Hegseth's plan to screen military members for low testosterone...

Hegseth's plan to screen military members for low testosterone raises concern for doctors: "Not a performance drug"

By Kerry Breen

July 16, 2026 / 3:37 PM EDT / CBS News


A day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. service members over the age of 30 will be annually screened for "testosterone deficiency," doctors are expressing skepticism of the program and its goals.

Hegseth said all service members over 30 will be screened as part of their regular health assessments, and that younger ones will have the option of being tested to ensure that they "have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best." If they are recommended for treatment, they'll have the option to receive testosterone replacement therapy.

Hegseth has commented frequently on the physical standards of the military, connecting appearance and masculinity to combat readiness. Hegseth did not say what the new policy might mean for female service members, and other details have not yet been announced.

Doctors flagged a range of concerns about the policy, which is likely to be costly to implement. National organizations including The Endocrine Society and the American College of Physicians recommend against general screenings for testosterone levels, which can fluctuate based on age, lifestyle and even the time of day.

"Testosterone in the normal range is not a performance drug," said Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical correspondent and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. "For a man whose level is genuinely low, replacement can help libido and mood a little. It has not been shown to sharpen thinking, fix fatigue, or make a healthy 30-year-old a better soldier."
"No link to how masculine they are or feel or look"

Testosterone is a hormone naturally produced by the body. It helps maintain muscle and bone mass, and impacts mood and energy levels. It impacts libido and supports sperm production in men. But it isn't inherently linked to an increase in strength or capability, said Dr. Marcus Goncalves, director of the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at NYU Langone Health.

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Military leaders pushing 'Armageddon views' on troops as Iran war begins: complaint

Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Andrew Harnik/REUTERS

Travis Gettys
March 03, 2026

A combat-unit commander told non-commissioned officers Monday that the Iran war was part of God's plan to usher in the End Times and bring about Jesus Christ's second coming, according to a complaint filed with a religious freedom watchdog.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) has fielded more than 110 similar complaints about commanders in every branch of the U.S. military between the war's start on Saturday morning and Monday night, reported journalist Jonathan Larson on his Substack page, and the group told him the complaints came from more than 40 different units stationed in at least 30 military installations.

"These calls have one damn thing in freaking common; our MRFF clients [service members who seek MRFF aid] report the unrestricted euphoria of their commanders and command chains as to how this new 'biblically-sanctioned' war is clearly the undeniable sign of the expeditious approach of the fundamentalist Christian 'End Times' as vividly described in the New Testament Book of Revelation," said MRFF President and Founder Mikey Weinstein, a veteran of the Air Force and the Reagan White House.

Sánchez's government exported to Iran 6 million euros in technology for military or nuclear use

Pedro Sánchez and Iranian authorities

porEditorial Team14 de enero de 2026, 12:48
Argentina

These are data from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, from the second half of 2018 to the first half of 2024

Since the arrival of the socialist Pedro Sánchez to the Presidency of the Government in mid-2018, Spain authorized exports of material considered "dual use" to the Islamic regime of Iran for an amount close to six million euros.

This can be seen in the official data published by the Secretariat of State for Trade, which is part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, corresponding to the period between the second half of 2018 and the first half of 2024, the latest available report.

According to that official information, exports of this type of material, destined for both the Iranian public and private sectors, began to be recorded after the motion of no confidence against Partido Popular that brought the PSOE leader to Moncloa. In the second half of 2018 alone, the total exported value reached 2,912,281 euros, marking the beginning of a series of commercial operations that continued in the following years.

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Military stands down troops ordered to prep to deploy to Minneapolis

More than 1,500 federal troops in Alaska had been placed on alert.
BySteven Beynon
February 3, 2026, 9:53 AM




1,500 troops on standby for Minnesota deployment, 2 defense officials saySome 1,500 active duty Army paratroopers have been put on alert for a potential deployment to Minnesota, according to two defense officials.
Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images


The Pentagon’s Northern Command over the weekend stood down more than 1,500 federal troops placed on alert for potential deployment to Minneapolis, according to two U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the situation.

ABC News first reported that roughly 1,500 active duty soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska had been ordered to prepare for a possible mission to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

Additional units across the country, including some 200 Texas National Guard troops, also had been directed to make preparations.

No specific mission was ever outlined, and placing units on alert is a relatively routine step when commanders anticipate a potential presidential order, according to officials familiar with the planning. The New York Times was the first to report that units were being taken off high alert.

As Trump pressures Iran with "armada," Mideast allies urge him not to strike

By Margaret Brennan,Olivia Gazis,

CBS News

Trump warns Iran that "time is running out" to reach a nuclear deal 02:30

As the Trump administration continues to prepare military options for strikes in Iran, U.S. allies in the Mideast, including Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are attempting to head off that possibility by brokering diplomatic talks, multiple regional officials told CBS News.

But at this point, the opportunity for direct diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran to discuss the regime's nuclear program and ballistic missile capacity has not gained traction, according to three regional officials who spoke with CBS News on condition of anonymity so they could speak freely.

Israeli military intelligence chief General Shlomi Binder was in Washington earlier this week for meetings at the Pentagon, CIA and White House, a source familiar with his plans told CBS News. Axios was first to confirm the Israeli visit — which had not been announced by the Trump administration. Separately, the Saudi Defense Minister is scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., this week for meetings, according to a source familiar with his schedule.

Hegseth Brings 'Arsenal of Freedom' Tour to Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth F-35 Plant

Hegseth Brings 'Arsenal of Freedom' Tour to Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth F-35 Plant


by Fort Worth Inc. Staff

Jan. 12, 2026

5:45 p.m.



Lockheed Martin


Speaking on the factory floor in front of a newly completed F-35, Hegseth thanked the more than 600 employees in attendance for their role in equipping the U.S. military.

Lockheed Martin on Monday welcomed U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to its F-35 Lightning II production facility in Fort Worth as part of his nationwide Arsenal of Freedom Tour, a visit that highlighted the company’s central role in U.S. defense manufacturing and a record year for the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft.

Hegseth toured the F-35 final assembly line, met with Lockheed Martin executives, and addressed more than 600 employees inside the sprawling North Texas facility, which employs roughly 19,000 workers. The Fort Worth plant is the sole final assembly site for the F-35 and anchors a national supply chain of more than 1,900 suppliers, over half of them small businesses.

“I’m looking out into an incredible audience of Americans here who are committed to an incredible company that’s building incredible platforms,” Hegseth told employees. “Thank you for accepting and grasping the challenge of President Trump as well as our department. We are shoulder to shoulder with you because we can’t deter the next conflict without the skills and capabilities you have.”

With Russia looming, Europe tries to beef up its youth military service

By Colette Davidson Special correspondent
@kolet_ink

Dec. 18, 2025, 3:54 p.m. ET|Paris


Last month, when French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new voluntary military program, he was met with record approval from the French public. The reaction, coming as the president’s popularity is dwindling, is evidence that goes beyond politics: France is ready to defend itself.

With the war in Ukraine looming just more than 1,200 miles away, there is a growing awareness in France that the nation must secure its borders in the event of Russian aggression.

The €2 billion program will offer 10 months of paid military training to 18- and 19-year-olds, with the goal of providing thousands of young people with domestic security skills, so that France has a deep pool of reserves in the event of an armed conflict.

Why We Wrote This

The potential military threat from Russia and the decreasing support from the United States have countries across Europe looking to conscript able-bodied citizens. But it's a big ask after decades of peace and prosperity.

Mr. Macron is not the only one eyeing defense. As Russia’s war in Ukraine heads toward its fifth year and Europe faces the largest threats to its borders since the Cold War, leaders across the continent are taking a harder look at the strength of their militaries.

But as European leaders debate the benefits of mandatory versus voluntary service, for whom and how long, they are confronting an even bigger challenge: How to show the public the value of joining the ranks.

“First and foremost, the goal of the military is to build defense personnel,” says Jean-Claude Allard, an associate security researcher at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. “You can’t tell young people, ‘Join the military, it’s going to be a Club Med vacation.’”

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Trump threatens US military action in Nigeria over treatment of Christians

By Andrea Shalal and Camillus Eboh

November 1, 20259:47 PM EDT

Security personnel patrol the streets amid a surge in violence in Mangu

Security personnel patrol the streets amid a surge in violence in Mangu, Plateau State, Nigeria, January 24, 2024, in this screengrab obtained from video. Reuters TV via REUTERS 

Summary

• Trump says he ordered Pentagon to prepare for potential attack on Nigeria
• US president says Nigeria has not done enough to stop killings of Christians
• Nigerian President Tinubu rejects claims of religious intolerance
• Nigeria vows to keep fighting violent extremism

WASHINGTON/ABUJA, Nov 1 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he has asked the Defense Department to prepare for possible "fast" military action in Nigeria if the West African nation fails to crack down on the killing of Christians.

The U.S. government will also immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and top oil producer, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

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If the United States sends in military forces, it would go in "'guns-a-blazing,' to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities," Trump wrote, without providing any evidence of specifics about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.

Trump called Nigeria a "disgraced country" and warned its government must move quickly. "If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!" he wrote.

Ilhan Omar Introduces War Powers Resolution to End U.S. Military Hostilities Against Venezuela

Press Release: Rep. Ilhan Omar Introduces War Powers Resolution to End U.S. Military Hostilities Against Venezuela


By: Quiver CongressRadar

Posted: Sept. 25, 2025, 10:20 a.m. UTC



Rep. Ilhan Omar introduced a resolution to end unauthorized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and designated organizations.

Quiver AI Summary

Representative Ilhan Omar introduced a War Powers Resolution aimed at ending unauthorized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and designated transnational criminal organizations. The resolution follows strikes by the Trump administration, described as lacking congressional authorization or legal justification, and emphasizes Congress's exclusive power to declare war.

Omar, joined by other Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders, criticized the escalation of military force and highlighted the need for accountability in military engagement. The resolution also seeks to clarify that designations of foreign terrorist organizations do not authorize military action.

Supporters of the resolution, including advocacy groups, argue that recent military actions are unlawful and detrimental, emphasizing the importance of legislative oversight in matters of war. They advocate for a focus on diplomatic solutions rather than military interventions, citing widespread public opposition to unauthorized military conflict.

Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.

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Ilhan Omar Net Worth

Quiver Quantitative estimates that Ilhan Omar is worth $18.1M, as of September 25th, 2025. This is the 71st highest net worth in Congress, per our live estimates.

Omar has approximately $0 invested in publicly traded assets which Quiver is able to track live.

You can track Ilhan Omar's net worth on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Omar.

Ilhan Omar Bill Proposals

Here are some bills which have recently been proposed by Ilhan Omar:

• H.R.4714: End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025
• H.R.4241: Syria Sanctions Relief Act
• H.R.3652: National Police Misuse of Force Investigation Board Act of 2025
• H.R.3651: Protecting Our Protesters Act of 2025
• H.R.2009: Global Criminal Justice Act
• H.R.1111: Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025

You can track bills proposed by Ilhan Omar on Quiver Quantitative's politician page for Omar.

Ilhan Omar Fundraising

Ilhan Omar recently disclosed $505.8K of fundraising in a Q2 FEC disclosure filed on July 15th, 2025. This was the 149th most from all Q2 reports we have seen this year. 97.9% came from individual donors.

Omar disclosed $445.8K of spending. This was the 101st most from all Q2 reports we have seen from politicians so far this year.

Omar disclosed $577.9K of cash on hand at the end of the filing period. This was the 434th most from all Q2 reports we have seen this year.

You can see the disclosure here, or track Ilhan Omar's fundraising on Quiver Quantitative.

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Hegseth orders hundreds of senior military officers to Virginia for highly unusual meeting

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a ceremony honoring prisoners of war at the Pentagon on September 19, 2025. Daniel Becerril/Reuters/File

By

Haley Britzky,

Zachary Cohen

2 hr ago

Hundreds of US generals and admirals around the globe have been called to Virginia for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth next Tuesday, several US officials told CNN, though the reason for the meeting is unclear.

The meeting is expected to be held at the military installation in Quantico, Virginia, multiple officials said, adding that no one seems to know what the meeting is about, including the general and flag officers themselves, or why it was suddenly added to the calendar.

One source familiar said they’d heard theories ranging from a group physical fitness test, to receiving a briefing on the state of the Defense Department, to a mass firing of officers, but regardless of the reason the sudden convening of so many senior military officers is highly unusual.

“It’s being referred to as the general squid games,” one official quipped.

Some officials also voiced security concerns about having so many high-ranking officers in one place at the same time. A congressional aide told CNN that unless Hegseth planned to announce “a major new military campaign or a complete overhaul of the military command structure, I can’t imagine a good reason for this.”

The Washington Post first reported news of the meeting early Thursday.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that Hegseth will be “addressing his senior military leaders early next week.” The Pentagon did not answer specific questions about the purpose of the meeting or if the directive was for all general and flag officers in the military.

It’s unclear if the order was for all general and flag officers — those with the rank of one star or higher — or just those in certain command or leadership roles

The meeting comes as the Trump administration has fired a slew of high-profile general and flag officers since taking office in January, in many instances due to Hegseth’s campaign against diversity-related issues, but often also for unspecified reasons. Hegseth also ordered the Defense Department in May to cut the number of four-star generals and admirals by at least 20%.

The officers who have been fired thus far include former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown; Adm. Lisa Franchetti, former Chief of Naval Operations; Adm. Linda Fagan, former Commandant of the Coast Guard; Gen. James Slife, former vice chief of the Air Force; Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, former head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency; Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, former chief of the Navy Reserve; and Rear Adm. Milton Sands, former head of Naval Special Warfare Command.

Before taking on the role of defense secretary, Hegseth repeatedly voiced disdain for much of the military’s currently serving general and flag officer corps. In a podcast appearance last summer, Hegseth said a third of the military’s senior officers are “actively complicit” in what he argued is a move towards politicization of the military. In a second podcast, he said senior officers are “playing by all the wrong rules” to cater to “idealogues in Washington, DC.”

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Fuerzas Comando 2025

News | Aug. 18, 2025
Fuerzas Comando 2025

By Maj. Trevor Wild,
ILOPANGO, El Salvador –

Sixteen special operations teams from across Central and South America and the Caribbean will gather in Ilopango, El Salvador, Aug. 18–29, for Fuerzas Comando 2025, the 19th iteration of the premier special operations skills competition and senior leadership seminar.

Established in 2004, Fuerzas Comando is a 10-day event designed to test participants’ skills through a friendly competition among special operations forces. The event promotes interoperability and military-to-military relationships through cordial contests, enhances training knowledge, and strengthens regional cooperation.

Concurrently, a senior leadership seminar will convene, uniting top multinational special operations leaders to address transnational threats impacting defense and stability across the region.

Participating nations include Argentina, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and the United States.

Fuerzas Comando 2025 is sponsored by U.S. Southern Command and executed by Special Operations Command South in partnership with the Fuerza Armada de El Salvador.

The competition will feature a series of evaluated events:
Day 1: Weapons zero (non-graded)
Day 2: Physical training event (100 points) and opening ceremony
Day 3: Assaulter stages 1 and 2 / Sniper stage 1 (300 points)
Day 4: Assaulter stages 3 and 4 / Sniper stages 2 and 3 (300 points)
Day 5: Assaulter stage 5 / Sniper stages 4 and 5 (400 points)
Day 6: Assaulter stages 6 and 7 / Sniper stage 7 (400 points)
Day 7: Assaulter and sniper stage 8 / Combined assault (300 points)
Day 8: Ruck event (200 points)
Day 9: Obstacle course (200 points)
Day 10: Water event (200 points)
Day 11: No evaluation
Day 12: Closing ceremony

For updates and standings, follow @SOCSOUTH and @FUERZARMADASV on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

“Juntos somos Fuerzas Comando.”

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