Author: Braxton Taylor
Weakened militarily and facing declining Palestinian support, particularly among residents of Gaza, Hamas was already a shadow of the militant group it once was. And then came President Donald Trump’s peace plan.On Oct. 3, 2025, Hamas said that it accepted some aspects of the 20-point proposal, including handing over administration of the Gaza Strip to a body of independent Palestinian technocrats and releasing all remaining Israeli hostages.Those hostages are the last of the 252 taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack – an event that two years on looks to represent a high point, so to speak, of Hamas’ power. As an expert on Palestinian political attitudes,…
Family members who take on the responsibility of caring for a wounded warrior often find themselves balancing financial, emotional, and physical demands that can feel overwhelming. Recognizing this, VA created the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). One of its key features is a monthly stipend for primary family caregivers. The purpose is not only to compensate for the time and labor caregiving requires, but also to provide enough support to keep veterans in home or family care rather than in an institutional setting. By offering direct financial aid, VA acknowledges the essential role family members play in the…
As the government shutdown continues into its second week, federal agencies will soon be revising their responses and sending home tens of thousands of additional staff. Many agencies across government are leaning on carryover funds—money previously provided by Congress and left over in the new fiscal year—to cushion the impact. With the shutdown now in its sixth day, some of that money is starting to run dry and agencies must soon enter a new stage of their operations. At the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management, carryover funds in the Wildland Fire Management account are enabling 3,300 employees to continue working on wildfire preparedness, suppression, and response,…
After 10 years, 30 chartered flights and more than 1,500 honorable passengers, Soaring Valor logged its final flight. The program, a partnership involving American Airlines, the Gary Sinise Foundation and the National WWII Museum, ended on Sept. 5 with its final run, flying veterans from Charlotte, North Carolina to the museum in New Orleans. With most WWII veterans surpassing age 100, it was likely becoming more difficult for the program to find passengers. Not only did veterans have a chance to see a museum dedicated in their honor, but the trips were also a learning experience for younger generations. Each veteran teamed…
The Golden Dome missile-defense project has a lot of money, and contractors have a lot of questions—so many that the Missile Defense Agency has pushed back the deadline to submit proposals for a chunk of its $151 billion pot. Industry proposals for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense contract vehicle, or SHIELD, were originally due Oct. 10. However, due to “considerable interest” into the up-to-$151 billion, 10-year indefinite-quantity, indefinite-delivery contract, the deadline has been pushed to Oct. 16. “The solicitation posted on [Sept. 10] generated considerable interest, resulting in over 1,500 questions from industry,” said an Oct. 2 memo from the…
For Vietnam War veterans of Bravo Company, the wait is over. While it took more than five decades, 14 veterans of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, were finally honored with Bronze Star Medals at an American Legion Post 1 ceremony on Sept. 18 in Omaha, Nebraska, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In an event filled with pride, recollection, and emotion, friends and family packed the hall to see their loved ones honored for valor and meritorious service. Presenting the medals was Army Maj. Gen. John W. Weidner, chief of staff, Strategic Command, and Col. Robert Newbauer, commander…
One of the most powerful, yet overlooked, benefits of regular physical training is its capacity to strengthen the mind. When we stick to a workout routine, we not only transform our bodies; we boost our energy levels and prevent age-related decline, both physically and mentally.To reap those benefits, though, we have to develop the mental toughness that allows us to become disciplined and work our way through challenging workouts.The following offers insight into the connection between the body and mind, as well as workout routines that enhance physical performance, longevity and make us more resilient.Read Next: How to Decide Whether…
To commemorate the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps and their 250-year anniversary, Auto Ordnance Corporation is launching two full-size government frame single stack 1911 pistols chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. In collaboration with Altered Arsenal, both of these Auto Ordnance pistols are customized with details and accent pieces. Meant to be more than just ordinary 1911 pistols, these offerings include details to showcase both the U.S. Marine Corp and the U.S. Navy’s valor and rich histories spanning back to the last 250 years of service. The 250th Anniversary Navy Commemorative 1911 A tribute to the…
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump tried repeatedly to send the U.S. military into two more American cities—including to Portland, Oregon, “in direct contravention” of a judge’s order on Saturday—and against the wishes or requests of both states’ elected governors. The state of Oregon sued the White House last week over Trump’s decision to send 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland following the president’s claim that the city is “ravaged” by war, with “ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.” The troops were scheduled to begin arriving in Portland early this week, prompting U.S. District…
Diamondback Firearms and TALO Distributors are launching two new Diamondback SDR revolver models, one with a 2-inch barrel and another with a 3-inch barrel. These new Diamondback SDR revolvers are built around a forged stainless-steel frame that is finished in black nitride and paired with a stainless-steel cylinder with a glass-beaded finish. The revolvers are also outfitted with Hogue black rubber boot style grips that make defensive carry both comfortable and practical. The Diamondback SDR stands for “Self Defense Revolver” and is a family of compact-frame, double-action revolvers chambered for .357 Magnum and .38 Special. These revolvers are fitted with…