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☆ Russia's hunted A-50 command planes are its eyes over Ukraine. Here's how it compares to the Boeing E-3 Sentry.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Ukraine's most significant aircraft kills in 2024 are two Russian A-50 command planes. AP PhotoThe MainstayAEW&C aircraft are aerial radar stations meant to detect and track enemy weapon systems — namely aircraft, missiles, and naval ships. An E-3 Sentry takes off at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in January 2024. Last November, the Russians threatened to destroy a French Air Force E-3 that was operating over the Black Sea in what a French military spokesman described as "a particularly aggressive radio exchange." AdvertisementLast year, the US Air Force announced that it had selected the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail as the E-3's intended replacement.

Persons: —, Tupolev, William R, Park Chung, hee, Anwar Sadat, Joseph Barron, hasn't, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, Russian Aerospace Forces, Soviet Union, Machulishchy, State TV, Radio Company, AP, Western Allies, Beriev, Ilyushin, NATO, Nellis Air Force Base, US Air Force, System, Boeing, Air, Air Force, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Saudi, Royal Air Force, Control Force, NATO Air Base, U.S . Air Force KC, US Air Force Ukraine, Ukrainian Air Force, Allied, French Air Force, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Business, Modern, Institute Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Soviet, Minsk, Belarus, Ukrainian, USSR, China, India, Turkey, Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, Syrian, Nevada, American, Latin America, South Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, France, Chile, NATO, Germany, Europe, Azov, Russia, Poland, Romania, Australia, West

☆ 'Drone hunting drones' are already impacting Middle East conflicts
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Iran's 538 loitering missile is designed to intercept low-flying drones. The 358 missiles confiscated by the US Navy were powered by small gas turbine engines made by a Dutch company. "As air defense systems increase in power and effectiveness, it will mark a new challenge to drone systems that have long had command of the air," Rogers said. A US Central Command handout shows one of the Iranian-made 538 loitering missile seized by the USS Forrest Sherman in November 2019. CENTCOM'Drone hunting drones'A report in March speculates that Turkey's arch-foe, the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK group, may have acquired Iranian Meraj loitering missiles.

Persons: —, James Patton Rogers, Rogers, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, USS Forrest Sherman Organizations: Service, US Navy, Cornell Brooks Tech, Institute, Cornell University, American Warfare, Saudi, US, Pentagon, East, Command, USS, Kurdistan Workers ' Party, Turkish Locations: Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran's, Dutch, Turkey, North Africa, Kurdistan, Iraq, Tehran

☆ A stalemate in the Ukraine war could now be the best-case scenario, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Ukrainian soldiers of a mortar team in 24th brigade are seen at positions near Toretsk, Ukraine on March 26, 2024. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesBefore the two-year anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine, defense experts widely predicted that the conflict would settle into a stalemate in 2024, leading neither side to make or lose a significant amount of territory. Russia's recent momentum — and ongoing worries over Ukraine's weaponry and ammunition shortages, as well as stalled U.S. military aid — are now prompting concerns that a stalemate might even be the "best-case scenario" that Kyiv can hope for this year. At worst, Ukraine could see Russian forces breaking through Ukraine's defensive positions along parts of the front line, one defense expert noted. Ukrainian servicemen of 24th brigade operate an 82mm mortar near the frontline in Toretsk as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Toretsk, Ukraine on March 27, 2024.

Persons: Ben Barry, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Barry, Vladimir Putin, confidants, Evgenia Novozhenina, Ian Bremmer, Ukraine's, Metin Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Land Warfare, Kremlin, Reuters Supply, Ukraine, Eurasia Group Locations: Toretsk, Ukraine, Moscow, Avdiivka, Russia, Russia’s, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russian, Iran, North Korea, Germany, U.S, Europe, Ukrainian, Izium, Kharkiv

☆ What the US Army should learn from Ukraine's hasty retreat from a Russian assault
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

And it should be a wake-up call for the US Army, which could find itself in the same situation, according to a US Army intelligence officer. With the potential for large-scale ground operations against well-armed Chinese or Russian forces, it's a topic that the US military cannot afford to neglect. The Ukrainian retreat suffered from poor coordination between the 110th Mechanized Brigade that had been defending the city, and the newly arrived 3rd Assault Brigade that was supposed to cover the 110th's withdrawal. The other lesson of Avdiivka is ensuring adequate support for a retreat, especially for the covering force that screens the withdrawal of the rest of the army. AdvertisementTo their credit, and despite a lack of ammunition, Ukrainian commanders were able to provide some fire support for the retreat.

Persons: It's, Ryan Forte, —, Forte, Corbis, Avdiivka wasn't, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, US Army, Business, Modern, Institute, 3rd Assault Brigade, Zenit, US, Union Army, Army, Marine Corps, 110th Mechanized Brigade, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Avdiivka, West, Donetsk, Russian, Russia, Moscow, Tunisia, Bull, Korean, America, Korea, Ukrainian, Forbes

☆ Drones have ushered in a brutal new phase of Syria's civil war
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewDrones are increasingly shaping warfare in the Syrian civil war that entered its 14th year in March. Kasim Rammah/Getty ImagesHowever, unlike drones, Syrian Air Force aircraft require significant support from Russia. Advertisement"The Russians might not want to spend any more jet fuel and Soviet-designed bombs on Assad just to help him blow up hospitals and marketplaces in Idlib," Lund said. Advertisement"It seems well within the means of Tahrir al-Sham, the dominant jihadi militia in Idlib, to manufacture and use kamikaze drones," Lund said. Even though many of these opposition drones are often described as crude, low-tech, and DIY, Lund also does not rule out the possibility that Syrian opposition groups have received state backing for some attacks.

Persons: —, Bashar al, Assad, Freddy Khoueiry, RANE, Khoueiry, Aron Lund, Lund, Kasim Rammah, Moscow's, they're, RANE's Organizations: Service, Business, Century International, Syrian Air Force, embroilment, Scientific Studies, Research Center, Ministry of Defense, Hezbollah, Russia Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Damascus, Hayat Tahrir, Idlib, Homs, East, North Africa, Syria, Aleppo, Soviet, Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Hmeimim, Latakia, Tahrir, Turkey

☆ Inside a Michigan Town's War Over a Chinese-Owned Battery Plant
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Brent Crane | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

This was nothing short of a communist invasion, in his eyes, and the patriots of Green Charter needed to rise up and confront the Red Peril. But the backlash in Green Charter represents something seldom seen since the Red Scare: a quasi-militant, homegrown resistance to the perceived threat of communism at home. But as the war over Gotion began to consume Green Charter, Riebow began to feel that the township board was behaving "too secretly." It's easy to dismiss what's happened in Green Charter as yet another sign of America's descent into dangerous incivility. Asked about Gotion's plans in Green Charter, Panetta replied, "I don't think there's any question that they are going to take advantage of that situation."

Persons: Jeff Peticolas, Sam Peticolas, He'd, Peticolas, Gos, Green, Matt Harrison Clough, Jim Chapman, I've, Chapman, freaked, Rush Doshi, Joe Biden's, Doshi, Donald Trump, Sen, Katie Britt, Lori Brock, Kristina Karamo, Lana Theis, John Moolenaar, it's, Gotion, John Holdsworth, I'm, Tracy Ruell, Ruell, Carlleen Rose, she'd, Suzi, Tim Hahn, Hahn, texted Hahn, Jeff, Corri Riebow, She'd, Riebow, Breitbart, Gretchen Whitmer, —, we've, Holdsworth, Jason Kruse, Kruse, that's, Kruse demurred, Hahn's, we're, We're, what's, William Evanina, Leon Panetta, Barack Obama's, Panetta, Brent Crane Organizations: Imperial, Pacific, Nikon, Ferris State University, Tech, Green Charter, BI Green Charter, Michigan, United States, Chinese Communist Party, Michigan Republican Party, Michigan GOP, WE, Republican, Republicans, Gotion, Treasury Department, BI, CCP politburo, Party, Communist Party of China, SAIC, Nexteer Automotive, Facebook, Big Rapids, Local, Moolenaar, Fox News, Daily Mail, Gov, Green Charter's, Ferris State, Big, FBI Locations: Pearl, He'd, Imperial Japan, Vietnam, Mecosta County , Michigan, American, Green Charter, Green, China, Green Charter's, Montana, Beijing, Arkansas, Reedley , California, Manteno , Illinois, Washington, America, United, United States, Biden's State, Alabama, Mecosta County, Michigan, Sweden, Big Rapids, enervated, Gotion, Northern Michigan, USA, Filipino, Charter, San Diego

☆ Opinion: ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ beats Florida’s right-wing politicians at their own game
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Opinion Noah Berlatsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But sometimes — as in Ethan Coen’s and Tricia Cooke’s wonderful “Drive-Away Dolls” — they’re more adventurous. Noah Berlatsky Noah BerlatskyCoen, best known for his collaborations with his brother Joel, co-wrote and co-directed “Drive-Away Dolls” with his wife and queer filmmaker, Cooke. Jamie (played by Margaret Qualley) and Marian (played by Geraldine Viswanathan) are pictured in "Drive-Away Dolls." Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan co-star in Ethan Coen's and Tricia Cooke's latest film, "Drive-Away Dolls." “Drive-Away Dolls” tells the audience watching through that fence or otherwise, that queer looking, queer film, queer art and queer people are all a valuable, fun and worthy heist.

Persons: Noah Berlatsky, George Clooney, Ethan Coen’s, Tricia Cooke’s, Noah Berlatsky Noah Berlatsky Coen, Joel, Cooke, Jamie, Margaret Qualley, Beanie Feldstein, Marian, Geraldine Viswanathan, Marian’s, Gary Channel, Matt Damon, —, Coen, Tricia, Sen, don’t, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, “, they’ve, Ethan Coen's, Tricia Cooke's, buttoned, John McNaughton’s, Norman, ” Organizations: CNN, Texas, Channel, Florida Gov Locations: Chicago, Tallahassee, Florida, American, Florida —, Marion, Hitchcock’s

☆ Russian officers were 'negligent' for launching armored vehicle attacks without the tools to fend off the enemy's exploding drones, war bloggers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewRussian war bloggers are mad at Russian military leadership for sending armored vehicles to slaughter, seemingly unprepared for the drone threat. Ukrainian drones tracked it kilometers behind the front, eventually swarming with FPV munitions, artillery, and ATGM fire. Military bloggers have previously slammed Kremlin propagandists for failing to call out Russian military failures. The bloggers have also criticized commanders for their "complete stupidity and incompetence" when it comes to being prepared against Ukrainian drones. Drones have become so prevalent all along the front lines that both Russian and Ukrainian forces are finding it difficult to advance forward.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Institute for, Military, Guardian, New York Times Locations: Russian, Russia, Ukrainian, Novomykhailivka, Donetsk Oblast, US, Ukraine

☆ Dollar firms near 3-month high as rate cut bets dwindle
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar was perched near a three-month peak on Tuesday, buoyed by elevated Treasury yields, on growing expectations that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates aggressively this year. The U.S. dollar was perched near a three-month peak on Tuesday, buoyed by elevated Treasury yields, on growing expectations that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates aggressively this year. The string of robust U.S. economic data has quashed any lingering hopes of early and steep interest rate cuts by the Fed, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other policymakers also pushing back against the notion. Figures showed that the unemployment rate was likely much lower late last year than previously thought, which could push out rate cuts there, too. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.07% to 148.56 per dollar, hovering around a two-month low of 148.90 it touched on Monday.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Christopher Wong, Michele Bullock, Kristina Clifton Organizations: U.S, Federal, Investor, Reserve Bank of Australia, Investors, Reuters, Commonwealth Bank of Australia Locations: Singapore, Asia

☆ Russian soldiers are most vulnerable when moving about during the long winter nights, but Ukraine's drone pilots often don't have the gear to hit them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A challenge for Ukraine is that drone pilots often don't have the right gear to hit them though, a Ukrainian drone operator and a drone expert told Business Insider. But because operating drones in the dark requires more expensive equipment, Ukraine's options for striking during that time are limited. Drone pilots aren't equipped to hit themThere are a number of ways to hit the enemy at night, but cheap drones often aren't among the best options. Seeing at night requires Ukraine to use more expensive drone types or to put expensive upgrades on the cheaper, civilian drone types that many of its soldiers rely on. A Ukrainian drone operator recently told The Guardian there are so many drones over parts of Ukraine right now that soldiers on both sides don't know how to move forward.

Persons: —, Vitaliy, They're, Vlada, Kryukov, James Patton Rogers, Samuel Bendett, Ozge Elif, Rogers Organizations: Service, Business, Adam Tactical, Ukrainian, Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute, Center for Naval, Getty, Guardian Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Russia, Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Anadolu

☆ Utah Sets Restrictions on Transgender People’s Bathroom Use
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Colbi Edmonds | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In public schools, students can now use only a bathroom, shower room or locker room that aligns with their sex assigned at birth, with few exceptions. For government-owned buildings, including state universities, the restrictions apply only to showers and locker rooms. Violators may face charges for loitering, and government-owned institutions may face fines if they do not enforce the new rules. The state auditor will be required to establish a process to receive and investigate reports of violations.

Utah became the latest state to regulate bathroom access for transgender people after Republican Gov. Opponents noted not all states allow people to change their birth certificates and that many trans people don’t want to have surgery. West Virginia’s Legislature is considering a transgender bathroom bill for students this year. “Nobody I know cares if a transgender woman comes into their bathroom, uses it for its intended purpose and walks out,” Birkeland said. Equality Utah, a nonprofit organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, advocated for the amendment but still opposed the bill.

Persons: Spencer Cox, ” Cox, Tennessee —, Kera Birkeland, ” Birkeland Organizations: Republican Gov, West, Republican, American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, Senate, Equality Locations: Utah, — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida , Idaho , Iowa , Kansas , Kentucky, North Dakota , Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia’s, Salt Lake County, Equality Utah

For instance, the U.S. has blocked shipments of cotton coming from China, a top manufacturer of popular clothing brands, because it was produced by forced or prison labor. While prison labor seeps into the supply chains of some companies through third-party suppliers without them knowing, others buy direct. Cargill acknowledged buying goods from prison farms in Tennessee, Arkansas and Ohio, saying they constituted only a small fraction of the company’s overall volume. For instance, about a dozen state prison farms, including operations in Texas, Virginia, Kentucky and Montana, have sold more than $60 million worth of cattle since 2018. “What for?”FOLLOWING THE MONEYThe business of prison labor is so vast and convoluted that tracing the money can be challenging.

Persons: it’s, Willie Ingram, “ They’d, billy clubs, they’d, ”, Ingram, didn’t, they’re, don’t, Andrea Armstrong, Frank Dwayne Ellington, Ellington, Koch, “ It’s, it’s somebody’s, Alishia Powell, Clark, “, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus, Archer Daniels, Cargill, ” McDonald’s, Mills, ” Bunge, Burger, Jermaine Hudson, ” Hudson, Calvin Thomas, Thomas, Ken Pastorick, Pastorick, Jennifer Turner, Faye Jacobs, Jacobs, ’ ” David Farabough, they’ve, Joshua Sbicca, Cliff Johnson, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee, Tyson, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, that’s, ” Ivey, “ They’re, ’ ”, William “ Buck ” Saunders, Hickman’s, Brooke Counts, Counts, John’s, Jack Strain, Tammany Parish, Russell Stover, Curtis Davis, Robert Bumsted, Cody Jackson, Columbia University’s Ira A, Lipman Organizations: Louisiana State Penitentiary, The Associated Press, Walmart, Cargill, U.S, Kroger, Target, Aldi, Corrections, Loyola University New Orleans, Koch Foods, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Washington, Archer Daniels Midland, Consolidated, AP, Foods, Dairy Farmers of, Big, Sam’s, Tyson Foods, U.S ., Civilian, OSHA, Fair Labor, American Civil Liberties, Colorado State University, MacArthur Justice Center, University of Mississippi, PepsiCo, Brevard County Sheriff, Arizona . Companies, Costco, Correctional, Prisons, Nut, Maine Foods, Taylor Farms, Transitional, Associated Press, Public Welfare Foundation, Columbia, Lipman Center for Journalism, Arnold Ventures Locations: ANGOLA, La, Southern, Louisiana, Texas, In Louisiana, Angola, United States, “, Ashland, U.S, China, Tennessee , Arkansas, Ohio, Dairy Farmers of America, Texas , Virginia, Kentucky, Montana, Baton Rouge, Mississippi, Manhattan, America, Alabama, American, Arkansas , Texas, Florida , Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, In Alabama, Florida, Brevard County, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, Colorado, state’s St, Tammany, Idaho, In Kansas, Cal, St, Francisville , Louisiana, Feliciana, Investigative@ap.org

ATLANTA (AP) — A bill to define antisemitism in Georgia law stalled in 2023 over how it should be worded. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe committee also advanced Senate Bill 359 on a split vote. The law would also make any two crimes subject to Georgia's hate crimes law eligible for prosecution under the state's expansive anti-racketeering statute. Arkansas passed such a law last year, and like in Georgia, a South Carolina measure passed one chamber in 2023. Others don’t oppose a law, but object to the measure defining antisemitism by referring to a definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

Persons: ”, Esther Panitch, Marissa Pyle, Brian Kemp, Bill, Israel, Asim Javed, Javed, Elizabeth Baher, Macon's Temple Beth Israel, “, ” Baher, David Lubin, He's, Rose Lubin, Lubin, Hitler Organizations: ATLANTA, Israel, Hamas, Democratic, Rep, Georgians, Gov, Republican, International Holocaust, Alliance, Georgia Muslim Voter, Atlanta's Dunwoody High School Locations: Georgia, Sandy Springs, Israel, Arkansas, South Carolina, Indiana , Florida , Massachusetts , New Jersey, South Dakota, Macon's Temple, Atlanta, Jerusalem

☆ Drones in Ukraine have the same problem cell phones do in cold winter weather, giving pilots less time to hunt
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Vitaliy Kryukov, a loitering-munition commander for Ukraine's elite Adam Tactical Group, told Business Insider that fighting with drones in the winter comes with far more limitations. He compared it to what happens to cell phones in winter: "In the winter, you take your smartphone outside, and you'll notice that soon enough the battery will deplete much, much quicker." Upgrading drones to make them able to see at night, or simply using better-equipped drones, can be much more expensive. These drones are not the type that slam into targets and explode on impact, and there are fewer of them. AdvertisementHe said neither Russia or Ukraine is stopping their fight despite the conditions: "For sure Ukraine won't stop for the winter."

Persons: —, Ignacio Marin, Vitaliy, Kryukov, James Patton Rogers, Rogers, Kostya Organizations: Service, Business, Anadolu, Getty, Adam Tactical, Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute Locations: Ukraine, Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, Russia, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Avdiivka

Thursday's attack followed one by Iran inside Pakistan on Tuesday. The strikes imperiled diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Tehran, as Iran and nuclear-armed Pakistan have long regarded each other with suspicion over militant attacks. Iran has seen growing pressure for action after the Islamic State group attack, Israel's war on Hamas and wider unrest against its theocracy. Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer (560-mile), largely lawless border in which smugglers and militants freely cross. For both Iran and Pakistan, the cross-border attacks renew questions about their own military preparedness, particularly their radar and air defense systems.

Persons: ”, Ali Reza Marhamati, Pakistan's, “, Jundallah, Jaish, Abdullah Khan, ” There's, Mao Ning, ___ Gambrell, Riazat Butt, Nasser Karimi, Liu Zheng Organizations: Hamas, Islamic, Ministry, Baluch Liberation Army, Baluch, Adl, Islamic State, Pakistan Institute for Conflict, Security Studies, Baloch, Foreign Ministry, Associated Press Locations: ISLAMABAD, Iran, Pakistan, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Islamic State, Islamabad, Tehran, Iran’s Sistan, Baluchestan, Saravan, Baluchistan, United States, Israel, Pakistan’s Baluchistan, Sistan, Chabahar, Afghanistan, India, U.S, French, China, Beijing, Pakistan's Baluchistan, Jerusalem

☆ Iran's new jet-powered exploding drones in Russian hands could put even more stress on Ukraine's best air defenses
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Russia is suspected of having used a new Iranian exploding drone in Ukraine, though it's not confirmed. The weapon, Iran's jet-powered Shahed-238, is believed to offer a speed boost over the Shahed-136 loitering munition. With these new drones, Moscow could create more headaches for Ukraine's air defenses, experts say. Remain of a Russian-made Shahed 136 at an exhibition on May 12, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Bendett said Iran will likely be taking notes on how its drones are used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Persons: it's, —, hWuxfEUzSV, lY3Js7yPH4, 🐈🇺, Ma, sy Organizations: Service, Kyiv Post, Zone, Business Locations: Russia, Iranian, Ukraine, Moscow, Iran, Tehran, Russian, Kyiv, Kherson, Ky

☆ Russia will send fighter jets and attack helicopters to Iran, state media says. The move could strengthen ties that already have the US worried.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia is slated to send Iran advanced fighter jet and attack helicopters, reports say. AdvertisementRussia has agreed to send advanced fighter jets and attack helicopters to Iran in a deal that would provide a significant boost to the country's air force, Iranian media reports. A Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter performs during Army Games 2021 at Alabino Military Training Ground in Moscow on August 25, 2021. AdvertisementPrior to the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow was the world's second-largest arms exporter behind the US, according to a 2021 Congressional Research Service report . But Russia's war in Ukraine has disrupted its foreign military sales, an important component of the country's defense apparatus.

Persons: —, Yakovlev, Tasnim, that's, Stringer, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, Evgeniy, IRNA Organizations: Service, White, Tasnim News Agency, Republic News Agency, Army, Alabino, Anadolu Agency, Getty, National Security, European Union, AP, Kremlin, US Locations: Russia, Iran, Moscow, Tehran, Ukraine, East, Kyiv, Russian, European, Ukrainian, Washington, Israel, Gaza, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria

☆ George Santos may get to enjoy all sorts of exclusive, lawmakers-only perks — including the ability to walk onto the House floor — even if he's expelled
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

That includes access to the House floor, lawmakers-only gym and dining facilities, and more. AdvertisementRep. George Santos of New York may be expelled from the House as soon as this week. Those privileges — which would also apply if he resigned — typically include the ability to walk onto the House floor, use lawmakers-only facilities, and even purchase (and perhaps auction off) their own office furniture. In other words, George Santos may be able to keep LARPing as a member of Congress if he's expelled. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a former House member, hanging out with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the House floor on November 27.

Persons: George Santos, —, Santos, that's, Daniel Schuman, he's, it's, Republican Sen, Markwayne Mullin, — Santos, ", Schuman, George Santos —, — you've, auctioning, Sen, Kevin McCarthy, Tom Williams, they've Organizations: Service, Republican, POPVOX, —, Congressional Research Service, United States Association, Former, Congress, Getty Locations: George Santos of New York, Oklahoma, loitering

☆ Ukrainians are getting target practice on drones at a secret training center, ABC reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

At the northern training center, Ukrainian soldiers in training target drones that mimic Shahed drones, which are made in Iran, with dated Soviet-era antiaircraft weapons and machine guns. The goal is to ensure that Western air defense systems — expensive and harder to come by — are an infrequently used last resort. The strategy aims to take advantage of the country's lean air defense systems, the Washington Post previously reported. AdvertisementRussia has also been using Shahed-136 drones , loitering munitions made by Iran, and creating its own cheaply-made drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Meanwhile, Russians have also been targeting Ukrainian drones and jamming their systems, making them inoperable.

Persons: —, Serhii Nayev, Nayev, Nafar Organizations: Service, ABC News, Republicans, Washington Post, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, Kyiv

☆ Video of Russia's latest Lancet drone striking a US Bradley IFV shows how the weapon has been adapted to evade Ukrainian defenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's newest Lancet drones appear to have found a way to evade Ukrainian defenses. This means the warheads detonate some distance away, rather than on impact. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn advanced version of Russia's feared Lancet drone appears to have a new way to evade Ukrainian armored anti-tank grids and anti-drone nets. Russian forces posted a video of a Lancet drone striking a Ukrainian combat vehicle by exploding several feet away from the target. While the advancements will put some Ukrainian vehicles at risk, the best-protected vehicles should still be able to fend off the attacks, Forbes said.

Persons: —, Russia's, Forbes, Bradley IFV, Bradley, Ukraine's Air Force Yurii Ihnat, LIGA.net, Lancets Organizations: Service, Conflict Intelligence, Intelligence Team, Armed Forces, Ukraine's Air Force Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Donetsk, Ukraine

☆ Israel used a weapon it never has before to stop a missile as its enemies put every layer of its air-defense system to the test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Israel has confirmed the first operational use of its Arrow-3 system to intercept an enemy missile. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsrael has confirmed the first operational use of its Arrow-3 system to stop an inbound missile as the country's adversaries test the layers of its sophisticated air-defense network. An "Arrow 3" ballistic missile interceptor is seen during its test launch near Ashdod December 10, 2015. "The Arrow-3 system's capabilities enable longer range, higher altitude (exo-atmospheric), and more precise ballistic missile engagements," it adds. "For the first time, all the aerial defense systems are working simultaneously," the IDF said on Thursday.

Persons: Israel, —, Amir Cohen, It's Organizations: Service, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Center for Strategic, International Studies, REUTERS, Arrow, Patriot, IDF Locations: Iran, Yemen, Israel, Gaza, Washington, Ashdod, Lebanon

☆ Russia has tried to break Ukraine’s energy grid. This winter, Ukrainians are prepared for the worst
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

When Russia pounded Ukraine’s power grid with widespread and repeated waves of airstrikes last year, causing massive rolling blackouts, his wife had just given birth to their second daughter. As families like Gindyuk’s gird themselves for the possibility of another dark winter, Ukraine has been rushing to rebuild and protect its fragile energy infrastructure. The summer provided a respite for Ukraine’s power grid. “Ukraine’s power system continues to operate in an emergency mode, which affects both power grids and generation,” a news release accompanying the report said. Physical barriers have been erected around Ukraine’s high-voltage electricity transmission network, which is operated by the national energy company Ukrenergo .

Persons: Ukraine CNN — Oleksandr Gindyuk, Gindyuk, ” Gindyuk, Gindyuk’s, Vadym, “, ” DTEK, ”, Maxim Timchenko, ” Timchenko, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Ukrenergo, ” Kudrytskyi, Oleksandr Prokhorenko, Kateryna, Varvara, ” Prokhorenko, Serzhan Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, CNN, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, United Nations, Programme, European Union, Management Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Spanish, Valencia

☆ The US just sanctioned the Russian manufacturer of Lancet, a $35,000 tank-smashing 'suicide' drone that has been impeding Ukraine's counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US imposed sanctions against Russian manufacturer Zala Aero, which produces the Lancet drones. The Lancet drone is a loitering munition that stays near its target before crashing into it. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US imposed sanctions on Thursday against a Russian manufacturer of lightweight drones that has been impeding the progress of Ukraine's counteroffensive. Lancet drones are small and lightweight, with its latest iteration, the Lancet-3M, weighing about 26.5 pounds — including the payload —and measuring less than 6 feet long, The Wall Street Journal reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementOne video circulating online appeared to show a Lancet drone dropping explosives on a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet that was sitting on the tarmac of an air base.

Persons: —, It's, Igor Zimenkov, Samuel Bendett, James Patton Rogers, Patton Rogers, Oleksandr Afanasyev Organizations: Zala Aero, Service, Ukraine, Department of State, US, SWIFT, State Department, Department, Foreign, Control, Street Journal, Center, New, New American Security, Reuters, Russia, IRIS, Cornell Tech Policy Institute, University of Southern, Aero Locations: Zala, Russian, Russia, New American, Germany, University of Southern Denmark, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

☆ Video shows a US Navy drone boat firing off its own exploding drone in the Middle East, a first for the unmanned vessels
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US Navy said its drone boats fired lethal weaponry for the first time in the Middle East. Footage of one of the engagements shows Navy personnel operating the drone boat in the open waters. The USV then fires one of the munitions, which includes a first-person view of its trajectory into the simulated target, causing it to detonate on impact. Navy officials said the exercise was designed to advance the lethality and combat potential of drone boats, and future events could broaden the arsenal of these unmanned systems. Beyond drone boats, the Pentagon has taken other measures in recent months to boost deterrence in the region like dispatching an assortment of fighter jets and warships to the area.

Persons: —, Ray USV, Devil Ray, NAVCENT, Brad Cooper, Cmdr, Dre Johnson, Jonathan Nye, Justin Stumberg Organizations: US Navy, Navy, Service, US Naval Forces Central Command, . Naval Forces Central Command’s, Digital, Missile System, U.S . Naval Forces Central Command’s, Mass, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Pentagon Locations: Arabian, U.S, Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Persian, Iran, American

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