For review:

1. Hamas & PA Agree on Temporary Committee to Manage Gaza.

2. Saudi Arabia Requests Purchase of F-35 Fighters from US. 

The Trump administration is considering a Saudi Arabian request to buy as many as 48 F-35 fighter jets.

3. US President Donald Trump will host Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa for talks on November 10, the White House announced Tuesday.

4. Ukraine General Staff: No Encirclement of Units & Divisions in Pokrovsk.

The important hub in Ukraine’s Donetsk region lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year.

5. North Korea has dispatched around 5,000 military construction troops and 1,000 engineers to Russia since September, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

6. Ukraine has signed up approximately 2,000 Colombian nationals as contract soldiers to help fill critical manpower gaps according to German media (Die Welt).

7. A Russian Il-76 cargo plane that recently arrived in Venezuela- later made several stops in other Kremlin-aligned Latin American countries before returning to Russia, flight records show.

For review:

1. US Draft UNSC Resolution to Establish Gaza International Stabilization Force.

International Stabilization Force will be in charge of securing the borders with Israel and Egypt, ensuring the safety of civilians and humanitarian zones, and training new Palestinian police officers who it will partner with.

The force’s mandate will apparently include disarming Hamas.

2.  Gaza’s future must be Palestinian-led and avoid any new system of foreign hegemony, Turkey and six of its top Muslim allies said Monday, after talks in Istanbul.

3. IDF said Monday that it killed two Hezbollah operatives in separate strikes within an hour in southern Lebanon.

4.  IRGC Says Precision Missile Killed Hamas Leader Haniyeh; Not Remote Bomb.

5. Renewed US Nuclear Testing: President Trump alleged Sunday that countries including Russia and China have conducted underground nuclear tests unknown to the public, and that the United States would follow suit.

6. Washington Post Report: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military assistance as the U.S. concentrates forces in the Caribbean. 

According to the report, President Maduro requested help to strengthen air defense systems, including the delivery of 14 missile units, and the restoration of several Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighters. Plus, the overhauls of eight engines, five radars, and unspecified “logistical support.”

7. A Russian transport aircraft (Ilyushin Il-76) has landed in the Venezuelan capital over the weekend, signaling heightened Russian interest in the Latin American country.

 8.  Australian Navy Receives First Ghost Shark Extra-large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.

Australia plans to use the platform for stealthy long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike operations.

For review:

1. The military commander of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Muhammad al-Ghamari, has died, the Iran-backed group announced Thursday afternoon. 

The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that al-Ghamari had been killed during a 28 Aug airstrike in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

2.  US-Led Gaza Coordination Center Operational in Days.

The command center will be led by a US three-star general, at least initially, who has not been identified publicly. The commander will have a foreign deputy, who would be the equivalent of a two-star officer, the officials said. 

3.  US denies Hamas violating ceasefire deal, vows no hostage will be ‘left behind’ in Gaza.

4. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told The Associated Press that 15 Palestinian technocrats have been selected to administer postwar Gaza. 

5.  Russia' postponed Arab summit. May be held in November instead. 

6. President Trump and Russian President to Meet in Budapest within Two Weeks. 

The Trump-Putin meeting is expected to follow talks next week between teams led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, at a location to be determined. 

7.  United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Moscow on Wednesday that if its war on Ukraine does not come to an end, the US and NATO allies would “impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression.” 

8. The US and the Netherlands signed a pact today for the European nation to participate in the development of the US Air Force’s CCA program.

CCA = Collaborative Combat Aircraft 

9.  First US Army Hypersonic Battery Fully Equipped in December.

10.  The Army plans to "field" its next-generation M1E3 Abrams tank before the end of next year.

The test vehicle would be sent to a small unit (identity and location not yet been determined). 

For review:

1. US President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday that he is seeking to “blow up” Iran’s nuclear centrifuges through an agreement with Tehran, but is also prepared to blow them up in an attack if necessary.

2. UAE Facilitates Indirect Security Talks Between Israel & Syria. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday confirmed that his country was currently taking part in indirect talks with Israel. Reports earlier in the day said that the United Arab Emirates had facilitated a backchannel for dialogue between Jerusalem and Damascus.

3.  Moscow Victory Day Parade Guest List. The most high-profile guests in attendance this year will be Chinese President Xi Jinping and the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Other world leaders set to attend are those from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Palestine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

4. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Paris on his first foreign trip as head of government to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron- with the two leaders promising closer defense ties.

5.  US Navy Sea Launched Cruise Missile - Nuclear in 2034. The proposed $150 billion defense reconciliation bill includes $2 billion to develop the missile and an additional $400 million to develop the warhead.

6. Department of Defense IG Report on Gaza Pier.

7. USAF and Boeing look to deliver the Presidential Jet, VC-25B (Air Force One) in 2027. 

1. IDF Airstrikes Disable Sanaa International Airport. Dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft were involved in the strikes on Yemen on Tuesday, including fighter jets, refuelers, and spy planes. The IDF said the fighter jets dropped 50 munitions on the targets.

2.  President Trump Announces Truce with Houthis; Halts Bombing in Yemen. Oman revealed that it had mediated the ceasefire deal under which neither side will target the other, including US vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

3. A fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States is likely to take place over the weekend in the capital of Oman, with Iranian state media pointing to May 11 as a probable date.

4. Mediated by United Arab Emirates, Russia & Ukraine Exchange 205 Prisoners of War. This marks the fifth known prisoner of war swap of 2025.

5. Ukraine dismisses idea of attacking the Russian Victory Day Parade in Moscow on 9 May.

6. US Army tests 2 x counter UAS systems in Philippines- the Integrated Fires Protection Capability–High-Powered Microwave (IFPC-HPM) and the Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS).

7. USAF Sentinel ICBM Program Update. The Sentinel program will procure up to 634 missiles, with an additional 25 for development and testing — and deploy 400 of them in silos spread across missile fields in the US Great Plains. 

8. USMC Landing Ship, Medium update. 

For review:

1. Israeli PM Vows Retaliation Against Iran & Houthis for Airport Missile Strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to retaliate against the Houthis in Yemen and to act against “their patron” Iran, hours after the rebel group struck Ben Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile. 

2. President Trump said in an interview aired Sunday that the aim of his administration’s nuclear talks with Iran is to achieve “total dismantlement” of Tehran’s nuclear program, but that he is open to letting the Islamic Republic pursue civilian nuclear energy.  

A fourth round of talks between the US and Iran initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed, mediator Oman said earlier this week, citing “logistical reasons.” 

3. President Trump dismissed Mike Waltz as national security advisor and announced his nomination as the next US ambassador to the United Nations, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was named as his interim replacement.

According to a Washington Post report. President Trump was angered by his hawkish position on Iran and focus on military options to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program.

4. Pres Zelenskyy to Delegations Visiting Moscow Parade: We cannot be held responsible for what happens (in) Russian Federation.  The Ukrainian President said his government could not guarantee the safety of foreign delegations visiting Moscow to attend the Victory Day Parade next Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. 

5.  During an interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow has the "strength and means" to bring the war with Ukraine to a "logical conclusion." 

"We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires." 

6. US SECDEF orders US Army transformation.

For review:

1. Update on Israel wildfires.

2.  Israel Strikes Damascus in Message to Syrian Regime.  Israel conducted airstrikes early on Friday near Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s official residential compound in Damascus in response to violence in Syria against the country’s Druze minority, the Israel Defense Forces said. 

3. Lebanon has warned Hamas not to conduct operations that compromise the country’s security or sovereignty, Beirut’s Supreme Defense Council said on Friday. 

4. Reuters article via Times of Israel concerning US/Iran Nuclear negotiations.

In three weeks, the US and Iran have held three rounds of talks aimed at preventing Tehran from building a nuclear weapon in return for sanctions relief. A fourth round is expected to take place in Rome soon. 

5. US State Department to Ukraine & Russia: US Will Not Be Mediators If Progress Not Made.  

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters Thursday that Kyiv and Moscow need to engage directly with each other and that the US will no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings.”  

US Secretary of State Rubio, said that unless a “real breakthrough” is made soon, President Trump “is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we’re going to dedicate to this.” 

6. UK RAF Collaborative Drone Effort.  The first autonomous collaborative platform (ACP) drone, labelled StormShroud, entered into service into the UK Royal Air Force.  The new StormShroud aircraft combines the UK-Portuguese Tekever 3 tactical uncrewed aerial system (UAS) with Leonardo UK’s BriteStorm stand-in jammer, effectively transforming it into an ACP, to work in tandem with RAF fighter jets. 

7. USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Effort. USAF announced it has selected Beale Air Force Base in California to host the service’s first “Aircraft Readiness Unit” dedicated to its future fleet of drone wingmen. General Atomics and Anduril are facing off for the Air Force program after their selection last year. USAF expects to field CCA by 2030.

8.  Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Kilby to USMC: We owe you a three-ship ARG [Amphibious Ready Group]. I owe you a three-ship ARG that’s ready to embark Marines and conduct the training cycle and deploy on schedule. I do not meet that requirement.” 

 The Amphibious Ready Group is the USMC three-ship formation generally consisting of an assault ship (LHA), a transport dock (LPD) and a support vessel (LSD). 

USMC goal is to maintain what’s known as a 3.0 presence: That means one ARG deployed from the East Coast to the Mediterranean or coast of Africa; one from the West Coast to the Pacific and a third “episodically” deployed forward from Japan.

For review:

1. Israel seeks international aid in fighting wildfires across the country.  A statement from Israel's Foreign Ministry said the minister had spoken with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, and other unspecified countries.

2. IDF's Drone Strike "Message" Supports Syrian Druze Community. Joint Statement from Israel's PM and Defense Minster: “Israel will not allow harm to the Druze community in Syria, out of a deep commitment to our Druze brothers in Israel, who are connected by family and historical ties to their Druze brothers in Syria.” 

3.  US & Ukraine Agree to Mineral Deal.  The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect. 

4. EU Will Not Recognize Crimea as Russian.  EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on April 30: "On the European side, we have said this over and over again… Crimea is Ukraine."

5.  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calls for accelerating the nuclear weapon capability of the Korean People’s Army Navy.

6. At Modern Day Marine conference, Polaris unveiled MRZR Alpha vehicle with one kilowatt of exportable power.  The company is also working on a MRZR variant capable of generating five kilowatts of power.

7.  US Navy has awarded a long-awaited contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat, and major subcontractor HII, for the construction of two Virginia-class submarines appropriated through fiscal 2024 funding.

For review:

1. Iran Port Blast Caused by "Negligence". Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said Monday that a deadly explosion at the country’s largest commercial port two days earlier was caused by “negligence” and failure to comply with safety measures.

2.  An Israeli official said Monday that there is “no chance” Israel would accept the five-year truce proposal with the Hamas terror group that is currently being discussed by Arab mediators. 

3. Russian President Announces Ceasefire from 8-11 May.  The Kremlin said in a note to the media that the ceasefire would begin at midnight local time May 8 and end at midnight May 11, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of “Victory Day,” when Russia celebrates its victory over the Nazis. 

4. US Secretary of State Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke on 27 April, with Secretary Rubio emphasizing the need to end the war. 

5. Australian Delivery of Older M1 Abrams Tanks Delayed. The Australian Defense Ministry told the ABC that the promised tanks are "on target" to reach Ukraine in 2025. 

6. India Tests Hypersonic Engine for Missile Program. The over 16-minute test was an upgrade over a previous test in January that lasted 120 seconds. It was performed at the newly-built Scramjet Connect Test Facility in India’s southern city of Hyderabad. 

7.  The U.S. military has hit more than 800 targets in Yemen during a 40-day airstrike campaign against the Houthis.  During the recent airstrike campaign, Houthi ballistic missile attacks have fallen by 69% and kamikaze drone attacks have fallen by 55%, according to Central Command. 

8.  An F/-18E Super Hornet assigned to the carrier air wing embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was lost at sea during a towing incident in the hangar bay Monday, according to a Navy announcement. No personnel were lost and one sailor sustained minor injuries, according to the service. 

For review:

1. Iranian MP Blames Israel for Port Explosion. MP Mohammad Siraj: “Israel was involved in the explosion. It was not accidental. Clear evidence points to Israeli involvement.”  Israel’s leadership has not commented on the blast. 

2. IDF strikes missile warehouse in Beirut suburbs.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that missiles stored in the Lebanese capital “posed a significant threat to Israel.” 

3. US continues to facilitate peace negotiations to end the Russia - Ukraine War. President Trump meets Ukraine President Zelenskyy in Vatican City.

4. Car Bomb Kills Russian Senior Officer in charge of Army Operations (General Lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik) in the town of Balashikha, east of Moscow. 

5.  Car Bomb Kills Russian Electromagnetic Warfare Expert (Yevgeny Rytikov) in Bryansk- 100 kilometers north of the Russia-Ukraine Border. Mr. Rytikov headed the design bureau at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant and was responsible for upgrading the Krasukha EW system, which Russian forces use to counter drones and airborne weapons. 

6. North Korea reveals that it deployed troops to fight in Kursk Region.

7.  Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that sustaining and modernizing the US Nuclear arsenal will cost $946 billion between 2025-2034. 

8. US Army officially names the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon- "Dark Eagle". 

For review:

1. IDF strikes Hamas command center in Northern Gaza.

2. From interview with Time Magazine: US President Trump said he would not be dragged by Prime Minister Netanyahu into war with Iran, but vowed Washington could instead “be leading the pack” if diplomacy were to fail.

3.  President Trump: Russia & Ukraine Close to a Deal.

4. Estonia to Achieve Over 5% GDP on Defense Spending.

5. Spain to Meet NATO Goal of 2% GDP Defense Spending in 2025.

6. Netherlands increases defense budget to 22 billion euros in 2025.

7. Armor Not Dead: UK Army's Challenger 3 Tank effort moving forward. UK Minister for Defence Procurement (Maria Eagle) revealed that “The [Armour Main Battle Tank] programme has now delivered four prototypes, with four more currently in build,” out of the 148 tanks expected. The Challenger 3 MBTs are expected to achieve initial operational capability in 2027, with full operational capability expected by 2030 until 2040.

8. US Reconciliation Bill includes $150 Billion for Defense.

For review:

1. Houthi rebels have downed 6 MQ-9 Reaper Drones since 15 March, and 15 Reapers since October 2023. The U.S. Air Force has about 280 Reapers in its inventory, each costing about $28 million, according to the Congressional Research Service.

2. Iran Fortifies Nuclear Sites. Commercial satellite images taken on March 29 showed hardened entrances to (nuclear) complexes beneath Mt. Kolang Gaz La.

3. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday told Hamas to release hostages it is holding in order to eliminate what he said was Israel’s pretext to continue its war in Gaza.

4. Deadly ambush by Hamas on an IDF vehicle operating inside Israeli-held buffer zone, illustrates the terror group is still a dangerous threat.

5. Crimea Becomes a  Key Issue in Russia-Ukraine Peace.

6. Chinese aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17) once again deployed again to the Philippine Sea, marking the second time this month.

7. Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Graduate US Navy Nuclear Power Training Course. Eight Royal Australian Navy sailors graduated from the six-month course on April 18 and are now qualified to handle the reactors and other associated systems on the nuclear attack boats that Canberra is set to receive under the 2021 AUKUS Agreement.

8. Northrop Grumman reported a $477 million loss on the B-21 Raider bomber in the first quarter of 2025, as higher costs for manufacturing and materials affect the company.

The B-21′s inflation adjusted average procurement unit cost is about $692 million.

The Air Force plans to buy at least 100 B-21s but has left the door open to buying more bombers.

For review:

1. Latest US airstrikes target Farwa neighborhood in Sanaa. US Central Command declined to answer questions about the strike.

2. Israeli Air Force conducts drills that simulate Iranian missile attack on IAF bases. IAF bases were targeted in previous Iranian strikes in April and October 2024.

3. IDF Ground Operations in Rafah Continue. The IDF has not only cut off Rafah from Khan Younis overground, but also located two major Hamas tunnels connecting the two cities.

4. IDF experimenting unmanned D9 bulldozers. 

5. Russian President Putin Open to Bilateral Talks with Ukraine.

6. US & Canada Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) Effort. The OTHR effort is envisioned as a partnership with Canada to modernize NORAD’s defenses, where original plans would reportedly see the US procure four radar systems and Canada two systems. 

7. US Army's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) achieves Low Rate Initial Production. Raytheon plans producing eight LTAMDS per year- and based on international customers- the company said it wants to ultimately be able to produce 12 radars per year. 

For review:

1. Israel To Keep Rafah Crossing Closed & Limit Aid Until Hamas Returns Remaining Hostages.

2. Post Gaza Ceasefire: Hamas gunmen tightened their grip in Gaza on Monday and Tuesday, sources in the Strip said, including carrying out public executions.

Hamas has killed at least 33 people since a ceasefire took effect on Friday in a crackdown on groups that have tested its grip, sources in the strip said.

3. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that supplying U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine could end badly for everyone, especially U.S. President Donald Trump.

Mr. Medvedev, said it is impossible to distinguish between Tomahawk missiles carrying nuclear warheads and conventional ones after they are launched - a point that President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has also made. 

4. Secretary of the Army Driscoll today teased a shake-up in the way the Army buys its weapons and platforms, saying that he wants to adopt more of a private sector-like model that “speeds up the cycle of innovation for us.”

5. Leonardo DRS is partnering with European land defense specialist KNDS to throw their hat in the ring for the US Army’s forthcoming howitzer competition.

The two signed a “strategic teaming agreement” to offer the Army the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer. Though KNDS makes the CAESAR, Leonardo DRS, the US arm of Italian parent Leonardo, will be the integrator and prime for the project.

6. A year after the program was cancelled, the Army may reverse course and back the development of a next-generation interceptor for the Patriot Missile System-  called the Lower-Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI).  

7. The UH-60 Black Hawk is now fully reconfigured to be an unmanned aircraft capable of flying a variety of missions, according to Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky.

The aircraft is designated the S-70 UAS and nicknamed the U-HAWK. 

For review:

1. US Strikes Houthi Oil Terminal.  

The US military said it had destroyed Ras Isa terminal "to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue". 

2. WSJ Report: Anti-Houthi militias are planning ground offensive against the terror organization.  American officials said the United States is “open to supporting a ground operation by local forces” but “a decision on whether to back the effort hasn’t been made yet.” 

3. US & Iran Meet in Rome.  A second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program ended Saturday after several hours of talks, Iranian and American officials said. 

4.  Israel Has not Ruled Out Strike On Iran's Nuclear Sites.  Attack plans include a mix of airstrikes and commando operations that vary in severity and could set back Tehran’s ability to weaponize its nuclear program by just months or a year or more, sources said. 

5. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: US may move on from trying to secure a Russia - Ukraine peace deal if there is no progress in the coming days.

6. Russian President Putin Declares Easter Truce.  “Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 18:00 to 00:00 from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce. I order that all military actions be stopped for this period,” the Russian President said. 

7. Serbian Leaders plan to attended Russian Victory Day Parade in Moscow, despite warnings from EU Foreign Affairs and Security Representative Kaja Kallas. Ms. Kallas:  “Any participation in the May 9th parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side".

8. UK Army defeats drone swarms using radio-frequency, direct energy weapon.  Radio-frequency directed energy weapon systems can defeat airborne targets at ranges of up to 1 kilometer.

9. Japan Installs Rail Gun on Test Ship. 

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) released an image of its state-of-the-art railgun currently undergoing testing aboard the test ship JS Asuka. The railgun systems are expected to be employed as naval or land-based artillery.

For review:

1. NYT Report: President Trump Suspended Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites Planned for May.

2. IDF continues pressure on Hamas during Gaza Strip operations with three Divisions. No deadline for major offensive yet.

3. US Secretary of State Traveling to Paris to Discuss Ukraine & Middle East. Separately, on Thursday, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will travel to Washington to meet with his counterpart, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

4.  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani will discuss efforts to find a possible peace deal (Russia - Ukraine), when they meet in Moscow tomorrow. 

5. Turkey Hosts Black Sea Security Talks in Event of Russia - Ukraine Ceasefire.

According to an official statement by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, the meeting includes military representatives from several countries, including Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey.

6. Opinion Article via Breaking Defense. In order to defend its' air and sea approaches more effectively, Australia should invest in long-range strike systems via air power- more specifically USAF B-2A Spirit Bombers.

7. Latest on US Space Command Headquarters final location- either Colorado Springs or Huntsville.

For review:

1. President Trump On Iran's Nuclear Ambition: "I'll solve that problem."  US President Donald Trump vowed Monday to “solve” the issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, even if it means taking “very harsh” actions to thwart them.

2.  Israel - Hams Hostage Negotiations. The Haaretz daily, citing Palestinian sources involved in the talks, reported that Cairo and Doha are working with the US toward a potential additional stage of the ceasefire-hostage release deal reached in January that would also include talks to end the 18-month war. 

3. New Ukraine Capability Coalition: Electromagnetic Warfare. The goals include protection of friendly communication and disruption of the enemy’s, persistent reconnaissance, drone defense, and effectiveness of weapon systems. 

4. Ukraine troops provide feedback on German weapons employed in war with Russia. 

5.  Switzerland plans to buy four or five IRIS-T SLM medium-range air-defense systems from Germany’s Diehl Defence, as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative.

6. Armor Not Dead: US M1E3 Tank Variant in 24 - 30 Months.  Desired characteristics for the new variant included making it lighter, better protected and giving it an autoloader. 

7.  President Trump on April 9 signed into law, a policy aimed at revitalizing the American shipbuilding industry. Navy officials in March 2024 stated the service’s goal is to grow the fleet of battle force ships to 381 over the next 30 years.

For review:

1. US & Iran Talks in Oman: "Productive and Positive". Both countries agreed to hold a second round next week.

2. Rafah cut-off from rest of Gaza between two IDF Security Corridors. The IDF said Rafah was now surrounded by its forces, with the 36th Division holding the Morag Corridor and the Gaza Division operating in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border area.

3. US Envoy Steve Witkoff met in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin for more than 4 hours on Friday. Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev as described the talks as "productive". 

4. Former US intelligence official (unnamed) told Reuters that Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approval to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war.

5. Germany & UK-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group Pledges $23.8 Billion.

6. US Senate Confirms New Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Dan Caine's experience includes numerous roles in the special operations community, director of joint operations and training on the Joint Staff, and — most recently — three years as the CIA’s associate director for military affairs before his retirement in 2024. General Caine is also a former F-16 pilot.

7. US Secretary of Navy John Phelan pledges a focus on shipbuilding and expanding the industrial base.

8. Upcoming US Navy Submarine and Aircraft Carrier efforts are facing delays.

The lead Columbia-class submarine vessel (USS District of Columbia SSBN-826), is 12-18 months behind schedule.

The future aircraft carrier (USS Enterprise CVN-80), is estimated to be 28 months behind schedule, with delivery now anticipated to be in the 2028-29 timeframe. 

For review:

1. Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Arrives in CENTCOM AOR. The USS Carl Vinson — which is armed with F-35C stealth warplanes — is now working alongside the USS Harry S. Truman in the region, US Central Command says.

2.  The Commander of Iran’s Army Ground Force revealed plans to set up the new unmanned-focused facilities in country's border regions.

3.  Israeli and Turkish Delegations Meet in Azerbaijan to Discuss Syria Deconfliction.

4. France and UK Co-lead "Coalition of the Willing" Discussion in Brussels.

5. France to develop tactical (150 kilometer range) rocket artillery system and test by mid-2026.

6. Speaking at SASC Hearing on Thursday, US Forces Korea Commander (Army General Xavier Brunson) supports current US Troop levels on the Korean Peninsula.

7. President Trump's Executive Order Calls for Modernization Review of Programs & Processes. 

For review:

1. US DoD: No Plans to Relinquish NATO SACEUR Post.  The Pentagon does not have plans to relinquish the post of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), said Katherine Thompson, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.

2.  Suspected US airstrikes pounded the area around Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeida on Tuesday night.

3. US and Iran Nuclear Talks in Oman. Negotiations are to be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi and led by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. 

4.  The US military will deploy long-range surveillance drones (Northrup Grumman MQ-4C Triton) in the Japanese region of Okinawa near Taiwan, Tokyo’s defense minister said Tuesday. 

5. US Secretary of Defense Hegseth visits Panama- meets with Panama's President  José Raúl Mulino. Secretary Hegseth said the U.S. will not allow China or any other country to threaten the (Panama) canal’s operation. 

6. NATO Supreme Allied Commander and EUCOM Commander. General Christopher Cavoli (US Army) told US House of Representative lawmakers that current force levels in Europe should remain.

7. President Trump: $1 Trillion Defense Budget (FY26).  Defense Secretary Hegseth seemed to confirm that Trump was referring to the fiscal year 2026 request, saying on X, “COMING SOON: the first TRILLION dollar @DeptofDefense budget.” 

8. US Navy's F/A XX program could be last manned fighter.  US Navy officials would not say when an announcement on F/A-XX would be made, but it could come soon.  

Breaking Defense reported last month that Lockheed Martin had been eliminated from the running for F/A-XX, leaving Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining competitors. 

For review:

1. Iran willing to engage in dialogue with US as equals.  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian:  “The Islamic Republic of Iran wants dialogue on equal footing.”

2.  US Sends 2d THAAD Battery to Israel. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, is an advanced anti-missile system- capable of hitting targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles). 

3.  Norway plans to nearly double its fleet of self-propelled artillery, proposing to buy an additional 24 K9 Thunder howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea).  The added 155 mm howitzers will equip a new artillery battalion within the planned Finnmark Brigade. 

4. India to procure 100 x South Korean Hanwha Aerospace K-9 Vajira-T 155mm SP Howitzers. The contract calls for more than 60 percent of local (India) materials and parts during manufacture of the systems.

5. US Army Mobile 155mm Artillery Effort. 

6. US Navy Commissions Virginia-class Attack Submarine (USS Iowa SSN-797). 

For review:

1. US CENTCOM Commander Visits Israel. 

General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF said Thursday. 

2. UK Telegraph Newspaper Report:  Iran has reportedly ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen and is pulling back its support for the Houthis amid extensive US airstrikes on the rebel group. 

3. Russian Envoy: "Some (Ukrainian) security guarantees, in some form, may be acceptable."  Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev held two days of talks with American envoy Steve Witkoff, as part of President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire and peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. 

4. US Combatant Command Restructure? NBC Report: The Defense Department is considering relinquishing the role atop the NATO chain of command, which has always been held by an American four-star, historically by the head of US European Command, since the alliance’s founding. 

5.  The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group sailed through the Malacca Strait on Friday as it makes its way to U.S. Central Command. The PLA Navy’s Shandong CSG sailed back into the South China Sea on Thursday after participating in drills against Taiwan. 

6.  Japan's Self-Defense Force to develop new long-range, precision-guided missiles to “prevent and eliminate invading troops.” 

7.  Australian military leaders are scrambling to cobble together fresh air defense capabilities.

For review:

1. US Army identifies the four Dogface Soldiers (3d Infantry Division) who perished during training exercise in Lithuania. All assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, they were identified as: Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco; Pfc. Dante D. Taitano; and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins.

2.  US Sends More F-35s to CENTCOM. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dispatched the extra air wing of F-35 fighters to Jordan.

3. IDF Creates New Security Corridor in S. Gaza. The route, which separates Rafah from Khan Younis to its north, will likely cut off Rafah from the rest of the Strip.

4. Hamas is prepared to release all of the remaining hostages at once in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the ongoing truce talks told The Times of Israel on Wednesday.

5. A top Russian official (Kirill Dmitriev) is in Washington this week for meetings with the Trump administration, as negotiations continue on a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

6. US SECDEF Pete Hegseth skips the latest Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels. 

7.  Finland to Increase Defense Spending to 3% GDP by '29.

8. Greece will spend 25 billion euros ($27 billion) over the next decade to adapt its military to evolving high-tech warfare technologies. The plan also includes new programs such as next-generation soldier gear equipped with sensors and communication systems, and the development of dedicated satellite capabilities to ensure secure communications. 

9.  US Army Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Test in Dec '25. The Army is forecasting that the first unit to get the hypersonic capability will begin receiving the rounds at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in the May time frame.

10.  The US State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of 20 F-16 fighters to the Philippines, with an estimated price tag of $5.58 billion.

The approved package, which covers 16 F-16C Block 70/72 jets and four F-16B Block 70/72 fighters, comes just days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manilla. 

For review:

1. US President Trump threatens Iran with bombing and tariffs over nuclear program. If they (Iran) don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” President Trump said in a telephone interview. “It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”

2. In response to US President Trump's threat of bombing and tariffs, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a strong blow if it acts on President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb unless Tehran reaches a new nuclear deal with Washington.

3. IDF Prepares Return to Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces issued an evacuation warning on Monday for Palestinians in the entire Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip, saying the military was “returning to fight with great force to eliminate the capabilities of terror organizations in these areas.”

4. President Trump reportedly "disappointed" in President Putin but thinks the peace negotiations "are making progress, step by step."

5. Russia Launches Submarine Armed with Hypersonic Zircon Missile. The Zircon has a reported range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers, depending on its trajectory.

It can fly at Mach 8, making it nearly impossible to intercept with current air defense systems, according to the US-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA).

6. Egypt in Talks for S. Korea's FA-50 Light Attack Aircraft. Egypt's Ambassador to Seoul, stated that discussions between the two countries are progressing positively after months of negotiations for an initial order of 36 aircraft.

7. US Army Contracts LM for Precision Strike Missiles. With an operational range exceeding 499 kilometers (310 miles), a PrSM launch pod is capable of carrying and firing two missiles.

8. The Army's Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor ready for low-rate production. 

For review:

1. 20 Living Hostages Returned to Israel After Two Plus Years of Captivity; 4 of 28 Hostages Bodies Also Returned.

2. President Trump Addresses Knesset.

3. President Trump and Leaders of Egypt, Qatar, & Turkey Sign Peace Declaration.

4. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that President Donald Trump’s success in brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has renewed his hope that Trump can help facilitate a similar agreement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

For review:

1. US Continues Strikes Against Houthis.  Suspected U.S. airstrikes pounded Yemen overnight into Saturday, as the American military acknowledged earlier bombing a major military site in the heart of Sanaa controlled by the Houthi rebels. 

2. Israel receives Hamas Hostage proposal from mediators and returns counterproposal. The Israeli statement came after media reports on Saturday said Hamas had agreed to an Egyptian proposal to release five living hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire in Gaza 

3. IDF Strikes S. Lebanon & Beirut in Response to Rocket Attack.  

After the rocket attack, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Friday morning that “the fate of Kiryat Shmona is the same as the fate of Beirut,” in a threat to the Lebanese capital. He said that without peace in Israel’s northern border communities, “there will be no peace in Beirut either.” 

4. Ukraine President Warns - Russia Preparing for Offensive. "I can confirm that Putin is trying to get time and is preparing for a spring offensive. We see preparations for this upcoming operation," President Zelensky said on March 27. 

5. USMC to Deploy Unmanned Missile System (NMESIS) to Philippine Exercise Balikatan in April.  US SECDEF Pete Hegseth pledged anti-ship missile deployments, increased military training and defense industrial base cooperation to the Philippines under steps to “re-establish” deterrence in the Indo-Pacific Region.

6. USS Nimitz (CVN-68) departed San Diego, California for what is expected to be its last deployment. Following the carrier’s deployment, the USS Nimitz is set to shift homeports- from Bremerton, Washington to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in 2026- ahead of its planned decommissioning.

7. USAF Secretary Nominee drills down on Nuclear Modernization during US SASC hearing. 

For review:

1. Hamas open to negotiate release of small number of Hostages for a truce during Eid al-Fitr holiday period. The Kan public broadcaster acknowledged that it was still unclear what Hamas will ask in return for those it releases, though it did say that the freed hostages would include American-Israeli IDF lone soldier Edan Alexander.

2. Iran: US Bases not safe if Americans attack. Tehran would strike US bases in the region if Washington follows through on its warning of military consequences for Iran in the absence of a new nuclear deal, the speaker of the Iranian parliament said on Friday.

3. White House Releases: Outcomes of the US-Russia & US-Ukraine Expert Discussions on the Black Sea (23-25 March 2025).

4.  UK and France to Meet in Ukraine to Discuss "Reassurance Force". Ukrainian, British and French general staff representatives will hold a meeting in Ukraine within a week to discuss the potential deployment of foreign troops to the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 28.

5. US Army considers "sunsetting" the afloat Army Preposition Stock (APS) - 3. If Pentagon leaders ultimately sunset the floating APS, the Army is eyeing plans to distribute the equipment sets throughout the Indo-Pacific region. 

APS =Sets of equipment, such as all the tanks and wheeled vehicles of an armored brigade combat team, that are strategically prepositioned in climate controlled facilities worldwide.

6. US Army to deploy mature air and missile defense equipment prototypes to selected locations in Europe and Ind-Pacific.

- Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors, or LTAMDS, to Guam

- Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) platoon with prototype launchers to South Korea 

-  Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) capability to Europe to modernize a Patriot air defense battalion 

7. US to Fire Mid-Range Capability Missile System During Upcoming Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre in mid-July 2025.

For review:

1. US Airstrikes on Houthi Rebels Continue. The Houthis described American airstrikes targeting sites around the city of Saada, a Houthi stronghold, the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, and Marib province, home to oil and gas fields still under the control of allies to Yemen’s exiled central government.

2. IDF strikes over 100 white pickup trucks used by Hamas during the 07 October attack as well as propaganda ceremonies for the release of Israeli Hostages.

3.  Iran Open to "Indirect Talks" with US.  “The way is open for indirect negotiations,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, dismissing the prospect of direct talks “until there is a change in the other side’s approach toward the Islamic republic.”

4. From Riyadh: Monday's talks between the US and Russia lasted 12 hours. Russian news agencies said a joint statement would be released on Tuesday. Ukrainian and US delegations will meet on Tuesday for talks to follow Russia-US negotiations.

5. Estonia to provide Ukraine with $108.4 million in assistance. The assistance will incorporate unmanned aerial and ground systems, watercraft, medical solutions, and related supply sources from Estonian industry partners. Tallinn has not revealed the timeline of the potential donation, quantities, or other specifics due to security reasons.

6. Switzerland joins the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) Patriot Support Partnership (PATRIOT SP). The initiative aims to enhance security and improve the availability of spare parts for the country’s Patriot ground-based air defense systems. Bern emphasized that the initiative aligns with its neutrality policy, with the option to withdraw from the partnership if any member country becomes involved in an international armed conflict.

 7. Australia Receives First Delivery of 142 HIMARS Launchers. The first two of a planned 42 HIMARS launcher vehicles had already arrived from the US, the government said in a statement, describing the system as a “game changer” that would bolster security in Australia and the region.

8. US Senate Confirms John Phelan as SECNAV. 

For review:

1. Senior Hamas Political Official killed during IDF Gaza Strike. Ismail Barhoum, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, was killed on Sunday evening in a targeted Israeli airstrike on a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a statement hailed the killing of Barhoum, saying he was “the new Hamas prime minister in Gaza, who replaced Issam Da'alis, the previous prime minister who was eliminated a few days ago.” 

2. Iran Deploys Missile Systems on Persian Gulf Islands. The weapons were deployed on Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa near the Strait of Hormuz, a globally vital shipping lane.

Naval Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: “We are capable of attacking enemy bases, vessels, and assets in the region. The new systems can completely destroy any target within 600 kilometers (370 miles).”

3. US-Russia-Ukraine Talks Begin in Riyadh. The talks — with American representatives mediating — are expected to iron out details of a possible limited cease-fire in what could be a crucial step toward a full cessation of hostilities in the war.

4. Turkish Defense Firm (Aselsan), claims successful test of mobile laser weapon system designed to track and kill (hard & soft) First Person View Drones. The firm distributed a video showing the system- composed of a laser system, and camera (Thermal)- mounted on a vehicle and eliminating multiple types of drones.

5. Australia procures MK-48 heavy torpedoes in deal worth $125 million. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin and SAIC, the MK-48 is a joint program between the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and United States Navy. The weapons can be used and maintained both by nations’ maritime services.

6. US Secretary of Defense to Visit Indo-Pacific- first visiting the Philippines. Secretary Hegseth will be in Manila on March 28-29 to meet his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

7. The U.S. Army will not conduct a live-fire operation of its Mid-Range Capability missile system during exercises in the Philippines this spring. The Mid-Range Capability consists of a vertical launch system that uses the Navy’s Raytheon-built Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk missiles, and can strike targets in the 500- to 2,000-kilometer range. The complete system has a battery operations center, four launchers, prime movers and modified trailers.

For review:

1. Boeing Wins USAF Next-Gen Air Dominance Fighter (F-47).  Boeing has won the contract to develop the first ever sixth-generation fighter, dubbed the F-47, President Donald Trump announced today. The fighter will be expected to operate with the service’s forthcoming fleet of drone wingmen known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril are in competition for the separate CCA contract. 

2. US Sec Def Extends USN Carrier USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) in CENTCOM AOR; USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Enroute. The Truman will stay in CENTCOM AOR for another month, according to a U.S. official. The Carl Vinson, which was operating in the East China Sea this week, has been tasked to the Middle East region to make for an overlapping two-carrier presence as the Trump administration ramps up its aggression against the Yemen-based Houthis.

3.  IDF Strikes Airfields in Central Syria. The IDF confirms carrying out airstrikes on the Palmyra military airport and the nearby T-4 airbase in central Syria. The strikes targeted “remaining strategic military capabilities” at the two sites.

4. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that Israel would annex areas of the Gaza Strip should the terror group Hamas refuse to release the remaining hostages it is still holding. It was unclear if Israel would follow through on its threat to annex parts of Gaza, a move that would likely draw a massive international backlash. 

5. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Friday that the Houthis act on their own motivations, after US President Donald Trump said he would hold Tehran accountable for the group’s actions.

6. EU releases joint statement on Ukraine- minus Hungary. 

"The European Council reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders," leaders wrote in a statement signed off by 26 countries.

7. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer comes off ground troops in Ukraine- stresses air and sea power instead. 

Speaking to journalists at Northwood UK Military HQ, Sir Keir insisted the priority had to be to support Ukraine in defending itself, “They’ve got the capability, they’ve got the numbers and they’ve got the frontline experience. So we’re not talking about something that replaces that capability — we’re talking about something that reinforces that and then put around it capabilities in relation to air, water and sea and land.”

For review"

1. IDF Starts Ground Operations in Gaza.  The IDF said Wednesday it had launched “pinpoint” ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip. The IDF said its operations were aimed at expanding the security zone near the border and creating a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. 

2. Captured documents from Gaza show that in the years leading up to 07 October attack, Hamas developed a concrete plan to destroy the Jewish state, in full coordination with Hezbollah and Iran.

3. President Trump and President Zelenskyy Phone Call. President Donald Trump has held what he described as a "very good" hour-long phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. President Zelensky described his conversation with President Trump as "positive", "frank", and "very substantive". 

4. Ukraine Receives Shipment of F-16 Warplanes. The Ukrainian President stated that several F-16s had arrived but did not reveal the exact number of jets delivered.

5. The Ukrainian Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces claims fielding of a laser (direct energy) anti-aircraft system. Known as the Triton (English), the system was first publicly mentioned in mid-December 2024- and in February 2025, the Commander confirmed that the weapon was operationally deployed. 

For review:

1. The Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile at Israel from Yemen Tuesday evening, marking the first attack from the Iran-backed group since the ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip two months ago. 

2. IDF Aerial Offensive in Gaza.  The Israeli PM- Benjamin Netanyahu- said that the military campaign was launched on the recommendation of Israel’s intelligence services and the IDF, and that it was a last resort after weeks of failed efforts to get Hamas to free more hostages. 

3.  President Trump & Russian President Putin Phone Call.

4.  Germany’s parliament on Tuesday voted in favor of amending the constitution to enable significantly increased defense spending. As a result, a new aid package to Ukraine worth €3 billion ($3.28 billion) could be released by Berlin by the end of this week.

5. F-35 Joint Program Office Assures Allies that the Warplane Has "No Kill Switch".

The Pentagon today attempted to reassure its international partners in the F-35 program that there is no “kill switch” on the stealth fighter jet that the US could use to render it ineffective — the latest signal that there are real concerns abroad about American stewardship of the program amid tensions with historical allies. 

6.  US “near peer” adversaries are “practicing dogfighting” in space to simulate orbital combat in yet another step up their wide-ranging effort to develop capabilities to deny, disrupt, degrade and/or destroy US space capabilities, the Space Force’s second in command warned today (General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations).  

And while General Guetlein did not specify which countries five satellites were involved, a Space Force spokesperson later told reporters that the demonstration was Chinese. 

For review:

1. US CENTCOM Campaign Against Houthis.  More airstrikes are planned in the coming days. 

USAF LTG Alexus G. Grynkewich, director for operations for the Joint Staff: "US CENTCOM began precision strike operations against the Houthis to restore freedom of navigation and American deterrence. The initial wave of strikes hit over 30 targets at multiple locations, degrading a variety of Houthi capabilities. Included among those targets were terrorist training sites, unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure, weapons manufacturing capabilities and weapons storage facilities." 

2. IDF Strikes Iranian Proxies in Gaza, S. Lebanon, & S. Syria.

3. President Trump & Russian President to Speak Tuesday About Peace Negotiations.

4. BBC Report: Ukranian Soldiers talk about combat actions in Kursk region. The BBC has received extensive accounts from Ukrainian troops, who recount a "catastrophic" withdrawal in the face of heavy fire, and columns of military equipment destroyed and constant attacks from swarms of Russian drones. 

5. Sweden will donate 18 Archer artillery units and five Arthur counter-battery radar systems to Ukraine as part of its 18th aid package for Kyiv. The total value of the donations is 3 billion kronor ($296 million), with deliveries of Arthur systems planned to begin this year and Archer systems in 2026.

6. Canada Reconsidering Future F-35 Fighter Purchase. The Canadian military said while it is committed to the first 16 F-35As it’s on contract to buy from American defense giant Lockheed Martin, it is actively re-evaluating the rest of the multi-billion-dollar order. 

Ottawa’s reconsideration of the deal could open a door for alternatives like the Saab Gripen Fighter- which was beat out by the F-35 for the competition to replace Canada’s legacy F-18 fleet. 

For review:

1. US and Israeli Officials reach out to Sudan, Somalia, & Somaliland to discuss Palestinian resettlement during US proposed Gaza reconstruction plan. Officials from Sudan and Somalia said they had rejected overtures from the US, while officials Somaliland told The AP that they were not aware of any contacts.

2. US President Donald Trump has praised talks held with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the US proposed ceasefire deal with Ukraine as "good and productive". This comes after Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff met in Moscow on Thursday evening.

3. NSA Mike Waltz on Ukraine- Russia Negotiations - "Both sides are going to have to make compromises." 

4. B-52 Bomber Flyover Marks Sweden's NATO Anniversary. In addition, the bombers were taking part in a Bomber Task Force mission called Viking Nebula, alongside a pair of Swedish JAS 39 Gripens. The Swedish fighters escorted the B-52s to Vidsel Test Range, where the bombers released GBU-30 joint direct attack munitions. USAF said this was the B-52s’ first live weapons drop in Sweden since the country joined NATO last year.

5. US Budget CR Passes Senate. The Senate approved a funding bill that will keep federal agencies funded until Sept. 30, with a $892.5 billion defense topline that slightly exceeds that of fiscal 2024.

6. The US Senate today confirmed billionaire financier Stephen Feinberg to be the Defense Department’s number two official. Mr. Feinberg’s nomination was cleared in a 59-40 vote this afternoon.

For review:

1. Interim Syrian President Signs Temporary Constitution. The temporary constitution leaves the country under Islamist rule while promising to protect the rights of all Syrians for five years during a transitional phase.

2. A group of around 100 senior figures from among Syria’s Druze are expected to visit the Israeli Golan Heights on Friday, and meet Sheikh Muafak Tarif, spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel.

3.  Russian President Putin on Ukraine Ceasefire - "We are in favor- but there are nuances. A ceasefire should lead to "an enduring peace and remove the root causes of this crisis", the Russian President said.

4. Russian forces have recaptured Sudzha, the largest town that Ukraine once occupied in the Kursk Region. Russia’s top general Valery Gerasimov claimed Wednesday that Russian forces had recaptured more than 86% of the Kursk area taken by Ukraine.

5.  Defense Ministers from Estonia and Latvia are concerned that even if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a ceasefire deal, the reprieve may only allow Moscow to further consolidate its military and industrial might, and use it again elsewhere.

6. Royal Netherlands Navy Fires Tomahawk Missile from Frigate. The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence announced that the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter (F804) launched a Tomahawk cruise missile off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia on Tuesday, marking the first time a Dutch warship fired the missile.

7. US Foreign Military Sale to Australia: The US State Department has approved a potential $91.2-million sale of precision-guided munitions to Australia. Canberra will receive 54 x Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems-Alternate Warhead (GMLRS-AW) rounds, along with telemetry kits, engineering services, and related support. Lockheed Martin and Lockheed Martin Australia are the principal contractors. 

For review:

1.  Pakistan & Afghanistan Trade Fire on Border Regions. 

2. All of Israel Prepares for the Return of the Hostages (Monday AM).

3. President Trump to Arrive in Israel to address Knesset; Then to Egypt for Summit. 

Egypt will host an international summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, an Egyptian presidential spokesperson said on Saturday.

The summit will be attended by more than 20 leaders, including US President Donald Trump, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Several leaders have confirmed their attendance, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

4. Iran dismissed the idea that it would establish diplomatic ties with Israel, describing the idea on Saturday as “wishful thinking.”

The statement came nearly two weeks after US President Donald Trump suggested that Iran could normalize relations with Israel after decades of calling for its elimination.

5. The Department of War plans to siphon $8 billion in leftover fiscal 2025 research and development funding to ensure troops get a paycheck during the ongoing government shutdown, a department official said in a statement on Saturday. 

For review:

1. Ukraine Will Agree to a 30 Day Ceasefire with Russia - US to Restart Military Aid and Intel Sharing. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:  "We'll take this offer now to the Russians. And we hope that they'll say yes, that they'll say yes to peace. The President's objective here is, number one, above everything else, he wants the war to end, and I think today Ukraine has taken a concrete step in that regard. We hope the Russians will reciprocate." 

2. Iranian President to President Trump: "Do Whatever the Hell You Want."   Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that his country would not negotiate with the United States over its nuclear program while being threatened.

3. Israel and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to open negotiations to delineate the border between the two countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said.  Jerusalem and Beirut negotiated a maritime boundary in 2022 — but the two countries have yet to adopt an official land border. 

4. Israeli journalists tour IDF posts atop Mount Hermon, on Syrian side of border.  The IDF has established nine military posts inside Syrian territory, including two atop Mount Hermon. Three IDF brigades, under the 210th Bashan Regional Division, are deployed to the area. 

5.  Latest US Budget News: The Republican-led House voted Tuesday to pass a six-month funding bill that would prevent a government shutdown at the end of the week. The measure now heads to the US Senate, where its fate is uncertain. 

For review:

1. Iran Supreme Leader Not Interested in Talks with "Bullying" Countries. Iran's Supreme leader has criticized "bullying" countries in an apparent response to US President Donald Trump's letter demanding negotiations over its nuclear program.

2. Israel on Sunday prepared to send a delegation to Doha for further talks on the Gaza truce.

3. Israel’s Energy Minister on Sunday instructed the Israel Electric Corporation to immediately cut off the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip, in an apparent bid to pile pressure on Hamas, where 24 hostages presumed to be alive, and the bodies of 35 more, are still held.

4. Russian Forces Advance in Kursk Region. Russian forces on Sunday recaptured three more settlements in Russia's western Kursk region, the Defence Ministry said (Russian), as part of an operation to evict Ukrainian troops holding chunks of territory seven months after a cross-border incursion.

5. Norway will more than double its aid to Ukraine in 2025 to bring the annual total to $7.8 billion, Prime Minister Jonas Store announced Thursday.

6. France on Friday began handing over military bases in Senegal, as part of a withdrawal of troops from the west African nation where it has had a presence since 1960. The withdrawal follows the departure of French forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Ivory Coast in recent years.

7.    Iran - Russia - China Naval Drills in Indian Ocean. The drills “will begin on Tuesday in the port of Chabahar,” located in southeast Iran on the Gulf of Oman, the Tasnim news agency said, without specifying their duration.                    Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka will attend as observers.

8. The U.S. military’s classified mini-space shuttle- the X-37B- returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days. The space plane blasted into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in December 2023 on a secret mission. Launched by SpaceX, the X-37B vehicle carried no people, just military experiments.

For review:

1. President Trump Sends Letter to Iran Supreme Leader.  US President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and sent a letter to its leadership this week suggesting talks with the Islamic Republic.

2. New Syrian government consolidating security against Pro-Assad forces in the Alawite Minority.  A Syria war monitor reported on Saturday that over 530 civilians from the Alawite minority had been killed in recent days by security forces, as authorities clash with militants loyal to the former government of Bashar al-Assad.  The civilian deaths bring the overall toll to 745 people, including 93 members of the new government’s security forces and 120 pro-Assad fighters.

3.   France - Germany - Italy - UK - Support Arab Rebuild Plan for Gaza.  “The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” the ministers said in a joint statement. 

4. US & Ukraine to Discuss Peace in Saudi Arabia.  From Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: "Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. "Ukraine is most interested in peace." 

5. Singapore announced a 12.4% defense budget hike on 03 March, with major new equipment on order.  The FY2025 defense budget is slated to reach US $17.4 billion. 

6. USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes (two variants) receive series designations: General Atomics designation: YFQ-42A; & Anduril designation: YFQ-44A. (Y = Prototype; F = Fighter; & Q = Drone.)

7. US Army selects Textron Ripsaw M3 as promising Robotic Combat Vehicle prototype for development.   

For review:

1. New IDF Chief of Staff: 2025 - A Year of War. New IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that 2025 would be “a year of war” with a focus on the Gaza Strip and Iran.

2. US Unfreezes $95 Million Aid Package to Lebanese Armed Forces.

3. US Pauses Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine. Comments from top Trump administration officials suggest the decision is part of the broader negotiations between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, and that intelligence could begin flowing to Ukraine again soon. CIA Director John Ratcliffe called the suspension a “pause".

4. Denmark picked Norwegian ammunition maker Nammo to restart a shuttered ammo plant for production of small- and large-caliber ammunition, the country’s defense ministry said. Nammo will produce 155 mm and 120 mm shells at the Elling plant, as well as 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm caliber cartridges.

5.  As development continues, the USAF is fielding inquiries on Foreign Military Sales for new MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter. The MH-139 Fleet is primarily tasked with supporting nuclear security, as well as ferrying VIPs in the Washington, DC-area. 

For review:

1. Arab Leaders Adopt Egypt's Gaza Reconstruction Plan.  The Egyptian plan, called “Early Recovery, Reconstruction, Development of Gaza,” is based on “preserving the rights, dignity and humanity of the Palestinian people, and on the horizon of a two-state solution.” 

2. Ukraine President Proposes Partial Ceasefire. Ukraine is proposing to Russia a “truce in the sky” – that is, a halt to mutual long-range drone and missile strikes against civilian infrastructure and, above all, against their respective energy industries. 

3. EU Ready to Spend $843 Billion to Rearm Europe. Unveiling the plan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was blunt, saying, “We are in an era of rearmament. And Europe is ready to massively boost its defense spending.” “This is Europe’s moment, and we must live up to it,” she added. 

4.  During an address to a Joint session of Congress, President Trump announced the creation of a shipbuilding office in the White House centered on revitalizing the nation’s commercial and naval shipbuilding industry. 

5. 20 Additional Missile Silos emplaced at Fort Greely, AK. Boeing has finished building 20 x new silos for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System at Fort Greely, Alaska, growing the number of interceptors that can be emplaced there from 40 to 60. 

6. Lockheed Martin Out of Navy's F/A XX Competition- leaving Northrop Grumman and Boeing in the running to replace the F/A-18 and E/A-18 with a new air superiority fighter. 

For review:

1. Israel PM thanks US for recent Foreign Military Sales of weapons to "finish the job" against Iran and their terror proxies. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Rubio said he had signed a declaration to expedite around $4 billion in military assistance to Israel, adding that a partial arms embargo imposed under former administration had been reversed. 

2.  Egypt Prepares Plan for Gaza Reconstruction.  Egypt’s vision will be presented at an Arab League summit on Tuesday.

3.  US Pauses Military Aid to Ukraine. US President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine on Monday, a White House official said, sharply escalating pressure on Kyiv to agree to peace negotiations with Russia. 

4.  UK & France Want to Lead "Coalition of the Willing" in Ukraine Peace Agreement.  British Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced the proposal on Sunday during a meeting of 18 European leaders in London.

5.  The UK placed an order worth as much as $2 billion with Thales to supply more than 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine, the government said. 

6.  US President Donald Trump’s administration is loosening restrictions on military airstrikes by giving Commanders more autonomy to make lethal decisions, according to a U.S. defense official. 

For review:

1. US Foreign Military Sale to Israel Worth $3 Billion- includes $295 million for Armored D9 Caterpillar bulldozers and related equipment. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027. 

2. President Trump & President Zelensky Oval Office Meeting. (You have to listen to the whole meeting.)

3. European Leaders react to the President Trump & President Zelensky Oval Office Meeting.  Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni, proposed “an immediate summit” between the United States and European allies “to speak frankly about how we intend to face today’s great challenges, starting with Ukraine.”

4. Wall Street Journal Report: Ukraine has enough weapons to sustain fighting until Summer without further US aid. 

5. In response to President Donald Trump's "America First" Policy- Germany (and Europe) will increase defense industrial capacity to gain military materiel independence.

6.  Poland Leases AH-64 Apache Helicopters before Full Fleet Delivery. 

The Polish Ministry of National Defence has signed a $300 million deal to lease 8 x Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopters from the United States. The contract comes in anticipation of the deliveries of 96 x AH-64E helicopters Poland ordered in August 2024. 

For review:

1. IDF Probe on 7 Oct Hamas Attack. Israeli reporters were presented with the investigations conducted by the Southern Command, Operations Division, Israeli Air Force, and Israeli Navy. 

2.  US & Russian Diplomats Meet in Istanbul. A U.S. Embassy official in Ankara confirmed that the Istanbul talks focused on the issues affecting the operation of respective diplomatic missions.

3. South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said that North Korea appears to have sent additional troops to Russia, after its soldiers deployed on the Russian-Ukraine fronts suffered heavy casualties.

4.  Poland & Slovakia Collaborate on Defense Materiel. Poland and Slovakia have signed a letter of intent to jointly produce ammunition and cooperate on the procurement of armored vehicles, tank, and air defense weapons.

5. Senate Confirmation Hearings for Top Pentagon Positions.

- John Phelan (President Trump's Nominee for the Secretary of the Navy) testified today before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Mr. Phelan told lawmakers he’d be focused on correcting the course of problematic shipbuilding programs as well as replenishing dwindling munitions stockpiles.

- Stephen Feinberg (President Trump's Nominee for Deputy Defense Secretary) listed shipbuilding, aircraft development, nuclear modernization, cyber defense, hypersonics, counterspace capabilities and counter-drone platforms as key technology “shortages” needed to beat China, which he called the biggest and most challenging threat the United States.

For review:

1. Israel & Hamas Agree on Hostage - Prisoner Release as Phase I of Deal Closes. The first phase of the deal, which includes the ongoing ceasefire, ends on Saturday. 

2. French President Macron visits White House- "feasible" to talk about a truce in the war and the start of negotiations for a sustainable peace within weeks. 

3. Ukraine President Zelenskyy to visit Washington this week and possible agree on rare earth and mineral deal with US- in exchange for continued US support to Ukraine.

4. Competing resolutions in UN highlight daylight between US and European Leaders.

5. Norway continues aid to Ukraine with $312 million allocation of military equipment support. 

6. Latest Estonian military aid package to Ukraine is worth $104 million- including 10,000 rounds of artillery ammunition.

7.  US to Field Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon in '25.

8. US Senate Confirms new Army Secretary- confirmed on a 66-28 vote. 

For review:

1. Israeli Forensic Doctor Reports Bibas Family Murdered by Terrorists - Not Killed by Airstrike.

2. Israel to delay freeing of 600 Palestinian Prisoners after humiliating release ceremony of six Israeli Hostages.

3. IDF Warplanes conduct flyover of former top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral ceremony in Beirut. Defense Minister Israel Katz: “You will specialize in funerals, and we will specialize in victories.” 

4. Arab Leaders Meet in Riyadh to Discuss Gaza Reconstruction. The meeting – including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf Arab nations – took place ahead of a larger Arab summit on March 4, Saudi Arabia said. A meeting of Islamic countries is expected to follow, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.

5. Polish President Duda met with President Trump in Washington to discuss Ukraine. 

6, US President Trump announced a second meeting for Ukraine negotiations will occur on 25 Feb in Riyadh.  

7. UK and French Leaders to visit Washington for Ukraine discussions with President Donald Trump. Mr. Macron, is due at the White House on Monday and Mr. Starmer is set to follow on Thursday.

8. US and Ukraine / EU send competing UN resolutions to General Assembly on 3d year anniversary of the war.

9. President Trump Removes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs & Navy CNO. In addition, the USAF Vice Chief of Staff and the Judge Advocate Generals of the Army, Navy and USAF have reportedly also been removed.

For review:

1. IDF Withdraws to Yellow Line in Gaza; 72-Hour Clock to Release Hostages Begins. Noon Monday (13 Oct) is the deadline for Hostage Release.

2. US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Israel on Monday morning and address the Knesset (in Jerusalem) before departing that same day.

3. Opposition activist María Corina Machado of Venezuela won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, dashing US President Donald Trump’s hopes of collecting the prestigious award after mediating a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

4. An American military team of 200 people will be deployed in the Middle East to “oversee” the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military’s Central Command (US CENTCOM), “will initially have 200 people on the ground. His role will be to oversee, observe, make sure there are no violations,” one senior official told reporters.

5. Qatar will build an air force facility at a US military base in Idaho to host its F-15 fighter jets and to train pilots, according to an agreement signed Friday between US War Secretary Pete Hegseth and his visiting Qatari counterpart.

6.  Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday praised US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts, despite not winning the Nobel Peace Prize. 

7. Denmark to Procure 16 More F-35s; Includes CCAs.

CCA = Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) wingman drones.

Short episode- For review:

1.  Bodies of Four Hostages Returned to Israel include Shiri, Ariel & Kfir Bibas.

2. President Trump & Leader of Ukraine Have War of Words.

President Trump: “Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the US and ‘TRUMP,’ will never be able to settle.” 

3. Australia and Papua New Guinea negotiate defense treaty.

4. Australia Monitoring Chinese Warships Off the Continent's East Coast.  Three Chinese navy vessels — a frigate, a cruiser and a supply tanker — were spotted last week in waters off mainland Australia.

5. Australian UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters achieve Initial Operating Capability- 15 months after arrival. The IOC achievement follows extensive testing, evaluation, and training, along with the launch of a fleet support and maintenance system. In 2023, Australia signed a deal to procure 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters via the US Government foreign military sales program. 

For review:

1. Hamas to release six Israeli Hostages on Saturday.  

2.  IDF Strikes Weapon Sites in Syria. The strikes targeted Syrian tanks used to store weapons, according to the IDF.

3. IRGC General Threatens Israel with Third Missile Attack. “The True Promise 3 will be carried out in appropriate time,” said deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC Brigadier General Ali Fadavi.

4. US & Russia Establish Goals for Cooperation in Riyadh Talks. The two sides agreed broadly to pursue three goals: to restore staffing at their respective embassies in Washington and Moscow, to create a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and to explore closer relations and economic cooperation.

5. US President Trump said he would not oppose the Europeans if they wanted to send peacekeepers to Ukraine to provide security guarantees in the event of a peace deal. "Having troops over there would be fine, I wouldn't object to it at all," President Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.

6. Russian defense companies make comeback at the biennial 2025 IDEX Defense Show in Abu Dhabi- United Arab Emirates. The 2025 IDEX setting is noticeably different from the 2023 edition, when Russian companies were not even listed on the show’s official website. One of the top Russian exhibits is the Kalashnikov Group's Kub-2-E strike drone equipped with guided munitions as part of a drone-swarming concept.

7. UK begins competition for new 5.56mm light machine gun. Named “Project TROUBLER,” the initiative seeks to address capability gaps left by the decommissioning of the L110 A2, a 7.2-kilogram (15.8-pound) machine gun. The new weapon must be lighter and more modern than its predecessor, enhancing the mobility and combat effectiveness of Infantry Soldiers.

8. US Navy continues recovery of the EA-18G Growler that crashed in the San Diego Bay last week. The entire recovery operation could take up to two weeks, according to a US Navy news release. 

9.  US Tests Unarmed Minuteman III Ballistic Missile. A test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled for Tuesday night from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. The missile will likely be visible from Los Angeles and well beyond as is flies on a trajectory to the central Pacific Ocean. The launch might be visible from as far away as Oregon, Nevada, western Utah and Arizona, and northwest Mexico.

For review:

1. : IDF will Remain on 5 Strategic Hills in S. Lebanon. The US authorized the IDF to remain in the five points, though it was not clear how long troops would stay there.

2. Lebanon extend ban on flights from Iran. US advised Lebanon that Israel may shoot Iranian planes down. Israel asserts that Tehran was using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash to Beirut to arm the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah.

3. Unconfirmed reports say that Hamas has agreed to allow the Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza after a permanent ceasefire.

4. US & Russian Officials Meet in Saudi Arabia. Senior American and Russian officials will hold talks on improving their ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.

5.  Ukraine President Calls for 200k Soldier European Army.

6. Top European Leaders Meet in Paris to Discuss Next Steps in Ukraine.

6. US Indo-Pacific Combatant Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo say that Chinese military exercises around Taiwan are “not exercises; they are rehearsals” for forced reunification with the mainland.