Top stories
Patriot missile involved in Bahrain blast likely US-operated, analysis finds
The pre-dawn explosion injured dozens of civilians, including children, and tore through homes in U.S.-ally Bahrain 10 days into the war.
UK approves US use of British bases to strike Iran missile sites targeting ships
Starmer initially rejected a U.S. request to use British bases for strikes on Iran, saying he needed to be satisfied that any military action was legal.
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Air Force first to upgrade records for troops discharged over COVID vax refusal
Hegseth also announced that the active-duty obligation for troops who opt to return to service is slashed in half from four years to just two years.
Denmark planned to blow up Greenland runways if Trump moved to seize island
Denmark dispatched soldiers and explosives to Greenland in January as part of a contingency plan if the U.S. attempted an invasion.
USS Boxer and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploy to Middle East
The Pentagon is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East.
VA social worker dies following shooting at rural Georgia clinic
The Veterans Affairs employee died the day after being shot by an assailant who was in the clinic for a walk-in mental health consultation.
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Your Military
US countered drone threat over ‘strategic’ installation in early hours of Operation Epic Fury: Guillot
Forces used a Fly-Away Kit to counter the threat over a U.S. installation, according to the commander of U.S. Northern Command.
Opinion
Why military fellowships at civilian universities matter
Before dismantling programs like Senior Service College fellowships, the Pentagon should carefully reconsider the full value they provide to the military.
Terror groups under increased scrutiny in DNI’s annual threat report
In remarks this week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard emphasized the threat of foreign terror groups with Islamist ideology.
Ukraine deploys units to 5 Middle East countries to intercept drones
Zelenskyy has said Kyiv wants money and tech in return for its help in the Middle East, adding that the U.S. was among the nations that sought Kyiv’s help.
In other news
Marine lance corporal develops $10 solution to $5,600 antenna problem
The junior Marine's innovation has so far saved an estimated $600,000 and eliminated years of supply delays. Motivation intensifies.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
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MORE STORIES
USS Boxer and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploy to Middle East
The Pentagon is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East.
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart, Reuters
Marines test ‘cruise control’ swim feature on amphibious vehicle prototype
The vehicles vying to replace the Marine Corps’ aging light armored vehicle fleet swam for the first time earlier this year.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Marine lance corporal develops $10 solution to $5,600 antenna problem
The junior Marine's innovation has so far saved an estimated $600,000 and eliminated years of supply delays. Motivation intensifies.
By Daniel Terrill
High-speed combat drone production starts at new US Anduril plant in days
Anduril Industries will begin building its new loyal wingman drones in the coming days at a new facility in Ohio.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
Hegseth wants Pentagon to dump Claude, but military users say it’s not so easy
Pentagon staffers, former officials and IT contractors who work closely with the U.S. military say they are reluctant to give up Anthropic’s AI tools.
By Reuters
Apache helicopter shoots down drones in Europe for first time in combat exercise
U.S. soldiers used Apache helicopters to pursue and attack drones in an air-to-air combat training exercise this week.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
Two US counter-mine ships based in the Middle East are now in Singapore, Navy says
The USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa, which are homeported in Bahrain, arrived in Singapore this week.
By Riley Ceder
Pentagon once again urges civilian employees to volunteer with DHS
The Defense Department continues to ask its civilian employees to volunteer for logistics support and more with ICE and CBP.
Israel forges ahead on ground incursion against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The operation is separate from the joint U.S.-Israel war on Iran, but the dynamics of each conflict zone will inevitably intersect with each other.
By Tanya Noury
US moves to approve more than $16 billion in air defense sales to Middle East
The packages include systems for the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, and range from counter-drone technology to aircraft munitions.
By Eve Sampson