Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

U.S Navy Seals Photo U.S Navy Seals Photo

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

SEAL Team Six Could Raid Iran’s Nuclear Sites. Here’s Why They Shouldn’t.

SEAL Team 6: Iran Time? The special operations raid that captured Maduro was one of the most spectacular missions in recent military history. Using...

2 hours ago
(April 8, 2017) - Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departs Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding for builder’s sea trials off the coast. The first- of-class ship—the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years—will spend several days conducting builder’s sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship’s key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Litzenberger)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Trump’s Iran Blockade Has a Back Door. It’s Not in the Gulf. It’s a Lake the Size of Germany That Russia and Iran Share

After talks collapsed between Iran and the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of Iranian ports and shipping. U.S. Central Command...

1 day ago
USS Kingsville (LCS 36) sails toward Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) in California on a recent morning as a flock of brown pelicans flies low over the Pacific Ocean. Homeported in San Diego, LCS 36 is an Independence-variant littoral combat ship that was commissioned in 2024. The arrival marked the ship’s first visit to NSWC PHD, where it underwent a Combat Systems Assessment Team event to ensure combat readiness. Designed to operate closer to shore than guided-missile destroyers and cruisers, USS Kingsville is outfitted for mine countermeasures missions. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Parsons)

Trillions - 19FortyFive

America Can’t ‘Drill Baby Drill’ Out of the Iran Crisis

The United States’ April 13 naval blockade targets Iranian oil exports and could reshape global energy markets. This shift is arguably already underway, as economies...

1 day ago
The Marines could land in Iran tomorrow. Navy SEALs would prepare the beach. The 82nd Airborne could infiltrate. The invasion would succeed initially. Then Iran would launch drones and missiles at every U.S. base, satellite terminal, and air defense radar in the Middle East. Getting in is easy. Surviving is the problem.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Marines Could Land in Iran Tomorrow. The Counterattack Is the Problem.

Sending U.S. ground troops into Iran would be militarily risky and politically fraught. There is simply not enough civilian political support to send boots...

1 day ago

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy
240105-N-LK647-1019 STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR (Jan. 5, 2024) A view from the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) of the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), as the Ford Carrier Strike Group passes through the Strait of Gibraltar, Jan. 5, 2024. Normandy is part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and is currently operating in the Mediterranean Sea, at the direction of the Secretary of Defense. The U.S. maintains forward-deployed, ready, and postured forces to deter aggression and support security and stability around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy

The Iran War Is Giving China Time, Russia Money, and North Korea an Opening

Iran: A War at the Wrong Time and Place: As the war in Iran continues and analysts debate how long it will last and...

1 day ago
M1 Abrams Tanks for Ukraine. Image: Creative Commons. M1 Abrams Tanks for Ukraine. Image: Creative Commons.

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy

Russia Is the Big Winner in the Iran War

Strategic expert Andrew A. Michta explores how Russia is capitalizing on the Iran War to consolidate gains in Europe. With U.S. resources drained and...

March 22, 2026
Baltic Air Policing is a peacetime mission in which NATO Allies deploy fighter jets to cover the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Baltic Air Policing is a peacetime mission in which NATO Allies deploy fighter jets to cover the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy

NATO’s 5% Pledge: A Hollow Victory for a Dependent Europe?

Key Points and Summary – The recent NATO summit in The Hague, where European allies agreed to a new 5% of GDP defense spending...

June 29, 2025
Russian President Putin. Image Credit: Creative Commons. Russian President Putin. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy

Why Putin Believes He Can Win His ‘Civilizational War’ Against the West

The Trump administration made the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire its priority foreign policy initiative shortly after the inauguration. Setting aside Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric that he...

May 28, 2025

Smart Bombs
After two full days and nights of events to test their stamina, technical prowess and mental acuity, the remaining teams crossed the finish line April 12, 2026 at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus Georgia, concluding the 2026 Best Ranger Competition. Sgt. Drew Schorsh and Spc. Caleb Godbold, representing the 75th Ranger Regiment, was the winning team. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Specialist and Sergeant win Best U.S. Army Ranger Competition for 1st time in Almost 4 Decades

This year’s Best Ranger Competition marked a turning point in the race. That’s because the race, which many Army leaders feared was becoming the...

19 minutes ago
B-21 Raider. Image Credit: U.S. Air Force. B-21 Raider. Image Credit: U.S. Air Force.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

This B-21 Raider Bomber Photo Is Something China or Russia Can’t Match

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman released an update on its next-generation stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, on April 14, 2026. On the surface, the release...

38 minutes ago
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron undergoes pre-flight checks prior to a mission in support of Bomber Task Force 25-1, at Andersen Air Force Base, Jan. 31, 2025. The United States will continue to assure Allies and partners while simultaneously deterring opportunistic acts of aggression through forward presence and the ability to rapidly respond to crises. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Alec Carlberg) A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron undergoes pre-flight checks prior to a mission in support of Bomber Task Force 25-1, at Andersen Air Force Base, Jan. 31, 2025. The United States will continue to assure Allies and partners while simultaneously deterring opportunistic acts of aggression through forward presence and the ability to rapidly respond to crises. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Alec Carlberg)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

‘She Should Be in the Boneyard’: The B-1B Lancer Bomber Broke All the Rules in the Iran War

The U.S. Air Force’s B-1B Lancer has played a significant role in the ongoing conflict with Iran, operating as part of a long-range strike...

1 hour ago
F-35 F-35

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Has a Message for Iran and the U.S. Air Force

The F-35 Lightning II has been one of the most effective weapons in the war over Iran — no aircraft shot down, relentless strike...

1 hour ago

Trillions
Archaeologists Dicle University

Trillions - 19FortyFive

Archaeologists Discover A 2,400-Year-Old City Under a Turkish Lake. It’s Somehow Intact.

Archaeologists working with Dicle University have identified a surprisingly well-preserved settlement dating back approximately 2,400 years beneath Dicle Dam Lake in southeastern Turkey. The...

6 hours ago
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, flies during a demonstration rehearsal at Hill Air Force Utah, Jan 20, 2021. The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team is part of the 388th Fighter Wing, and routinely flies over the Hill Air Force Base to practice and prepare for upcoming air shows around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley) U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, flies during a demonstration rehearsal at Hill Air Force Utah, Jan 20, 2021. The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team is part of the 388th Fighter Wing, and routinely flies over the Hill Air Force Base to practice and prepare for upcoming air shows around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)

Trillions - 19FortyFive

The F-35 Is the Best Fighter on Earth. India’s Answer Is a Big Fat No

India is not currently in talks to acquire the F-35, but the question of whether it should buy the aircraft has only grown more...

8 hours ago
An A-10 Thunderbolt II maintains formation with a C-130 tanker during probe and drogue refueling operations, April 2, 2026. The Probe Refueling Adapter allows A-10s to refuel from C-130 tankers, significantly expanding refueling options for deployed units. An A-10 Thunderbolt II maintains formation with a C-130 tanker during probe and drogue refueling operations, April 2, 2026. The Probe Refueling Adapter allows A-10s to refuel from C-130 tankers, significantly expanding refueling options for deployed units.

Trillions - 19FortyFive

Why the Hormuz Crisis Stings: It’s Not Just Oil. Fertilizer, Aluminum, and Microchips All Pass Through the Strait

The Iran Strait of Hormuz Crisis – From Bad to Worse? As of Monday morning, April 13, a U.S. military blockade of maritime traffic...

11 hours ago
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provides close air support to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) during a training exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 2, 2026. Santa Barbara is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page) A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provides close air support to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) during a training exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 2, 2026. Santa Barbara is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page)

Trillions - 19FortyFive

The Blockade Isn’t Closing the Strait of Hormuz. It’s Closing Iran. There’s a Difference.

On April 13, the United States imposed a naval blockade targeting shipping to and from Iranian ports. Despite the outrage and claims from detractors...

1 day ago

The Embassy
Basic Combat Training, also known as “boot camp,” is the process in transforming civilian volunteers into Soldiers. Over 10 weeks, trainees will go through four phases that cover Army core values, physical training, first aid, hand grenades, obstacle course, basic rifle marksmanship, navigation, and three separate field exercises. Basic training produces Soldiers that are disciplined, resilient, physically fit and competent in their basic skills who can successfully contribute as members of a team when they arrive at their first unit of assignment. (US Army photo by Robin Hicks)

The Embassy

Psychology Suggests the ‘On-Again, Off-Again’ War Is the Most Psychologically Damaging Kind. U.S. Troops and Their Families Are Living It.

Mental Health and Psychological Stress In The On-Again, Off-Again Campaign Against Iran: US military warfighters facing the threats associated with combat operations over Iran...

1 day ago
USS Kingsville (LCS 36) points its bow toward the harbor at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division in California on a recent morning as the ship arrives from its homeport of San Diego. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship features a trimaran hull design, which allows it to reach speeds much greater than destroyers and cruisers, as well as to operate in shallower waters closer to shore. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Parsons) USS Kingsville (LCS 36) points its bow toward the harbor at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division in California on a recent morning as the ship arrives from its homeport of San Diego. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship features a trimaran hull design, which allows it to reach speeds much greater than destroyers and cruisers, as well as to operate in shallower waters closer to shore. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Parsons)

The Embassy

China’s Iran Blockade Move Could Decide Everything

At 10 am EST today, the U.S. Navy began enforcing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and departing Iranian ports. The announced purpose...

2 days ago
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steam in formation during dual carrier operations with the Nimitz and Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Groups (CSG). Dual carrier operations unify the tactical power of two individual CSG, providing fleet commanders with an unmatched, unified credible combat force capable of operating indefinitely. The CSGs are on a scheduled deployments to the Indo-Pacific. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) steam in formation during dual carrier operations with the Nimitz and Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Groups (CSG). Dual carrier operations unify the tactical power of two individual CSG, providing fleet commanders with an unmatched, unified credible combat force capable of operating indefinitely. The CSGs are on a scheduled deployments to the Indo-Pacific.

The Embassy

Iran Doesn’t Want Peace. It Wants a Pause. There’s a Dangerous Difference.

There is an old rule in medicine that applies with uncomfortable precision to war: never stop taking antibiotics halfway through the course. Do, and...

2 days ago
ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 14, 2011) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts rudder turns during sea trials. Dwight D. Eisenhower completed a nine-month planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Ship Yard on June 10 and is scheduled to resume underway operations this summer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Stoltz/Released) ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 14, 2011) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts rudder turns during sea trials. Dwight D. Eisenhower completed a nine-month planned incremental availability at Norfolk Naval Ship Yard on June 10 and is scheduled to resume underway operations this summer. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Stoltz/Released)

The Embassy

The Hormuz Blockade Starts Today. Oil Jumped 7%. Iran Is Preparing a Kill Zone

U.S. Central Command has announced that the United States will blockade the Strait of Hormuz beginning today. This is a surprising move that comes...

2 days ago

Hermit Kingdom
North Korean Military. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Hermit Kingdom

6,000 North Korean Soldiers Are Dead in Ukraine: Kim Jong Un Keeps Sending More

Fake Russian IDs, Orders Never to Be Captured, and 50% Casualties: Inside North Korea’s Secret War in Ukraine The Russian Army has sustained nearly...

March 27, 2026
Hwasong-17 North Korea ICBM. Image Credit: Creative Commons. Hwasong-17 North Korea ICBM. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Hermit Kingdom

Iran Has An ICBM Program: They Got it From North Korea

Summary and Key Points: Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol Jr., a political science professor and proliferation expert, evaluates the strategic partnership between Iran and North...

March 4, 2026
North Korea North Korea

Hermit Kingdom

North Korea’s Demand: Kim Jong Un Wants Trump To Recognize the Hermit Kingdom as a Nuclear Weapons State

Summary and Key Points: Reuben F. Johnson, a veteran defense technology analyst and Casimir Pulaski Foundation fellow, scrutinizes the Ninth Congress of the Workers’...

February 26, 2026
North Korean Military. Image Credit: Creative Commons. North Korean Military. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Hermit Kingdom

Korea Reunification Isn’t Coming—And Great-Power Politics Is Why

Korea’s Division Isn’t a Glitch Anymore. It’s a Feature of the New Order The division of Korea was always understood to be temporary. In...

February 2, 2026