Breaking Defense is reporting that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Damascus will soon no longer require any foreign military presence on its territory. It said al-Sharaa stated that Syria can pursue diplomatic relations and mutual respect with all countries in the region and with friends of Syria, and that the country seeks sovereignty over all bases.
Breaking Defense also reported that the Defense Department's inspector general found that Operation Epic Fury destroyed or damaged hundreds of buildings and dozens of aircraft. It said Pentagon officials told investigators the operation resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls of key munitions.
Separately, Breaking Defense reported that the Congressional Budget Office estimated the Iran war has cost $38 billion, with an additional $2 billion to $3 billion per month going forward. It said the CBO reported it would take at least five years to rebuild American munitions inventories.
Breaking Defense also published an op-ed arguing that the United States needs an information-warfare strategy for Iran and beyond, saying a US-made information warfare tool set could improve the lives of people living in restrictive countries.