National Security Perspectives

Gen Joseph L. Votel, then Commander of U.S. Central Command, delivered a sobering and strategic assessment of the global security environment before Congress.

Arlington VA -- As we all celebrate and marvel over the successful outcomes of Operation Absolute Resolve (Venezuela, Jan 2026), Operation Midnight Hammer (Iran, June 2025), and most recently Operation Epic Fury, I can’t help but reflect on Operation Eagle Claw (Iran, April 1980) and its disastrous outcome. While the three recent operations produced magnificent results - strategically, operationally, and tactically - the first operation, now almost 46 years ago, led to eight

Many folks don’t understand why President Trump renamed our Defense Department to the Department of War. In fact, this was the original title established in 1789 by the First Congress and President George Washington. There was a Department of War which ran our Army.