Axios

Lockheed Martin and nLight are developing high-energy laser weapons that, eventually, will be capable of downing both drones and cruise missiles, the U.S. Defense Department announced.

Why it matters: The initial contracts, announced July 9, are worth $86 million.

• The overall ceiling is pegged at $847 million.

Reditus Space is increasingly interested in hypersonics and missile-defense work, chief executive Stef Crum told Axios.

Why it matters: Competition among the U.S., China and Russia is fierce.

• "Hypersonics is one of the areas where there has been a tremendous amount of development in recent years," Crum said in an interview.

Senra Systems, a wire-harness startup, plans to open a third factory and hire engineers and technicians on the heels of a $65 million Series B.

Why it matters: Wire harnesses are a major national-security bottleneck, as they serve as the nervous systems inside everything from munitions to aircraft, satellites to cars.

• "Without wire harnessing, nothing turns on," CEO Jordan Black told Axios.
• "We are standardizing something that's never been standardized before," he said, "and that's the only way to scale this."

Armenia is pursuing "diversification," seeking to shake up its sources of energy, its future artificial intelligence clientele, its supply chain components and the countries it relies on for weapons, ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan told Axios.

Why it matters: Armenia is wedged between Iran and Russia, two of the most pressing national security hazards juggled by the U.S.

• It's also party to a peace agreement, brokered and touted by the Trump administration, that could reshape the Southern Caucasus.
• "A lot of potential was blocked because of the absence of peace," Mkrtchyan said. "Once we bring the peace agenda, prosperity will come."

The latest Senate debate over a Trump health appointment kicks off Wednesday with a less polarizing nominee than some of the president's previous picks — but that doesn't mean controversies around vaccines and public health are over.

Why it matters: Former deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz will have to convince lawmakers she has a vision to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but can still work with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who clashed with the last full-time CDC director over vaccine policy changes.

Google Search's AI Overviews and AI Mode pose an "unacceptable risk" to children, Common Sense Media says in a new report.

Why it matters: Google Search is often the default on children's personal and school-issued devices, and its AI answers can't be turned off.

A bipartisan group of senators is unveiling a revised Russia sanctions bill that the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) helped finalize in one of his last efforts to broker a compromise and end the war in Ukraine.

Why it matters: If enacted, the bill would ratchet up pressure on Vladimir Putin by imposing 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas — likely including China and India.

The prolonged absences of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have inspired a bill that would force members of Congress to offer up more information when they go AWOL, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The back-to-back disappearances have sparked an intense national debate over the degree to which federal lawmakers are obligated to be transparent with the public about their health.

ICE is temporarily suspending most vehicle stops during enforcement operations nationwide after two fatal shootings in Texas and Maine within a week, according to multiple outlets.

The big picture: The pause is expected to remain in place while ICE provides additional training to officers on vehicle stop tactics, the outlets reported, citing Homeland Security and law enforcement sources.

Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh told Congress Tuesday that the central bank remains determined to bring inflation back to target, but declined to offer any hint about whether that could require higher interest rates.

Why it matters: Warsh is trying to break with the Fed's post-financial crisis habit of telegraphing its next move, leaving investors with fewer clues about where policy is headed.