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☆ European leaders are planning a $4.3 billion Iron Dome-style defense system
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewEuropean countries are preparing to reveal plans for a $4.3 billion Iron Dome-style air and missile defense system, Poland's prime minister announced on Monday. The European Sky Shield Initiative, or ESSI, is conceived as a means to jointly procure ground-based interoperable air defense systems. There is no reason for Europe not to have its missile defense shield," Tusk said, per The Telegraph. Related storiesIsrael's Iron Dome has long been seen as one of the world's most advanced air defense systems, protecting the country's skies from rockets and other projectiles. AdvertisementWhile a direct hot-war attack by Russia on NATO Europe is not considered an immediate likelihood, many countries — particularly those that border Russia — are deeply alarmed.

Persons: —, . Donald Tusk, Tusk, ESSI, Olaf Scholz, It's, Andrzej Duda Organizations: Service, AVN, European Council, Kyiv Post, Business, Sky Shield Initiative, Telegraph, NATO, Patriots, IRIS Locations: Kyiv, Israel, Europe, Russia, Iran, NATO Europe, Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, German, ESSI

☆ Russia's fearsome S-400 air-defense system isn't quite living up to the hype in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Russian S-400 surface-to-missile systems in the Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square on i in May 2023. Ukraine in September said it destroyed two Russian S-400 batteries in Crimea, a region annexed by Russia in 2014. Rajan Menon, the director of the Grand Strategy program at the US think tank Defense Priorities, described the S-400 as Russia's "top-of-the-line air defense system." A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia in September 2020. A Patriot air defense system test-fired during a training in Chania, Greece, on November 8, 2017.

Persons: —, Fredrik Mertens, John Hoehn, it's, Hoehn, AP Mertens, Mertens, Ian Williams, Mattias Eken, Rajan Menon, Vitaly Nevar, Mick Ryan, you've, DIMITAR DILKOFF, Ryan, haven't, hasn't, KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, might've, Eken, Anthony Sweeney, Army Menon Organizations: Service, Business, Hague, Strategic Studies, NATO, SA, International Institute for Strategic Studies, US Patriot, Reuters, RAND Corporation, Ukrainian Air Force, Forbes, Directorate of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, South Korea Defense Ministry, AP, Patriots, Storm, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Defense, REUTERS, Australian Army, Getty, Victory Day, Patriot, Army Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russia, Moscow, Crimea, Screengrab, Soviet, US, Russia's, Ukraine's Luhansk, South Korea, Kaliningrad, Southern Russia, AFP, Chania, Greece, United States, West, NATO

☆ Zelensky Said the U.S. Should Do More to Help Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In a wide-ranging interview with three of my colleagues, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said the U.S. and its European allies should be doing more to support his country in its fight against Russia. He specifically proposed that NATO planes begin shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine. Are you shooting down Russian planes and killing Russian pilots? There is no such issue.”Over nearly an hour, Zelensky spoke with frustration and bewilderment at the West’s reluctance to take bolder steps to ensure that Ukraine prevails. Zelensky insisted that the only way to defend against such assaults would be to use Western weapons to strike at military targets inside Russia.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky, Zelensky, bewilderment Organizations: Russia, NATO, Russian, U.S Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Russia, Ukraine’s

☆ Tsai Ing-wen: the leader who put Taiwan on the map and stood up to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Wayne Chang | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

While supporters applaud Tsai for standing up to China, defending Taiwan’s sovereignty, freedom and democracy, critics blame her for straining ties with Beijing, stoking cross-strait tensions. Beijing, which deems the tacit agreement a precondition for dialogue, has cut official contact with Taipei since Tsai took office. Taiwan President Tsai inspects reservists at a training session at a military base in Taoyuan on May 11, 2023. But under Tsai, Taiwan has sought to enhance its asymmetric defense capabilities, developing and procuring cheaper and more mobile weapon systems that could be instrumental in halting a potential Chinese invasion. Taiwanese military experts have increasingly advocated for such an approach, noting that Taiwan can never match China in military might and assets.

Persons: Taipei CNN — Tsai Ing, introvert, ” Tsai, Xi Jinping, Xi, Tsai, stoking, Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, ”, Alex Chan Tsz Yuk, Wellington Koo, “, Vanessa Hope, Ma Ying, Taiwan's, Jose Lopes Amaral, Wen, Amanda Hsiao, Nancy Pelosi, Chien Chih, Nancy Pelosi’s, Huang, Jameson Wu, ” Sung, ” Hsiao, “ Tsai, Sawayasu Tsuji, Sung, ” Tsai’s, –, Lai Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, World Health Organization, WHO, Atlantic, Trump, Biden, International Crisis, US, Getty, World Health Assembly, National Chengchi University, Getty Images, Taiwan’s Military Academy, ” Tsai’s DPP Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, United States, Beijing, Tsai, Asia, Wellington, Ukraine, Gaza, Japan, Czech Republic, Republic of China, Taoyuan, AFP, Washington, Hong Kong

☆ The Ukraine war exposed serious flaws in some of the most sophisticated US weapons systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Analysts say the US is gaining invaluable insights into the flaws of some of its most important weapons and military production systems. AdvertisementA shortage in weaponsThe Ukraine war has exposed problems not just with the quality of weapons, but with the US' capacity to produce them in the quantity Ukraine needs. "The biggest problem that the Ukraine war has exposed with American weapons is that the Pentagon simply does not buy enough munitions for a large-scale protracted conflict," said Pettyjohn. AdvertisementShe added that the recent Ukraine aid bill, which also contains billions for US weapons production, doesn't fix the problem. But though the war has posed serious conundrums for Pentagon chiefs, it's also shown that many of its weapons systems remain much better than those of its opponents.

Persons: —, Scott Peterson, Pettyjohn, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Center, New, New American Security, Ukrainian, Russia, Pentagon Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian, New American, Afghanistan, Russia, United States

☆ Britain says it is developing a radio-wave weapon that can take out a swarm of drones for just $0.12 a shot
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The UK has unveiled a new radio frequency-directed energy weapon under development. The Ministry of Defence said it could take out a swarm of drones for just $0.12 a shot. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementBritain is developing a new radio-wave weapon designed to take out a "swarm" of drones for just $0.12 a shot, the UK's Ministry of Defence said in a press statement. According to the MOD, the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon, or RFDEW, uses radio waves to detect, track, and disable electronic components at a range of up to 1000 meters.

Persons: — Organizations: Ministry of Defence, Service, UK's Ministry of Defence, Business

☆ This year's biggest air battles are showing the US what it could need most in a missile war with China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, FileThe war has shown how effective air defenses can be at denying air superiority, protecting key areas, and threatening high-value aircraft, as well as the costs when capabilities are degraded. Ukraine's air defenses, like its Soviet-era S-300s and US-supplied Patriots, have defeated enemy missile and drone strikes, hindered Russian air operations, and shot down numerous fighter-bombers and other Russian planes. "Ukraine and NATO might reduce risks with a two-prong strategy of strengthening air defenses and boosting infrastructure resilience." Needing more interceptors for the PacificFrom the fights this year, the US can see how it'll need to employ air defenses in a potential showdown with China. Running out of air defenses before the enemy runs out of air threats spells trouble.

Persons: —, Bradley Martin, Evgeniy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Firefighters, Archer Macy, Martin, Shaan Shaikh, We've, Amir Cohen TPX, Shaikh, it's, Andy Wong, Thomas Shugart, Shugart, Joshua Smoot, Heath Collins, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Macy, Mark Wright Organizations: Service, Business, US Navy, Ukraine, AP, Patriots, Institute for, Emergency, Ministry, RAND Corporation, NATO, Western, Central Command, Combat, Navy, RAND, Patriot, US, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, REUTERS, China, Pentagon, Defense, Center, New, Air Force, 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, US Air Force, Aegis, Missile Defense Agency, Former Navy, CSIS, Pacific Missile, AP Air Locations: China, Ukraine, Israel, Navy, Russia, Congress, Avdiivka, Kharkiv, Russian, Kyiv, NATO, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Iran, Red, Screengrab, French, Ashdod, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Beijing, New American, Gen, Kauai, Hawaii

☆ The US and Pacific ally Japan are teaming up to defeat new hypersonic missiles that right now are basically unstoppable
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe US and Japan have agreed to work together to develop a defense system to defeat hypersonic missiles, according to the US Department of Defense. Russian navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov launching a Zircon hypersonic missile in White Sea, Russia, on July 19, 2021. Notably, Pyongyang is also attempting to develop what it says are hypersonic missiles. DF-17 medium-range ballistic missiles equipped with a DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle in a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Republic. The allies successfully tested the jointly developed Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor in a February 2017 intercept of a ballistic missile target.

Persons: —, Gorshkov, Zoya Rusinova Organizations: Service, US Department of Defense, Business, Cooperative, US Missile Defense Agency, Japan, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, AP, China's, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Iran's, Israel Locations: Japan, Russian, Sea, Russia, Pacific, Moscow, Beijing, Pyongyang, Republic, Getty

☆ NATO should use its air defenses to shoot down Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, says former alliance chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewNATO countries should use air defenses based in eastern Europe to take down Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine, a former NATO chief said. And the military alliance could do "exactly the same" to help Ukraine shoot down incoming Russian drones and missiles, Rasmussen told the outlet. Related storiesMost NATO members have so far balked at sending troops to Ukraine or targeting Russian airstrikes from their own territory. AdvertisementEven so, Ukraine's air defense interception rate dropped from 46% over the last six months to 30% last month, according to The Wall Street Journal. In response, the Pentagon said it would "rush" Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine as part of its latest military package, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent months begging for them.

Persons: —, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Rasmussen, Ukraine's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Dmytro Kuleba Organizations: Service, NATO, NATO's, Business, Wall Street, Pentagon, Washington Post Locations: Europe, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, France, Ukraine's, Russia, Spain

☆ Russia can't seem to stop this Ukrainian Cessna-style drone that, compared to missiles, is basically a 'flying brick' with a bomb onboard
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Experts say these aircraft underscore the success of Ukraine's innovative long-range drone program, which Kyiv has employed to go after Russia's military and energy facilities. The Ukrainian drones are in fact slow-flying ultralight planes. And if Ukraine can find a corridor that lacks proper air-defense coverage, then the drone can effectively penetrate right through Russian territory, Hoffmann said. Notably, the Cessna-style drone underscores the success of Ukraine's ever-evolving drone program. The aircraft was converted into a drone - A-22 Flying Fox.

Persons: —, JzjMc83uA4 —, Fabian Hoffmann, it's, Hoffmann, Petersburg —, It's, Gordon Davis Jr, Davis, Ukraine's, …, obdWO5ACNA, Washington, Lance Landrum, Landrum Organizations: Service, Cessna, Business, Kyiv, University of Oslo, US Army, Center for, Fox, US Air Force Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, Republic of Bashkortostan, Bashkortostan, Russian, Tatarstan, Moscow, St, Ukrainian

☆ Behind the curtain of the global arms trade
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Momo Takahashi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In his new book, "Nothing Personal: The Back Office of War," photographer Nikita Teryoshin lifts the veil on the global arms trade, capturing defense exhibitions worldwide. Closed to the public, his series offers a rare inside look into the lucrative global arms industry. Guests, politicians, and traders watch a live demonstration of warfare at the International Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. After the construction and the oil and gas sectors, the global arms trade is one of the most corruption-prone sectors in the world, according to Transparency International. By contrast, the international trade of bananas is more tightly regulated than the arms trade, according to the introductory note of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

Persons: Nikita Teryoshin, Teryoshin, Rafael, KAI, Lockheed Martin Organizations: Business, International Defense, Bofors, International Defense Industry, International Defense Exhibition, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, United Nations Arms, Black Eagles, Nikita, Kalashnikov, Lockheed Locations: East, Ukraine, France, Paris, United States, China, Abu Dhabi, Russia, India, Poland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Peruvian, Lima , Peru, Korean, Seoul

☆ U.S. Awards $120 Million to Chipmaker to Expand Facility in Minnesota
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Madeleine Ngo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal officials will provide up to $120 million in grants to Polar Semiconductor to help the company expand its chip manufacturing facility in Minnesota, the Biden administration announced on Monday, the latest in a string of awards meant to strengthen the U.S. supply of semiconductors. Commerce Department officials said the grant would help Polar upgrade technology and double production capacity at its facility in Bloomington, Minn., within two years. The company produces chips that are critical for cars, defense systems and electrical grids, federal officials said. “We are making taxpayer dollars go as far as possible while crowding in private and state investment to create jobs, secure our supply chains and bolster manufacturing in Minnesota,” said Laurie Locascio, the under secretary of commerce for standards and technology. The law gave the Commerce Department $39 billion to distribute to companies to incentivize the construction and expansion of new plants in the United States.

Persons: Biden, ”, Laurie Locascio Organizations: Polar Semiconductor, Commerce, Commerce Department Locations: Minnesota, Bloomington, Minn, United States

☆ Facing an Endless Barrage, Ukraine’s Air Defenses Are Withering
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Josh Holder | Constant Méheut | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Facing an Endless Barrage, Ukraine’s Air Defenses Are WitheringThis is what a year of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine looks like. Ukrainian air defenses used to intercept most missiles, but in recent months, more and more have made it through. Ukraine has made increasingly desperate pleas for more air defenses from its Western allies. But it could be months before enough weapons arrive to significantly bolster Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian air defenses downed the first seven — but had no choice but to let the next four pass, he said.

Persons: Jan, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ”, Tom Karako, Maj, Ilya Yevlash, Konrad Muzyka, Odesa, Yevlash, Justin Bronk, Mr, Bronk, Barber Organizations: Russian, New York Times, Ukrainian Air Force, Patriot, United, Kremlin, PBS, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Ukrainian Air, Patriots, Rochan Consulting, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Odesa, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Odesa Kyiv, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Kyiv, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Washington, Poland, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Texas, London

☆ Lindsey Graham wants more bombs for Israel, saying the US was right to nuke Nagasaki and Hiroshima
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Related stories"Why is it OK for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war?" Welker challenged Graham by saying that military officials attest to weapons technology now being more precise and able to reduce civilian casualties. It's not the first time Graham has referenced Nagasaki and Hiroshima to advocate for the flow of munitions to Tel Aviv. Congress voted through a $15 billion military aid package for Israel in April, which includes about $5 billion to replenish weapons stocks. A representative for Graham did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Sen, Lindsey Graham of, NBC's Kristen Welker, Graham, Joe Biden, Welker, Welker's, It's, Israel, Biden Organizations: Service, Sunday, Business, Pearl, Republicans, Israel Locations: Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Israel, Gaza, Japan, Germany, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Rafah, America, Tel Aviv

☆ A Ukrainian recon commander in Kharkiv said its first line of defense was missing, in a 'betrayal' that allowed Russian troops to just walk in
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"There was no first line of defense," Denys Yaroslavskyi told the BBC, which reported from Vovchansk on Sunday. Jonathan Beale, a defense correspondent at the outlet, wrote that Yaroslavskyi showed him drone footage of Russian troops walking past Ukraine's northeastern border without resistance. Lying on Kharkiv's northeastern border, Vovchansk is one of Ukraine's closest cities to the Russian region of Belgorod. Related storiesDays earlier, Ukrainian military observers reported that between 30,000 to 35,000 Russian troops had gathered for the push. The Kremlin has since 2022 been accusing Ukraine of shelling Belgorod, though this also comes amid repeated reports of Russian troops misfiring or dropping bombs by mistake on civilians there.

Persons: —, Denys Yaroslavskyi, Jonathan Beale, Yaroslavskyi, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Vladimir Putin, Vovchansk Organizations: Service, BBC, Business, Reconnaissance Unit, Armed Forces, Ukraine's General Staff, Russian Federation, Kyiv, Russian, NATO Locations: Ukrainian, Kharkiv, Russia, Vovchansk, Ukraine's, Russian, Belgorod, Moscow, Ukraine, The Washington, Kyiv

☆ US Pacific bases and aircraft are wildly vulnerable to Chinese missile barrages that could overwhelm defenses, lawmakers warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewUS bases and aircraft in the Pacific are facing intense threat from Chinese missiles, and the Pentagon isn't doing enough to counter that challenge, according to American lawmakers. In a Wednesday letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, 13 members of Congress pointed out glaring vulnerabilities in the Pacific region and demanded "immediate changes." A U.S. Air Force Rockwell B-1B Lancer (L) and a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (R) sit on the tarmac at Andersen Air Force base on August 17, 2017, in Yigo, Guam. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesIn the letter, lawmakers note that many of the US bases in the Pacific remain unhardened, leaving aircraft and assets vulnerable to missile strikes. Notably, none of the US shelters were in Guam — home to Andersen Air Force Base which routinely hosts American bombers.

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Carlos Del Toro, John Moolenaar, Justin Sullivan, Tom Shugart, Timothy A, Walton, Andy Wong Organizations: Service, Pentagon, Air Force, Business, Department of Defense, Chinese Communist Party Rep, Commonwealth of, Pacific ., U.S . Air Force Rockwell, Boeing KC, Andersen Air Force, US, Center, New, New American Security, Hudson Institute, Andersen Air Force Base, American, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Lawmakers, Rocket Force, China's Locations: Pacific, China, Okinawa, Guam, Commonwealth, Northern Mariana, U.S, Yigo, New American, Shugart, Tiananmen, Beijing

☆ A Ukrainian captain says his unit shot down every drone it met despite having 'antiquated' guns
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ukrainian platoon has shot down all of the drones it's encountered, its captain told The Guardian. Oleksandr Zhygun said his soldiers are using "antiquated" guns to do it, per the outlet. AdvertisementA Ukrainian captain operating near Kyiv said his platoon has shot down every Russian drone it has encountered, despite having what he describes as "antiquated" guns. But in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian troops are struggling against Russia's night-vision drones, a Ukrainian soldier told the Kyiv Post last month. Asked whether Ukraine could still win the war, Zhygun told The Guardian it was a "difficult" question and that they needed more air defense systems.

Persons: Oleksandr Zhygun, —, Zhygun's Kalashnikov, Yehven, Dolin, Zhygun, Ukraine's Organizations: Ukrainian, Guardian, Service, Ukraine's 241st Brigade, Territorial Defense Forces, Soviet Union, Patriot, Republicans, The Institute Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, Kyiv, Afghanistan, Ukrainian, Kyiv Post, Russia, Ukraine's, Avdiivka

☆ Russia is raising a stink about F-16s in Ukraine by saying they're nuclear-capable, even though the types of warplanes already deployed there can carry nukes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia said on Monday that it would treat F-16s in Ukraine as an escalation because they're nuclear-capable. AdvertisementRussia warned on Monday against the expected arrival of F-16s in Ukraine, saying the US warplanes would be treated as an escalation given their potential as nuclear weapons platforms. AdvertisementMeanwhile, Russia has for months said the delivery of the F-16s is a provocation from NATO because they can be fitted to carry nuclear weapons. In any case, Ukraine does not possess any nuclear weapons in its arsenal, having surrendered them in 1994 when it gained independence. It is subject to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Persons: —, Sergey Lavrov, Ukraine's Su, it's, They're, Jake Epstein, Epstein Organizations: Foreign Ministry, Service, NATO, Russian Foreign Ministry, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia, Soviet, British Storm Shadow, Nuclear Weapons, US Navy Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, North, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Kyiv, Russian, Belarus, Minsk, Moscow

☆ Israel's attack on Rafah shows the troubling limits of Biden's influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewEarly on Tuesday, Israeli tanks seized control of the vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. But throughout its eight-month war, Israel has shown that it is willing to reject and ignore the advice of its most important international ally, the US. Israel on Monday warned civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate, indicating that an attack may be imminent. His coalition is fragile, and he relies on the support of far-right lawmakers who are demanding an attack on Rafah. AdvertisementThe Gaza war has repeatedly threatened to spill into a wider regional conflict, and scenes of new civilian suffering in Rafah could intensify that threat.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Matt Duss, Biden, John Kirby, Netanyahu, Israel Biden, Israel, JIM WATSON, He's, Aaron David Miller, Dave Harden Organizations: Service, Hamas, Israeli, Business, Washington, Center for International, House, Monday, Biden, Getty, US, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Wall Street, New York Times, US Agency for International Development, West Bank, BBC Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Rafah, Ukraine, Israel —, Qatar, New York City, Palestinian, Saudi Arabia

☆ Watch an exploding Ukrainian drone boat dodge fire from the air to kill one of the small, high-speed Russian ships still fighting in the Black Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The attack marks Ukraine's latest strike against the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The video cuts just as the Ukrainian drone slams into the vessel. A Magura V5 sea drone destroyed a russian speedboat in temporarily occupied Crimea. Ukrainian forces have heavily relied on their arsenals of Magura V5s and Sea Babies — another type of exploding naval drone — to damage and destroy scores Russian warships in the Black Sea. Still, Kyiv has managed to find success in targeting Russian vessels with its drones.

Persons: —, HUR Organizations: Service, Ukrainian, Directorate of Intelligence, Business, Black, —, Sea, Security Service Locations: Russia, Russian, Bay, Crimean, Moscow, Crimea, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Kyiv, pic.twitter.com

☆ Russia's pulling its aircraft away from the front lines as Ukraine hits air bases with deep strikes, Western intel says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukrainian forces used drones to attack an airfield deep inside Russia last month. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementRussia has pulled dozens of aircraft away from the front lines in response to a massive Ukrainian drone attack on a military base deep behind enemy lines, according to new Western intelligence. The late-April attack was not the first time Ukrainian deep strikes have forced Russia to relocate its vulnerable assets. Even before the Kushchyovskaya strike, Ukraine has tried going after Russia's airbases in an apparent bid to stomp out the glide-bomb threat.

Persons: —, Sukhoi Su, Maxim, Russia's Su, ALEXANDER NEMENOV Organizations: Service, Sukhoi, International Army, REUTERS, Ukraine, Victory Day, Getty, Kyiv Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ryazan, Ukrainian, Crimean, Russian, Moscow, AFP

☆ China is building a huge network of satellites that could be used against US troops: intel chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China has developed a large network of military satellites. AdvertisementChina has developed a network of hundreds of military satellites that could be used to target US troops, a Pentagon official warned. Maj. Gen. Greg Gagnon, deputy chief of space operations for intelligence, told a conference on Thursday that China had developed a sophisticated military satellite program. He said it could be used to track and target US troops moving to defend Taiwan, Defense One reported. "For the first time in decades, US leadership in space and space technology is being challenged," Meink added.

Persons: —, Greg Gagnon, Gagnon, we're, America —, Troy Meink, Space.com, Meink Organizations: Pentagon, Service, Defense, National Reconnaissance Office Locations: China, Taiwan, America, Colorado

☆ Opinion: Unable to ‘win’ in Gaza, Israel sets its sights elsewhere
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Opinion Hussein Ibish | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —An eerie relative calm has descended on the Middle East — Gaza obviously excluded — since a highly alarming exchange of missile, rocket and drone attacks by Israel and Iran in recent weeks. Now, the recent exchange of direct military attacks with Iran might have sealed Lebanon’s fate, unless team Biden can restrain Israel. On April 1, Israel struck an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, killing a number of senior Iranian officials including Brig. As Israel’s forces moved south through Gaza, obliterating Hamas brigades with relative ease, its thinking relatively quickly turned north again. If this happens, a primary US goal regarding the Gaza war — conflict containment — would be shattered not by Washington’s adversaries, but ironically by its closest regional partner.

Persons: Hussein Ibish, Read, Biden, Israel, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, Haji Rahimi, Hossein Amirollah, Louai Beshara, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Charbel Mallo, Israel —, Joe Biden Organizations: Gulf States Institute, Israel, CNN, Biden, Hezbollah, Brig, Iran’s, Quds Force, Getty, Iranian, Israeli Locations: Washington, East, Gaza, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Iranian, Damascus, Brig, Syria, AFP, Tehran, United States, Kafr Kila, Lebanese

☆ The US Navy wants a lot more of a missile that just recently scored its first kill to counter Pacific threats like China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US Navy used its SM-3 missile interceptor in combat for the first time last month. AdvertisementThe US Navy will need a lot more of its SM-3 missile, an interceptor that only recently scored its first-ever kill, to counter Pacific threats like China, the sea service's top civilian official said on Wednesday. The Missile Defense Agency's budget request for FY25 cuts procurement of SM-3 Block IB variant, which became operational a decade ago. During Wednesday's hearing, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson referred to this variant as the Navy's "primary defense against tactical ballistic missiles for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense" weapons system. AdvertisementThe Navy, however, is already getting a taste of what it's like to battle anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Persons: —, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Del Toro, Joe Wilson, Paul Ignatius, MCS2 Nathan T, Beard Organizations: US Navy, China, Service, Navy, House Armed, Missile Defense Agency, Combat, Missile Defense, South Carolina Rep, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Locations: China, Tehran, Israel, Lake Erie, Kauai, Hawaii, Washington, Beijing, American, Iran, Gulf of Aden

☆ Massive drone strike suggests Ukraine is going after Russia's devastating glide bombs
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementUkraine's massive weekend drone attack on a Russian airbase deep behind enemy lines suggests Kyiv may be trying to curb the threat of Moscow's devastating glide bombs, according to new Western intelligence. Destroyed Russian glide bomb kits are visible in footage from the ground following the strike. Russia's defense ministry said in March that it began increasing production of several types of munitions — including 6,600-pound ones — that could be modified and turned into glide bombs. Saturday's strike on the Kushchyovskaya airbase isn't the first time Ukraine has gone after Russian airbases hosting fighter-bombers that can drop glide bombs. Experts have warned that Russian glide bombs pose a tremendous threat to Ukrainian forces.

Persons: —, Russia's Su, kgibcTnREI — Brady Africk, Brady Africk, Russian Su Organizations: Service, Saturday, Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian, American Enterprise Institute, Russian Defense Ministry, Getty, Institute for, Russian Locations: Russia, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Moscow, Russian, Anadolu, Ukraine, Rostov

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