Editor in Chief at @breakingdefense. Shameless Boston sports nerd, foe of bad seasonal takes and the F-22 restart. EMAIL: amehta at breakingmedia dot com

Washington, DC
Joined January 2010
Aaron Mehta retweeted
After she was attacked by Israeli settlers, this group saved our photographer Heidi Levine @Heidiphotos
This is @infinite_jaz rushing to help Heidi under fire from Israeli settlers slings
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
While clearly wearing a flak jacket with "PRESS" in big letters, Heidi Levine (@Heidiphotos) was beaten and had all her photo equipment stolen by Israeli settlers. Not "knocked down and immediately helped to her feet" ... as per this statement.
The Prime Minister’s Office: The facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falah, during which Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was allegedly assaulted, remain unclear and are under investigation. Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone—Jews, Arabs, Christians or journalists. Those responsible will be held accountable. But serious questions remain. Reports indicate some 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronted approximately 40 Israeli youths. Footage shows masked individuals on both sides hurling objects, amid reports of fireworks fired at Jewish youths. Other footage appears to show Levine knocked down and immediately helped to her feet by the same unidentified individual. The investigation must establish the facts, including who initiated the violence. We will not allow disputed incidents to be exploited to demonize the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. The facts must determine the conclusions. Not the headlines.
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GET THE BROOMS OUT FOR THIS TRASH TEAM RAYS 4 YANKEES 3 DAAAAAAAAAA YANKEES LOSE!!!!!!!
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Hegseth issued a 144-page book to the 600 troops attending his speech today, it's a compilation of some of his speeches. It includes a forward from Trump saying, "I will not ask you to fight dumb wars."
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Here’s The New York Times 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century: nytimes.com/interactive/2026…
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Continued issue here obscured by these new comments: Yes, the U.S. military still has many "munitions" writ large. But senior military leaders also are concerned about the burn rate on *specific, key* munitions, like the Tomahawk and PAC-3. No easy-button solution available.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
NEW: @SenThomTillis tells me he’s a hard no on DOD spox Sean Parnell, who is Hegseth’s choice for SecArmy. Faults him for ousting DOD press corps. “That's already demonstrated a lack of confidence. If you're proud of your work product, you want the press to ask you the tough Q’s”
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Washington-Baltimore News Guild
@WBNG32035Sep 10
Defense News no longer has a full-time staff closely covering the US military; all that remains are international correspondents, some freelance pieces, and wire copy. (3)
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Hey what happened to the @defense_news conference? Thought it was gonna be today. Guess this is what happens now that @SightlineMedia Group fired or drove off the dedicated, unionized reporters who used to land interviews with top military leaders for this event.
Washington-Baltimore News Guild
@WBNG32035Sep 10
Today, @defense_news was supposed to have its 10th annual Defense News Conference. That conference once hosted service secretaries, chiefs of staff, four-star generals, and senior members of Congress for hard-hitting, in-depth discussions about the most vital topics facing the military. (1)
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
NEW: Another 26 wounded US troops were just reported via the Pentagon's Defense Casualty Analysis System, raising the total number of US military casualties since the war's start to 838 — 18 killed (7 in accidents) and 820 wounded.
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The future of European airpower: We just launched a new video series focused on how Europe is modernizing its manned and unmanned aircraft. Check out the complete first episode here: ow.ly/ncVu50ZIkR9 Underwritten by @GenAtomics_ASI.
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Colonel, good morning. Are your remarks here made in a personal capacity or as a government employee? I stand by our reporting, which accurately details that each of you had government roles that neither you nor the Pentagon disclosed to the American people.
You falsely accused us with a complete fabrication Dan. We owe you nothing but you and @JeffBezos certainly do owe us an apology. We will never quit. We will never stop calling for you to man up and set things right. Don’t come at us with the BS after you mix a few facts from illegally obtained information and try to say there’s nothing wrong in your smear job. The innuendo and fabricated accusation that we were secretly hired to publish pentagon propaganda is very clear. All one has to do is look at the thousands of comments on social media that believe your lie.
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Please note this community note
Publishing highly classified assessments from the Secretary’s orders book is a crime. It’s a betrayal of the force. And much of what they’re publishing is inaccurate. Of course, we demand candid military advice. Non-concurs are standard. The Secretary sees them constantly. That’s how you run a real military. We are in great shape around the world. This story isn’t about readiness. It’s TDS and PDS — they hate President Trump and Secretary Hegseth more than they love America.
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
While leaking classified material is illegal for government employees, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) that the First Amendment protects the press's right to publish classified information of public interest. nytimes.com/2016/06/30/ins…
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Are they attacking the military's center of gravy?
Man @hotscots_app , think we need some cyber things for the app too? Our commissary fridge network was hacked and it destroyed cold food storage coast to coast. Better get a Fridge Task Force stood up.
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Germany will double its military presence in South Korea from one to two soldiers in September as part of the U.S.-led UN Command (UNC). The German personnel will help monitor the ceasefire with North Korea and support civilian evacuations in a crisis. Source: BILD
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
Hegseth March 2: "To the media outlets and political left screaming 'endless wars,' stop. This is not Iraq. This is not endless." Hegseth today: The US can maintain the Iran blockade "Indefinitely"
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Aaron Mehta retweeted
public affairs when asked about their public affairs
Defense Secretary Hegseth is holding a public event in Charleston today w/ USAF Sec. Meink, Treasury Sec. Bessent, South Carolina Gov. McMaster, and Sen. Darline Graham.  It'll be livestreamed but the Pentagon for some reason won't say what time it starts.
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