The Army’s new autonomy command will be led by a three-star general and start building autonomous systems at the corps-level as one of its first tasks, service officials said Tuesday. 
Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle established Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) on Oct. 1, a new unit the service wants to build out in the wake of the Pentagon’s autonomy focused combatant command announcement late last month.

Europe Slams Trump’s Relaxation of Russia Sanctions – Several top European politicians have slammed the deal, made by President Donald Trump, to allow more Russian diesel fuel into international markets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued it was a “gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts, as EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on 1,600 individuals and entities.

Trump Announces Agreement on Russian Diesel Fuel

Putin with a Rifle. Image Credit: Russian State Media.

President Donald J.

“We have a tendency to design for the exquisite

President Donald Trump shocked the world, and angered a large section of it as well, last week when he reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the U.S. will import millions of tons of diesel from Russia.

The agreement cuts against the sanctions regime that’s been in force against Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine more than four years ago, as well as the new sanctions law passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump less than a month ago.

Defiance through unity 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦
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Iran wants to make traveling in the Strait of Hormuz impossible – Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz faces another major escalation after reports that attackers struck six vessels on October 11.

According to the maritime publication gCaptain, attackers reportedly struck five oil and product tankers and one containership near the strait.

Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, banks hard left making vapor trails over and behind the wings during a practice demonstration at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Mar. 23, 2021.

The Ukraine War Isn’t Any Time Soon as Putin Attacks: U.S. President Donald Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed not to attack each other’s energy sites, although Moscow has yet to endorse the deal officially. Russia did not target any Ukrainian energy facilities overnight into Tuesday, October 13, for the first time since Trump claimed to have brokered the truce. The Russian assault on other fronts continued, however, with four people killed in Kharkiv and additional attacks reported throughout the country.

For nearly two decades, Mark Harmon played the role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on “NCIS.” The beloved character was a former Marine scout sniper known for his quiet leadership, strict personal rules, and his loyalty to his team. Though Harmon stepped away from “NCIS” in 2021, the legacy of Gibbs has continued to permeate the seasons that followed. And despite almost 20 years of Gibbs, there was so much about his history left unknown. 
Until now.

Ryan Curtis has done it again. We’ve written about this Army vet before, like when he made a neo-noir film based in LA’s underbelly, or when he hosted his own series about kick-ass careers post-service, or when he pivoted to making music in his 40s.
Also Read: 6 songs that will always remind America of the Vietnam War
The man is the epitome of the warrior-turned-artist—and his band RustRiders just released a new single in time for Veterans Day.

U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle announced her resignation on October 13 following weeks of damaging press reports and allegations about her conduct in office.

Guilfoyle, the former girlfriend of the president’s son, Donald Jr., has been accused of using her political connections to secure personal financial benefits, with some reports suggesting she asked donors to pay off her credit card debt.

President Donald J.

Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members. Each week, we bring you a curated selection of articles from Ukrainian media offering insight into how Ukrainians themselves debate the issues shaping their country.Western coverage often narrows the view to the battlefield — these pieces widen it, revealing the texture of daily life, politics, and public argument in a nation at war.

Army leaders said they’ve watched the public outcry around data centers and are planning to get ahead of it as the service signs agreements to host them on bases.
In March, the Army announced that it selected two global investment firms to partner with to build and manage commercial data centers on underused land at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. Contracting documents also indicate plans for centers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Hood, Texas. 
Across the U.S., there are more than 1,300 data centers in operation and almost 2,600 other projects planned.

The 2026 midterm elections are just three weeks away and are shaping up to be a bloodbath for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, thanks to the unpopularity of the president himself, as well as the Iran War and the still-high cost of living, including high gas prices.

It’s not a great state of affairs for the president, who won the election to return to office two years ago, largely because of the inflationary environment during the Biden years.

Saudi Arabia investigated why the Houthi terror group was able to bypass security measures and strike the capital’s international airport twice this week, in addition to launching several ballistic missile attacks, as another round of fighting erupted in the region.

A Saudi air strike in Yemen on Tuesday, following reports of fresh Houthi attacks on Monday, is set to keep King Khalid International Airport (KIIA) closed until October 17.

Riyadh Airport Closed

HIMARS Rocket. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

WWII veteran Henry Rice has died aged 100
Award

Is Trump’s Ukraine Peace Strategy Falling Apart? – President Donald Trump’s plan to ease global energy concerns and end the war with Ukraine, or at least establish a limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure, seems to be falling apart. The president angered European governments and prompted criticism from American lawmakers after he unexpectedly agreed to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports and demanded that Kyiv stop attacking Russian oil refineries — and now, analysts are questioning whether Washington’s latest efforts to end the war will achieve anything.

Democrats Link Scandals and Affordability to Win Gains Across the Country – Barring a miraculous political turnaround, Democrats are set to win control of at least part of Congress in next month’s midterm elections. The only question now is whether Democrats can take both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

On the generic congressional ballot, the Democrats lead the Republicans by around 9%. States once considered Republican strongholds are quickly becoming battlegrounds.

Gas Prices on May 9 outside of Orlando, Florida. Image Credit: Harry J.

It’s one of the most dangerous times for

Americans Say Trump Is Using the Presidency to Get Rich – President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure from multiple angles: Republican voters are less enthusiastic than Democrats about turning out to vote in the November midterms, and new polling shows most Americans believe he uses the presidency to increase his personal wealth rather than help the country. Many voters now also believe the president is profiting from his position in ways that are unethical at best and outright illegal at worst.

SC Smart Start: Your Free Transition Assistant

Iran Says U.S. Response to End War “Insufficient” as Trump Considers Joining Strikes Against Houthis – Tehran has deemed the U.S. response to its proposal to end the conflict “insufficient.”

President Donald Trump initially announced the U.S. rejection of the Iranian peace plan at the end of September, after a week of meetings through mediators on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

An F-15E Strike Eagle with the 4th Fighter Wing approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing to be refueled over the skies of North Carolina, Jan. 21, 2026.

“I’m very excited about DSEI UK!

Iran War Costs American Families Almost $2,000 – The war in Iran is dragging down the Republicans’ chances of maintaining control of Congress in November, and it’s not surprising: according to a new economic analysis, President Donald Trump’s war in Iran has already cost the average American household almost $2,000. It comes amid rising gasoline prices, higher borrowing costs, and rising military spending, which are putting pressure on the U.S. economy.

Trump May Have Already Lost His Chance to Save the Republicans – President Donald Trump is facing mounting political pressure and a possible impending crisis as we head into the November 3 midterm elections, with the latest polling suggesting that even a sudden end to the war in Iran, or even a dramatic reduction in gasoline prices, may not be enough to save Republicans from losing control of Congress.

If Trump and the GOP lose Congress, Trump would lose most of his political power.

President Donald J.

This video describes the military situation in

UK technology firm MARSS has been awarded a £370m ($489m) contract to deliver a nationwide counter-drone defence system in Kuwait.

Donald Trump’s Administration Has an Image Problem – U.S. President Donald Trump is under serious pressure.

His party enters the midterms with states it once considered strongholds now considered battlegrounds. The Iranian regime he set out to destroy is still attacking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. And while claims about how many wars he’s ended are dubious, the Russo-Ukrainian War, which Trump promised to end within 24 hours of re-entering the White House, has little end in sight.

Iran Desperately Tries to Retain Control over the Strait of Hormuz – In a last, desperate bid to maintain the key leverage it has in the conflict with the United States and Israel, Iran has intensified attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The vital shipping lane has been Iran’s “ace in the pack” ever since the conflict began more than seven months ago, and its ability to dictate what can and cannot transit through has kept Iran in a war it’s otherwise lost.

BAE Systems unveiled two new defence solutions aimed at countering the growing threat of mass drone swarms and missile attacks.

THE WOLF WITHIN | Military Motivation
✓ Milit

Last week, President Donald Trump announced a shocking agreement with Russia to buy diesel fuel from the country, as diesel prices hit a record high, exceeding $6 a gallon for the first time in history earlier this fall.

According to the Associated Press, the deal, struck during a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, abruptly reverses years of U.S. policy and undermines the Western sanctions regime. Russia will supply 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, then 500,000 tons in November, and an additional 1 million later.

The U.S. Eighth Army received South Korea’s highest military honor this month for its service in defense of the country.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung presented the Eighth Army with the country’s Presidential Unit Citation during South Korea’s Armed Forces Day on Oct. 1, which honors the day that South Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel during the war. The honor was given for the Eighth Army’s “sustained commitment to defend the Republic of Korea, vital contributions to combined readiness and unwavering dedication to the U.S.-ROK alliance,” the Army said.

The midterm elections in the United States are just three weeks away, and new polling shows President Donald Trump has little time left to improve his flagging approval ratings, especially on the economy. And something strange is happening with Trump — he doesn’t seem to grasp the reality of the hole he is in.

Donald Trump Can’t Seem to Grasp the Trouble He Is In on Midterms 

President Donald J. Trump meets with hero-lifeguard Ryder Williams, 16, and Nathaniel Nai, 10, and their families and Santa Cruz officials in the Oval Office, Monday, August, 17, 2026.

The 101st Airborne Division is tasked with flying and dropping thousands of soldiers into enemy territory overnight. Since its establishment as an airborne unit during World War II, the 101sthas mostly stayed true to that mission, even if they traded in parachutes for helicopters in the late 1960s. But these days they’re incorporating new technologies to move further and faster.
Maj. Gen. David Gardner, commander of the 101st Airborne Division, told Task & Purpose that the unit is expected to deliver a brigade’s worth of soldiers, about 1,500 to 2,500, for a large-scale air assault.

“We need to be ready”🗣️
The head of the Br

“We’ve got to be faster and better than o

This video describes the military situation in

America faces a well-defined industrial base problem. Whether it’s a hypothetical Taiwan invasion wargame run two dozen times, the current Iranian conflict, or the Russo-Ukrainian War, the same result repeats: Magazines of key weapons such as cruise missile systems and interceptors empty within days, weeks, or months, and the current industrial base takes years to replenish them. Part of that shortfall results from the analog way in which missile structures are designed, tooled, and sourced, which locks the entire supply chain into rigid, design-specific schedules.

The standard explanations for why Taiwan is so important to the Chinese Communist Party are familiar: territorial integrity, credibility of deterrence commitments, great power competition with the United States, the strategic value of the first island chain, and the semiconductor industry concentrated in TSMC’s fabrication facilities. These explanations work, but they don’t tell the whole story.

Brian Everstine, Aviation Week
With decades of operations ahead, Sikorsky is laying out a multiphase approach to expanding H-60 Black Hawk capability

E. Gossrow, Naval N.

Steve Trimble, Aviation Week
Anduril revealed the Steelfin family of missile interceptors on Oct. 12, saying one version of the long-range, affordable weapon meets requirements for the U.S….

J. Trevithick, The WarZone
Wolf is competing against a variant of the German-designed Lynx to become the Army’s XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle.

Brady Knox, WashExaminer
The XM1776 self-propelled howitzer is the latest weapon to emerge from the flurry of weapons development influenced by lessons from the modern battlefield

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Pierce Gallegos engages a simulated aerial threat with a counter-drone device during training at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 22, 2026. Photo: U.S. Army / Sgt. Max Elliott (public domain)

Information is a major instrument of statecraft. Social media is a major global influence.

The U.S. Army has received its first prototype of the XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon, a South Korean 155mm self-propelled howitzer intended to replace the ageing M777 towed artillery system in selected formations. Developed by Hanwha Defense, the new system is based on the wheeled K9 Mobile Howitzer and is intended to provide greater mobility, a higher rate of fire and improved survivability on increasingly transparent battlefields.

The Russian Aerospace Forces have used two FAB-3000 bombs equipped with universal gliding and correction modules to strike Ukrainian troop deployment sites near Orekhov in the Zaporozhye Region. The operation was conducted after reconnaissance units identified concentrations of Ukrainian personnel, with Russian aircraft launching their weapons against positions of the Ukrainian Army’s 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade.

Anduril has unveiled Steelfin, a proposed family of surface-to-air interceptors designed to address threats ranging from drones and cruise missiles to ballistic and hypersonic weapons.

Iran has rejected Washington’s response to its demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, raising new doubts about the prospects of resolving the conflict as diplomatic channels remain open.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the United States had accepted some of the demands, but its stance on others remained uncertain.

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.

A Chinese fighter pilot who participated in the Eagles of Civilisation 2026 joint military exercises with the Egyptian Air Force has highlighted Egyptian interest in Chinese combat aircraft, long-range air-to-air missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities, while commenting on the performance of the African service’s Rafale fighters.