The D Brief: Acquisition reforms, debated; Boat-strike briefing; US troops to Damascus; China’s mini drone carrier; And a bit more.

Experts see promise, risk in draft of Pentagon acquisition reforms. A six-page draft memo to military leaders is circulating ahead of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s planned Friday speech about acquisition reform, and experts, industry figures, and current and former procurement officials have thoughts. Some see promise, like Arnold Punaro: "If fully implemented, these reforms will finally break the long-standing paradigm that has defined and constrained defense acquisition for decad