10 things you need to know today: August 10, 2018

Pence outlines plans to create a "Space Force," Kobach recuses himself from Kansas GOP primary vote count, and more

Vice President Pence speaks about the Space Force
(Image credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

1. Pence explains Trump plan to create 'Space Force'

Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday outlined the Trump administration's plan to create a "Space Force" as a sixth branch of the military as soon as 2020. It would be the first new branch of the military since the Air Force was created after World War II. President Trump in June ordered the Pentagon to establish the force to ensure U.S. dominance in space, calling it "so important" and explaining that it would take over space-related duties from the Air Force. Pence said the Space Force will help the U.S. "meet the emerging threats on this new battlefield" with dedicated space technology experts and defense systems. The White House reportedly wants to get the new department off the ground by 2020, but is expected to face opposition from Congress.

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Harold Maass, The Week US

Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.