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

Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019.

Four potential approaches to addressing the Ukraine conflict from a Western viewpoint

U.S. President Donald Trump is advocating for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing full-scale conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for three years. Think tanks have suggested a range of strategies designed to create a lasting peace in the region Maximum Pressure Strategy The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) has put forward a plan titled “How to Win: A Seven-Point Plan for Sustainable Peace … Continue reading Four potential approaches to addressing the Ukraine conflict from a Western viewpoint

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

U.S. Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at a conference of African chiefs of defense in Gaborone, Botswana.

Trump disrupts Pentagon leadership by dismissing a senior general and appointing a retired three-star officer

On Friday, President Donald Trump dismissed Air Force General C.Q. Brown from his position as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and announced plans to replace five other senior military officials, marking an extraordinary shift in U.S. military leadership. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump indicated that he would nominate retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as Brown’s successor. Caine, a former F-16 … Continue reading Trump disrupts Pentagon leadership by dismissing a senior general and appointing a retired three-star officer

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

Members of the military honour guard march, on the day of a meeting between German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius in Berlin, Germany.

A study shows Europe can defend itself independently but needs better coordination among member states

Europe must allocate approximately 250 billion euros ($261.6 billion) each year for defense investments to ensure its security independent of U.S. assistance, according to a study released on Friday. This expenditure, representing 1.5% of the EU‘s gross domestic product, would enable Europe to deploy around 300,000 troops to defend against potential threats from Russia, as indicated by the research conducted by the Bruegel Institute and … Continue reading A study shows Europe can defend itself independently but needs better coordination among member states

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks at the White House, in Washington.

US Treasury’s Bessent suggests Russia could gain sanctions relief in conflict negotiations

Russia may find some relief from U.S. sanctions if it demonstrates a genuine willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday. Bessent also mentioned that he plans to engage with his Chinese counterpart on Friday, encouraging China to shift its economic focus towards greater consumer spending. When asked about … Continue reading US Treasury’s Bessent suggests Russia could gain sanctions relief in conflict negotiations

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, U.S.

Trump is reportedly quite displeased with Zelensky, according to Rubio

US President Donald Trump is reportedly “very upset” with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, as stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who highlighted a disagreement regarding a proposed mineral rights agreement. This development indicates escalating tensions between the United States and Ukraine. On Wednesday, Trump referred to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” accusing him of poorly managing the conflict with Russia and misappropriating American … Continue reading Trump is reportedly quite displeased with Zelensky, according to Rubio

Buildings lie in ruin in North Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from Israel.

Arab leaders will meet to discuss a postwar initiative for Gaza to counter Trump’s ‘Riviera’ proposal

Arab leaders are scheduled to convene in Saudi Arabia on Friday for their inaugural meeting aimed at addressing US President Donald Trump’s proposal for the US to assume control of Gaza, displace its Palestinian inhabitants, and transform it into a Middle Eastern “Riviera.” This gathering will include representatives from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf Arab states, and is … Continue reading Arab leaders will meet to discuss a postwar initiative for Gaza to counter Trump’s ‘Riviera’ proposal