Defense & Strategy
Coverage of US, allied, and adversary military capability — carrier movements, basing, weapons procurement, doctrine, and the strategic calculus that translates capability into decisions.
Navy Awards RTX $24.4 Billion Deal to Quadruple SM-6 Missile Output
The Pentagon's third mega munitions contract in six weeks pushes RTX to more than quadruple Standard Missile-6 production as the Iran war drains US interceptor stockpiles.
Russia Hits Second Kyiv Bridge as Strike Exchange Kills Five
Russian forces struck a second major bridge in Kyiv on October 3, killing at least five, in an escalating exchange of strikes with Ukraine, Kyiv's mayor confirmed.
Ukraine Seeks Tighter Sanctions After Drone Strikes Snarl Kyiv Bridges
Ukraine is pushing allies for tighter sanctions on Russia after drone strikes on three Kyiv bridges triggered citywide traffic gridlock, officials said Friday.
Russia Strikes Key Bridge in Kyiv, South Korea Demands Ukraine Apology
Sky News reports a Russian strike on a key bridge in Kyiv, alongside a separate diplomatic dispute in which South Korea is demanding an apology from Ukraine.
First New F-16V Fighters Arrive in Taiwan Amid China Pressure
Taiwan is set to receive its first new-build F-16V fighter jets, part of a long-running acquisition meant to bolster the island's defenses as Beijing keeps up military pressure.
Ukraine Deploys FP-7 Ballistic Missile in Combat for First Time
Ukraine used its domestically built FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, marking a new indigenous strike capability.
Russian Drone Hits Kyiv School as Moscow Presses Air Campaign
A Russian drone struck a school in Kyiv and damaged a key bridge, Ukrainian officials said, part of a sustained Russian aerial campaign against the capital and other Ukrainian cities.
NATO Responds to Putin's Nuclear Threat Against Member Nations
NATO issued a response after Vladimir Putin raised the prospect of nuclear action against alliance member states, extending a week of nuclear-tinged rhetoric from Moscow.
Russian Strikes Injure Two in Kyiv, Odesa, Ukrainian Officials Say
Russian strikes injured two people in Kyiv and Odesa, Ukrainian officials said, the latest in a bombardment campaign running alongside Moscow's escalating nuclear rhetoric toward NATO.
China Tightens Defense Mobilization Law, Taiwan Watchers Take Note
China has moved to strengthen its national defense mobilization law, a step regional analysts and multiple outlets link to Beijing's posture toward Taiwan amid rising cross-strait friction.
Russia Warns NATO of Nuclear Response If Kaliningrad Is Cut Off
Moscow said it could respond with nuclear weapons if NATO blockades Kaliningrad, as Latvia's president warns Russia's risk tolerance toward the alliance is rising.
Putin to Inject £150 Billion Into War Effort, Germany Warns
Putin plans to pour roughly £150 billion into Russia's war effort as Germany identifies what it calls Kyiv's weakest point, The Independent reported, deepening a war now stretching into its fourth year.
NATO Condemns Moscow's 'Irresponsible' Nuclear Rhetoric as Kyiv Strikes Intensify
NATO condemned what it called Moscow's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric as Russian strikes on Kyiv intensified, deepening a standoff that runs alongside parallel nuclear disputes over Iran and North Korea.
Somali Pirates Kill Five Crew Members on Hijacked Tanker
Officials confirm five crew members killed aboard a hijacked tanker by Somali pirates, in what appears to be the first such fatalities in more than a decade.
Cotton Presses Pentagon to Probe Missing F-35 Parts Found in China
Sen. Tom Cotton is pushing the Pentagon to investigate how F-35 components went missing and turned up in China, reviving scrutiny of the fighter jet's global supply chain.
Russia Strikes Kyiv Again After Deadly Hit on Academy of Sciences
Russian forces pounded Kyiv overnight, days after a strike on Ukraine's Academy of Sciences killed people in the capital, as Zelensky warns of new North Korean troop deployments.
Putin Orders Army Expansion as Zelensky Says More North Koreans Coming
Putin ordered Russia's army expanded as Zelensky said North Korea is preparing to send 10,000 more troops to Russia, The Guardian and Reuters reported.
What Matters More to Putin: Refineries or Hitting Ukraine?
Kyiv Post frames a strategic question for Moscow as Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital continue: does the Kremlin prioritize defending its refineries or keeping up the offensive?
Russian Drone Strike Hits Kyiv Science Academy, Killing One
A Russian drone struck the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in central Kyiv on Monday, killing one person, as citywide strikes killed seven and injured dozens, Reuters and Al Jazeera reported.
NATO Commander: Russia Aims to Break Will of Ukraine's Allies
A top NATO commander says Russia aims to break the will of Ukraine's allies, Reuters reported, as CBS News reported at least seven killed in Russian strikes.
Kyiv Landmark Ablaze After Deadly Russian Daylight Strikes
A landmark in Kyiv was set ablaze in deadly Russian daylight strikes, Sky News reported, as Politico counted eight killed across Ukraine and the Kremlin blamed Kyiv.
Zelensky Says Drone Wave Has 'Vanquished' Kyiv Schools
Zelensky says Kyiv's schools have been 'vanquished' in a wave of Russian drone attacks, The Independent reported, as the Kremlin says Ukraine is 'paying the price' for its strikes.
Taiwan Deepens Drone Push as China Pressure Drives Defense Overhaul
Taiwan is expanding its drone programs as pressure from China drives a broader defense overhaul, Modern Diplomacy reports, as Beijing courts Trump.
Zelensky Says Russia Fired Nearly 4,000 Weapons in a Week as 8 Die
Russian strikes killed eight and injured dozens across Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported, as Zelensky said Moscow launched nearly 4,000 drones, bombs and missiles in a week.
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Ukrainian Cities, Nine Hurt in Kyiv
Russian strikes killed three people in Ukrainian cities and injured nine in Kyiv, officials said, as Moscow's campaign continues despite diplomatic appeals and Patriot plans.
Barrick Mining Reaches Deal With Mali Unions, Eases Strike Threat
Barrick Mining has reached an agreement with labor unions at its Mali gold operations, defusing a strike threat that had put production at the West African site at risk.
Russia Strikes Ukraine's Largest Mobile Carrier, Hits Data Centres
Russian forces struck Ukraine's largest mobile network operator and multiple data centres, Reuters reported, extending a campaign against the country's digital infrastructure.
Russian Strikes Kill 2 in Ukraine After Moscow Rejects German Appeal
Russian strikes killed two people in Ukraine after Moscow rejected German calls to de-escalate, the latest sign that diplomatic pressure from Europe has not slowed the strike campaign.
Russia Scales Up Ukraine Strikes as Top Steelmaker Halts Operations
Russia has widened its strike campaign across Ukraine, driving the country's largest steel producer to halt operations entirely as Trump urges Zelenskyy to negotiate with Putin.
North Korea Testing Swarm Attacks That Mix Drones, Missiles
The Wall Street Journal reports North Korea has been testing swarm attacks that combine drones and missiles, a shift that could complicate US and allied missile defenses in the region.