Analysis & Reports

The Israeli military initiated a withdrawal operation from three villages in southern Lebanon on July 20. This action is part of a pilot area operation established under a tripartite framework agreement involving the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon. The villages affected are Ghajar, Srifa, and Zaatar Qalbiyeh, with Lebanese forces set to deploy to these areas following the withdrawal.

Two U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan and a third is missing following Iranian missile and drone attacks on July 19-20, 2023. In Iraq, another U.S. service member died during the disposal of a downed Iranian drone, raising the U.S. death toll in the Hormuz war to 17. In response, the U.S. military has conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard positions.

Ahmed Al-RashidMon Jul 20 2026Loading...

Sweden's Air Force ordered three Saab GlobalEye radar planes to complement NATO's acquisition of ten similar aircraft. The order, announced by Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman in London, is part of Sweden's commitment to enhance its military capabilities and support NATO operations. The new aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2027, while Sweden has already donated older radar planes to Ukraine.

The U.S. is evolving its plans for Air Force One, which was donated by Qatar. Ottawa is expected to join the Global Combat Air Programme as an observer, highlighting international cooperation in defense technology. Additionally, there is a growing competition across the Atlantic to develop drone wingmen for human pilots.

The U.S. and Iran are engaged in escalating military operations, with U.S. strikes targeting Iranian interests and Iranian missile attacks on U.S. assets. This conflict has resulted in U.S. service member casualties and threatens to expand beyond current borders. Analysts warn that both nations face a critical moment to de-escalate or risk a broader war.

The U.S. is actively engaging with Iraq and Syria to unify its policy and strengthen partnerships in response to rising tensions with Iran. Key meetings between President Trump and the leaders of both countries took place in mid-July 2025, focusing on energy infrastructure rehabilitation and potential U.S. investments. As U.S. forces prepare to leave Iraq in September 2026, the emphasis is on stabilizing the region and managing Iranian-backed militias.

U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including a nuclear power plant, in July 2023. In retaliation, Iran launched drone attacks against U.S. military bases in Kuwait. The conflict has escalated, with both sides increasingly targeting civilian facilities, raising concerns about potential war crimes. The U.S. is repositioning military assets in the region, indicating a possible further escalation of hostilities.

U.S. and Iranian forces engaged in military conflict, with two American servicemen killed by Iranian ballistic missiles at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The U.S. maintains 50,000 troops and 20 naval warships in the region. Mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire, confirmed by Iranian officials, amid ongoing hostilities and casualties.

On September 19, 2023, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against Iranian infrastructure for the ninth consecutive night, targeting bridges, railways, and airports. In retaliation, Iranian forces attacked U.S. bases in the Gulf region, claiming significant casualties among U.S. personnel. Iranian President declared a state of 'total war' with the U.S., while tensions escalated over control of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a spike in oil prices.

Two U.S. soldiers, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17 and 18, 2023. The Pentagon confirmed the incident, which is under investigation, and reported that another service member is missing. President Trump stated that U.S. strikes against Iran would continue in response to the attack.

Two U.S. soldiers, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17 and 18, 2023. The Pentagon is investigating the incident, which has also left one service member missing. President Trump announced retaliatory strikes against Iran in response to the attack.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a three-phase attack on U.S. military targets on July 20. The first phase struck drone maintenance facilities at Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain, followed by an attack on Salman Port. The final phase targeted facilities at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, utilizing missiles and drones as part of a retaliation effort against U.S. military actions.

Two U.S. soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone and missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17-18, 2023. Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, were identified among the casualties. One other service member is missing, and four others were injured but have since returned to duty.

Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled the Hypnosis air defense system in Jerusalem, designed to jam and spoof satellite navigation signals of aerial threats. This new system consists of mobile stations that work together to disrupt command-and-control signals, targeting drone swarms and other aerial threats. The announcement comes amid rising military tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving the U.S. and Iran.

Iran conducted multiple attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan last week, resulting in injuries to dozens of U.S. personnel. U.S. Central Command confirmed two fatalities but did not disclose the number of injuries. Reports indicate that over 400 U.S. military personnel have been injured in the ongoing conflict with Iran, with the Pentagon ceasing updates on these figures.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) introduced the ELLYON multi-mission aircraft, which integrates electronic attack capabilities with advanced intelligence-gathering sensors. The aircraft is designed to operate from hundreds of kilometers away, allowing it to disrupt enemy systems while collecting detailed intelligence. ELLYON features an AI-driven mission management system that processes data in real time, enhancing operational efficiency in contested environments.

Saudi Arabia requested 20,000 APKWS II missiles worth $1.96 billion to enhance its air defense capabilities against drones and low-cost aerial threats. The deal, announced on July 16, 2026, includes both air-to-air and air-to-ground variants, with BAE Systems as the primary contractor. This procurement indicates a strategic shift in Saudi defense policy towards more economical solutions for air defense.

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The U.S. Air Force is seeking an air defense missile system to protect its installations in the Middle East against cruise missiles and drones. The Request for Information, due by August 6, outlines requirements for a system capable of intercepting various threats, including small drones and larger UAVs. This initiative follows recent attacks on U.S. bases by Iranian drones and missiles, highlighting the need for enhanced air defense capabilities.

Ben Wallace urged the Israeli government to assist Ukraine early in the war, but Israel declined to avoid upsetting Russia. This decision has led to increased Russian-Iranian cooperation in drone attacks against Israel. Wallace criticized Israel's broader economic relationship with Russia, emphasizing the consequences of their refusal to support Ukraine. The situation reflects ongoing tensions and the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Israel, Ukraine, and Russia.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down a Polish-made Tiguar-M drone in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. The drone is said to have been operated by the U.S. Army during a recent exercise in the Philippines. This claim has not been independently verified by U.S. military sources, and Iran has a history of using such incidents for propaganda.