Pentagon installs its own public affairs official as acting Stars and Stripes publisher months after firing leadership

The Pentagon has found a new publisher for Stars and Stripes, at least on an interim basis, appointing Christian Devine, executive director of the Pentagon’s public affairs office, to lead the military newspaper.Stars and Stripes, which has published a newspaper continuously since World War II, describes itself as a source of “independent news and information to the US military community, including active-duty servicemembers, DoD civilians, veterans, contractors, and their families” that is “governed by the principles of the First Amendment.”“The Pentagon is proud to appoint Chris Devine to serve as acting publisher of Stars and Stripes,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital.“As a former Marine Corps colonel and a seasoned public affairs leader, Chris brings unmatched expertise, strategic vision and a commitment to ensuring Stars and Stripes maintains editorial independence while delivering exclusive, mission-focused reporting that directly serves America’s war fighters and their families,” Parnell continued.“In this interim role, he will provide decisive leadership to modernize Stars and Stripes and to strengthen its mission.”Devine will continue his role as executive director and principal advisor in the Pentagon’s public affairs office until a permanent Stars and Stripes publisher is found.He is expected to split time between the two gigs.“It’s a dynamic media organization with a prestigious history and purpose, and I hope I can lend a strong arm during the interim to the men and women who continue to contribute to its notable legacy,” Devine said in a statement.The Pentagon, which funds roughly half of Stars and Stripes’ annual budget, according to the newspaper’s website, began 2026 by announcing plans to overhaul the long-running military publication.“The Department of War is returning Stars & Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters.

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