The Pentagon has dropped its opposition to controversial legislation that would direct the US to shun overseas suppliers in purchasing parts for essential weapons systems. The bill, which had faced a threatened veto from the White House, was watered down in negotiations between Duncan Hunter, the House armed services committee chairman, and Paul Wolfowitz (pictured), deputy defence secretary. In a "discussion draft" dated September 10 obtained by the Financial Times, the Pentagon is given wider authority to disregard the provision, permitting the defence secretary to grant waivers "in the interest of national defence". But the new language would still force...