Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Army established a new rotational force in the Philippines in July 2025, comprising approximately 50 personnel from Army Pacific. This force aims to strengthen military partnerships and improve infrastructure in the region. The announcement of the force was made in January 2026, indicating a shift towards a more sustained military presence in the Philippines.

Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev was shot three times outside his apartment in Moscow on February 6, 2024, in an assassination attempt that highlights ongoing power struggles within Russia's military intelligence. Two suspects have been detained, but the motive remains unclear, with speculation about internal factional payback or external threats. This incident underscores the instability within the GRU and raises concerns about the command structure as Russia prepares for a major military offensive.

Alexandra ReevesSun Feb 08 2026Loading...

Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeev survived an assassination attempt outside his home in Moscow on February 6. The Russian Investigative Committee classified the incident as an attempted murder, while Foreign Minister Lavrov described it as a terrorist act by Ukraine. Two suspects were detained in Dubai, raising questions about the security of Russian intelligence services and potential internal conflicts within the GRU and FSB.

Dmitri VolkovSun Feb 08 2026Loading...

The U.S. Army established a rotational presence in the Philippines in July 2025, consisting of approximately 50 personnel under U.S. Army Pacific. This move aims to build army-to-army partnerships and improve infrastructure with the Philippine Army. The formation of Task Force Philippines is intended to enhance military collaboration and deter Chinese claims in the South China Sea, marking a shift towards a more sustained U.S. military presence in the region.

The U.S. Army established a rotational presence in the Philippines in July 2025, consisting of approximately 50 personnel under U.S. Army Pacific. This move aims to enhance army-to-army partnerships and improve infrastructure with the Philippine Army. The formation of Task Force Philippines is intended to reinforce military collaboration and deter Chinese claims in the South China Sea, marking a shift towards a more sustained U.S. military presence in the region.

Germany is deploying over 5000 soldiers to Lithuania by 2027, with the first 250 soldiers from the 45th Armored Brigade arriving in February 2024. This deployment includes Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks and marks Germany's first large-scale overseas military presence since World War II. The move aims to deter Russian aggression and ensure a timely response in case of an attack.

The 4th Infantry Division is scaling the testing of its next-generation command-and-control system, NGC2, to the division level by summer 2023 in Colorado. This follows the completion of the Ivy Sting exercise, where the division tested new capabilities, including the integration of data from multiple battlefield sensors. The division plans to demonstrate its capabilities at Project Convergence Capstone 6 this summer, with ongoing evaluations and improvements based on soldier feedback.

Xi Jinping has purged senior military leaders from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) between 2023 and 2025, citing corruption and bureaucratic politics as key reasons. The most notable removal was Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. This has led to a significant reduction in the PLA's leadership, with only two official members remaining in the CMC. The purges have affected multiple branches of the military, indicating a broader restructuring under Xi's command.

Iranian armed forces will enter the highest level of alert status starting from the evening of February 6, as announced by an official from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. This marks the highest alert level in several days or even months.

U.S. Air Force leaders issued a memo reinforcing professionalism standards among security forces airmen, emphasizing proper greetings and individual accountability. Signed by Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe and Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the memo highlights the importance of a professional military image for national security. The authenticity of the memo was confirmed by an Air Force spokesperson.

Russian forces are experiencing widespread disruptions of Starlink satellite internet terminals across the front line and border regions, critically impacting battlefield communications. This situation follows technical measures implemented by SpaceX in coordination with Ukraine's Ministry of Defense to block unverified terminals. The loss of connectivity has severely affected command and control, as well as the transmission of reconnaissance data to missile and artillery units.

The 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team is deploying to U.S. Central Command to replace an Iowa National Guard unit. This deployment is part of a regular rotation and supports ongoing operations against ISIS in the Middle East. The announcement did not provide specific details on the countries of operation or a timeline for the deployment.

USS Truxtun departed Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday for a scheduled deployment amid heightened U.S. military presence in the Middle East. This deployment follows months of training and maintenance, coinciding with the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the region. Tensions with Iran have escalated, prompting military readiness, including the recent downing of an Iranian drone by a U.S. fighter jet.

U.S. Africa Command deployed a small contingent of ground troops to Nigeria on February 3. This marks the first acknowledgment of such a deployment since airstrikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria on December 25. The operation is part of ongoing security cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria.

The U.S. Army is advancing a hyperconnected tactical communications network, demonstrated by Ultra I&C in Poland in July 2023. This network integrates Orion radios and Archer troposcatter systems to enhance command and control capabilities in contested environments. The initiative aims to improve data transmission and operational efficiency on the battlefield, addressing current limitations in bandwidth and latency.

Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan was confirmed by the Senate as the new head of U.S. Southern Command on Friday. He will lead military operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, succeeding Adm. Alvin Holsey. Donovan has a 37-year career in the military and has pledged to protect U.S. national interests and deter war.

The Senate approved Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan's promotion to four stars and his appointment as head of U.S. Southern Command in Washington, D.C. Donovan will succeed Acting Commander Lt. Gen. Pettus. This leadership change follows Adm. Alvin Holsey's announcement to step down, coinciding with a shift in U.S. military focus towards the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. Space Forces Northern was activated at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado on January 30, 2026, as part of U.S. Northern Command. This new command focuses on providing space capabilities for homeland defense, including missile warning and tracking, and will enhance the military's operational readiness in the Northern Hemisphere. The activation aligns with the Department of Defense's strategic priorities for the region.

The United States Air Force announced plans to conduct no-notice inspections to assess combat readiness, as stated by Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus at the 2026 Airpower Forum. This decision, made by Air Force leadership, aims to ensure that commanders are responsible for maintaining their units' readiness for combat operations. The inspections will involve teams of inspectors arriving unexpectedly, marking a shift from previous policies that mandated only annual reviews.

The U.S. Navy deployed six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan as part of preparations for a potential strike on Iran. This deployment follows their transit from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, supported by U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus tankers. The Growlers are intended to enhance U.S. capabilities against advanced air-defense systems in the region.