


Australia, Philippines launch military drills near South China Sea
Australia has launched its largest military exercises with Philippine forces, involving over 3,600 personnel in live-fire drills and a beach assault.

Europe
Trump-Putin summit could decide the course of the Russia-Ukraine war
Trump is flying to Alaska for a high-stakes summit with Putin that could determine the trajectory of the war in Ukraine and the fate of European security.

Defense spending bill forces Israel arms transfers, nixes Ukraine aid
The House moved its first draft of the FY25 defense spending bill, pushing back on President Biden's Israel arms transfer hold and excluding Ukraine aid.

Germany leans into Eurofighter with new order of 20 jets
The purchase is meant to bolster Germany's military posture while propping up the defense industry at the same time, according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

US Defense Secretary Austin’s chief of staff to step down this summer
Kelly Magsamen helped orchestrate America's security policy under the Biden administration but faced criticism for the secretary's surprise hospital stay.
South Korea preps new antimissile weaponry to counter North’s arsenal
Defense officials have completed development of the long-range L-SAM air defense system, moving on to the more advanced L-SAM-II.

Italy confirms air defense battery earmarked for Ukraine
Officials in Rome have made public what was long rumored, while Dutch defense leaders are trying to scrounge up another Patriot unit for Ukraine.

Finland beefs up artillery capability for coastal defense
The government in Helsinki wants mobile guns that can be deployed on the country's myriad of islands along its coast line touching the Baltic Sea.

Opinion
NATO space enterprise must throttle up — or risk falling short
Here are some actions NATO should undertake and articulate as specific objectives at the 2024 NATO summit in Washington.

US defense secretary visits Cambodia seeking reset amid China concerns
The trip will test the Pentagon's recent tactics of face-to-face engagement with countries in the region.

US, Philippines expand exercise to territorial edges amid tension with China
The U.S. is continuing to find ways to fortify defenses across the Pacific to deter China and counter its influence. The Philippines is key to that effort.
