Last week, Nick Danforth sat down with Denise Natali, Doug Ollivant and Bilal Wahab to discuss the latest in Iraqi politics? They debated what Iraq was like on Oc. 6th, how it has been impacted by the war in Gaza, and where the country will be five years from now. Image: Tasnim News Agency
The post Iraq Between Suits and Fatigues appeared first on War on the Rocks.

Amidst Washington’s push for European support in the Indo-Pacific, has Italy proven overly eager to pivot east? Faced with the choice between directly supporting U.S. efforts to counter Beijing in the region or concentrating resources on emerging threats closer to home, Italy, as one of the most active contributors to U.S.- or NATO-led military initiatives, has opted for the former. Without much debate, Italy has expanded its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, initiating significant collaborations with various regional countries, and deploying naval units to the region.

The foreign policy elite descended on Munich again this weekend, primed for beer, brats, and bilats. The 2024 Munich Security Conference was crowded and frenzied, as security details jostled delegates straining to connect with movers and shakers. The gathering boasted both an online portal and a smartphone app, and participants used them to set up meetings with old friends and total unknowns. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the affair “diplomatic speed dating,” and that about nailed it. For all the conviviality, however, a somber mood prevailed this year.

The first GM200 MM/C radar was handed over to the RNLA by Thales Nederland on 14 February. (Dutch MoD/Sgt Maj Gregory Fréni)
The first Ground Master 200 Multi Mission/Compact (GM200 MM/C) radar was handed over to the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) by Thales in Hengelo, eastern Netherlands, on 14 February.

MilitaryView

A-12 Avenger: The Stealth Bomber on Aircraft Carriers
The A-12 Avenger faced insurmountable challenges. Initial predictions about its stealth coating turned out to be excessively optimistic, leading to modifications that increased its weight and, therefore, its development costs.
McDonnell Douglas proposed the A-12 Avenger, an innovative flying wing design reminiscent of the B-2 Spirit but on a smaller scale.
Introduction
Weapons perish for various reasons: bad timing, defense austerity, inadequate personnel, bureaucratic complexities or because it was initially a bad idea.

The recovered bell from the destroyer the USS Jacob Jones, which was sunk in 1917. (Image courtesy by U.K. Ministry of Defence, Salvage and Marine Operations).
For the first time in 107 years, something from the USS Jacob Jones is above water. The ship’s bell from the first American destroyer sunk in combat was recovered and later this year will be given back to the U.S. to eventually be put on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C. 
The USS Jacob Jones was one of several Navy destroyers fielded during World War I.

MilitaryView

Russia acquires 770 improved T-62 and T-90M tanks
It is estimated that 15 T-90M tanks, equivalent to 10% of the Russian army’s total armored vehicles, are manufactured monthly in military facilities.
The  GUR  reports an increase in the Russian arsenal with 770 tanks, including modernized T-62M and T-90M models.

The Navy USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea, Oct. 19. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau/U.S. Navy).
U.S. armed forces hit five targets in Yemen, taking out weapons used by the Houthi movement CENTCOM announced today. CENTCOM, as it has in past actions, called them “self-defense strikes” meant for protecting ships traveling through the Red Sea. The strikes targeted three mobile missile batteries carrying anti-ship munitions as well as two types of naval drones: an uncrewed underwater vessel and an uncrewed surface vessel.

MilitaryView

Russia increases Su-35 production despite microchip ban
Recently, the Deputy General Director of the state conglomerate Rostech, which includes the manufacturer Sukhoi, made bold statements about the increase in production of the Su-35 fighter, asserting an ambitious goal of “doubling” it.
Production of the Su-35 fighter
Despite the obstacles imposed by Western sanctions on the supply of critical components such as microchips and semiconductor parts, Russia is demonstrating its ability to sustain and potentially increase production of its cutting-edge Su-35 fighters.

When the Air Force started deploying “expeditionary air base teams” to the Middle East last October as the first layer of its force generation strategy, the regional upheaval and alert status stemming from Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel allowed leaders to get a good idea of how well the new system was working.

MilitaryView

The West was surprised by Russia’s weapons production capacity
The Russian defense industry has seen a dramatic upsurge in weapons production over the past two years, significantly exceeding expectations set by Western strategic planners. This surge comes amid a prolonged conflict in Ukraine, where Russia’s military involvement has intensified.
The Visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin:
On February 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the factory of the Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) corporation, a key manufacturer of main battle tanks and tank support combat vehicles.

The Falcon 9 rocket that carried the Space Development Agency’s new satellites, shortly before launch. (photo courtesy Space Development Agency).
The United States Space Force is pulling the plug on a classified military communications satellite program due to cost and schedule overrun as the service refocuses its mission and operations.
Citing regulatory findings and others involved, Bloomberg reported that Space Force canceled a program with defense contractor Northrop Grumman to develop and field a new satellite for military communications purposes.

Public Domain

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not transfer power as required during his recent hospital stay for serious illness.
The question we need to unpack is — why?
Let’s lay out some facts, not opinion, shall we?

Austin maniacally pushed the vaccine on all of the U.S. armed forces and refuses to admit to this day the horrific side effects — massive death and disability. He is lying about the vaccines. For this reason, recruitment has plummeted, seriously weakening our nation.
Austin has incorporated aggressively the Maoist doctrine of DEI into the U.S.

MilitaryView

The US may be about to deliver 1,000 bombs to Israel
US officials said the country is about to transfer 1,000 bombs and related supplies to Israel to replenish its arsenal.

The proposed batch of weapons worth tens of millions of dollars includes about 1,000 Mark 82 bombs weighing more than 220 kg each, KMU-572 accessories for precision bomb control and FMU-139 bomb detonators, officials said. US officials said on February 17.

MilitaryView

Russia claims complete control over Avdeevka
The Russian army declared complete control of Avdeevka a few hours after Ukraine announced its withdrawal from the city to preserve soldiers’ lives.

“Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to the Supreme Commander that Russian forces under the command of General Andrey Mordvichev have completely controlled the city of Avdeevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the Russian Ministry of Defense announced. February 17, mentioning President Vladimir Putin.
Russia “liberated an area of ​​31.

MilitaryView

What’s the Reality Behind Russia’s Su-57 Promises?
What’s the Reality Behind Russia’s Su-57 Promises? Delves into discrepancies between claims and actualities, scrutinizing Russia’s Su-57 program.
The Russian Su-57 stealth fighter was expected to become a key player in Russian military aviation by 2027, but its entry into service has been delayed with an excessive level of caution.

A Texas National Guard agent plays with a toy rubber chicken that makes sounds, in front of an immigrant, near a barbed wire fence installed to prevent the entry of illegal migrants across the Rio Bravo/Grande from Ciudad Juarez, state of Chihuahua, Mexico on February 12, 2024. (Photo by Herika Martinez / AFP) (Photo by HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP via Getty Images).
The state of Texas plans to build a new 80-acre “base camp” for National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbot announced the plan on Friday, Feb.

Host L Todd Wood speaks with Maj Gen ‘Hawk’ Hollingsworth about his experiences flying A-4s in Vietnam.
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Ukrainian servicemen pile up earthbags to build a fortification not far from town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on February 17, 2024. (Photo by Anatolii STEPANOV / AFP) (Photo by ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images).
After five months of intense fighting along the front lines, the Ukrainian military pulled out of the eastern city of Avdiivka. It’s the biggest gain made by Russian troops in months, as the new head of the Ukrainian army said it was a tactical withdrawal.

Terminal CWO reported on his Telegram channel recently that the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership, otherwise known as the ‘Chaplain School’, has mandated masking for all students.
Chaplain school is making the students mask up. I’ve had a number of students contact me and tell me a captain came in and told them he was giving them a lawful order to put their masks on. The NCOIC showed up afterwards and told them to mask up. 
I’m being told there are personnel in the class that are refusing though.

Chazan et al.

Thomas Fazi, UnHerd Thomas Fazi is an UnHerd columnist and translator. His latest book is The Covid Consensus, co-authored with Toby Green.

Francis P.

Richard Haass, Project Syndicate Richard Haass takes stock of the country’s successes and challenges as Russia’s war of aggression heads into its third year.

Ashford & Kroenig, Foreign Policy Amid chaos in Congress and an election campaign, the Biden administration may be forced to reconsider the viability of its approach toward Kyiv.

The future of the U.S. Air Force’s secretive Mayhem program is uncertain amid a funding issue that could at least lead to a major delay. Mayhem’s stated focus has been on demonstrating an air-launched hypersonic air vehicle capable of performing strike and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, but the apparent demand for this capability within the service at all is now unclear. There could still be interest going forward in certain components of the project, including research and development work on advanced high-speed jet engines.

As the Iranian-backed Houthi militia continues attacking ships in the Red Sea region, another international protective task force is set to begin operations on Monday.
Created by the European Union, Operation Aspides (Greek for shield) will be commanded by Italy and headquartered in Greece. It is unclear at the moment how many nations will provide assets, but the German Navy’s Type 124 Sachsen class air-defense frigate FGS Hessen set sail Feb. 8 from Wilhelmshaven to join Aspides, according to Janes.

(Marine Corps photos/Task & Purpose composite).
It’s a story as old as the military: someone always had it worse, things were harder, and that never happened back when was in. That thought process isn’t unique to the U.S. Marine Corps, but they labeled Marines who think that way as the ‘old corps.’ 
But what exactly is the old corps?
It’s a loaded title that can mean a lot of different things, but boiled down to the basics, it’s a general distrust of younger generations because they have it easier or the training is soft nowadays.

MilitaryView

F-15EX Eagle II: The Fighter that Redefines Stealth
F-15EX Eagle II: The Fighter that Redefines Stealth” delves into the revolutionary capabilities of this aircraft, challenging conventional stealth principles.
The F-15EX is the third version of the fighter to transfer control of the aircraft to a computer, following in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia’s F-15QA and F-15SA.
The F-15EX Eagle II is an aircraft that stands out among other 21st-century sky warriors, even in an era where stealth fighters dominate.

A major medical study found that post-9/11 veterans suffering traumatic brain injuries are at increased risks of developing brain cancer later in life. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Ryan DeBooy).
Suffering a traumatic brain injury — a staple of combat for U.S. troops in the last two decades — appears to increase the risk of developing brain cancer later in life, a major medical study found.

MilitaryView

The secret Israeli drone that is operating in Gaza
“Storm Clouds,” Israel’s innovative aerial surveillance system, marks a milestone in military intelligence operations.
Deployment and capabilities of the “Storm Clouds System” in a war context
The so-called  “Storm Cloud System,” one of the Air Force’s stealthiest innovations, has recently been declassified, revealing its first use in the  War of the Iron Swords.

MilitaryView

The Russian Army Expands its fleet of T-80BVM Tanks
The T-80 stands out not only for its historical legacy but also for its technical superiority, especially its mobility and climatic adaptability, attributes enhanced by its gas turbine engine.
The Russian Army expands its capacity with T-80BVM tanks from Omsktransmash, significantly improving its arsenal.
The role of Omsktransmash and Uralvagonzavod in the modernization of the T-80BVM
The recent delivery of upgraded T-80BVM tanks to the Russian Army underlines the continued effort to strengthen its military capabilities.

Welcome to Mid-Afternoon Map, our exclusive members-only newsletter that provides a cartographic perspective on current events, geopolitics, and history from the Caucasus to the Carolinas. Subscribers can look forward to interesting takes on good maps and bad maps, beautiful maps and ugly ones — and bizarre maps whenever possible. *** “Since 1910 Mexico has been in a state of continuous turmoil. … American and European lives have been lost in considerable number . . . foreign property has been destroyed.

MilitaryView
F-35 Order Reduction Affects US Readiness
The drop in F-35 orders could hit aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, as it makes about a quarter of its revenue from the jet program.
Good news for Russia and China: fewer F-35s are arriving next year. The US military could receive fewer advanced aircraft than it needs to confront aggression from China and  Russia, it was reported Wednesday. The  Biden administration has called for an 18% cut in the number of  Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters next year.

A U.S. Marine Corps carry team transfers the remains of Marine Cpl. Elwin A. Ramirez of Lodi, California, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Dec. 22, 2022. Ramirez was assigned to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Abuja, Nigeria. (Jason Minto/U.S. Marine Corps).
A total of six Marine Security Guards — the elite corps that stand watch at every U.S. embassy around the world — have died while stationed overseas within two years, including two Marines assigned to the U.S. Embassy Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, according to the Marine Corps.

MilitaryView

US Harrier pilot shoots down seven Houthi kamikazes
The Harrier is equipped with an arsenal that includes AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, the GAU-12 Equalizer 25mm autocannon, and the AN/APG-65 radar, giving it formidable anti-aircraft capabilities.
A US Marine Corps pilot accomplishes a historic feat by taking out seven Houthi kamikaze drones from an  AV-8B Harrier II.

For over 90 years, Navy Federal Credit Union members have enjoyed the benefits of their membership, like amazing rates on their savings accounts and myriad tools to help them learn about even more ways to make their money earn for them. One of the most popular is NFCU Certificates, which are an excellent supplement to any savings strategy where stability and protection of your hard-earned funds are paramount.
So, what are they? Think of a certificate as a savings account for a fixed amount of money that you can’t withdraw until a predetermined time.

The U.S. Air Force is set to test new autonomous capabilities for its KC-135 aerial refueling tanker fleet that could help reduce crew workload and improve their effectiveness, and maybe even eliminate the need for them altogether in the future. The service is also still looking to demonstrate a KC-135 configured as an aerial launch platform for drones, maybe as early as this summer.
Air Force Gen.

Host L Todd Wood speaks with Commander Salamander on the weakness of the U.S. Navy that threatens American Security.

Russia Puts Nukes In Orbit?
It’s Time To Charge U.S. Military Commanders With Murder

The post LIVE 7pm EST: Pacific SitRep – Commander Salamander On US Navy Weakness appeared first on Armed Forces Press.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Navy has developed a blueprint to help guide design goals and reference architectures as it seeks to modernize its information systems for the future.
Published in the past year, the Information Environment Ecosystem Blueprint, developed by the Navy’s office of the deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare, documents the reference architecture to move from a host of interconnected systems to a capability platform model.

Estonia committed to supporting Ukraine by joining the Latvian-led drone coalition and Lithuanian-led demining coalition.

The fifth episode of Masters of the Air provides the audience with some relief from the trauma of Part Four. Thought to have been killed on October 8, 1943, during the Bremen mission, “Ev” Blakely, James Douglass and Harry Crosby return to Thorpe Abbotts after landing at a different English airfield. In reality, Blakely’s damaged Fort made a harrowing crash landing on the coast coming back from Bremen. Although not shown, Jack Kidd also survived the crash and returned to Thorpe Abbotts.

Public Domain

Representative Mike Turner (R, OH-10), Chair of the House Intelligence Committee came out with a cryptic message yesterday. The message was garbled and unclear, but insisted President Biden immediately de-classify, highly classified information on this topic. I read multiple public reports to try and make sense out of this highly unusual statement. In the end, what was Turner freaking out about? It appears that he was referring to the Russians have nukes in orbit.

The US Department of Defense has contracted a British engineering company, Pearson, owned by Rafael, to deliver ABV systems to the US Army.

The new KC-46’s communications capabilities far exceed those of the KC-135s, and Block 1 upgrades are set to connect the tanker to yet more networks. Eventually the tankers may double as battle management nodes. (Senior Airman Kimberly Barrera)
General Mike Minihan, commander of the US Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC), intends to rapidly move the unit beyond traditional airlift and air-to-air tanking missions, he told reporters on 14 February at an Air Force Association conference.

To enhance Canada’s security measures, the Canadian government has allocated CAD 227m to procure the Saab RBS 70 NG.

Texelis will supply its Celeris 4×4 chassis – pictured above – to Indonesia’s PT SSE to develop a new armoured personnel carrier. (Texelis)
French vehicle chassis manufacturer Texelis and Indonesian vehicle manufacturer PT Sentra Surya Ekajayais (PT SSE) have signed a partnership agreement to develop an armoured personnel carrier (APC) for the Indonesian National Armed Forces.

Issue #145 of Global Defence Technology provides the latest news, insight, and analysis into the most pressing stories in the defence sector.

In a stormy cabinet debate after the Six Day War, Israel’s prime minister, Levi Eshkol, rejected hardline demands to apply direct civil rule over the newly captured West Bank, declaring: “I don’t want more land and I don’t want more Arabs.” This terse assertion pre-empted decades of Israeli policy. In its subsequent long history of occupation, Israel has almost always avoided directly practicing civilian governance over local Arab populations.

A Bell 212 and three Bell 412EP helicopters of the Sri Lanka Air Force’s No 4 (VVIP/VIP) Helicopter Squadron fly over Colombo on 4 February 2024. Sri Lanka is planning to induct new helicopters to bolster its rotary-wing capabilities. (Pushpa Kumara/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The head of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has announced the launch of several programmes to induct new aircraft and technologies.