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A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Bomb Squadron parks on the flightline at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 15, 2025. Carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1B is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The B-1B Lancer Is Destroying Iran’s Missile Program — Here Is How It Is Being Done

Kris Osborn, President of Warrior Maven, reports on the B-1B Lancer's combat role during Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Flying from RAF Fairford in...

Kris OsbornMarch 17, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

H-6: China’s Oldest Bomber Is Now A Threat to U.S. Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carriers

Brandon J. Weichert, Senior National Security Editor at 19FortyFive and author of multiple defense books, examines China's Xi'an H-6 strategic bomber — a Soviet-era...

Brandon WeichertMarch 17, 2026

(June 28, 2022) – Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, June 28. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin M. Langer)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Kharg Island Explained: Why This 1 Spot Could Collapse Iran’s Entire War Economy

Award-winning journalist Stephen Silver examines President Donald Trump's claim that U.S. strikes "totally decimated" Kharg Island — the Persian Gulf terminal handling 90% of...

Stephen SilverMarch 17, 2026

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 96th Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron salute the crew of a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft as they begin to taxi at Morón Air Base, Spain, Nov. 19, 2025, as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1. The ability of U.S. forces and equipment to operate in conjunction with those of our Allies and partners is critical to bolstering an extended network of capabilities to decisively meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Codie Trimble)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

America’s 70-Year-Old B-52 Bomber Just Struck Iran — and It Is Not Going Anywhere

Isaac Seitz, defense columnist and Strategic Intelligence graduate, traces the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress from Cold War nuclear deterrence to active combat operations during Operation...

Isaac SeitzMarch 17, 2026

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 15, 2026. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is at sea training as an integrated warfighting team. Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) is the Joint Force’s most complex integrated training event and prepares naval task forces for sustained high-end Joint and combined combat. Integrated naval training provides combatant commanders and America’s civilian leaders highly capable forces that deter adversaries, underpin American security and economic prosperity, and reassure Allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mitchell Mason)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz Is Not Retiring Yet — the Iran War Just Changed Everything for the U.S. Navy

Caleb Larson, former POLITICO Europe defense reporter, covers the U.S. Navy's decision to keep USS Nimitz — its oldest aircraft carrier — in service...

Caleb LarsonMarch 17, 2026

190907-N-UR565-0660NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Sept. 7, 2019) The Ohio-class cruise missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) arrives in Souda Bay, Greece, for a scheduled port visit, Sept. 7, 2019. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (Photo by Joel Diller/Released)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy Is Keeping Its Ohio-Class Submarines Alive After Iran Proved They Are Irreplaceable

Caleb Larson, former POLITICO Europe defense reporter, examines the U.S. Navy's decision to extend the service lives of USS Ohio and USS Florida. Following...

Caleb LarsonMarch 17, 2026

A Tomahawk cruise missile launches from the forward vertical launch system of the USS Shiloh (CG 67) to attack selected air defense targets south of the 33rd parallel in Iraq on Sept. 3, 1996, as part of Operation Desert Strike. The attacks are designed to reduce risks to the pilots who will enforce the expanded no-fly zone. President Clinton announced an expanded no-fly zone in response to an Iraqi attack against a Kurdish faction. The larger no-fly zone in Southern Iraq will make it easier for U.S. and coalition partners to contain Saddam Hussein's aggression. The U.S. Navy Ticonderoga Class cruiser launched the missiles as it operated in the Persian Gulf.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Ticonderoga Tomahawk Missile Cruiser Retirement Is Creating a Strike Gap the U.S. Navy Cannot Afford

Harrison Kass, attorney and national security journalist, examines the strategic consequences of retiring the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser. Each ship carries 122 Vertical Launch...

Harrison KassMarch 17, 2026

Russian President Putin. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The Embassy

The Signs that Putin’s Grip on Russia Is Finally Starting to Slip

Is a coup against Russia's president Putin possible? One expert gives us what the evidence might look like as the war in Ukraine goes...

Reuben JohnsonMarch 17, 2026

210618-N-JW440-2165 STRAIT OF MALACCA (June 18, 2021) As seen from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the South China Sea with the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). The ships are part of Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group 5, conducting underway operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rawad Madanat)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy’s Nuclear USS Nimitz Is the ‘Reserve’ Supercarrier for Now

The decision to retain the USS Nimitz is a symptom of a deeper industrial and strategic malaise. While the Ford-class was intended to revolutionize...

Brandon WeichertMarch 16, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

China is Watching Iran—and Preparing to Strike the Indo-Pacific While America’s Military Hits the Decline Button

Summary and Key Points: National security editor Brandon J. Weichert warns that the Trump administration’s Operation Epic Fury in Iran is creating a strategic...

Brandon WeichertMarch 16, 2026

19FortyFive

All posts tagged "featured"

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The B-1B Lancer Is Destroying Iran’s Missile Program — Here Is How It Is Being Done

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

H-6: China’s Oldest Bomber Is Now A Threat to U.S. Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carriers

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Kharg Island Explained: Why This 1 Spot Could Collapse Iran’s Entire War Economy

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

America’s 70-Year-Old B-52 Bomber Just Struck Iran — and It Is Not Going Anywhere

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz Is Not Retiring Yet — the Iran War Just Changed Everything for the U.S. Navy

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy Is Keeping Its Ohio-Class Submarines Alive After Iran Proved They Are Irreplaceable

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Ticonderoga Tomahawk Missile Cruiser Retirement Is Creating a Strike Gap the U.S. Navy Cannot Afford

The Embassy

The Signs that Putin’s Grip on Russia Is Finally Starting to Slip

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy’s Nuclear USS Nimitz Is the ‘Reserve’ Supercarrier for Now

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

China is Watching Iran—and Preparing to Strike the Indo-Pacific While America’s Military Hits the Decline Button

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