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.
Pentagon NATO Review to Deliver Hegseth Four Troop Options by Nov. 6
A Pentagon review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe will give Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at least four option packages before November 6.
North Korea Vows 'Powerful Response' to $125 Million US-South Korea Arms Deal
Pyongyang threatened a 'powerful response' to a $125 million US arms package for Seoul covering tactical missiles, even as nuclear diplomacy efforts gain new backing.
Russia Threatens to Strike UK Military Targets Over British Missiles
Moscow warns it could target British military assets after Ukraine used UK-supplied missiles to strike Russian territory, as Russia launches massive overnight attacks on nine cities.
Ukraine Airstrike on Bus in Russian-Occupied Luhansk Kills 9
A Ukrainian airstrike struck a bus in Russian-occupied Luhansk on Thursday, killing nine. Explosions separately rattled Kyiv as both sides traded fire across the front.
Pentagon Official to Brief NATO Allies as Strike Review Fuels Questions
A Pentagon official will brief NATO allies as an internal review of recent U.S. military operations fuels questions among allied capitals, Reuters reports.
CIA Director Makes Surprise Kyiv Visit as Ukraine Pledges to Hold Fire on Moscow
Kyiv agreed not to target Moscow while the CIA chief was present in Ukraine, The Independent reports, as Zelensky simultaneously presses China to use its leverage over Russia.
UK, France Approve SCALP and Storm Shadow Production in Ukraine
Zelensky confirms Britain and France have approved domestic production of SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles inside Ukraine, a major shift in Western arms support.
Putin Eyes Infrastructure Takeover as Ukrainian Strikes Pummel Russia
As Ukrainian drone and missile strikes batter Russian energy and transport networks, the Kremlin is moving to place key facilities under direct state authority.
China Expands South China Sea Presence With New Military Installations
Reuters reports fresh construction on a disputed South China Sea islet as Beijing presses its build-up, while Taiwan asks whether upgraded F-16s can counter the PLA's J-20 stealth jets.
Putin Issues Decree Opening State Control After Ukraine Drone Strikes
Russia's Putin signed a decree enabling state seizure of key strategic sites following deep Ukrainian drone strikes on energy infrastructure, AP News reports.
Ukraine Drones Strike Afipsky Refinery in Russia, Killing Two
Ukraine's overnight drone campaign hit Russia's Afipsky oil refinery in Krasnodar, killing two and igniting a major fire, the regional governor confirmed. A nearby gas plant was also struck.
Kremlin Rebukes Finland Over Support for Long-Range Ukrainian Strikes
Moscow condemned Finnish President Stubb for backing Ukraine's long-range strike campaign as the UK pledged cruise missile blueprints to Kyiv and Putin tightened domestic controls.
Putin Plans to Mobilize 300,000 More Troops, Zelensky Warns
Ukrainian President Zelensky says Putin is planning to call up at least 300,000 additional troops, a major escalation signal in the now four-year war with Ukraine.
Russia's 300,000-Troop Mobilization Plan Puts NATO Allies to the Test
Zelensky's warning that Putin is preparing another mass mobilization forces Western governments to decide how much further they are willing to go for Ukraine.
Putin Planning 300,000-Troop Mobilization, Zelensky Warns
Ukrainian President Zelensky warned Sunday that Putin plans to draft at least 300,000 more troops, as the UK simultaneously unlocks classified missile technology for Kyiv.
U.S. Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific, 2 Dead in First Such Attack in Months
The U.S. military struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, killing two people — the first such attack in months, the Associated Press reports.
Kremlin Warns British Missile Aid to Ukraine 'Adds Fuel to the Fire'
Moscow condemns London's expanded weapons support for Kyiv as Coalition of the Willing allies gather in the Ukrainian capital to address critical air-defence gaps.
Burnham in Kyiv to Share Long-Range Missile Blueprints With Ukraine
A British official arrives in Kyiv carrying long-range missile blueprints for Ukraine as Russian strikes kill three and Zelensky warns of a 300,000-troop Russian mobilization.
Zelensky Reveals Ukraine's Strategy: 'Hunting Their Launch Sites'
Ukrainian President Zelensky outlined Ukraine's ballistic missile defense approach, describing an active campaign to locate and strike Russian launch sites before missiles are fired at Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky: Putin Plans 300,000-Troop Draft; Pence Backs Ukraine Strikes
Ukraine's president warns Putin is preparing to conscript 300,000 more soldiers while former U.S. VP Pence says restricting Ukraine's strikes hands Putin his last tool.
Trump's '57 Nukes' and the End of North Korean Denuclearization
The Lowy Institute argues Trump's '57 nukes' disclosure effectively acknowledges North Korea as a nuclear state, hollowing out the decades-long push for CVID.
Zelensky Warns Putin Is Drafting 300,000 More Troops for Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Zelensky warns Russia is preparing to draft 300,000 more troops as Ukraine escalates drone strikes against Russian economic targets.
Macron Pledges Interceptors to Kyiv; Putin Withdraws UK Ambassador
France will deliver missile interceptors to Ukraine, Macron confirmed Sunday, as Russia escalated diplomatically by recalling its ambassador from London.
Taiwan's $35 Billion Bet: Building Deterrence Without Washington's Guarantee
Taiwan's record defense budget and biggest-ever war games signal a strategic pivot: the island is preparing to defend itself in an era of uncertain American commitments.
Russia Fires Ballistic Missiles at Kyiv on Eve of Independence Day
Russia struck Kyiv with ballistic missiles Sunday, the eve of Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, Euromaidan Press reported on war day 1,641.
Taiwan Vows 'Peace Through Strength' as China Tensions Persist
Taiwan's president marked a battle anniversary Sunday vowing never to yield an inch to Beijing, invoking a deterrence-first defense doctrine amid rising cross-strait tensions.
Russia, Ukraine Trade Deadly Strikes as War Escalates
Russia and Ukraine exchanged rounds of deadly strikes Sunday, killing at least 13 people, as French President Macron pledged accelerated delivery of missile interceptors to Kyiv.
Macron Pledges Air Defense as Russia-Ukraine Strikes Kill 13
French President Macron commits to accelerating missile interceptor deliveries to Ukraine as both sides trade deadly blows and at least 13 people are killed.
Putin: Ukraine's Strikes on Russian Economy Opened 'Pandora's Box'
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Friday that Ukraine's attacks on economic targets had released consequences that cannot be contained, as Russian strikes killed six more Ukrainians.
France to Send Interceptor Missiles to Ukraine After Russian Strikes
Paris announced it will supply Ukraine with air-defense interceptor missiles following a sustained Russian strike campaign that has killed civilians and destroyed civilian infrastructure.