Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
In Kokoloko, a Nigerien drone strikes a crowded market and kills 17 civilians
A Nigerien military drone struck a crowded market in Kokoloko on January 6, 2026, killing 17 civilians and injuring 13 others. Three ISIS fighters were also killed in the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the legality of such strikes under international humanitarian law, as the market was filled with civilians. Following the strike, most residents fled the village.
Marie DuboisWed Feb 11 2026Loading...
Navy names surface warfare officers of the year
The Navy recognized Lt. Cmdr. Carolyn Bystrom and Lt. Cmdr. Brian Van Metre as Surface Warfare Officers of the Year for the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets, respectively. Bystrom was honored for her leadership aboard the USS Spruance during a deployment where her crew successfully engaged threats from Houthi-backed drones. Van Metre received his award for his role as combat systems officer on the USS Mason, where he led efforts to counter drone and missile attacks during a deployment to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Navy advances plans to reshuffle traditional carrier strike group model
The U.S. Navy is reshuffling its traditional carrier strike group model to create tailored forces for greater operational flexibility. This initiative, outlined in the new 'Fighting Instructions' guidance, aims to provide combatant commanders with customizable formation options. The Navy plans to integrate unmanned systems into its strategy, optimizing asset deployment beyond conventional cycles. Key locations involved include the Red Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with a focus on missions such as mine clearance in strategic chokepoints.
China’s Monster Missile Force Plans to ‘Ground’ F-35 Stealth Fighters and Bombers in a War
China is actively planning to suppress U.S. airpower in the Western Pacific by targeting forward bases with precision-guided missiles, aiming to ground F-35 fighters and bombers without engaging in aerial combat. This strategy emphasizes the importance of logistics and rapid runway repair for the U.S. to maintain operational capabilities under sustained missile fire.
Military Quote of the Day by Napoleon: ‘The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that…’
Napoleon Bonaparte revolutionized warfare in the 19th century by mastering the 'fog of war' and employing combined-arms tactics with his Napoleonic Corps. He utilized infantry, cavalry, and artillery flexibly to create tactical advantages, particularly during the Battle of the Pyramids in Egypt. His strategies emphasized decentralized command and controlling the battlefield's center, leading to significant military victories.
The American Strikes in Sokoto Reveal AFRICOM's New Strategy in the Sahel
U.S. Air Force conducted airstrikes on December 25, 2025, in Bauni, Nigeria, killing over 100 fighters. The strikes targeted positions claimed to be affiliated with ISIS, but local sources indicate the presence of the Lakurawa group instead. This operation signifies a renewed military strategy by AFRICOM in Africa, raising concerns about civilian casualties and the accuracy of intelligence used.
Marie DuboisTue Feb 10 2026Loading...The attack on Niamey airport reveals the ISWAP-ISIS alliance between Lake Chad and the Sahel
ISWAP and ISIS affiliates attacked Niamey International Airport on January 29, destroying a Bayraktar TB2 drone and damaging several aircraft, resulting in 27 government personnel fatalities. This operation highlights a growing alliance between ISWAP and ISIS factions, with implications for regional security as they coordinate attacks across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
Marie DuboisTue Feb 10 2026Loading...Niger Under Double Pressure: 36 Soldiers Killed in Makalondi, Russia Intervenes in Niamey
On February 4, 2026, 36 Nigerien soldiers were killed in Makalondi as JNIM fighters overwhelmed a military position, capturing at least 12 armored vehicles. Concurrently, the Islamic State in the Sahel attacked Niamey's Diori Hamani International Airport, resulting in 20 assailants killed. Russian forces confirmed their role in defending the airport, while the U.S. deployed a small military team to Nigeria, marking a renewed American presence in the region.
Marie DuboisMon Feb 09 2026Loading...34 Miners and Traders Killed on the Gao-Ansongo Road: When Military Escorts Turn Civilian Convoys into Targets in Mali
On February 7, 2024, a convoy of 19 civilian vehicles was attacked by Islamist fighters on the Gao-Ansongo Road near Kobe, Mali, resulting in 34 deaths and 34 injuries. The convoy, which included Nigerien miners and Malian traders, was under military escort when it came under fire. The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is suspected of the attack, which underscores the risks posed by military escorts to civilian safety in the region.
Marie DuboisSun Feb 08 2026Loading...The Attack on Air Base 101 Reveals the Flaws of the Militarized Sahel
Over thirty fighters from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked the Diori Hamani International Airport and Base Aérienne 101 in Niamey, Niger, shortly after midnight on January 29. The assault lasted nearly two hours, resulting in three civilian aircraft being hit and one ammunition depot destroyed. Four Nigerien soldiers were injured, and local reports indicate twenty attackers were killed and eleven captured.
Marie DuboisSat Feb 07 2026Loading...
Military Intelligence Time: A Comprehensive Review of the J-10 Family of Fighter Jets, Each Stronger than the Last
The August 1st Aerobatics Team of the Chinese Air Force showcased the J-10C fighter jet at international air shows in Malaysia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Thailand in 2023. The J-10C, a third-generation multi-role fighter, features advanced avionics and weapon systems, enhancing its operational capabilities. This transition from the J-10B to the J-10C reflects China's rapid advancements in military aviation.
The Jihadist Expansion of the Sahel into Nigeria: Kwara State, New Front of the Terrorist Threat
On February 4, 2026, a terrorist attack in Kaiama, Kwara State, Nigeria, resulted in over 160 civilian casualties. In response, President Bola Tinubu deployed a full battalion of the Nigerian Armed Forces to address the escalating jihadist threat. This incident marks a significant shift in jihadist operations, with groups from the Sahel expanding their activities into central Nigeria, exploiting local vulnerabilities and limited security presence.
Marie DuboisFri Feb 06 2026Loading...Beyond the First Island Chain: China's Expanding Blue-Water Operations Signal Strategic Shift in Indo-Pacific Balance
The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) conducted unprecedented naval operations beyond the First Island Chain in 2025, including live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. The Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers spent a combined 58 days in the Western Pacific, marking a significant increase in their operational presence. These developments challenge US military strategy and indicate China's growing maritime power projection capabilities.
Marcus ChenFri Feb 06 2026Loading...The Niamey Attack Reveals New Security Dynamics in the Sahel: Between Russian Presence, Diplomatic Accusations, and Western Realignment
The Islamic State in the Sahel launched a coordinated attack on Niamey airport on January 28, 2026, involving approximately 20 assailants equipped with heavy weapons and drones. The assault resulted in the deaths of 20 attackers and injuries to four Nigerien soldiers. This incident highlights a significant escalation in jihadist operations and the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel, particularly with the involvement of Russian military forces.
Marie DuboisFri Feb 06 2026Loading...The capital of South Kordofan State in Sudan was attacked by drones, resulting in the deaths of 15 civilians.
On February 3, a drone strike by the Rapid Support Forces targeted a health center and residential areas in Kadugli, South Kordofan, resulting in 15 civilian deaths. Eyewitnesses reported that five drones were involved, with three being shot down. The attack caused panic among the local population, and the majority of casualties were patients receiving treatment at the health center.
US military team deployed to Nigeria after recent attacks
The U.S. has deployed a small team of military officers to Nigeria to enhance military collaboration following recent attacks. This deployment is part of ongoing efforts to support Nigeria in combating armed groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State. The U.S. Africa Command's General Dagvin R.M. Anderson confirmed the deployment, which follows a meeting with Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu.
The capital of South Kordofan State in Sudan was attacked by drones, resulting in 8 deaths.
On February 3, 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces reported a drone strike by the Rapid Support Forces in Kadugli, South Kordofan, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children. The attack targeted several locations, including a medical center. The Rapid Support Forces have not yet responded to these allegations.
Sudanese Armed Forces Claim That Kadugli Has "Been Relieved"
The Sudanese Armed Forces announced the lifting of a two-year siege on Kadugli by the Rapid Support Forces on February 3, 2023. Following intense combat, the military successfully opened the Kadugli-Dilling road and reported significant losses for the Rapid Support Forces. The siege had been in place since July 2023, leading to severe humanitarian conditions in the area.
US and Israel Conduct Joint Naval Exercises in the Red Sea
A U.S. Navy destroyer conducted a joint naval exercise with the Israeli Navy in the Red Sea on February 1, 2023. This exercise is part of the ongoing cooperation between the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and the Israeli Navy, highlighting their close military relationship. The destroyer 'Delbert D. Black' departed from Eilat after a planned visit, emphasizing the strategic importance of this port.
US starts $70 million upgrade to Kenyan airfield used in Somalia operations
The United States initiated a $70 million upgrade of the Manda Bay Air Base in Kenya, enhancing its infrastructure for counterterrorism operations. This expansion includes a 10,000-foot runway extension, aimed at increasing operational capacity against militant groups in Somalia. The project reflects a commitment to shared defense between the U.S. and Kenya, with significant military leadership present at the groundbreaking.
