Tag: featured

DEFENCE

Zelensky and the Dutch Prime Minister support deploying F-16 fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s airspace security

In a recent conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof after a meeting in Munich, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the enduring partnership between Ukraine and the Netherlands. He stressed the importance of achieving a fair resolution to the war and enhancing European unity. Zelensky utilized the social media platform X to provide insights into their discussion, emphasizing a shared principle: no decisions regarding Ukraine … Continue reading Zelensky and the Dutch Prime Minister support deploying F-16 fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s airspace security

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DEFENCE

Boeing F-15 variants outperform F-35 and F-22 in combat readiness evaluation

The U.S. Air Force operates one of the most formidable air fleets globally, reflecting decades of strategic investment and innovation that have ensured the security of American and allied airspace. As of February 2025, the service manages around 5,000 aircraft, which includes a diverse range beyond just its advanced fighter jets. This extensive fleet features bombers like the B-52 Stratofortress, refueling aircraft such as the … Continue reading Boeing F-15 variants outperform F-35 and F-22 in combat readiness evaluation

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

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

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SR-71 Blackbird
DEFENCE

NextRS: The United States is Making Significant Investments in a New Hypersonic Bomber

The announcement last week regarding the U.S. government’s initiative to develop a Mach-5-capable bomber generated significant attention worldwide. The Next Generation Responsive Strike (NextRS) program, which combines the functionalities of a bomber and a reconnaissance aircraft, is set to be the U.S. Air Force’s next major undertaking following its current project aimed at creating a sixth-generation fighter jet. A hypersonic bomber would represent the pinnacle … Continue reading NextRS: The United States is Making Significant Investments in a New Hypersonic Bomber

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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.
DEFENCE

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

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Saudi army officers walk past F-15 fighter jets, GBU bombs and missiles displayed during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the King Faisal Air Academy at King Salman airbase in Riyadh.
DEFENCE

Saudi Arabia seems to be boosting its ballistic missile capabilities, according to recent satellite imagery

Recent satellite imagery suggests that Saudi Arabia may be discreetly enhancing and expanding its long-range missile capabilities. Fabian Hinz, a defense and military analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), examined these images in a report released on Thursday. The kingdom first developed long-range surface-to-surface missiles during the 1980s, primarily in response to the Iran-Iraq war and the increasing missile proliferation in the … Continue reading Saudi Arabia seems to be boosting its ballistic missile capabilities, according to recent satellite imagery

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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.
DEFENCE

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

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YY-20A tanker, China
DEFENCE

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.

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

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

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A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber, top second from left, and South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jets, right bottom, conduct a joint aerial drill over the Korean Peninsula on Thursday.
DEFENCE

South Korea and the United States carry out a military exercise featuring B-1B bombers and fighter aircraft

The U.S. and South Korean armed forces carried out an aerial exercise featuring at least one U.S. B-1B bomber alongside several fighter jets, marking the first joint air force drill during President Donald Trump’s second term. According to Seoul’s Defense Ministry, the exercise included South Korean F-35 and F-15 fighter jets as well as American F-16s, although the exact number of aircraft was not disclosed. … Continue reading South Korea and the United States carry out a military exercise featuring B-1B bombers and fighter aircraft

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