Missile-defense interceptors deserve production priority over cheaper offensive precision weapons

Defence of a state against external and internal threats, spanning intelligence services, military operations, counterterrorism and the classification of information. Covers the tension between secrecy and oversight, and the agencies whose work is largely conducted beyond public view.

Roughly 65 percent of Patriot interceptors were expended in five months of war, and THAAD stocks fell from about 450 to 250. The Pentagon says reserves remain adequate for current operations, Trump has ordered a leak investigation into the reporting, and Hegseth wants tens of billions to replenish.