Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
Victory | Episode 3 "Into the Deep Blue"
The Shandong Fleet conducted naval exercises in the Western Pacific, featuring air combat training led by Wang Zhongyuan. The Zunyi Ship participated in joint training, emphasizing the importance of advanced naval capabilities. The crew has been actively training for over 200 days annually, focusing on enhancing combat readiness.
US Navy North Carolina: 44,000 Tons, 9 Sixteen-Inch Guns, and Not One Shell Ever Fired at an Enemy Battleship in Anger
USS North Carolina (BB-55) served as a shield for carriers during World War II, engaging in bombardment missions across various locations including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Commissioned on April 9, 1941, the battleship was equipped with nine 16-inch guns and earned 15 battle stars before being decommissioned on June 27, 1947. Despite its formidable armament, North Carolina never engaged an enemy battleship in combat.
Mission for Peace: A Record of the Loyalty and Duty of the Chinese Peacekeeping Forces in South Sudan
Chinese peacekeepers are conducting patrols and providing humanitarian aid in South Sudan, particularly in Juba and Wau, as of August 1, 2023. They are involved in medical assistance and infrastructure repair, commemorating the sacrifice of fallen peacekeepers. The Chinese medical team has treated over 70,000 patients since 2012, and Major General Wu Junhui has been appointed to lead the UN mission, underscoring China's commitment to peacekeeping efforts.
US Navy Battleship USS Massachusetts: 44,000 Tons, 130,000 Horsepower, and 9 16-Inch Guns All for a Cheap $80 Million
USS Massachusetts engaged in naval operations during World War II, including bombardments and anti-aircraft defense, from September 23, 1941, until her decommissioning on March 27, 1947. The battleship, armed with nine 16-inch guns, participated in significant battles across the Pacific, earning 11 battle stars. After her service, she was preserved as a museum ship in Fall River, Massachusetts.
ISWAP kills 8 soldiers in Borno in 2026 — the Maiduguri-Dikwa road becomes the real front
Eight soldiers from the 24 Task Force Brigade were killed by an improvised explosive device on July 30, 2026, while escorting supplies along the Maiduguri-Dikwa route in Borno, Nigeria. This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISWAP to Nigerian military logistics and operations in the region. The attack is part of a broader pattern of assaults aimed at disrupting supply lines.
Marie DuboisSat Aug 01 2026Loading...
How Powerful is the J-15T, Locking onto Opponents from a Thousand Miles Away!
The Shandong Carrier Group conducted naval operations in the Western Pacific, where pilot Wang Zhongyuan engaged in air combat training with the J-15T fighter aircraft. The J-15T demonstrated strong anti-jamming capabilities, allowing for long-range target engagement. This reflects a strategic shift towards beyond-visual-range combat, emphasizing the increasing combat readiness of naval aviation units.
Raising the Military Flag High to Strengthen Resolve: Committed to a New Journey of Building a Strong Army
The People's Liberation Army celebrated its 99th anniversary on August 1, 2023, with various events across Beijing, Liaoning, Xinjiang, and Djibouti. Military personnel engaged in activities to inspire loyalty and readiness, including revisiting military oaths and honoring revolutionary history. Retired soldiers and military families participated in the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of military traditions and patriotism.
China Wants Nine Aircraft Carriers. Getting from Dreams to Taking on the US Navy Is Another Story
China aims to expand its aircraft carrier fleet to nine by 2035, with three currently in commission and one under construction in Dalian. The People's Liberation Army Navy is increasing its naval operations in the Indo-Pacific, evidenced by five carrier deployments in 2025. The expansion necessitates the development of air wings and logistical support to enhance operational capabilities.
Russian Kh-101 in Poland Exposes NATO's Air Defence Gap
A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile crossed into Polish airspace early Thursday, landing near Tarnawa-Kolonia without causing injuries. In response, NATO and Polish forces activated air and ground defenses, scrambling two F-16s and a Mi-24 helicopter. The incident underscores the challenges NATO faces in air defense as Russia's conflict with Ukraine continues to impact neighboring countries.
Alexandra ReevesFri Jul 31 2026Loading...
The Russian Corps in Africa strikes Kyrnia in Mali — 8 civilians killed by a Su-24 in 2026
The Africa Corps conducted an airstrike using a Sukhoi Su-24 in Kyrnia, Mali, on June 15, 2026, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The strike occurred during a livestock market day in a village controlled by JNIM, raising concerns about the targeting of civilians. Human Rights Watch reported on the incident, highlighting the implications of using heavy munitions in populated areas.
Marie DuboisFri Jul 31 2026Loading...AUSSOM loses American funding in 2026 — Somalia faces the al-Shabaab test
Military leaders from troop-contributing countries met in Kampala on July 29, 2023, to address the future of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) after the U.S. announced it would cease funding after December 31, 2026. The mission, which currently relies on U.S. logistical support, faces significant challenges from al-Shabaab and uncertainties regarding its operational capacity without American assistance.
Marie DuboisFri Jul 31 2026Loading...
Fixing the Achilles’ heel of air-and-missile defense with solid rocket motors
U.S. air-and-missile defense systems are currently facing significant challenges in replenishing munitions stockpiles due to damage to AN/TPY-2 radars in Iran. The U.S. is relocating these critical assets from the Indo-Pacific and Europe, which may weaken defense capabilities in those regions. Manufacturing solid rocket motors for interceptors is complex, with issues related to demand signals and regulatory hurdles. New technologies, including liquid rocket motors, are being explored to enhance future capabilities.
More Countries Affected, Conflict Faces Spillover Risks, Renewed US-Iran Hostilities Raise Global Concerns
The U.S. conducted airstrikes against Iranian targets on September 29-30, 2023, following missile attacks from Iran. Iran retaliated with drone strikes on U.S. bases in Jordan, claiming significant damage to F-35 jets. Egypt confirmed drone attacks on its port, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict. Saudi Arabia also engaged in strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, further complicating the regional situation.
China Offered Somaliland More Than a Quarter of a Billion Dollars to Drop Taiwan. Somaliland Said No.
China attempted to persuade Somaliland to abandon its ties with Taiwan by offering over $250 million in aid, which Somaliland rejected. Following this, China instigated an insurgency in Somaliland and pressured the Somali government to expand its Air Defense Identification Zone over Somaliland, complicating foreign access. The situation highlights China's strategic maneuvers in the region and the implications for U.S. interests.
Mali rejects the American option against JNIM — Washington discovers a front without a simple target
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop stated on July 24, 2023, that Mali has not received official confirmation of U.S. military action against JNIM. The conflict has evolved, with JNIM and FLA conducting coordinated operations against Malian forces. The U.S. perceives an opportunity for intervention in Mali, particularly after its withdrawal from Niger, as the situation has become increasingly complex with jihadist and separatist groups involved.
Marie DuboisThu Jul 30 2026Loading...
Israel unveils a naval UAV carrier with 12 Hermes 650 and recalibrates Gulf defense calculations 2026
On July 30, 2026, Elbit Systems revealed a maritime UAV carrier designed to launch and recover 12 Hermes 650 drones. This development allows commercial vessels to serve as UAV platforms, enhancing surveillance and strike capabilities in the Gulf and Red Sea. The Hermes 650 can operate with minimal space and supports automated functions, potentially changing military dynamics in the region.
Ahmed Al-RashidThu Jul 30 2026Loading...The Spillover of the US-Iran Conflict: Smoke Rising in the Middle East
On July 29, 2023, U.S. and Saudi forces conducted joint airstrikes against Iraqi militia targets, resulting in at least 20 casualties. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on U.S. troops in Jordan. Concurrently, Houthi forces imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, attacking vessels in the Red Sea. This series of events highlights a significant escalation in military tensions across the region.
The JNIM Targets 44 Mines in the Sahel by 2026 — Gold Becomes a Battlefield
JNIM targets 44 mines in the Sahel, utilizing gold mining as a strategic operational base. The group controls local economies through taxation and logistical support, while conflicts related to mining occur predominantly outside the concessions. JNIM's tactics include transforming mining sites into semi-permanent bases, complicating military operations by regular forces. The situation is exacerbated by the presence of Russian forces, which do not effectively secure the area.
Marie DuboisThu Jul 30 2026Loading...The U.S. and Japan Simulate a Major Nankai Trough Earthquake and Verify Alliance Rear Support with JXR26
U.S. and Japanese forces conducted the JXR26 joint exercise from July 20 to 24, 2026, simulating a response to a major earthquake and tsunami in the Kinki region. The exercise emphasized humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, with U.S. forces supporting Japan's command. Key areas of focus included medical support, logistics, and effective communication under crisis conditions.
Tanaka TakashiThu Jul 30 2026Loading...
Type 076 Sichuan Ship 2026 Enters Final Testing: How Far Is the PLA Drone Aircraft Carrier from Service?
The 076-type Sichuan ship of the People's Liberation Army Navy is in its final testing phase, focusing on integrating UAVs into amphibious operations. It is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult and arrestor system, enhancing its capabilities. The ship is expected to enter service in 2026, with significant implications for military operations in the South China Sea and Western Pacific.
Li MinghuiThu Jul 30 2026Loading...
