Fearing Ukrainian troops landing in Crimea, Russia intensifies coastal mining "The beaches will now become minefields," Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces, told the Kyiv Independent.

Fearing Ukrainian troops landing in Crimea, Russia intensifies coastal mining kyivindependent.com/russia-mines...

Army tank unit rotations to Europe wearing down the force, study says The Army’s decadelong practice of rotating armored brigades through Europe is eroding combat readiness and straining budgets, according to a new study.

Army tank unit rotations to Europe wearing down the force, study says www.stripes.com/branches/arm...

U.S. Army orders German-made Vector AI drone German-based Quantum Systems announced on April 15, 2026, that its Vector AI unmanned aircraft system has been selected for the U.S. Army's Company-Level Small Unmanned Aircraft System Directed Requir...

U.S. Army orders German-made Vector AI drone defence-blog.com/u-s-army-ord...

Exclusive | U.S. to Create High-Tech Manufacturing Zone in Philippines The hub will aim to forge China-proof supply chains with automated factories and local resources.

An agreement with the Philippines to establish a high-tech industrial hub is the Trump administration’s latest effort to lessen China’s dominance over global supply chains www.wsj.com/world/asia/u...

The Russian economy remains their Center of Gravity in the conflict and they are slowly eating themselves.

Germany, Ukraine elevate ties to strategic partnership with new defense deal "Now, more than ever before, we want to learn from one another," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

Germany, Ukraine elevate ties to strategic partnership with new defense deal kyivindependent.com/germany-ukra...

Latest SSI Live podcast features Frank L. Jones discussing his latest book, "Obama and the Bomb: New START, Russia and the Politics of Post-Cold War Arms Control" with host Brennan Deveraux. Listen here:

ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...

Regardless of Iran, are you really surprised by talks of a partial withdrawal of US troops from #Europe? My podcast, #TheGlobalAgora, w/ @johnrdeni.bsky.social from April, 2025:
▶️ Is a drawdown of US forces from Europe all but certain and what would it mean?
podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and...

ICE Agents Detain Newlywed Spouse of Soldier Training to Deploy

ICE Agents Detain Newlywed Spouse of Soldier Training to Deploy www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/u...

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,304,550 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 The number includes 1,180 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

UKR General Staff: Russia has lost 1,304,550 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 kyivindependent.com/general-staf...

Russia suffers record losses in March, Zelensky says Zelensky also said that, according to British intelligence, the battlefield situation is currently the most favorable for Ukraine in the past 10 months.

Russia suffers record losses in March, Zelensky says kyivindependent.com/russia-suffe...

Trump is furious at NATO over Iran. Withdrawal isn't his only option. President Donald Trump is reexamining the U.S. relationship with NATO over his anger with allies who refused to join the war against Iran.

Trump is furious at NATO over Iran. Withdrawal isn't his only option. www.usatoday.com/story/news/w... via @usatoday.com

The disastrous Trump-Netanyahu war is the gift that keeps on giving for Putin.

Unsanction Russian oil.☑️
Cement crucial role in providing fertilizers.☑️
Sky high oil prices refilling Kremlin's depleted finances.☑️
Trump questioning NATO to deflect blame.☑️

Hegseth Reverses Helicopter Crew Suspension Over Kid Rock Flyby

Stunning: Hegseth Reverses Helicopter Crew Suspension Over Kid Rock Flyby www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/u...

Great analysis by @aligarciaherrero.bsky.social and @eribakova.bsky.social on the strategic malpractice now on display: "How Russia and China are winning the war in Iran" research.natixis.com/Site/Publica...

Taking Leave: NATO’s Command Structure Amid US Disengagement The Trump administration’s disengagement from Europe has spawned significant discussion regarding the US military presence in Europe, America’s role in supporting Ukraine, and Washington’s commitme...

What are the implications of recent and likely future changes in the NATO Command Structure for Europe and North America? @unibirmingham.bsky.social Mark Webber and I dive into this unexplored topic and outline a way ahead in latest issue of Survival. doi.org/10.1080/0039...

"We are opening up the air defense market and creating competition: businesses and companies can develop private air defense and defend their own infrastructure... Private groups receive weapons, act under the coordination of the air defenses and become part of the general air defense architecture."

'Opening up air defense market' — Defense Minister Fedorov reports 1st drone shootdown by 'private sector' air defense units A private company's air defense unit shot down several Russian Shahed and Zala drones in Kharkiv Oblast, demonstrating the "first results" of an experimental Defense Ministry project, Mykhailo Fedorov...

'Opening up air defense market' — Defense Minister Fedorov reports first drone shootdown by 'private sector' air defense units kyivindependent.com/opening-the-...

Ukrainian FPV giant signs deal to build drones in US One of Ukraine's largest drone makers, General Cherry, has signed a deal to produce UAVs in the U.S.

Ukrainian FPV giant signs deal to build drones in US kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-fp...

America Is Now a Rogue Superpower Washington’s conduct in the Iran war is accelerating global chaos and deepening America’s dangerous isolation.

Very interesting essay on the strategic malpractice currently on display: www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

This appears to be another step in the gradual whitling away of Article 5 that many have long been concerned about, vice a sudden US withdrawal from NATO. There's no telling how Kremlin really perceives this, but fingers crossed NATO's adversaries don't take advantage.

Trump says 'we don't have to be there for NATO' Donald Trump said on Friday the United States does not "have to ​be there for NATO," comments that again raised questions about the ‌U.S. president's commitment to the mutual defense provisions at the...

Trump says 'we don't have to be there for NATO' www.reuters.com/world/trump-...

New NSA director urges more intelligence sharing with allies In his first all-hands meeting, Gen. Josh Rudd told personnel to work with partner countries "until it hurts"

Hopefully US allies will be open to his YESFORN approach: "New NSA director urges more intelligence sharing with allies" www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/...

Psst... www.post-gazette.com/opinion/insi...

Putin offers to stop sharing intel with Iran if US cuts off Ukraine The U.S. rejected the Russian proposal, which has nonetheless sparked concerns in Europe amid growing transatlantic tensions.

Putin offers to stop sharing intel with Iran if US cuts off Ukraine www.politico.eu/article/puti...

And just in case anybody needs a reminder, I offer this brief PSA: www.post-gazette.com/opinion/insi...

Iran seeking intelligence from Russia in war against US, CIA director says "No, I don't take Vladimir Putin at his word," CIA Director John Ratcliffe said at a congressional hearing on March 18.

Iran seeking intelligence from Russia in war against US, CIA director says kyivindependent.com/iran-seeking...

Command post of elite Russian Rubikon drone unit hit in occupied Donetsk, Ukraine says A core part of Russia's unmanned system program to bolster its drone warfare against Ukraine, Rubikon specializes in both hunting down Ukrainian drone pilots and shooting their drones in the sky.

Command post of elite Russian Rubikon drone unit hit in occupied Donetsk, Ukraine says kyivindependent.com/ukraine-says...

Spain unveils $1.2 billion in military aid for Ukraine "(President Volodymyr Zelensky) has just arrived at the Sener Aerospace & Defense company. Here, he will inspect equipment samples and the production process," a presidential spokesperson said.

Spain unveils $1.2 billion in military aid for Ukraine kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arr...

Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict

Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/u...