US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will face a new round of questioning from lawmakers over the US-Israel war on Iran, including by some Republicans who expressed concerns over the length of the conflict and lack of congressional approval, according to Al Jazeera.

Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are expected to outline the proposed defence budget and stress the need for more drones, warships, and interceptor missile systems during back-to-back hearings of the House and Senate subcommittees overseeing defence spending.

The hearings will review the Trump administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, but the discussions are expected to veer into the handling of a war that appears locked in a stalemate, as higher fuel prices pose political problems for Republicans in the midterm congressional elections.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends a cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on December 2, 2025. — Reuters/File
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends a cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on December 2, 2025. — Reuters/File

Opinion

Editorial

PIA’s privatisation
Updated 01 Jul, 2026

PIA’s privatisation

THE management control of PIA has finally been transferred to a consortium comprising private investors and the ...
Rights beyond rulings
01 Jul, 2026

Rights beyond rulings

THE Supreme Court’s recent ruling that jewellery, bridal gifts and dowry articles given to a bride remain her...
Asia left behind
01 Jul, 2026

Asia left behind

ALARMING regression has been witnessed in the Asian teams at the FIFA World Cup. A record nine representatives from...
Resurgent threat
Updated 30 Jun, 2026

Resurgent threat

THE message from Islamabad to Kabul seems to be clear: any act of terrorism inside Pakistan found to be linked to...
Unchecked powers
30 Jun, 2026

Unchecked powers

THERE is little disagreement that Punjab needs stronger tools to combat organised crime, habitual offenders and...
Patriot Pass
30 Jun, 2026

Patriot Pass

IT must be a shared humanity that has bonded the ‘leader of the free world’ so closely with his counterparts in...