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☆ The US military isn't ready for the coming drone war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

The Department of Defense is working on initiatives to face the drone threat, but the US military doesn't yet appear ready to confront this ever-evolving challenge, especially on the scale seen in Ukraine. AdvertisementA US military MQ-9 Reaper drone waits for take-off at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan on March 9, 2018. US military leaders have repeatedly stressed there's no silver bullet to defeat small drones in battle. Shellie HallStudents there spend several weeks learning how to identify, engage, and defeat small drones. The drone threat draws certain parallels to fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, where hidden bombs posed a tremendous threat.

Persons: GENYA SAVILOV, Mick Ryan, hasn't, you've, Franz J, Marty, Samuel Bendett, Paul Scharre, that's, Mike Parent, Mark Schauer, Parent, Paul Butcher, Cpl, Doug Bush, Amber Osei, Moseph Sauda, doesn't, Sauda, America's, Bram Janssen, Scharre, Justin Bronk, Jack Watling, Ryan Organizations: Business, Troops, of Defense, Department of Defense, Getty, Australian Army, Islamic State, Kandahar Air Base, Defense Ministry, Karabakh . Defense Ministry, Azerbaijan, AP, Pentagon, US Army, Aircraft Systems, Solutions, 71st Jaeger Brigade, US Army Yuma, Technology, Army, sUAS University, US Marine Corps, Force, Central Command, Shellie, National Training Center, US Army Air Defense Artillery, Center, New, New American Security, Base, London's Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Ukraine, prowling, Jordan, Chasiv Yar, Donetsk, AFP, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Avdiivka, Yuma, East, Oklahoma's Fort Sill, California, Fort Sill, China, Luhansk Region, Europe, Iran, New American, Iraq, Washington, Bagram, Kabul, Australian

☆ Russia is covering armored vehicles with elaborate anti-drone 'cope cages.' Video shows them getting hit anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Footage shared by a Ukrainian battalion appears to show exploding drones striking Russian 'cope cages.' Both Russia and Ukraine have used the cages as makeshift missile defenses on vehicles. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementVideo released by a Ukrainian battalion appears to show drones getting through increasingly complex "cope cages" installed on Russian armored fighting vehicles, to devastating effect. In a video posted on Monday by the 8th Separate Mountain Assault Battalion — part of the famed "Edelweiss" brigade — heavily protected Russian vehicles are seen to be targeted and, it appears, destroyed by Ukrainian drones.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Putin orders tactical nuclear weapon drills to deter the West
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Russia's defense ministry said it would hold military drills including practice for the preparation and deployment for use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. "During the exercise, a set of measures will be carried out to practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons," the ministry said. Russia and the United States are by far the world's biggest nuclear powers, holding more than 10,600 of the world's 12,100 nuclear warheads. No power has used nuclear weapons in war since the United States unleashed the first atomic bomb attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Major nuclear powers routinely check their nuclear weapons but very rarely publicly link such exercises to specific perceived threats in the way that Russia has.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexey Danichev, Natalia Kolesnikova, Joe Biden, Andriy Yusov, Sergei Shoigu, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ludovic Marin, David Cameron, Dmitry Peskov, Putin, Abrams, Sean Gallup Organizations: Federal Assembly's Council, Reuters, Missile, Southern Military District, Military, Victory Day, Afp, Getty, Russian Federation, Federation of American Scientists, CNN, Ukraine, Kremlin, U.S . Senate, AFP, British, NATO, U.S . Army, British Amphibious Engineer Battalion Locations: Saint Petersburg, Russia, Reuters Russia, Moscow, France, Britain, United States, Ukraine, U.S, China, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian, Paris, London, Soviet Union, Gniew, Poland

☆ Armies need their own drone air force flown by specialist soldiers, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The air war in Ukraine has become a cat-and-mouse game where drones must constantly evolve. AdvertisementRUSI envisions each drone battalion being equipped with everything needed to conduct a variety of UAV operations. This would include "situational awareness UAVs optimized for tactical reconnaissance; tactical strike UAVs; ISR [reconnaissance] UAVs able to penetrate into operational depth; operational strike UAVs; and platform-launched effects designed specifically to synchronize with and enable other weapons systems." To support friendly ground troops in contact with the enemy, flocks of expendable reconnaissance drones would operate up to 5 miles beyond the enemy front line. AdvertisementA Ukrainian serviceman launches a drone during a press tour in the Zhytomyr Region, northern Ukraine on September 20, 2023.

Persons: —, Jack Watling, Justin Bronk, Kirill Chubotin, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Royal United Services Institute, Ukrainian, Staff, Publishing, Getty, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, British, Zhytomyr Region, Forbes

☆ US Marine Corps urgently modernizes its counter-drone capabilities to keep pace with Russia and China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Drew F. Lawrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThe Marine Corps wants to field better counter-drone capabilities yesterday. Since that is not possible, the service says it's looking to get them to Marines right now, or at least very soon. Over the last five years, the Marine Corps has been improving its counter-drone systems as it looks to reshape the force and compete with near-peer adversaries. US Marines observed targets during a counter-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. That challenge has only grown, according to officials Tuesday, and the need for the Marine Corps to thwart it is critical.

Persons: —, Steve Bowdren, It's, it's, Neil Mabini Bowdren, Stephen Lightfoot, Moises Sandoval Lightfoot, Camp, Military.com, Col, Brendan Sullivan, Lance Cpl, Anakin Smith, David Berger, Lightfoot Organizations: Service, Corps, Marines, Marine Corps, Modern, Business, Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems, US Navy, Marine Air Defense Integrated, Carter, . US Navy, Air Defense Battalion, Darwin, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base, US Marine Corps, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Light Marine Air Defense Integrated Locations: Washington ,, Russia, China, Yuma, Yuma , Arizona, Ukraine, Brig, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

☆ Urris: Irish moonshine and the village that declared itself an outlaw republic
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Yolanda Evans | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Back in the 19th century, however, this county was at the center of an illegal trade in poitín – or Irish moonshine. Inishowen in particular was such a hive of illegal activity that the area was jokingly referred to as the Urris Poitín Republic. Fed up with the heavy fines, the people of Urris declared themselves the independent nation of the “Urris Republic of Poitín” and sealed themselves in by collapsing the pass in 1812, McLaughlin-Doherty explains. The townspeople were able to be self-sufficient because of their farmlands and fishing, thus allowing the Urris Republic of Poitín to last for three years before the coup was ended in 1815. The Catholic Church, a stronghold in Ireland, was instrumental in the eventual curbing of illegal poitín production.

Persons: there’s, Malin, –, uisce, Innis Murray, Martin Hegarty, Jennifer McLaughlin, Doherty, “, Urris, McLaughlin, Poitín, ”, Pat Doherty, poitín, Clara Molden, Aengus King, Pádraic Ó Griallais, Poitin, Ó Griallais Organizations: CNN, Donegal, distillers, Irish Ancestral Tours, Research, “, Catholic, Camera, Drinks, Micil Distillery, Revenue, Department, Agriculture Locations: Inishowen, Ireland’s, There’s, Clonmany, Lenan, poitín, Republic, Ireland, Sligo, Urris, Poitín Republic, Poitín, Urris Republic, Republic of Urris, Ireland’s Shannon, Dublin, Drinks Ireland, Galway, “, Britain

☆ US determines 5 Israeli security units committed human rights violations before outbreak of Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US State Department has determined that five Israeli security units committed gross violations of human rights prior to the outbreak of the war with Hamas in Gaza, but is still deciding whether to restrict military assistance to one of the units under US law. The other four “have effectively remediated these violations,” deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said Monday. The US is still deciding whether to restrict assistance to the remaining unit – reported to be the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion. They have submitted additional information as it pertains to that unit, and we’re continuing to have those conversations,” Patel said. Patel also declined to detail the units or speak about specifics of the remediation process.

Persons: Vedant Patel, Netzah Yehuda, ” Patel, they’ve, ”, Antony Blinken, Leahy, Patel, Israel, “, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Government, Leahy Law, State Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Ukraine pulls back forces in east as front line situation worsens; Kyiv desperately awaits U.S. weapon supplies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A serviceman of the battalion of unmanned attack air systems "Achilles" of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade prepares the "Vampir" night drone for the operation at a front-line position near the town of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, on April 22, 2024, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have been forced to retreat from several villages in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces advanced, the country's army chief said Sunday. "The situation at the front [has] worsened," Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on Telegram. He said the "most difficult situation" was in the areas west of Russian-occupied Maryinka and Avdiivka, a town captured by Russian forces in February and that he had moved his forces "to new frontiers" west of the villages of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka in a bid to prevent casualties. Russia had deployed four brigades in these areas as it launched offensives, Syrskyi said, and while it had achieved some tactical successes, it not yet achieved any "operational advantages."

Persons: Gen, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi Organizations: Separate Assault Brigade, Russian Locations: Chasiv Yar, Donetsk, Ukraine, Russian, Berdychi, Russia

☆ Israeli leaders and military criticize reported US plans to sanction IDF unit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Eugenia Yosef | Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers have sharply criticized reports of plans by the United States to sanction an Israeli military unit for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The allegations are said to implicate members of the Netzah Yehuda battalion of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the occupied West Bank, a unit established in 1999 comprising religious and Ultra-Orthodox Jews. He didn’t explicitly name Netzah Yehuda. An ‘inseparable part’ of the IDF“The ‘Netzah Yehuda’ battalion is an inseparable part of the Israel Defense Forces. Remo Casilli/Reuters“The reports regarding sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda Battalion are not currently known to the IDF.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, “, ”, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, didn’t, Netzah Yehuda, Netzah Yehuda ’, ” Benny Gantz, Israel, Gantz, Bezalel Smotrich, Netzah, Remo Casilli, ” Blinken, I’ve, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Israeli, West Bank, Israel Defense Forces, “, Rights Watch, HRW, Palestinian Ministry of Health, IDF, International, Reuters, Netzah Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Capri, Italy

☆ Israel's military intel chief resigns, citing failures over Oct. 7 attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The intelligence chief of Israel's Defense Forces has resigned citing failures linked to the Hamas terror attack carried out on Oct. 7, during which 1,200 people died in Israel and more than 200 were taken hostage. "On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel, whose consequences are severe and painful. Haliva had previously assumed responsibility for failure to prevent the devastating attack, amid mounting domestic criticism and demands for accountability from Israel's highest echelons. "The reports regarding sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda Battalion are not currently known to the IDF. Should such a decision be made on the matter, its consequences will be reviewed," the Israeli military added.

Persons: Aharon Haliva, Haliva, Benjamin Netanyahu, Haliva's, Netanyahu, Axios, Netzah Yehuda, Yehuda, Yoav Gallant, Antony Blinken Organizations: Israel's Defense Forces, State, IDF, Israeli, Reuters, Times, Hamas, West Bank, CNBC, Netzah, Israel Defense Forces, U.S Locations: Israel, Times of Israel, Gaza, U.S, Iran

☆ Middle East Crisis Senior Israeli Military Official Offers to Resign After Oct. 7 Intelligence Failures
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Mr. Netanyahu said in a social media post that his government would “act by all means” against any such move. The sanctions, if imposed, would not hold up the military aid that was just approved in Congress. The Israeli military disciplined three of the unit’s commanders after the investigation. Human rights organizations have long accused the Israeli military justice system of whitewashing wrongdoing and the military of acting with impunity. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed during the six months of war, according to Gazan health officials.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu, Axios, Netzah Yehuda, Leahy, Yehuda, Omar Abdelmajed Assad, “, Assad’s, Biden, Benny Gantz, Yoav Gallant, Antony J, Blinken, Jacob J, Lew, Gallant, Mick Mulroy, ”, ” Natan Odenheimer, Gabby Sobelman Organizations: West Bank, Biden, Netzah, Jewish, Israel, Pentagon, State Locations: States, Gaza, Israel, Israel’s, Iran, U.S, United States

☆ US set to sanction an entire IDF battalion with a history of alleged human rights abuses on the West Bank, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US is set to sanction an IDF unit following reported human rights abuses, Axios reports. The Netzah Yehuda battalion was implicated in the death of an 80-year-old US citizen in 2022. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe US is poised to sanction a controversial battalion in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for reported human rights abuses, Axios reported. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.

Persons: Netzah Yehuda, Benjamin Netanyahu, —, Axios, Antony Blinken, Yehuda Organizations: Israel's, Service, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank, Business

☆ What’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Hannah Beech | Weiyi Cai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

RUSSIA CHINA INDIA Pacific Ocean MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA RUSSIA CHINA INDIA Pacific Ocean MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIAWhat’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War? Parliamentary rule 1962 Military coup 1988 Nearly five decades of military rule Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown. National civil unrest 2021 Military coup ended power sharing with civilian government. Parliamentary rule Nearly five decades of military rule National civil unrest British colonial rule 1948 1988 1990 2007 2011 2021 1962 2015 Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown. National civil unrest 2021 Military coup ended power sharing with civilian government.

Persons: Adam Ferguson, Min Aung, Daw Aung, Suu Kyi, Aung, —, Tom Andrews, Chin, Rakhine Karen Mon Bamar, Kayan, Karen, Ms, hideouts Organizations: MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean, Insurgent, Council, Myanmar, 8th Battalion, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, The New York Times, Senior, National Unity Government, People’s Defense Forces, Rebels, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, Myanmar Peace Monitor, United Nations, General Administration Department, Union of, United, National Liberation Army Locations: RUSSIA CHINA, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA RUSSIA CHINA, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA, INDIA CHINA BANGLADESH Mandalay MYANMAR LAOS Naypyidaw Bay, Bengal Yangon THAILAND, INDIA CHINA Mandalay MYANMAR, Yangon THAILAND Bay, Bengal, Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza, India, China, Karenni State, country’s, Suu, Myanmar’s, British, Sagaing Region, MYANMAR, Naypyidaw, Burma, United States, Rakhine, Thailand, Union, Union of Burma, Afghanistan

Ahead of the encroaching Russian forces, Ukrainian volunteers have been evacuating civilians from Ocheretyne and other villages, posting videos on social media showing older residents leaving badly destroyed apartment buildings, along with their pets, and with belongings packed into cardboard boxes. A photograph taken on April 11, 2024, near the town of Chasiv Yar, in Donetsk region, shows smoke rising from fires after bombing. Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty ImagesAbout 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ocheretyne, on another piece of higher ground, the town of Chasiv Yar is also firmly in Russian sights. “The situation around the town of Chasiv Yar is difficult,” Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Ukrainian Ground Forces’ “Khortytsia” operational-strategic group, told CNN. Ukraine’s vulnerability in the face of the FAB threat highlights another huge need for Kyiv – more air defenses.

Persons: Oleksandr Syrskyi, Novokalynovo, Boris Rozhin, Anatolii Stepanov, Velyka, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Mike Johnson, Jake Tapper, “, Vladimir Putin doesn’t, Lloyd Austin, Chasiv Yar, ” Nazar Voloshyn, Yurii Fedorenko, Yar, Chasiv, ” Voloshyn, Zelensky, Victoria Butenko Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian, United States Congress, Russian, Getty, Ukraine’s Eastern Command, ” Artillery, US, House Defense, House, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Kremlin, Nazi, Ukrainian Ground Forces, Separate Assault Brigade, Reuters, Ukrainian Telegram, FAB, Kyiv, NATO Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ocheretyne, Avdiivka, Ukrainian, Novokalynove, Donetsk, Ocheretyno, AFP, Tonenke, Pokrovsk, Europe, Russia’s, Chasiv, Nazi Germany, Kalynivka, Ivanivske, Zaporizhzhia region, Chasiv Yar, Kharkiv

☆ Hawaii wildfires 2023: New report details problems and heroism from Maui’s disastrous infernos
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Among them: Chief officers and some Maui Fire Department staff used “WhatsApp” for situational awareness updates, but not everyone in the department used the app. Despite this, the collective actions by MFD and law enforcement saved many lives and property across the island,” the report says. “Battalion Chiefs initiated upstaffing for some resources on the morning of August 8” – the day the four major wildfires ignited. “MFD requested law enforcement to facilitate evacuations over the radio. “That is still under investigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” Maui Fire Department Chief Brad Ventura said Tuesday.

Persons: ” “, “, ”, Anne Lopez, –, upstaffing, Brad Ventura, ” Ventura, Ventura Organizations: CNN, Maui Fire Department, National Weather Service, Western Fire Chiefs Association, Staff, Hawaii’s, Fire Safety Research Institute, BCs, State, “ Battalion Chiefs, ICS, Incident Command, Hawaiian Electric Company, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives Locations: Maui, “, Lahaina

A view across the demarcation into Metula, Israel as seen from the Lebanese side of the demarcation line. But a Lebanese source familiar with the matter ruled this out. Hezbollah may only be compelled to join an Iranian war effort if the strike leads to further escalation, the same Lebanese source said. It provided a glimpse of how Hezbollah might attempt to overwhelm Israel’s defensive systems as Iran conducts its expected attack. From one of Spain’s bases near the demarcation line, there is a clear view of a microcosm of Lebanon’s long-standing border issues with Israel.

Persons: Kafr, Lebanon CNN —, ”, Juan Garcia Martinez, Charbel Mallo, —, Mohammad Reza Zahidi, “, Ali Khamenei, Sina Toosi, Yemen’s Houthis, ” Nasrallah, Israel –, Mallo, CNN Hezbollah’s, Hector Alonso, CNN’s MJ Lee, Natasha Bertrand, Zeena Saifi, Oren Liebermann Organizations: Lebanon CNN, CNN, UN, United Nations, Iran’s, Center for International, Hezbollah, Spanish UNIFIL, Israel Locations: Kafr Kila, Lebanon, Galilee, Spanish, Israel, Metula, Lebanese, Iran, Damascus, UNIFIL, Iranian, Gaza, Ghajar, Syrian, al

☆ Pro-Russian troops appear to use motorcycles to outwit drones and assault Ukrainian positions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Pro-Russian separatist soldiers appear to have attacked Ukrainian positions on motorcycles. Russian forces have had to explore increasingly inventive ways to outwit Ukrainian drone strikes. AdvertisementPro-Russian soldiers with a separatist militia have released footage on social media appearing to show them attacking Ukrainian positions on fast motorcycles. The maneuver appears to have been conducted by militia forces from the Zarya Battalion in the Luhansk region. It highlights Russian forces' adaptation to the continued challenges and threats posed by Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) attack drones.

Persons: —, Forbes, Robotyne Organizations: Luhansk People's, Service, Zarya Battalion, Forbes, CNN, Business Locations: Russian, Luhansk, Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian, Donetsk Oblast

☆ The US Army isn't ready to attack across rivers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Yet if the US Army went to war tomorrow, it would lack the equipment, doctrine and experience to launch an attack across a defended river, according to one Army engineer. "The Army has not conducted such an operation since World War II," wrote Maj. Aditya Iyer, an Army engineer, in an essay for the Association of the United States Army. "The current wet-gap crossing doctrine, organization, materiel and leadership are ineffective for division-level wet-gap crossing operations independent from the corps," Iyer warned. "In contrast, the Ukrainian forces had accurate intelligence that showed the Russian troops massing along the river," Iyer said. Related storiesIndeed, the Army was unprepared for river crossings at the start of World War II.

Persons: —, Aditya Iyer, Iyer, Napoleon, Kevin Larson, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, US Army, Army, Association of, United States Army, Business, 74th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade, Union Army, US 36th Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry, Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion, US, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Fredericksburg, Italy, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia, China, Eastern Europe, Forbes

☆ Russia is 'more dangerous' now than when it first invaded, former general reports after returning from Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Retired Australian Army Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan advocates for a change in Ukraine's war strategy. Ryan suggests Ukraine needs to push its narrative in Western media to counter Russia's influence. The Russian military has changed its warfighting capabilities, and the defense industry has been kicked into gear. Ukraine, he argued, must push its narrative to get through to Western media and dispute Russia's declarations of expected victory. Ryan said NATO and other partner nations should consider switching their perception of providing support from "defend Ukraine" to "defeat Russia in Ukraine."

Persons: Mick Ryan, Ryan, —, Jose Colon, Kurt Campbell, Chris Cavoli, Cavoli, Ukraine's Da, Kostiantyn Organizations: Australian Army, Service, Lowy Institute ., Russian Army, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, AP, Ukraine, NATO, Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves, Kyiv Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Australian, Australia, Lowy Institute . Russia, Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian, United States, Washington

CNN —Myanmar rebels fighting the junta say they have seized the last remaining military base in a key border town, dealing the latest significant blow to the country’s military rulers as they struggle to cling to power. About 200 soldiers abandoned their base in the southeastern town of Myawaddy and have been pushed to the No 2. “Officially we (are in) control of the town Myawaddy since last night,” KNU spokesperson Saw Taw Nee said. Footage also showed Thai military vehicles and troops stationed along the border. CNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military junta for comment.

Persons: Karen, ”, Saw Taw, Thailand’s Mae Sot, Manan Vatsyayana, “, Naw Tee, Aung, Thailand's, Prasarn Saengsirirak, ” Prasarn, Prasarn, Kim Jolliffe, it’s Organizations: CNN, Myanmar, Karen National Union, UN, Reuters, Getty, Karen National Liberation Army, Command, National League for Democracy, Army, Arakan Army Locations: Myawaddy, Myanmar, Thailand, Thailand’s, Tak, Thailand's Mae Sot, AFP, Teetering, Aung San, Kachin, China, Rakhine, Arakan

☆ I'm a US Army sniper in the Arctic, a beast of a place that can chew up even the strongest soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Phillip Cho, a US Army sniper in the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska. What I've preached for years now is that in order to be a successful sniper in the Arctic, you have to have imagination. We use different procedures in the Arctic versus the jungles of Asia or the deserts of the Middle East. Like other environments, water is a priority. The Arctic can be an insatiable beast and chews up some of the strongest soldiers that I've seen.

Persons: Phillip Cho, Cho, —, It's, I've, Simo Häyhä, We've, We're, Wyatt Moore, fieldcraft, Staff Sergeant Phillip Cho Organizations: 11th Airborne Division, Service, US Army, Operations Command, U.S . Army, 75th Ranger, Pacific Multinational Readiness, Donnelly Training, U.S, Army, Spc, Public Affairs Detachment, Islamic, Staff Locations: Alaska, Finnish, That's, Asia, Base, Greenland, Korea, Iraq, Islamic State

☆ C.I.A. Director Is Heading to Cairo for New Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. Credit... Fatima Shbair/Associated PressBy the middle of the night in Jerusalem, Israel made its first gestures to Mr. Biden. The reported agreement came as American officials held out the prospect of consequences if Mr. Netanyahu resisted. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, Biden’s, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Mr, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Chris Coons, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, William J, Burns, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, ” Julian E, Barnes, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, U.S . National Security Council, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Jordan, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Iran, Syria, United States, Cairo, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ Biden Chides Netanyahu, Threatening to Pivot U.S. Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences. Bibi obviously doesn’t care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does.”Jon Favreau, a former chief speechwriter for Mr. Obama, was even more derisive of Mr. Biden.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Biden’s, Chris Coons, Mr, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Jerusalem, Iran, Syria, United States, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ It looks like Russia is trying to overrun Ukrainian defenses with mechanized assaults before mud and more weapons can wreck its plans, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementOn March 30, Ukrainian forces near Tonenke, west of Avdiivka, appeared to have won a bigger victory, fighting off a battalion-sized Russian mechanized assault. Related storiesThen, on April 3, geolocated footage cited by ISW showed Ukrainian forces a platoon-sized mechanized assault near Terry. Mud and the potential for more weaponsThere are a few different potential explanations for the sudden spike in mechanized assaults, war experts say. But these mechanized assaults could also be timed to make the most of Ukraine's current struggles, the think tank's analysts said. AdvertisementAs ISW analysts noted in their reporting on the March 30 defeat of a Russian mechanized assault, "Ukrainian forces may have had to expend a significant amount of material to defend against the Russian assault."

Persons: —, ISW, Jose Colon, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mike Johnson, Kurt Campbell Organizations: Service, Business, Institute for, Washington DC, 25th Airborne Brigade, Russian, Anadolu, Getty, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Lyman, Bakhmut, Ukrainian, Tonenke, Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, Russia, Terry, Russian, House, Moscow

The 30-minute conversation was the two leaders’ first phone call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The killings have set off a furor inside the White House and Biden has been described as reaching a new level of frustration with Israel’s campaign. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a statement shortly after the call wrapped. Blinken said Israel should not stoop to the level of Hamas in its response to the group’s October 7 attacks. Blinken acknowledged the World Central Kitchen strike was not the first time Israel has killed aid workers in the conflict.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, ’, Biden, “, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Blinken, ” Blinken, haven’t, ” Kirby, Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons –, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, National Security, White House, Central Kitchen, Capitol Hill, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Blinken, United States, Rafah

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