Inside the shift: Trump, defense, and the road to 2025
Big changes are coming to defense in 2025, but the specifics remain uncertain. Catch our highlights and predictions from 2024 in Breaking Defense's year-end reflections.
Wrapping up 2024 and starting 2025, in the eyes of Breaking Defense’s reporters
The Breaking Defense team gives you one last look at the year that was, and what you need to know for the year to come.
Europe braces for Trump’s second term: 2025 preview
Trump’s dislike of NATO will likely lead to uncertainty over the future of the alliance, though it remains to be seen if this time around, he will again threaten to pull the US from the institution.
CMMC 2.0 and the possibility of a cyber service: 2025 preview
2025 may be a telling year for the fate of the Pentagon's new CMMC 2.0 program.
The future of Syria, Lebanon and geopolitical moves in the Middle East to come: 2025 preview
The new year brings much instability, and opportunity, to the region.
Pacific political turmoil, AUKUS, and the looming Taiwan deadline: 2025 preview
The next year will start to feel the shadow of 2027 — the year by which the US says Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he wants to have the ability to execute an armed takeover of Taiwan.
For the Space Force, terrestrial turf wars and rising budgets await: 2025 preview
Other than that, for a number of reasons, including the transition to a new administration, our crystal ball for the Space Force in 2025 is pretty darn cloudy.
Trump administration inherits Air Force funding hurdle: 2025 preview
With Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy set to co-lead a commission that could recommend cuts to the Pentagon, many previously unthinkable options may be on the table for the US Air Force as the second Trump administration takes over Washington.
From a new civilian leader to modernization priorities, Army changes afoot: 2025 preview
As the Army heads into the new year, it will be greeted with questions about weapon affordability and ways to carve out efficiencies.
For the Navy, all eyes will be on the China-Taiwan question: 2025 preview
The time left for the US Navy to prepare for a conflict with China is deceivingly short.
Defense industry could see big shakeup under Trump: 2025 Preview
President Donald Trump had a hands-on approach with the defense industry during his first administration. This time? Don't rule it out.
China stirred the Pacific pot, Japan powered up and Aussie AUKUS anxiety emerged: 2024 in review
The Chinese military itself wasn't free from drama, as Beijing cycled through defense ministers and senior officials fell under investigation.
Middle East was defined by regional conflicts and increased indigenous production: 2024 in review
This year was dominated by the fallout of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza, which expanded into Lebanon, but elsewhere the defense industry kept chugging along.
Russia doubled down on nuclear threats in Europe: 2024 in review
On the ground in Ukraine, another 12 months have passed, over 1,000 days in all since the war started, without either side able to strike a winning blow — though Russia continued with slow advances. Kyiv has shown renewed resilience and ingenuity, most notably making a surprise incursion in the border territory of Kursk that featured an estimated deployment of 10,000 troops.