &mdash; House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee hearing: &ldquo;South Asia: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Region,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>S. Paul Kapur<\/strong>, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov\">http:\/\/foreignaffairs.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3 p.m. 222 Russell &mdash; Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee hearing: &ldquo;Senior Enlisted Leaders on Servicemember and Family Quality of Life,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>Fleet Master Chief David Isom<\/strong>, senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; <strong>Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weime<\/strong>r; <strong>Master Chief Petty Officer John Perryman<\/strong>; <strong>Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz<\/strong>; <strong>Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe<\/strong>; and <strong>Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna<\/strong> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.armed-services.senate.gov\">http:\/\/www.armed-services.senate.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3:30 p.m. 2168 Rayburn &mdash;&nbsp;House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats hearing: &ldquo;Trump Betrayal of America Afghan Allies,&rdquo; with <strong>Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (<\/strong>D-CA), ranking member, House Foreign Affairs Committee South and Central Asia Subcommittee; <strong>Zia Ghafoori<\/strong>, co-founder and CEO of the Interpreting Freedom Foundation, interpreter and cultural adviser for the U.S. Special Forces and former Special Immigrant Visa recipient; retired Navy <strong>Cmdr. Catalina Gasper<\/strong>, former Navy special duty information warfare and intelligence officer; <strong>Jessica Bradley Rushing<\/strong>, chief of staff at AfghanEvac and former deputy director for communications and engagement at the State Department Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts; and retired Marine Corps<strong> Maj. Kyleanne Hunter<\/strong>, CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov\/2026\/2\/trump-s-betrayal-of-america-s-afghan-allies\">https:\/\/democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov\/2026\/2\/trump-s-betraya<\/a><\/p>\n<p>6:30 p.m. 1307 L St. NW &mdash;&nbsp;New York University, Washington, D.C. film screening and discussion: &ldquo;Maduro: The Indestructible,&rdquo; with <strong>Nick Spicer<\/strong>, NPR Europe editor; <strong>Rodrigo Diamant<\/strong>i, Venezuelan human rights activist, director and president of Un Mundo Sin Mordaza and secretary of the Organization of American States Independent Expert Panel; <strong>Claire Meynial<\/strong>, U.S. correspondent for Le Point; and <strong>Laura Ospina<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-paypal-policy-lets-company-pull-2500-from-users-accounts-if-they-promote-misinformation\/\" title=\"New PayPal ... Lets Company Pull ,500 From Users\u2019 Accounts If They Promote \u2018Misinformation\u2019\">senior program officer<\/a> at Justice for All for the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies at NYU Center on International Cooperation <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/en-US\/ticketing\/democracy-on-screen-maduro-the-indestructible\">https:\/\/www.zeffy.com\/en-US\/ticketing\/democracy-on-screen<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 12<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>2 a.m. EST (8 a.m. CET) Brussels, Belgium &mdash; NATO Secretary-General <strong>Mark Rutte<\/strong> makes brief remarks upon arrival at NATO Headquarters for Defense Ministerial <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/nato.int\">nato.int<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2:50 a.m. EST (8:50 a.m CET) &mdash; Brussels, Belgium &mdash; NATO Secretary-General <strong>Mark Rutte<\/strong> makes brief remarks with <strong>Elbridge Colby<\/strong>, U.S. undersecretary of war for policy <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/nato.int\">nato.int<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3 a.m EST (9 a.m. CET) &mdash; Opening remarks by the NATO Secretary-General <strong>Mark Rutte<\/strong> at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers&rsquo; Session <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/nato.int\">nato.int<\/a><\/p>\n<p>6:30 a.m. EST (12:30 p.m. CET) &mdash; Remarks by the NATO Secretary-General <strong>Mark Rutte<\/strong> and Ukrainian Defense Minister <strong>Mykhailo Fedorov <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/nato.int\">nato.int<\/a><\/p>\n<p>9 a.m. EST (3 p.m. CET) &mdash; NATO Secretary-General <strong>Mark Rutte <\/strong>holds closing press conference <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/nato.int\">nato.int<\/a><\/p>\n<p>9 a.m. Women Foreign Policy Group virtual discussion: &ldquo;Greenland: Examining Arctic Geopolitics and the Transatlantic Relationship,&rdquo; with <strong>Sherri Goodman<\/strong>, fellow, Atlantic Council Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative and Transatlantic Security Initiative; <strong>Julia Nesheiwat<\/strong>, fellow, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center;<strong> Heather Conley<\/strong>, nonresident senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute; and <strong>Michelle Jamrisk<\/strong>o, White House and national security editor at <em>Bloomberg News <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/wfpg.memberclicks.net\/greenland#\/\">https:\/\/wfpg.memberclicks.net\/greenland#\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>9:30 a.m. &mdash; Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies virtual discussion: &ldquo;Transatlantic Turbulence: What Next for Europe?&rdquo; with <strong>Justin Frosini<\/strong>, SAIS Europe adjunct professor; <strong>Michael Plumme<\/strong>r, SAIS Europe professor, international economics; and <strong>Nathalie Tocci<\/strong>, SAIS Europe professor, practice <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sais.jhu.edu\/campus-events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D1354920183\">https:\/\/sais.jhu.edu\/campus-events<\/a><\/p>\n<p>9:45 a.m. EST (3:45 p.m. CET) Brussels, Belgium &mdash; United Kingdom and Germany convene the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at NATO Headquarters, following a meeting of NATO defense ministers <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/en\/news-and-events\/events\/media-advisories\/2026\/01\/30\/the-ukraine-defence-contact-group-to-meet-at-nato-headquarters\">https:\/\/www.nato.int<\/a><\/p>\n<p>11 a.m. 1400 L St. NW &mdash; Atlantic Council discussion: &ldquo;Deterring Aggression Against Taiwan,&rdquo; with Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/event\/congressman-john-moolenaar-on-deterring-aggression-against-taiwan\/\">https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/event\/congressman-john-moolenaar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>12 p.m. &mdash; Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft virtual discussion: &ldquo;Will Carney Davos Speech Help Build a Better International Order?,&rdquo; with Canadian Ambassador to the U.N. <strong>David Lametti<\/strong>; and <strong>Zachary Paikin<\/strong>, deputy director, Quincy Institute Better Order Project and research fellow in the Quincy Institute Grand Strategy Program <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/quincyinst.org\/events\/will-carneys-davos-speech-help-build-a-better-international-order\/\">https:\/\/quincyinst.org\/events\/will-carneys-davos-speech<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2 p.m. Government Executive Media Group <em>Defense One<\/em> virtual discussion: &ldquo;From Skies to Seas: How Drones are Reshaping the INDOPACOM Mission,&rdquo; with <strong>Ed Barnabas<\/strong>, vice president and Indo-Pacific chief technologist at Booz Allen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/events.defenseone.com\/from-skies-to-seas-how-drones-are-dominating-indopacom\/register\/\">https:\/\/events.defenseone.com\/from-skies-to-seas<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2 p.m. 37th and O Sts. NW &mdash; Georgetown University book discussion: <em>Decoding Iran Foreign Policy<\/em>, with author <strong>Ross Harrison<\/strong>, Middle East Institute senior fellow <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/events.georgetown.edu\/sfs\/event\/37010-book-talk-decoding-irans-foreign-policy-with-ross\">https:\/\/events.georgetown.edu\/sfs\/event\/37010-book-talk<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 13<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Munich, Germany &mdash; The 62nd Munich Security Conference at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof and Rosewood Munich, with nearly 50 heads of state and government attending. The conference runs through Sunday, February 15 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/securityconference.org\/en\/msc-2026\/\">https:\/\/securityconference.org\/en\/msc-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. &mdash;&nbsp; Georgetown University Center for Jewish Civilization virtual discussion: &ldquo;Israel and the Middle East: Understanding a Changing Strategic Landscape,&rdquo; with <strong>Ksenia Svetlava<\/strong>, executive director, Regional Organization for Peace, Economics and Security; and <strong>Hesham Youssef<\/strong>, senior adviser, European Institute of Peace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/events.georgetown.edu\/event\/37574-israel-and-the-middle-east-understanding-a\">https:\/\/events.georgetown.edu\/event\/37574-israel-and-the-middle-east<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3:30 p.m. &mdash; Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: &ldquo;Golden Dome One Year In,&rdquo; with <strong>Melissa Dalton<\/strong>, nonresident senior adviser, CSIS Aerospace Security Project; <strong>Daniel Karbler,<\/strong> nonresident senior adviser, CSIS Missile Defense Project; <strong>Kari Bingen<\/strong>, director, CSIS Aerospace Security Project; and <strong>Tom Karako<\/strong>, director, CSIS Missile Defense Project <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.csis.org\/events\/golden-dome-one-year\">https:\/\/www.csis.org\/events\/golden-dome-one-year<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 18<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. &mdash;&nbsp;Center for European Policy Analysis Zoom press briefing discussing two reports, &ldquo;Ukraine 2036: How Today Investments Will Shape Tomorrow Security&rdquo; and &ldquo;Wartime Assistance to Ukraine.&rdquo; with <strong>Marianna Fakhurdinova<\/strong>, coordinator, EU&ndash;Ukraine Partnership Program, Transatlantic Dialogue Center; <strong>Uliana Movchan<\/strong>, Ax:son Johnson Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis; <strong>Kseniya Sotnikova,<\/strong> Ax:son Johnson Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis; and moderator: <strong>Elina Beketova<\/strong>, fellow, Democratic Resilience, Center for European Policy Analysis <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cepa.rsvpify.com\/cepapressbriefingukrainepressbriefing\">https:\/\/cepa.rsvpify.com\/cepapressbriefingukraine<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>TUESDAY | MARCH 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>226 Dirksen &mdash;&nbsp;Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: &ldquo;Oversight of the Homeland Security Department,&rdquo; with testimony from Homeland Security Secretary<strong> Kristi Noem <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/judiciary.senate.gov\">http:\/\/judiciary.senate.gov<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>WEDNESDAY | MARCH 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>10 a.m. 2154 Rayburn &mdash; House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing: &ldquo;Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part II,&rdquo; with testimony from <strong>Gov. Tim Walz<\/strong> (D-MN) and Minnesota Attorney General <strong>Keith Ellison<\/strong> (D) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/oversight.house.gov\">http:\/\/oversight.house.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-sacff-txt\">&#8220;[The warfighters are] absolutely incredible; I call them the &#8216;real 1%.&#8217; But they can&#8217;t do their work without all of you standing behind them &mdash; shoulder to shoulder &mdash; working every single day in tough, dirty and dangerous conditions ensuring you get to them what they need when they need it.&rdquo;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-cf-add-txt\">&#8211;<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-sacff-txt\">Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, speaking to workers at Bath Iron Works shipyard Monday, on the latest stop on his &ldquo;Arsenal of Freedom tour&rdquo;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hegseth pressures defense firms in Arsenal of Freedom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2639,"featured_media":2568189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-7.32.03-AM.png?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[73454,73453,71172,69388,4353],"class_list":["post-2568188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-defense-contractors-2","tag-good-cop-bad-cop-2","tag-pete-hegseth-2","tag-political-commentary-2","tag-reform"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-7.32.03-AM.png?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2639"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2568188"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2568192,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568188\/revisions\/2568192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2568188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2568188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2568188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}