Lebanese government tries to avoid internal strife amid Israeli bombardment
The Lebanese army is in no position to search for Hezbollah weapons while the country is under Israeli bombardment, one analyst said.
Mideast Africa
Six US service members killed in KC-135 crash in Iraq
“All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased,” CENTCOM announced.
Polish president rejects $50 billion in European military loans
The development represents the latest tit-for-tat move in right-wing Nawrocki’s ongoing row with the centrist government.
Italy’s Leonardo rides high on soaring global defense spending
The firm's Michelangelo Dome, a multi-layered air defense system, is projected to yield €21 billion in new business in the next ten years, the CEO said.
Price tag for Epic Fury tops $11 billion in first six days, Pentagon tells Congress
The figure omitted a range of war-related expenses and is likely to rise.
Nations withdraw some equipment from NATO Arctic exercise amid Iran fallout
Italian personnel on board the San Giusto said the Andrea Doria had departed a few days earlier in case the destroyer is needed closer to home.
NATO sends Patriot system to protect key air-defense radar in Turkey
The second Patriot system comes from NATO’s Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said.
Ukrainian advisors to teach German army how to win a modern war by 2029
The announcement, as reported by Reuters, marks a striking role reversal from years of Western forces training Ukrainian troops.
France’s Mediterranean armada signals clout as Middle East may rethink alliances
The massive deployment of warships comes as some Middle Eastern nations are expected to reevaluate their alliances in a post-Iran war world, analysts said.
Norwegian F-35s intercept Russian spy aircraft during NATO drill
The deep and distinctive rumble of warplanes echoed across the silent, mountainous terrain here in Evenes, where NATO is running Cold Response 2026.
Iran war may force US to shift missile defenses from South Korea, Seoul says
The U.S. Army operates only a small number of THAAD batteries across the world, meaning a deployment can affect multiple theaters.
Amid US military actions, White House struggles to explain how Iran war will end
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday told reporters it’s up to Trump “whether it’s the beginning, the middle or the end” of the war.
Japan shrugs off GCAP delays, fast-tracks export rules for future warplane
Reports indicate that costs have tripled, but it’s unclear if the Japanese government under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would augment this year’s budget.
Australia deploys early-warning aircraft to the Middle East amid Iran attacks
Australian leaders have said the country won’t be a protagonist in Israel and U.S. combat operations.
Two Iranian warships take sanctuary in India and Sri Lanka
The sinking of an Iranian warship by a U.S. Navy submarine last week became a diplomatic embarrassment for New Delhi.
Iran to face ‘most intense day of strikes,’ Hegseth says
The rhetoric was equally sharp from Tehran. Iran’s parliament speaker said on X that Iran was “definitely not looking for a ceasefire."
Opinion
Diego Garcia base access: Getting past the misinformation
There have been many twists and turns over the years in this dispute, including Trump’s differences with Starmer over Greenland and Iran.
