Good morning. Here’s a quick rundown for today’s morning brief, August 26, 2025. The Navy installs a new top admiral, Trump expands the National Guard’s policing role, and a Fed firing sparks a legal showdown. The Air Force clears M18 pistols, the Coast Guard makes a record drug bust, and Israel faces global outrage after striking a Gaza hospital. Abroad, Iran and Russia coordinate on nuclear talks, Rubio leads Ukraine diplomacy, and Germany resumes relocating vulnerable Afghans.

—Admiral Daryl Caudle Becomes Navy’s Top Officer After Trump Admin Fires Predecessor

Admiral Daryl Caudle was sworn in on Monday as Chief of Naval Operations, filling a six-month leadership gap following the Trump administration’s removal of Admiral Lisa Franchetti in February.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth,

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