Lee Ferran

Managing Editor

Lee Ferran is the Managing Editor of Breaking Defense, responsible for editing coverage, organizing, scheduling and optimizing editorial operations, and developing our content platforms. Lee brings significant journalistic experience to the role, working at ABC News for over nine years as a national security reporter, investigative reporter and editor of their enterprise investigations unit. Over his career Lee has covered US military budgets and spending, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and controversial counter-terrorism programs. He's the recipient of two News Emmy Awards. Lee's an avid traveler, movie addict and amateur coder, with particular interest in media technology. A native of Georgia, Lee is a graduate of Wake Forest University.

Stories by Lee Ferran

Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move

Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move
Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move

Lawmakers have not been shy about directly tying Turkey’s F-16s to Anakara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO bid.

Turkish parliament votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing key hurdle

Turkish parliament votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing key hurdle
Turkish parliament votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing key hurdle

NATO members Turkey and Hungary cleared the way for Finland’s formal accession in April 2023 but left Sweden behind at the time.

Biden acknowledges airstrikes haven’t stopped Houthis, says more to come

Biden acknowledges airstrikes haven’t stopped Houthis, says more to come
Biden acknowledges airstrikes haven’t stopped Houthis, says more to come

“Well, when you say ‘working,’ are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes,” Biden told reporters.

‘Significant action’: US, with UK, strikes ‘a number of’ Houthi targets in Yemen

‘Significant action’: US, with UK, strikes ‘a number of’ Houthi targets in Yemen
‘Significant action’: US, with UK, strikes ‘a number of’ Houthi targets in Yemen

“These targeted strikes are a clear message that the United States and our partners will not tolerate attacks on our personnel or allow hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical commercial routes,” President Joe Biden said.

Pentagon watchdog raps ‘delinquent’ tracking of over $1B in high-tech weapons to Ukraine

Pentagon watchdog raps ‘delinquent’ tracking of over $1B in high-tech weapons to Ukraine
Pentagon watchdog raps ‘delinquent’ tracking of over $1B in high-tech weapons to Ukraine

The Defense Department Inspector General report sampled inventories for enhanced end-use monitoring-designated systems, from Stingers to night-vision goggles.

Bombardier awarded Army prototyping contract for HADES spy plane

Bombardier awarded Army prototyping contract for HADES spy plane
Bombardier awarded Army prototyping contract for HADES spy plane

Under the deal, the company will provide one Global 6500 jet with options for the service to buy two more.

China protests American ‘technological blockade’ amid semiconductor battle

China protests American ‘technological blockade’ amid semiconductor battle
China protests American ‘technological blockade’ amid semiconductor battle

The remarks come weeks after a US official promised a “very aggressive, innovative approach” to combating Beijing’s tech strategy.

From Russians in Abu Dhabi to the Navy’s nuclear conundrum: Top 10 stories from 2023

From Russians in Abu Dhabi to the Navy’s nuclear conundrum: Top 10 stories from 2023
From Russians in Abu Dhabi to the Navy’s nuclear conundrum: Top 10 stories from 2023

Breaking Defense counts policy-makers, defense practitioners and industry titans among its dedicated readership, but we’re not above enjoying a broader appeal from time to time.

US tightens squeeze on Russia’s ‘war machine’ money, including diamonds and seafood

US tightens squeeze on Russia’s ‘war machine’ money, including diamonds and seafood
US tightens squeeze on Russia’s ‘war machine’ money, including diamonds and seafood

An administration official said it’s “very central to our strategy” to think about “how do we take that next step in disrupting Russia’s attempts to be able to produce the weapons systems, the industrial goods that it needs to prosecute its war?”

After ‘dangerous’ PLA radio silence, Joint Chief’s Brown speaks with Chinese counterpart

After ‘dangerous’ PLA radio silence, Joint Chief’s Brown speaks with Chinese counterpart
After ‘dangerous’ PLA radio silence, Joint Chief’s Brown speaks with Chinese counterpart

“These are the kinds of discussions that we need to have to try to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation,” a senior defense official told reporters of the call between Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown and his counterpart in the People’s Liberation Army.

3 ways intel analysts are using artificial intelligence right now: Ex-official

3 ways intel analysts are using artificial intelligence right now: Ex-official
3 ways intel analysts are using artificial intelligence right now: Ex-official

Former CIA deputy director of analysis Linda Weissgold says AI won’t replace human analysts, but she’s come around to a nuanced view of the tech.

Strong Senate majority passes National Defense Authorization Act for FY24

Strong Senate majority passes National Defense Authorization Act for FY24
Strong Senate majority passes National Defense Authorization Act for FY24

After an 87 to 13 vote in the Senate, the defense policy bill makes its way to a chaotic House.

US should ‘take advantage’ of China’s recent, ‘pretty malign behavior’: Senior Marine

US should ‘take advantage’ of China’s recent, ‘pretty malign behavior’: Senior Marine
US should ‘take advantage’ of China’s recent, ‘pretty malign behavior’: Senior Marine

“Like when you’re ramming ships, when you’re using water cannons, when you’re using underwater sonar, lasers blinding people — not helpful, not helpful at all,” said Brig. Gen. Stephen Lightfoot.

Belgium presented with first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Belgium presented with first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Belgium presented with first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

In all, Brussels expects to receive 34 F-35s in what was previously estimated to be a $6.3 billion deal.

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