Breaking Defense is pleased to welcome two significant additions for its editorial team: Aaron Mehta in the role of Editor in Chief, and Justin Katz as Navy and Marine Corps beat reporter. Both began their roles July 6.
Mehta takes over leadership of the Breaking Defense editorial team, in charge of all content strategy, plans and development. Mehta is widely respected in the defense and national security circles, bringing deep experience, journalistic integrity and a wealth of insight to the role as top editor. Prior to joining Breaking Defense, he served as Deputy Editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, and previously was a staff writer for the non-profit Center for Public Integrity. Over a stellar career, Mehta has interviewed dozens of defense leaders from around the globe, covering the intersection of policy, industry and technology at the highest national security levels.
Justin Katz, the new Navy/Marine Corps reporter for Breaking Defense, reported on the Navy and Marine Corps as an associate editor for Inside Defense, where he focused on the services’ acquisition programs and the congressional committees overseeing them. Justin subsequently covered the federal government’s cybersecurity policies and programs for FCW, providing an additional base of knowledge regarding the technologies for the next generation of maritime warfare. Justin has worked as a general news reporter in both Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Colin Clark, the founding editor of Breaking Defense, will move to Australia at the end of the year, where he will spearhead Breaking Defense’s Asia and Pacific coverage.
“We’re very excited about these great additions to Breaking Defense. Aaron Mehta’s editorial vision and leadership, along with the expert reporting of Justin Katz, are exceptional developments for Breaking Defense that will help fuel our editorial ambition and growth”, said David Smith, Managing Director and Publisher. “Over the past two years, Breaking Defense has grown at a phenomenal rate, proving an amazing success story. These key appointments, along with our global expansion, set the stage for that continued upward trajectory. I’m delighted to welcome Aaron and Justin and look forward to the great things to come.”
“I’m beyond thrilled to be starting up at Breaking Defense, with a team that I’ve long admired as a competitor,” Mehta said. “My goal is to expand Breaking Defense’s already in-depth coverage, both in the U.S. and abroad, with an eye on the strategy, policy and technology issues that will define defense for the next twenty years. Breaking Defense has always tackled the biggest issues for the military, and I look forward to helping lead that discussion.”