Analysis & Reports

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun entered the venue for the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum held at the Beijing International Conference Center from September 15 to 17, 2023. The forum's theme focused on building consensus for stability and promoting security governance.

Iranian missile and drone strikes inflicted severe damage on U.S. military bases in the Middle East, including Prince Sultan Air Base and facilities in Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The Pentagon reported significant losses, with hundreds of buildings and over 50 aircraft affected between February 28 and June 30, 2023. U.S. military personnel highlighted the serious impact of these attacks, noting a lack of public awareness about the situation.

Iranian missile and drone strikes inflicted severe damage on U.S. military bases in the Middle East, including Prince Sultan Air Base and facilities in Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The strikes resulted in damage to hundreds of buildings and over 50 aircraft from February 28 to June 30, 2023. Active-duty U.S. military personnel provided anonymous photos revealing the destruction, highlighting the significant impact of the attacks.

The Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference is ongoing, featuring a keynote by Gen. Doug Schiess that emphasizes funding for space operations. An unusual collaboration within the industry was also highlighted during the conference.

The Houthi armed group denied accusations of using drones to attack Mecca, calling the claims false. Earlier, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition stated that Saudi air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone heading towards Mecca on September 15.

Saudi Arabian Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone heading towards Mecca on September 15. The operation was conducted by the Saudi-led coalition, ensuring the safety of the area.

Japan and South Korea are restructuring their naval forces to address the challenges posed by the expanding Chinese Navy. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is focusing on Mogami-class destroyers, while the Republic of Korea Navy is enhancing its capabilities with KSS-III submarines and large surface combatants. Both nations aim to improve their operational readiness and strategic coordination in the face of shared threats from China.

Tanaka TakashiWed Sep 16 2026Loading...

General Douglas MacArthur delivered his farewell address to Congress in Washington, D.C. on April 19, 1951, where he quoted the phrase 'Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.' This address followed his dismissal by President Truman on April 11, 1951, due to strategic disagreements during the Korean War. MacArthur's military legacy, including his role in World War II and the Korean War, has been the subject of reassessment in recent years.

The Desert Eagle .50 AE, produced by Magnum Research in collaboration with Israel Military Industries, is a gas-operated handgun that fires the powerful .50 Action Express cartridge. Weighing over 4.5 pounds, it has been featured in numerous films and is known for its unique engineering that resembles rifle mechanics. The handgun is capable of firing multiple magnum rounds and is priced starting at $1,900.

Canada will receive its first 16 F-35A fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in 2026, with full delivery to Canada expected by 2028. Saab is proposing to manufacture Gripen E fighters in Canada, while the UK funds Gripen deliveries to Ukraine. The Canadian CF-18 fleet is set for retirement by 2032, prompting discussions on military procurement options.

Thomas Dans was appointed chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission in December 2020, where he has promoted U.S. military interests in the Arctic and advocated for closer ties with Russia. His actions have raised tensions with Denmark regarding Greenland, and he has been involved in discussions about national security and energy security in the region. Dans has also been linked to Damen Shipyards, which builds icebreakers.

The U.S. Navy retired four Ticonderoga-class cruisers, USS Hue City, USS Anzio, USS Cowpens, and USS Vicksburg, after spending $1.84 billion on modernization efforts that ultimately failed. This retirement results in a significant loss of Tomahawk missile launch capacity, as these cruisers were equipped with 122 Mk 41 launch cells each. The Navy's ongoing challenges with aging vessels and modernization have led to a decrease in available missile capacity at a critical time for long-range strike capabilities.

Chinese researchers at the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center claim to have identified vulnerabilities in the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider through simulations using the PADJ-X modeling platform. They suggest potential improvements in the aircraft's design, although these findings are based on estimates without direct access to the aircraft. The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with preparations for the B-21's operational deployment at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

The U.S. federal government spent nearly $10 billion placing over 100,000 federal workers on paid administrative leave in 2025, primarily due to the Deferred Resignation Program. This program incentivized employees to resign by September 2025, resulting in a significant increase in paid leave usage. The Government Accountability Office highlighted the need for better tracking of these costs and recommended the creation of a new leave category for workforce reductions.

Saab is proposing that Canada order 40 JAS 39 Gripen fighters to support local assembly, framing it as a choice for a sovereign aerospace industry. The Canadian government is reviewing its planned purchase of 88 F-35s and considering a mixed fleet of aircraft. Saab has been selected as the preferred supplier for airborne early-warning capabilities, and discussions are ongoing regarding the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft.

Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, injuring 13 civilians and damaging infrastructure. They captured the Hanish Islands and Mocha port, pushing their control line towards the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Concurrently, a Saudi oil pipeline was attacked, halting operations and raising concerns over energy security. The conflict has displaced over 100,000 people in Yemen, emphasizing the escalating military tensions in the region.

Ahmed Al-RashidTue Sep 15 2026Loading...

LeoLabs is shifting its marketing strategy to sell the Scout-S mobile space radar directly to governments, responding to increased demand from US allies for military space capabilities. The company is currently in discussions with over a dozen allied nations interested in purchasing the radar, which can track multiple space objects in low Earth orbit. The Scout-S radar debuted during the recent Valiant Shield exercise and is expected to be produced in increasing quantities next year.

U.S. Cyber Command appointed Rear Adm. Ronzelle Green as its new Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, succeeding Brig. Gen. Reid Novotny. Green brings over 30 years of IT experience, including a role at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The command focuses on enhancing AI capabilities for military operations under the leadership of Gen. Joshua Rudd.

The Chengdu J-20 is designed for long-range BVR combat, primarily targeting AWACS and aerial refuelers while also capable of limited air-to-ground missions against U.S. bases in the Pacific. It is not a direct competitor to the F-22 Raptor but serves a different strategic role. The J-20 has a longer combat range than the F-22, although its stealth capabilities are considered inferior.

Pratt & Whitney announced that the F-35 engine upgrade has successfully passed a crucial design review, allowing the program to advance to testing phases. Ground testing is set to commence in 2027, followed by flight testing around 2030, with production expected to start in 2031. The upgrade aims to enhance engine performance and reduce maintenance costs, benefiting all variants of the F-35.