President Donald Trump's plan to put weapons in space, called the "Golden Dome for America" missile defense program, is estimated to cost much more than he originally said. A new Congressional Budget Office analysis, released Tuesday, suggests the cost could be $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years, significantly higher than the $175 billion Trump mentioned last year. The system, inspired by Israel's "Iron Dome," aims to detect and intercept missiles at all stages of an attack. Congress has already approved about $24 billion for the initiative. Trump ordered the system during his first week in office, expecting it to be operational before his term ends in January 2029.
European leaders say President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany is just the latest signal that Europe must take more responsibility for its security. The Pentagon announced last week that 5,000 troops would leave, but Trump said the number would be higher. The move surprised many, and comes amid tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war. The leaders of Norway and Britain sought to downplay the impact of the troop reduction while acknowledging it provides a useful nudge for the continent to step up its role within NATO. European nations have increased defense spending over the past year in response to Trump's threats.
By BEN FINLEY, STEPHEN GROVES and MEG KINNARD Associated Press
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers in Congress for a second day. At the start of a hearing Thursday in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth rejected senators' accusations that the Iran war was launched without evidence of an imminent threat and waged with no coherent strategy. He called Democratic lawmakers "reckless naysayers" and "defeatists from the cheap seats." He said they have failed to recognize the many successes of the military against the Islamic Republic over the last two months and in other operations since President Donald Trump returned to office.
By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, BEN FINLEY and DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press
The U.S. military has widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Iran's ports. It is allowing its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that the U.S. would be targeting vessels in other areas, like the Pacific, that had left before the blockade began earlier this week. The military also published a notice detailing an expansive lists of goods that it considers contraband, declaring that it will board, search and seize them from merchant vessels "regardless of location."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country's top priority is securing help to buy and build more air defense systems. Russia continues its attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and warns that European sites that make drones and other equipment for Ukraine were "potential targets." Zelenskyy is visiting European capitals to secure military and financial support. He aims to boost air defense capabilities, including the Patriot system. Britain plans to send 120,000 drones to Ukraine this year. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues long-range drone attacks on Russia. Defense leaders from over 50 nations are meeting online to coordinate aid for Kyiv.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is refusing to say whether President Donald Trump wants to quit the military organization. Trump's threat to leave this time comes over the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, which NATO is not a party to and was not consulted about. Trump has criticized NATO allies as "cowards." He complains that NATO ignored his call for help when Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz. Rutte has won acclaim as a "Trump whisperer," but he's struggling to keep Trump engaged in NATO. He's been praising Trump for successes in the war, and for boosting defense spending. At the same time, Rutte insists NATO will not join the war.
By HYUNG-JIN KIM and KIM TONG-HYUNG Associated Press
South Korea's military says it detected North Korea firing several short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea. North Korea has launched missiles in two consecutive days. Wednesday's launches came hours after a senior North Korean official issued a statement ridiculing South Korean hopes for warmer ties. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area near the eastern coastal town of Wonsan. Seoul says North Korea also fired an additional ballistic missile toward its eastern waters later Wednesday, without giving further details. The South's military was also analyzing a projectile launched from an area near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang on Tuesday.
