France to test its own AI-powered battlefield command in June NATO exercise
The French Army has developed its own large-language model for staff officers, called Berthier, named after Napoleon’s chief of staff.
The Americas
Joint Chiefs head makes first official visit to post-Maduro Venezuela
The visit comes five months after the high-risk U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Huge fascist-era underground cisterns draw Western special forces to Italy for tunnel training
After resisting 150 bombing runs by the Allies in the Second World War, the cisterns continued to be used by the Italian Air Force to hold aviation fuel.
US forces board sanctioned tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.
UK running out of time to boost defense as investment plan stalls, military chief warns
Defence Minister John Healey said on Monday that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was determined to publish it before a July 7 NATO summit.
Hidden chemical weapons sites emerge in Syria amid fragile security transition
Over a decade after Syria agreed to dismantle its arsenal, international inspectors have uncovered scores of previously hidden chemical weapons materials.
Dutch plant for combat-zone robots offers fresh supply pipeline for Ukraine
The facility has already produced its first THeMIS vehicle for the Dutch government, part of a run of more than 100 such robots pledged by the Netherlands.
Rheinmetall sells struggling auto division to focus on defense
The unit will be sold to Aequita for a provisional €350 million, subject to potential adjustment when the deal closes, expected in the fourth quarter.
Experts warn terrorism threat is rising in Africa as US pulls back
A jihadist front is gaining ground across Africa, the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned in its annual risk analysis.
US tells Europe, Canada to boost NATO air and naval forces
“Nations just need to assign the capabilities they have to NATO,” a spokesman for the alliance's military headquarters said.
Gulf tensions escalate as Iran hits Kuwait, US strikes near Hormuz
CENTCOM said it had carried out a new round of defensive strikes in southern Iran, while an Iranian drone attack on the Kuwait airport killed one person.
At a NATO range in Latvia, hits and misses mark Europe’s counter-drone journey
Drone technology is “a couple of steps ahead” of countermeasures, one officer said, with interceptors having to work every time to prevent losses.
Future presence of US troops in Lithuania is ‘under review,’ says minister
U.S. troops presently stationed in the country are now leaving as expected, but the next scheduled group is not arriving, the defense minister said.
France restricts Israeli presence at Europe’s biggest defense show
The restrictions come amid strained relations between Paris and Jerusalem over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.
US, NATO allies to launch scaled-back Baltic Sea drills
Officials say the smaller footprint reflects operational realities rather than waning commitment.
US may consider placing nukes in Poland, Baltic States, report says
While the discussions were ongoing, an agreement to expand U.S. nuclear hosting was not imminent, an unnamed source told the FT.
Pentagon chief sounds ‘alarm’ over China’s buildup, urges allies to boost defense spending
Hegseth urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power.
