Trump’s Selection of Dan Caine as the Leading US Military Officer: A True General in His Eyes

Dan Caine may not have been a prominent figure in Washington prior to Friday night. However, President Donald Trump‘s interest in the retired three-star general, his unexpected choice for the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, seems to trace back to their initial encounter in Iraq in 2018. At that time, Caine was serving as the deputy commander of a special operations task … Continue reading Trump’s Selection of Dan Caine as the Leading US Military Officer: A True General in His Eyes

Secretary of State, Sen. Marco Rubio testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations confirmation hearing at Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Rubio discussed with Poland the need for NATO allies to boost defense spending

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he met with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Washington on Friday, where they addressed issues such as “fair and reciprocal market access” and emphasized the urgent need for NATO Allies to enhance their defense investments. Following the meeting, Rubio shared on the social media platform X that they also discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and reiterated … Continue reading Rubio discussed with Poland the need for NATO allies to boost defense spending

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles

Australia said China failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the short notice of its navy’s live-fire exercises

Australia criticized China on Saturday for not providing adequate justification for what it deemed insufficient notice regarding a live-fire drill conducted in waters between Australia and New Zealand, which led to flight diversions by airlines. Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that the government has yet to receive a “satisfactory answer from China regarding the notice” of the drills, which he described as “disconcerting” for commercial … Continue reading Australia said China failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the short notice of its navy’s live-fire exercises

drone carrier Shahid Mahdavi

Iranian drone carrier Shahid Mahdavi has arrived in Malaysia for an operational visit

A significant milestone was achieved as, for the first time, two warships from the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) docked in Malaysia, an event characterized by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) as an “operational visit.” An official announcement shared on the RMN’s Facebook page indicated that the Iranian naval vessels making their debut in Malaysia are the auxiliary ship Shahid Mahdavi and the frigate … Continue reading Iranian drone carrier Shahid Mahdavi has arrived in Malaysia for an operational visit

Putin highlights the significant thermal advantage of the Oreshnik ballistic missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that the warheads of the “Oreshnik” missile system are capable of withstanding temperatures comparable to those found on the sun’s surface, a development he credits to innovative materials created by Russian experts. During his address at the “Technologies of the Future” forum in Moscow on February 21, 2025, Putin emphasized the distinctive characteristics of these warheads, particularly their resilience … Continue reading Putin highlights the significant thermal advantage of the Oreshnik ballistic missile

Starlink logo is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed Ukrainian flag in this illustration.

US may restrict Ukraine’s access to Starlink internet services due to mineral concerns, according to sources

U.S. negotiators have been urging Kyiv to grant access to Ukraine‘s essential mineral resources, suggesting that the country could face restrictions on its use of Elon Musk‘s crucial Starlink satellite internet service, according to three sources familiar with the discussions, as reported by Reuters. The topic of Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink was raised during talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy … Continue reading US may restrict Ukraine’s access to Starlink internet services due to mineral concerns, according to sources

Ukrainian service members of the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush attend military exercises at a training ground, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine.

Ukrainian troops reject Trump’s proposal for peace negotiations with Russia

Peace negotiations this week between Russia and the United States, aimed at concluding three years of conflict in Ukraine, have failed to resonate with front-line Ukrainian soldiers, who believe that without Kyiv’s involvement, a swift resolution to the fighting is unlikely. An infantryman known by the call sign “Rugbyist,” while gripping his assault rifle, reflected on Ukraine’s staunch defense during the initial weeks of Russia’s … Continue reading Ukrainian troops reject Trump’s proposal for peace negotiations with Russia

Servicemen of the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces drive in a Leopard 1A5 tank, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Kongsberg suggests converting civilian vessels to enhance defense capabilities

The CEO of Norway‘s Kongsberg Gruppen stated that adapting civilian platforms for military applications can accelerate defense production and enhance standardization, particularly as the pressure for increased military spending in Europe intensifies under President Donald Trump. In an interview with Reuters, Geir Haoy emphasized the need for simplified processes to achieve this acceleration. He noted that the defense sector is increasingly asking how commercial products … Continue reading Kongsberg suggests converting civilian vessels to enhance defense capabilities

Polish army general stands in front of the surface-to-air missile launcher, the Patriot (Wisla) system, newly added into the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) at an army base in Sochaczew, Poland.

Poland’s finance minister has emphasized that defence spending will remain a top priority

Defence will continue to be a primary focus in Poland‘s budget, according to Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, who emphasized the need for European Union nations to support a Polish initiative that would allow for increased military expenditure without violating the bloc’s fiscal regulations. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has driven Poland to enhance its military capabilities and increase arms acquisitions, with the country dedicating 4.7% … Continue reading Poland’s finance minister has emphasized that defence spending will remain a top priority

YY-20A tanker, China

YY-20A aircraft sighted—The enigma surrounding China’s 50-tanker PLAAF deepens.

On February 21, 2025, military aviation expert Andreas Rupprecht, recognized on X as @RupprechtDeino, shared an intriguing update that stirred interest within the defense analysis community. A previously unverified YY-20A tanker, identified by the serial number 20646, was captured in photographs. This discovery not only contributed to the documented inventory of China’s expanding fleet of aerial refueling aircraft but also reignited an ongoing inquiry: how … Continue reading YY-20A aircraft sighted—The enigma surrounding China’s 50-tanker PLAAF deepens.