Fox-news/politics/defense

• Hegseth hints major defense spending increase, reveals new details on Trump’s anti-narcoterrorism operations - Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reveals he personally authorized Trump administration's first strike on suspected drug vessel off Venezuela and watched the operation live.
• Hegseth to highlight rebuilding the 'Arsenal of Freedom' in speech at Reagan National Defense Forum - Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in an upcoming keynote address at the Reagan National Defense Forum, will speak about rebuilding the "Arsenal of Freedom."
• Afghan watchdog: US taxpayer-funded weapons left behind have formed 'core of the Taliban security apparatus' - The final report from a government watchdog tasked with overseeing Afghanistan reconstruction efforts reveals impact of weapons and equipment left behind.
• Expert reveals what it would take for Trump to deploy troops to Venezuela: ‘Possibility of escalation’ - As tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela escalate, a national security expert revealed what it would take for the Trump admin to deploy American boots on the ground.
• IG: Hegseth broke Pentagon rules using Signal to share strike details, though no classified info was released - Pentagon inspector finds War Secretary Pete Hegseth violated policy by sharing strike details on Signal app, creating operational security risks.
• Hegseth did not issue 'kill them all' order during Venezuela strikes, admiral tells Congress - Admiral Bradley denies Pete Hegseth gave 'kill them all' order after counternarcotics strike that killed survivors, telling Congress no such command.
• Commander of September attack believed survivors were continuing drug run, report says - The U.S. military commander involved in a deadly Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug vessel believed the survivors were continuing their drug run, a report said.
• Why the media's Hegseth boat-strike tale fails the Pentagon reality test - Media reports conflict on Pete Hegseth's Caribbean strike orders, but war crime allegations lack evidence according to Pentagon veterans familiar with military operations.
• GOP fractures over Hegseth's 'double-tap' Caribbean strike as Congress probes legality - Senate Armed Services Committee gears up for hearings on controversial Caribbean strikes while Republicans remain divided on legality of such attacks on drug boats.
• Hegseth backs special ops chief's 'combat decisions' in deadly Caribbean strike ahead of classified briefing - Pete Hegseth defends military commander as Congress prepares for classified briefing on Sept. 2 Caribbean strike that killed suspected drug traffickers.