Colin Demarest

Axios Future of Defense

“The treaty was a huge net benefit for U.S. national security.” - @kingstonareif.bsky.social of RAND, quoted in this @demarest-colin.bsky.social newsletter about the end of New START www.axios.com/newsletters/...

How Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine shocked the world Zelensky listened on speaker phone as Witkoff and Kushner read, line by line, from a 28-point plan.

🤯How Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine shocked the world. David Lawler @marcacaputo.bsky.social @demarest-colin.bsky.social and me write for @axios.com
www.axios.com/2025/11/24/t...

My best work to date.

Good shot of @demarest-colin.bsky.social today at the Second Front #offset25 Symposium.

Looks like US troops are testing Raytheon's Coyote interceptor at the Al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, according to new photos published to DVIDS www.dvidshub.net/image/898290...

(cc @demarest-colin.bsky.social)

Senior Mario Reporter, checking in, with updates on tariffs for the Mushroom Kingdom:

Axios Future of Defense

The latest JINSA data on US strikes against the Houthis appeared in this morning’s @axios.com future of defense newsletter: The US launched at least 612% more strikes in March than during all operations targeting the Houthis since November. @demarest-colin.bsky.social www.axios.com/newsletters/...

Some thoughts on last night's tragedy over the Potomac. www.axios.com/2025/01/30/p...

Axios Future of Defense

A stacked Future of Defense this week...

🚨 Directionless energy, aka a Navy "embarrassed"
🇯🇵 An exclusive look at V-BAT deliveries to Japan
🪖 Talking next-gen networks with Gabe Camarillo
💪 And a chat with General Catalyst's Paul Kwan

www.axios.com/newsletters/...

#LaserWars with a nice shoutout in @demarest-colin.bsky.social's @axios.com Future of Defense newsletter this AM! www.axios.com/2025/01/22/n...

Read more here and SUBSCRIBE laserwars.substack.com/p/marine-cor...

Exclusive: Defense firm Overland AI raises $32 million 8VC managing partner Joe Lonsdale said Overland AI is poised to become "the next great defense prime."

Joe Lonsdale, 8VC's managing partner, told me that Overland AI is postured to become "the next great defense prime."

The millions will be used to hire more people, sharpen software development and wade into hardware.

www.axios.com/2025/01/13/o...

The Return of Havana Syndrome A new intelligence report raises questions about a possible mystery weapon.

The Return of Havana Syndrome. www.theatlantic.com/internationa... A new intelligence report raises questions about a possible mystery weapon. My latest.

How a gang's takedown revealed their playbook behind ransomware attacks One of the most devastating cyberattacks plaguing companies today has been around for a decade — and its perpetrators have hardly had to innovate to stay profitable.

One of the most devastating types of cyberattack companies face today has been around for decades — and its perpetrators have hardly had to innovate to stay profitable.

Mexican president claps back at Trump, says U.S. should be called "América Mexicana" Mexico's playful reaction came amid serious rebukes to Trump.

Mexico's president clapped back at Trump and said parts of the U.S. should be called "América Mexicana," in response to Trump's proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America."

@demarest-colin.bsky.social proving once again, the traditional metal bending defense contractors (NGC, Thales) etc are email people, and the AI/software crowd (Anduril, Palantir, etc) are Slack-first people.

Iran 2025: Nuclear crisis awaits Trump Some Trump advisers are pondering the military option.

Iran 2025: Nuclear crisis awaits Trump. My story on @axios.com
www.axios.com/2025/01/06/t...

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigns as party leader His resignation is the latest signal of the growing instability in the world's leading democracies.

BREAKING: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau resigned from his position as the leader of the Liberal Party.

"I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process."

Trump appoints (and rebukes) Morgan Ortagus as deputy Middle East envoy "Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson."

NEW: Trump announced that he is appointing Morgan Ortagus as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace.

She criticized Trump's "isolationist" foreign policy and his personal behavior several years ago.

The biggest S&P 500 winners and losers of 2024, led by AI names AI made a lot of money this year, if you invested in the right players.

The S&P 500's three biggest winners this year (and they won very, very big) had one thing in common:

AI.

www.axios.com/2024/12/31/s...

Media's suck-up moment National outlets are trying to signal they're no longer out for blood.

Fearing political retribution and strained by new business challenges, media companies that once covered Trump with skepticism — and in many cases, disdain — are reconsidering their approach.

Died 2024 Born 2024

Welcome back Houthi F-5

China has a stealthy new warplane The aircraft emerges amid fiery airpower debates — manned versus unmanned, mainly — in the U.S. and abroad.

🇨🇳👀🎄

www.axios.com/2024/12/26/c...

Scoop: Top State Dept. official to visit Syria in sign of U.S. reengagement This is the first official visit to Syria in many years.

There are 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria — not 900, as has been repeated.

They were there before the fall of the Assad regime. But a Pentagon spokesperson got the updated numbers “today.”

(With @barakravid.bsky.social) www.axios.com/2024/12/19/u...

The what-ifs war: Why drone sightings have driven conspiracy theory delirium But experts say Americans are not more susceptible to believing conspiracy theories than others.

The reports of drones have sparked an Orson-Welles-reminiscent hysteria on social media, and the theories have been both far-ranging and, in some cases, far-fetched.

Some claim they are aliens — and another sect of theories contends the sightings could be angels.

DHS secretary calls for more money to track drones "We know of no threat," Alejandro Mayorkas said of the drone sightings on the east coast.

Surveillance tools and counter-drone weaponry used outside of the U.S. — at military bases abroad, or on Ukraine's front lines — are different from what's in use here.

www.axios.com/2024/12/17/d...

Trump's Middle East envoy talks Gaza war, U.S.-Saudi relations with MBS It was the first meeting between MBS and a member of the incoming Trump administration since the November elections.

🇺🇸🇸🇦Scoop: Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff meets Saudi Crown Prince MBS. My story on @axios.com
www.axios.com/2024/12/13/t...

You laugh now, but I predict massive cost overruns for the Arctic Special Field Artillery Semi Functional All Season Developmental Final All-terrain Specialized Fancy Drivable Fort

GM scrapped its $50 billion robotaxi dream, ceding game to Tesla and Waymo GM's main business of selling cars has gotten tougher, it's struggling in China, and it's also trying to build profitable EV business.

GM has tough homework to finish in its core business before it can go outside to play robo-taxi operator. The bet it made during ZIRP era is one it can no longer afford amid demand concerns for cars and an EV strategy to execute. More from my report in @axios.com here www.axios.com/2024/12/11/g...

Exclusive: RFK Jr.'s secret push to prove CIA killed uncle "RFK believes that and wants to get to the bottom of it," a source told Axios.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: RFK Jr. believes the CIA had a role in assassinating JFK and wants to get his daughter-in-law near the top of the agency to help prove it.