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.
Europe
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.
South Korea goes full steam ahead on nuclear-powered submarines
Seoul plans to launch its first boat in the mid-2030s and commission it in “the late 2030s,” the government proclaimed.
US military seeks cultural advisors in Somalia amid regional strikes
The U.S. special operations task force in Somalia is looking for contractors to advise troops on Somali politics, culture and tribal dynamics.
Poland spends $16.5 billion in EU-backed loans on heavy army weapons
Amid political infighting over the funding mechanism, the government has tapped local companies to make fighting vehicles, howitzers and ammunition.
Norway becomes ninth country to sign up for French nuclear deterrence as trust in US falters
Meanwhile, Germany will participate in French nuclear exercises as soon as September, joining them in an observer role.
US general holds rare meeting with Cuban military officials near Guantanamo Bay
The meeting is the first in recent memory by a head of U.S. Southern Command and comes amid growing concerns in Cuba of a possible U.S. military attack.
How Russia is turning Ukraine’s drones against NATO
A Russian drone wounded two civilians in Romania on Friday, days after Lithuania detailed how Moscow is also steering Ukraine's drones onto allied soil.
Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, top UK intel chief says
The figure hardens a growing consensus among Western officials: Russia is on its heels for the first time since the Kremlin launched its invasion in 2022.
US arms sales pause would push Taiwan toward asymmetric-defense tech: Analysts
The idea of Trump using arms sales as a negotiating chip with China has sparked concerns that Washington might decline procurement deals with Taiwan.
How far is there to go until the US and Iran end the war?
A tentative deal has been reached to end the war and restart transit in the Strait of Hormuz, and then negotiations on more difficult issues would begin.
China is building launch pads near its nuclear missile silos
China’s nuclear missiles can reach any U.S. city. Now, satellite images show Beijing is building a sprawling web of military sites near its nuclear silos.
