Morning Brief: US Space Command Headquarters Overhaul Rekindles Alabama vs Colorado Debate

Good morning! Welcome to your Friday Morning Brief, bringing you the latest updates on defense and global affairs for May 30, 2025. The US Space Command’s headquarters in Colorado requires $1.5 billion in upgrades, reviving a push to relocate it to Alabama. Anduril and Meta are building AR/VR tools for the US military. Israel approved 22 new West Bank settlements, sparking global backlash. Saudi Arabia urged Iran to take Trump’s nuclear deal seriously or risk war. Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s Kursk; fighting intensifies in Sumy and Donetsk. Zelenskyy says Russia is stalling peace talks. Macron and Hegseth attend Asia security talks amid China tensions.

—

Space Command HQ in Colorado Requires Major Construction, Renewing Alabama Relocation Debate: GAO Report

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that significant new construction would be required to support US Space Command’s operations in Colorado Springs, casting doubt on the long-term viability of its current location at Peterson Space Force Base.

The finding comes as the Trump administration considers reversing the Biden-era decision to keep the headquarters in Colorado, potentially shifting it to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama—originally selected in 2021 during Trump’s first term.

The GAO report stated that Space Command faces ongoing personnel, facility, and communications challenges that undermine operational sustainability. Despite being fully operational, the command is understaffed and operating from temporary and leased facilities that lack sufficient security, power, and IT infrastructure.

Space Command officials told the GAO that these limitations pose risks to mission execution and necessitate a permanent, purpose-built headquarters.

U.S. Space Command: Air Force’s Reevaluation of Headquarters Location and Status of Operations https://t.co/i8Es5DroCc

— U.S. GAO (@USGAO) May 29, 2025

The proposed Colorado construction project, estimated at $1.5 billion and scheduled to start in 2029, remains frozen due to a congressional funding hold pushed by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), who argues Huntsville remains the superior choice.

Rogers said the GAO’s findings further validate relocating the headquarters to Alabama.

Colorado officials countered that proximity to other commands and operational readiness support keeping the HQ in Colorado Springs. Still, the GAO noted that uncertainty over the command’s final location has contributed to hiring challenges and slowed planning.

The basing fight has become a prolonged political standoff, with multiple investigations—by the GAO and Department of Defense Inspector General—failing to fully resolve transparency concerns around both Biden and Trump administration decisions.

The latest report may reignite efforts to finalize a move to Alabama, though Colorado lawmakers continue to defend their state as the optimal location.

Anduril and Meta Join Forces to Deliver Advanced XR Tech to US Warfighters

Defense tech firm Anduril and tech giant Meta have launched a partnership to develop next-generation extended reality (XR) systems for US military applications.

The effort aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI)-driven AR/VR interfaces with autonomous systems and command platforms, enabling warfighters to enhance situational awareness and intuitively control battlefield assets.

The collaboration is funded entirely by private capital and targets billions in cost savings by adapting high-performance commercial tech for defense use.

The partnership will integrate Meta’s AR advancements with Anduril’s Lattice platform, providing soldiers with real-time intelligence through immersive, role-specific interfaces. This marks a major milestone in Meta’s push to support national security through its Reality Labs and Llama open-source AI programs.

Anduril and Meta have teamed up to make the world’s best AR and VR systems for the United States Military.

Leveraging Meta’s massive investments in XR technology for our troops will save countless lives and dollars. pic.twitter.com/t9d2vRInSe

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) May 29, 2025

Key figures backing the effort include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, who emphasized the transformational nature of these technologies.

The companies recently submitted a joint white paper for the Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) Next program, formerly IVAS Next, and are already testing Lattice-integrated XR systems. The new approach has dramatically accelerated update timelines and aims to deliver a fully soldier-tested capability with streamlined logistics and reduced costs.

As computing moves toward AI-powered, body-worn platforms, the Anduril-Meta alliance positions itself at the forefront of military innovation, reinforcing US technological dominance on the battlefield.

Israel Approves 22 New Settlements in West Bank, Sparking International Condemnation

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the establishment of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, a move condemned internationally and widely considered illegal under international law.

The expansion, described by Smotrich as “historic” and aimed at preventing a future Palestinian state, includes four new communities near the Jordanian border and is backed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The decision, approved by Israel’s security cabinet, reinforces the government’s long-standing push to entrench its presence in the West Bank, home to over 500,000 Israeli settlers and 3 million Palestinians under military rule.

Smotrich declared the move a “strategic step” and called for future Israeli sovereignty over the territory.

Israel has announced 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank marking a major expansion not seen for decades.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the additions will prevent danger to Israel – but the Palestinian presidency has called it a “dangerous escalation”. pic.twitter.com/h4Fn0nlWI6

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) May 29, 2025

Hamas denounced the announcement as part of a broader annexation agenda, while Jordan labeled it a “flagrant violation of international law” that jeopardizes the two-state solution. The move comes ahead of a United Nations conference led by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at reviving peace talks and follows recent US optimism over a potential Gaza ceasefire proposal.

Settlement construction has surged in recent years, further fragmenting Palestinian territories and deepening skepticism over the viability of an independent Palestinian state.

Saudi Minister Warns Iran to Take Trump’s Nuclear Deal Seriously, Avoid War With Israel

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman delivered a secret message to Iranian leaders in Tehran last month, urging them to accept President Donald Trump’s offer to negotiate a nuclear deal or risk war with Israel, according to regional and diplomatic sources.

The closed-door April 17 meeting included Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, top military officials, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

The Saudi prince warned Iran that Trump seeks a fast agreement and has limited patience for prolonged negotiations. He emphasized that a deal would help Tehran avoid further regional escalation, already strained by wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Saudi Arabia’s defense minister told senior Iranian officials in April that they should take President Donald Trump’s offer to negotiate a nuclear deal seriously or risk a potential Israeli military strike, four sources familiar with the meeting told Reuters.… pic.twitter.com/Hr3mValRMI

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) May 30, 2025

The meeting marked the first high-level Saudi royal visit to Iran in over two decades, following a China-brokered thaw in relations in 2023.

Iranian officials reportedly welcomed a deal to ease sanctions but voiced concerns over Trump’s unpredictability and demands for full dismantling of enrichment capabilities. Iran signaled possible concessions, including pausing uranium enrichment under a political agreement, though this was later publicly denied.

Prince Khalid also urged Iran to rethink its regional posture and avoid actions that could provoke the US, warning that Trump would respond more aggressively than his predecessors. He assured Tehran that Saudi Arabia would not permit its territory or airspace to be used for military strikes against Iran.

The warning comes as Trump deepens Gulf ties, positioning Saudi Arabia as the leader of a new Sunni axis.

Trump recently cautioned Israeli PM Netanyahu against jeopardizing the ongoing nuclear talks and claimed the US and Iran were “very close to a solution.”

Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Border City as Ground Battles Intensify in Sumy and Eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s western Kursk region overnight, damaging a hospital and several apartment buildings, according to regional governor Alexander Khinshtein.

At least one person was injured in the attack, which targeted the city of Kursk. Russian authorities reported broken windows and structural damage from falling drone debris.

Across the border in Ukraine’s Sumy region, Ukrainian officials reported ongoing battles in villages near the frontier, where Russia continues its effort to seize territory.

Sumy Governor Oleh Hryhorov confirmed active fighting around Khotyn and Yunakivka, noting that the situation remains fluid, with territory changing hands frequently.

Footage shows a Russian Lancet drone hitting a checkpoint in Sumy, where a Ukrainian police officer miraculously survived the strike. pic.twitter.com/NlN6m2PY1f

— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) May 30, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared his intention to establish a buffer zone in Sumy to prevent further Ukrainian cross-border raids, following last year’s incursion into Kursk.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces captured three additional villages—Stroivka in Kharkiv region, and Shevchenko Pershe and Hnativka near Pokrovsk in Donetsk. Ukraine has not confirmed the losses but reported 53 Russian attacks around Pokrovsk within a 24-hour span.

Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Stalling Peace Talks, No Sign of Proposed Settlement Memo

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of deception on Thursday, stating Moscow had failed to deliver its promised peace settlement proposal ahead of a planned second round of talks in Istanbul.

In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine, its partners, and even host nation Turkey had not received the so-called memorandum Russia claimed to have prepared.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow had drafted a settlement position and proposed new talks on Monday in Istanbul. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Kyiv had not responded to the invitation.

Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for making the process hollow and urged Ukraine’s allies to intensify pressure on Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry officials said the lack of documentation indicated Moscow was likely hiding unrealistic demands. Peskov dismissed Kyiv’s request to hand over the memo as “non-constructive,” insisting Ukraine must confirm its readiness to engage.

NEW: Russian officials continue to dictate the terms and timing of peace negotiations with Ukraine and are attempting to obfuscate the current state of negotiations. Russian officials are setting conditions to falsely accuse Ukraine of delaying negotiations.

MORE ⬇️

Russia is… pic.twitter.com/FukXST1nie

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 30, 2025

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed optimism that renewed dialogue could advance peace efforts. The White House, under President Trump, also signaled support for the Istanbul meeting, though it remains uncertain whether it will proceed without Ukraine’s formal participation.

Zelenskyy had proposed a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the first Istanbul talks, but Putin’s absence led Zelenskyy to skip the session, delegating officials in his place.

Russia said its delegation for the next round would remain unchanged.

Macron and Hegseth Lead Security Talks in Asia as Regional Tensions Mount

French President Emmanuel Macron and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this weekend, where top defense officials and diplomats are confronting rising security threats across Asia.

The forum, focused on China’s assertiveness, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and regional conflicts, opens with a keynote address from Macron, who is expected to stress the need for balanced global engagement and the preservation of a rules-based international order.

We’re here. We’re ready.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has arrived in Singapore for #SLD25 to reaffirm America’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/vAm4xqqZZR

— U.S. Embassy Singapore (@USEmbassySG) May 29, 2025

Hegseth, on his first visit to the forum, reaffirmed US deterrence efforts against a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan and defended Washington’s Indo-Pacific policy amid uncertainty over America’s long-term military commitment. His visit follows rising tensions in the South China Sea and proposed US tariffs targeting China and Taiwan.

Macron met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday, stating that the region should not be dominated by US-China rivalry and instead pursue cooperative, multilateral partnerships. France, which recently concluded a major Indo-Pacific naval deployment, continues to advocate for strategic autonomy in the region.

Launched the Singapore-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with French President @EmmanuelMacron. We also witnessed the conclusion of 13 agreements in sectors ranging from defence and security to education. pic.twitter.com/KvSPR6p9l3

— Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) May 30, 2025

China, which usually sends its defense minister to the forum, downgraded its presence this year without explanation. Meanwhile, Russia’s destabilizing role in Asia, support from China and North Korea, and the global impact of its war on Ukraine will also be key topics of concern.

The summit follows a series of recent flashpoints: a deadly skirmish on the Thai-Cambodian border, Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, and a near-war confrontation between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Regional leaders are expected to push for diplomacy and greater international engagement to prevent further escalation.

Sources: News Agencies