Carsten Oyer

Washington correspondent @smallwars and @cronkitenews covering national security | managing editor @statepress

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[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

Last story of the summer for @smallwars:

Businesses are seeing dollar signs out of U.S. investment into critical mineral supply chains.

https://t.co/6gELmi96fx

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

In today's @DeptofWar contracts: nearly $10 million for @IntegerDefense for the "Intelligent Autonomous Systems for Seabed Warfare" effort.

DoD says it "has the potential to improve the intelligence and independence of autonomous systems employed on seabed warfare missions."

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

For the full story in @smallwars, read here:
https://t.co/jic5DzDNHR

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

On Aug. 22 and 23, the #Freedom250 Grand Prix will take over the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

One key measure: the @FAANews will grant waivers for people to fly #drones at the event. 🧵

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

I talked to multiple experts, and they weren’t sold across the board that the FAA can safely make this happen. It still lacks the real-time awareness to ensure security near America’s most important structures.

[Cronkite News @cronkitenews]

Veterans are speaking out as federal benefit and staffing cuts take hold, questioning the contrast between military tributes and reduced support services. Read more: https://t.co/uAvS5Bgtx4

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

European defense spending continues to grow. Trump seems to be slowly getting his goal of burden-sharing with NATO allies after all.

[Breaking Defense @BreakingDefense]

Belgium splashes $3.5 billion to build shared air defense arsenal with the Netherlands  https://t.co/x1RjtiIp1n

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

This is excellent background on this week’s NATO summit. I’m definitely waiting to see what comes out of Ankara.

[Breaking Defense @BreakingDefense]

Pentagon Buzz: An overview of US concerns going into this week's NATO summit. Underwritten by @L3HarrisTech. https://t.co/kHSHaSy42y

[Phoenix Business Journal @phxbizjournal]

Crow Industries produces the Fenris, a rover that can carry up to 500 pounds and operate autonomously. The Army has been using it since September 2024. https://t.co/DNG49bqDVH

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

Critics have been quick to call Section 219 of this year’s NDAA military integration with Israel, but a more accurate interpretation of the text would be structural coordination.

People can debate the validity of that, but it’s important to know the extent of the relationship.

[Ro Khanna @RoKhanna]

Congress has blocked the amendment @RepThomasMassie and I introduced to stop the integration of our military with Israel’s. It is unconscionable to not even have a vote. We will be continuing on and will not be intimidated by the pro-Israel lobby.

[Small Wars Journal @smallwars]

Built for mining the Moon.🌕 Now helping shape the future battlefield. 🪖

Crow Industries' (@crow_industries) compact Fenris UGV is showing how small, modular robots could transform logistics, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and combat operations for the U.S. Army (@USArmy).

📖Read "Army looks to small UGVs as Ukraine war reshapes battlefield robotics" by @carstenoyer.

For this report, Carsten interviews James Crowell, the founder and CEO of unmanned ground vehicle manufacturer Crow Industries.

https://t.co/hmUlH158fI

#SWJNews @carstenoyer @cronkitenews #Defense #Robotics #MilitaryInnovation #FutureOfWar #CrowIndustries #DroneWarfare #Innovation @asu

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

U.S. forces have killed 215 people in 66 boat strikes since Sept. 2, 2025. Have they done anything?

The answer is complicated, but evidence points to few successes — and signs that the strikes may have unintended pitfalls.

Read my new story here: https://t.co/ULRH5CViyI

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

To read the full story, go to https://t.co/HQS0HqXUje.

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

My latest story for @smallwars is out — an evaluation of how Trump’s Iran deal is stacking up to Obama’s. Despite years of attacking that agreement, Trump’s takes largely the same tactic while also offering $300 billion in economic redevelopment funding and more in new tolls. 🧵

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

For years, Trump spoke out against giving money to Iran out of concern it would be used to fund anti-American activity. Now, he is giving Iran much more money without securing official nuclear program limits or inspection.

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

From today's @DeptofWar contracts announcement: over $35 billion to @LockheedMartin for #THAAD interceptor production and nearly $400 million to @Raytheon for #AMRAAM missiles.

It's clear that the military is hurrying to resupply munitions.

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

Although fighting has ceased, Trump has continued to threaten military action if negotiations aren’t satisfactory. If Trump resumes hostilities — and Congress is willing to enforce this resolution — it could be a real tool to rein in the war. Until then, it’s mostly ceremonial.

[The Hill @thehill]

#BREAKING: Senate approves Iran war powers resolution passed by House; four Republicans break ranks
https://t.co/oWLFTmKo3h

[Cronkite News @cronkitenews]

The U.S. Army is testing unmanned vehicle technology in Arizona as it pushes toward more autonomous systems in modern military operations.
https://t.co/f7iTf0pAZH

[Carsten Oyer @carstenoyer]

Such an excellent story. It cleared up all the confusion I had over America 250 vs Freedom 250. Helpful if you’re not sure of the difference or just want to see into the tensions defining this year’s celebrations.

[Cronkite News @cronkitenews]

As the U.S. marks 250 years of independence, a larger conversation is unfolding about how the nation should remember its past and celebrate its future.
https://t.co/J0WOw3DmnY