Defense and security articles
How many cyberattacks occur in the US?
On March 11, 2026, US medical device company Stryker reported a cybersecurity incident to the Securities and Exchange Commission that caused disruptions across its global networks. According to the most recent Internet Crime Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there were 859,532 cybercrimes reported in the United States in 2024, including nearly 4,900 attacks on critical infrastructure such as manufacturing and healthcare.While the total number of reported cyberattacks was lower than in 2023 (880,418), financial losses rose over 30%, from $12.5 billion in 2023 to $16.6 billion in 2024.
How many troops are in the US military?
There were about 2.11 million troops in December 2025. This includes 1.34 million active duty troops and 770,100 reserve troops. This includes active duty troops or full-time training duty in the reserves. Reserve troops are withheld from initial action to be deployed at a later time and are subject to call to active duty.
How much fentanyl is seized at US borders each month?
About 785 pounds in January 2026. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used medically as a pain reliever but is also trafficked illegally due to its potency. In 2023, the latest data available, fentanyl was involved in 69% of fatal accidental drug overdoses in the US.
How many people are in the US military?
As of December 2025, the US military consisted of 2.81 million people worldwide, including 2.10 million military personnel and 715,212 civilians. With the most recent numbers, the military is slightly greater than the population of Chicago, the country's third-largest city. These forces are spread across six main service branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force – all tasked to protect and serve the US. Of those military members, the Department of Defense (DOD) listed nearly 1.33 million people as active-duty troops, and 770,118 as National Guard or reserves.
Where are US troops stationed?
The US has a strong military presence both domestically and overseas, with 1.3 million active-duty service members stationed at home or abroad. In addition to millions of troops, the Department of Defense manages 568,000 facilities, covering 27 million acres, across 4,790 military sites worldwide. The US military is tasked with training troops and defending US citizens on American soil, as well as protecting its national security interests by defending strategic supply chains, deterring attacks and future aggression, and participating in bilateral, regional, and multilateral defense programs.
How many people are being detained by ICE?
70,805 people as of the end of December, according to the agency. That’s a 73.5% increase from the same period a year prior.
What is expedited removal?
When US authorities move to deport unauthorized immigrants, most of the immigrants are entitled to an administrative removal process that guarantees them access to a lawyer and the opportunity to present their case in immigration court. But some people are immediately deported under “expedited removal,” a process allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bypass the typical administrative requirements. Who is subject to expedited removal? The expedited removal process was enacted in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The legislation authorized DHS to bypass hearings for immigrants who were not admitted by authorities and who had been in the US for less than two years. Using expedited removal was an option, not a requirement, and DHS’s initial implementation was relatively narrow, focusing on unauthorized immigrants who: Arrived at ports of entry without entry documents, Entered the US by sea without formal admission and who had been in the country for less than two years, or Were apprehended within 100 miles of the border and within 14 days of entering without admission
How many people were deported from the US?
1.09 million in 2023. The Department of Homeland Security defines deportation as the removal or return from the United States of a person that is not a US citizen. However, a broader term, “repatriation,” can be used, which includes COVID-19 related expulsions from the US.
How many people does ICE arrest?
149,070 arrests by the two operational branches of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in fiscal year (FY) 2024. That includes 113,430 administrative arrests (76.1% of total arrests) conducted by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), as well as criminal arrests: 3,032 by ERO and 32,608 by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the transnational criminal investigative division of ICE.
How many people apprehended at US borders have a prior criminal conviction?
About 17,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2024. The criminal arrests of people who are not US citizens — referred to as aliens in federal law — represents 1.1% of all border apprehensions by the US Border Patrol (USBP) through September 2024, the end of the federal fiscal year. Because one person may be arrested multiple times in the same fiscal year, it’s possible to have more arrests than people arrested.
How many unauthorized immigrants are in the US?
An estimated 11 million in 2022. The unauthorized immigrant population consists of all foreign-born noncitizens who are not legal US residents. This includes people who entered the country undetected, those who requested asylum after entry, and those who sought asylum at the border. It also encompasses people from conflict zones, such as Ukraine, and those who have overstayed their temporary visas.
How much does the US spend on defense?
About $873.5 billion in fiscal year 2024. Defense spending includes personnel compensation, equipment, research and development (R&D), and the costs associated with operating and maintaining military efforts. The Department of Defense is responsible for most spending on national defense, along with other agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.
What does the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) do?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for protecting the United States against potential threats. Its primary functions include anti-terrorism efforts, border security, immigration and customs enforcement, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention and management. It was established in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and began operations in 2003.
What does the State Department (DOS) do?
The Department of State (State Department, DOS) is an executive branch agency responsible for conducting US foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Its functions include negotiating treaties, representing the US in international organizations, issuing passports and visas, coordinating refugee and humanitarian assistance, and overseeing foreign aid and embassy operations. It was established in 1789.
What does the Department of Defense (DOD) do?
The Department of Defense (DOD) is cabinet-level executive branch agency tasked with maintaining and overseeing the military forces of the United States. Its primary functions include overseeing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force; creating military policies; and managing the defense budget. It was established in 1947.
What does the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) do?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for providing healthcare services, benefits programs, and access to national cemeteries for the nation's veterans and their dependents. It was established as the Veterans Administration in 1930 and elevated to cabinet status in 1989.
What does USAID do?
USAID (US Agency for International Development) is an independent executive branch agency responsible for administering foreign aid and economic development assistance outside the US. Its functions include supporting economic growth, global health, and education; providing humanitarian aid in response to crises; and advancing US foreign policy goals through partnerships. It was established in 1961 as part of the Foreign Assistance Act.
What does the National Security Council (NSC) do?
The National Security Council (NSC) is a subdivision of the Executive Office of the President responsible for advising the President on national security and foreign policy matters. The NSC coordinates these policies among various government agencies to ensure a unified national security strategy. It was established in 1947.
What does the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) do?
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. The agency works to enhance the security, resilience, and reliability of the nation's cyber and physical infrastructure through partnerships, information sharing, and risk management. It also provides resources, tools, and support to help organizations and individuals safeguard their systems and respond to incidents. It was established in 2018.
What does the Coast Guard (USCG) do?
The US Coast Guard (USCG) is a subdivision of the US Department of Homeland Security responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and stewardship of the nation's waters. The agency conducts search and rescue operations, enforces maritime law, and protects the marine environment. It also supports national defense and responds to natural and man-made disasters. It was established in 1790.