Author: Michael

The German Defence Ministry has confirmed the procurement of the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system and Tomahawk Block V cruise missiles, which represents one of the most significant changes in European conventional deterrence since the end of the Cold War. The acquisition follows months of uncertainty after Washington cancelled plans to permanently deploy an U.S. long-range fires battalion in Germany, prompting Berlin to seek an independent capability rather than relying on U.S.-controlled assets.

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The Iranian Air Force has deployed MiG-29 fighters to escort the aircraft carrying the remains of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Mashhad, providing one of the clearest public indications that they remain operational following sustained U.S.-led attacks on airbases across the country. Video footage released during the final stages of Khamenei’s funeral showed MiG-29s flying close escort alongside the transport aircraft and visibly armed with R-73 infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.

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The Indian Defence Ministry is is preparing one of the largest armoured vehicle modernisation programs in its history, with a $7.85 billion program planned to enhance hundreds of T-72 and T-90 tanks and BMP armoured recovery vehicles over the next five years. According to reports citing Indian Army sources, the initiative will focus on extending the operational lives of approximately 790 T-72 tanks, 200 T-90 tanks, and 230 Armoured Recovery Vehicles through comprehensive refurbishment, while also restoring them to full operational readiness.

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An F-16 pilot who took part in combat operations over Yemen last spring was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this month for his actions.
Capt. Nathanial Welch, callsign “Icarus,” received the Air Force’s highest honor for valor during flight against an enemy on July 1 for actions on April 29, 2025 when he was part of a joint American and British strike mission against Houthi militants. During that operation, “Icarus” flew close to explosions but dodged incoming fire and helped protect and alert other aircraft, the Air Force said.

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After slowly trending upwards following the signing of the June memorandum of understanding (MOU), commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz once again slowed on Friday, July 10.

Despite a small number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil tankers passing through the waterway, traffic appears to be stalling once again as commercial shipping companies and insurers anticipate yet more military strikes.

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome line at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, May 15, 2025.

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Just a few weeks ago, transit through the Strait of Hormuz was starting to increase. Now, traffic has slowed back to a crawl as the war between the U.S. and Iran heats up once again.

Just as oil prices have come down, Iran launched a series of attacks against civilian tankers in the Strait, which prompted the U.S. to launch a series of retaliatory strikes against the IRGC.

At sea (Mar. 1, 2007) – Capt. Craig “Animal” Williams (front) in a F/A 18C Hornet (front) and Capt.

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China wants to destabilize the world system. That’s what all of us who’ve worked in Washington, D.C., for any extended period over the last ten years have believed. Indeed, they are a strategic competitor to the United States and the world system it leads.

Yet, since the start of the Iran War, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has worked overtime to be the stabilizing force in the world system–whereas the United States increasingly appears to be undermining any semblance of stability and fanning the flames of global chaos.

China’s Xi Jinping. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

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Trump and Iran Publicly Disagree Over Next Round Of Talks: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday, July 10, that the regime in Tehran had contacted his administration and asked the United States to continue negotiations. Trump presented the news as a sign that the most recent round of American strikes, which hit 90 military targets inside the country, were working. But later that same day, Tehran was disputing reports that another round of negotiations or technical discussions had been arranged.

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