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The military of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we were told at the start of the Iran War, had essentially been obliterated by the United States and Israeli air campaigns.

Yet, that assessment was quickly changed by US intelligence officials.

Iran’s Drones That Russia Is Using. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Iran F-14 Tomcat Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Rather than mostly having been knocked out by sustained American and Israeli airstrikes, US intelligence experts assessed that maybe only 50 percent of Iran’s missile and drone launch capabilities were destroyed.

Russia is ramping up its use of North Korean ballistic missiles in its missile attacks. On Monday, the Russians carried out an attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia, which utilized two North Korean Kn-23 (Hwasong-11A) missiles. Moscow has used missiles in some of its prior attacks on Kyiv in the past month. Previously, it was reported that North Korea planned to transfer at least 120 ballistic missiles to Russia along with six launcher platforms and its own personnel.

The Missile Defense Agency issued a presolicitation Monday for a new highly mobile, rapidly deployable sensor system that could help the U.S. military detect and track hypersonic missiles and other advanced airborne threats.
The Forward-Based Mode (FBM) Radar Next initiative is being spearheaded by MDA’s Mobile Land-Based Sensors Project Office, which aims to prototype the technology.
Notably, officials want to create a system that can be quickly transitioned into mass production amid growing threats in the air domain.

Ukraine, in recent months, has stepped up its drone strikes deeper inside Russia, a change in strategy that has resulted in a growing number of civilian deaths.

However, whether that changes Russia’s approach to the war is an entirely separate question, at least according to a New York Times analysis published on Tuesday.

According to The Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin was able to avoid mass civilian deaths, or even disruptions, in the earlier years of the war, at least away from the border regions.

Ukraine has said it targeted an oil refinery in Russia’s Orenburg Region in a “deep” overnight strike.

Ukraine’s armed forces have said that a fire broke out at the refinery, and damage is currently being assessed.

Iskander Missile Attack Creative Commons Image

Refinery Close to Kazakh Border Ablaze
The Orsk refinery is located some 1,500 kilometers from the front line, close to Russia’s border with Kazakhstan.

On Tuesday morning, Mayor Artem Vorobyov said the city had been attacked, and flights to and from Orsk Airport were suspended.

In the last few days, there hasn’t been much news to suggest hope for a deal between the U.S. and Iran to end their war. Talks between Iran and Oman over the status of the Strait of Hormuz have been reported as close to a deal for nearly a week, without any announcement of a final one, while at the same time Iranian officials have been clear that an Iran/Oman deal would not count as a “reopening” of the waterway.

The more I hear about the upcoming Jimmy Stewart film, the more excited I get—and the soundtrack announcement is no exception. 
A little recap for you if this is news: The star of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” James “Jimmy” Stewart, traded in his Academy Award for an Army Air Corps uniform, flying 20 combat missions in a B-24 during World War II.
He survived the war and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve. By the time his military service was complete, he was a brigadier general—but like so many veterans, combat and military service left him traumatized and desolate.