With the Iran War still in a holding pattern, mediators from Qatar have presented the Iranian government with a “draft deal” to end the war. Still, Iran’s government has not reacted positively, according to a new report.

Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said Qatar’s proposal includes only “unacceptable ideas.”

A U.S. Sailor assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 37 signals to arm ordnance in an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R.

The Army designated Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center and Muscatatuck Training Center as “premier, permissive sites available for commercial testing” of drone and counter-drone systems, the service announced Wednesday.
The move is part of a broader Army initiative to facilitate vendor access to test ranges as the service races to add new unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS tools to its arsenal.
The Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center and Muscatatuck Training Center are both located in Indiana.

In 2018, Barak Mendelsohn wrote, “Bound to Fail: Transnational Jihadism and the Aggregation Problem,” where he argued that transnational jihadist groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State would continue failing to turn local victories into a lasting caliphate, allowing counterterrorism forces to contain them without costly U.S.-led interventions. Eight years later, we asked Barak to revisit his arguments.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly outlined Tehran’s conditions for ending hostilities with the United States after meeting with his national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, on regional security and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting on Tuesday comes just one day after top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan traveled to Tehran.

Pacific Ocean (November 3, 2003) — During Tiger Cruise aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing Eleven personnel participate in a flag unfurling rehearsal with the help of fellow tigers on the flight deck.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — The U.S. government and law enforcement agencies are increasingly utilizing commercial surveillance products that fuse computer vision, pattern tracking and behavioral analysis assets to support public safety and other operations. 
That ever-growing network of integrated cameras, sensors and other tech is simultaneously introducing new security risks across the joint force.
“Everything has a vulnerability,” a U.S. Transportation Command official told DefenseScoop on Tuesday. “You just have to understand what it is, and exploit it.

Will Trump Interfere in the Midterms? State election officials and voting rights organizations are preparing for possible interference by the Trump administration in the November 3 midterm elections, after a series of legal challenges and comments by President Donald Trump have raised questions about how he may respond to what he expects will be a poor showing for Republican candidates. 

With less than a week until Americans vote, officials in several states are developing plans to respond if federal agents appear at polling locations or seize voting materials.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026Time:  12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ESTThe third joint webinar by RUSI and War on the Rocks: Two leading defense publications from both sides of the Atlantic present their expert panel.Overview:For this edition of The Atlantic Brief, the Royal United Services Institute and War on the Rocks present a dialogue on the future of trans-Atlantic defense cooperation following the U.S. midterm elections.

Ukraine this week launched a major drone attack on Russia, which hit both the Novolipetsk Steel Plant and the Azot chemical plant, Kyiv Post reported.

Novolipetsk Steel Plant is Russia’s largest steel plant and one of the world’s largest, while the Azot plant is described as a “major” chemical factory and one of Russia’s largest producers of nitrogen fertilizers. The same facility had been targeted with an attack back in July.

U.S. Air Force Maj.

U.S. Tells Ships to Avoid Strait of Hormuz – As the White House continues to insist that U.S. naval forces control the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military is warning commercial ships to avoid unnecessary voyages through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The October 28 advisory was made in the wake of intensifying Iranian strikes on commercial shipping in the run-up to the November 3 midterm elections, with Tehran calculating that worsening conditions in the Strait will hurt the president’s chances of securing Republican control of Congress.

The profession of arms deals in death, no matter what an individual’s military career might be. Cooks feed warfighters who are out there dealing death. Finance is reimbursing travel vouchers for troops who likely dealt some death. Combat cameramen are documenting the history of dealing death and inspiring others to join in. It’s not a moral judgement; that’s just the reality of what’s happening.

Republican Voters are Frustrated with the Iran War – Republican candidates face an uphill battle to win over voters frustrated with President Donald Trump’s war with Iran and the associated rise in living costs as a result of the conflict.

Exactly eight months after the war began, Trump continues to defend the decision to attack Iran, justifying the extensive operation to remove the possibility of Tehran producing a nuclear weapon.

Ukraine reportedly launched a major overnight drone attack against Russia into the morning of October 28. The latest round of strikes targeted the country’s largest steel plant and a chemical manufacturing facility.

Moscow claimed to have intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones during the attack, and fires were reported at industrial sites in the regions of Lipetsk and Tula.

Artillery from Ukraine War Creative Commons Image

Ukraine Artillery Strike. Creative Commons Photo.

Local authorities also confirmed damage to industrial infrastructure and nearby residential properties.

A team of engineers noticed a safety gap aboard Navy ships, prompted by several man overboard incidents in recent years. Now, they say they’ve developed a new system that can detect if a sailor falls or jumps from a ship while it’s underway.
“Being a former sailor myself, that was always something that was in the back of my mind: ‘Wow, if I fall overboard in the middle of night, hopefully someone sees me,’” said Eric King, a former petty officer first class who served 13 years. “There’s nothing that will instantly detect if someone falls from the ship.

With the Iran War still in a holding pattern, mediators from Qatar have presented the Iranian government with a “draft deal” to end the war. Still, Iran’s government has not reacted positively, according to a new report.

Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said Qatar’s proposal includes only “unacceptable ideas.”

A U.S. Sailor assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 37 signals to arm ordnance in an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R.

The Army’s Project Griffin is moving forward with the selection of Amazon Web Services and World Wide Technology to support the AI-enabled cybersecurity initiative, the service announced this week.
The pilot effort, which has a combined total value of $2.6 million, falls under the Army Rapid Development of Cyber Defense Systems (ARDS) program and is driven by the project manager for cyber warfare under the portfolio management executive for intelligence and spectrum warfare.

Inside the Army reservists’ biggest mobil

Since before World War I, the United States military has been constantly developing new ways to waste time at the motor pool adapt wheeled vehicles to the needs of the current battlefield. For its part, the U.S. Army has been trying to find the ideal vehicle to transport troops and supplies across combat zones ever since the introduction of the first automobiles.
Unfortunately, the “ideal” keeps changing with the times.

Trump Administration Reportedly Considering Lifting Further Sanctions on Russian Fund – In what would have been unthinkable years ago, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s state investment fund as Washington pursues a diesel supply agreement with Moscow and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund has requested removal from U.S. sanctions, according to The New York Times, with a U.S.

This video describes the military situation in

President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains way below positive territory with less than a week until the midterm elections.

The NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released Tuesday, October 27, found that 40% of respondents approved of Trump’s performance, compared with 59% who disapproved.

The President departs the White House and gaggles with the press on the South Lawn before boarding HMX-1 to begin traveling to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 15th, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Harrison Koeppel)

President Donald J.

U.S. Warns Gulf States to Prepare – The United States looks to be going ahead with planned strikes against Iran, warning several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible new military campaign after the November 3 midterm elections. According to an October 27 report by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials have communicated the warnings via diplomatic and military channels, describing a likely operation that would be short and intense.

The midterm elections in the United States are a week away, and President Donald Trump faces a real possibility that his party will lose control of one or both houses of Congress because of his unpopularity.

Why is it happening that way?

According to a new analysis, it’s a familiar economic phenomenon, similar to what happened two years ago.

According to the BBC, what’s happening now mirrors 2024: “The economic numbers aren’t necessarily bad – but the public mood is.

The Trump-Centric Campaign Hasn’t Worked for the GOP – “You have to pretend I’m on the ballot.”

President Donald Trump’s message has been clear throughout the campaign: Republican voters should turn out as if he were running himself.

Donald Trump. Image Credit: The White House.

President Donald J. Trump attends Superbowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Could you make the cut as a Royal Marine?

J. Veal, Federal News Network or JADC2 and AI to advance together, data readiness has to become a mission requirement, not an afterthought.

If a missile hit Britain tomorrow, where would

Tekever has confirmed that the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has purchased its uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) following a programme of validation and acceptance testing.

The US government, Lockheed Martin and European allies have selected Poland to host a maintenance facility for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles.

Reports this week describe how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed for fresh military strikes against Iran in the days before the October 27 election — but faced pressure from both his military leadership and the Trump administration to hold off.

The news comes as Israeli voters headed to the polls in an election watched worldwide.

F-15I Fighter from Israel. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

An Israeli F-15I Ra’am assigned to the 69th Squadron launches for a sortie in support of exercise Juniper Falcon May 7, at Uvda Air Base, Israel.

Air Force Col. John Edward Stavast served as a pilot with the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Vietnam when he was shot down in 1967. He served 5½ years as a prisoner of war before his release. His time in captivity included a stint at the infamous Hỏa Lò Prison, otherwise known as the Hanoi Hilton.
Stavast, who also served during World War II and died in 2004, spoke to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project in 1984. In the lead-up to Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, here is an edited transcript of Stavast’s recollections during that interview.

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack against Ukraine overnight on October 26–27, killing at least four people and injuring dozens.

According to the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv was subjected to ballistic missile strikes alongside a wave of 280 attack drones.

Putin in 2023 Image Credit Creative Commons

Putin Back in March of 2025 at Desk Creative Commons Image.

At least one person was killed and 15 injured in the capital, including a paramedic, medical technician, and university student.

The British Royal Navy has sent three of its four Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines to sea simultaneously, which is a highly unusual development that reportedly has not occurred for at least five years. At least one submarine is believed to be conducting a routine nuclear deterrent patrol carrying Trident intercontinental range ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, while the other two are thought to be preparing for operations or conducting sea trials.

This video describes the military situation in

Joseph Trevithick, The WarZone The Chinese spaceplane design is unsurprisingly very similar to the U.S. Space Force’s history-making X-37B.

Bradley Bowman, Logan Rolleigh, WSJ Progress is undeniable, and there is a clear explanation.

WE A Russian military satellite that got dangerously close to a U.S.

The Defense Post Applied Intuition has received a US Navy contract to install an AI system that helps sailors detect and track nearby vessels, starting with five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers

H.

Dylan Malyasov, Defence Blog CoAspire’s CHAOS weapon is a ground-launched version of its Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile-Extended Range, or RAACM-ER,

Matthew M. Burke, Stars and Stripes An experimental software application tested this week in southern Germany allows U.S.

Lariosa, Naval News Lockheed Martin’s PrSM Inc 4 prototype integrates ramjet tech and advanced sensors to achieve a long-range maritime strike capability.

Could AI make RAF fighter pilots obsolete?

This video describes the military situation in

Since returning to office in January 2025, the Trump administration has aggressively exercised executive authority across the federal government. Meanwhile, Congress has not adequately applied its oversight role to rein in the executive branch, particularly over the Department of Defense. We have watched these dynamics with specific interest, in discussions with congressional staff over bills and appropriations, and in conversations with our clients.

The Ethiopian Air Force has taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 air superiority fighters, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on October 28. The aircraft reportedly arrived a year ahead of schedule, in a major expansion of the Ethiopian Air Force’s combat capabilities amid renewed internal conflict and growing tensions with neighbouring Eritrea. Abiy credited Russian President Vladimir Putin with helping accelerate the delivery, describing the acquisition as a milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen the country’s security.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, studies a map during a site survey in Tumaco, Colombia (file photo). Photo: U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Daniel Garcia via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

The commander of Southern Command, Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, posted on the command’s official X account on October 24. He urged Cubans to push for political change. “Cuba’s future belongs to those who act. Seize the moment and build the change you want to see,” he wrote.

We’ve both spent our careers in national security, so we know some core principles will always be up for debate. Should we be realists or idealists? Do we have responsibilities to other nations beyond our immediate self-interest? How long should we let diplomacy go on before we send in the Marines?

Yet one core principle is uncontroversial: good national security decisions are seldom made by trusting one person’s gut, especially when that gut is painfully ill-informed.

U.S.

Polls in recent weeks consistently show Democrats are likely to win next week’s midterm elections. The biggest question may be how big the margin of victory will be in the House of Representatives.

An NPR/PBS/Marist poll released Tuesday looked at where the midterm elections stand a week before the vote.

President Donald Trump attends the National Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley.)

President Donald J.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering whether to strike a peace deal with Iran.

“Do I make a deal or do I finish them off?” Trump mused during an interview with Fox News host Larry Kudlow on Sunday.

Iran’s Nuclear Sites Under Close Surveillance

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 20, 2025) The United States Air Force F-22 Demo Team performs at the 2025 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show aboard NAS Oceana, Sept. 20, 2025. The show’s theme celebrated 250 years of America’s navy and featured performances highlighting the precision, power, and innovation of naval aviation.

President Donald Trump appears to be holding off a new strike on Iran until after the November 3 midterm elections as he continues his national rally tour to encourage the Republican base to turn out and fend off a threat from Democratic congressional candidates.

But the problems Trump is facing, in large part caused by the Iran war, are nothing new.

Donald Trump Getting Off Air Force One. Creative Commons Image.