Trump scraps missile treaty with Russia after years of Russian violations

Trump scraps missile treaty with Russia after years of Russian violations

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and the last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty — a document widely known today as simply the INF treaty. The breadth of the treaty pertained to ground-launched, medium-range missiles that could engage targets between 300 and 3,400 miles away. It was part of a broader […]

In a rare show of force, US sends carrier strike group to the Arctic

In a rare show of force, US sends carrier strike group to the Arctic

As Arctic ice sheets continue to melt, Russia has rapidly positioned themselves to take advantage of new northern shipping lanes created by the thinning ice. Russia’s massive fleet of icebreakers — which dwarfs that of the United States and most of its allies combined — bolster six new and a number of other re-opened arctic […]

Major global conflicts update: Ceasefire ends in Syria, US and Ukraine hold exercise, Taliban and US hold talks, Mexico to hire 50,000 military and police

Major global conflicts update: Ceasefire ends in Syria, US and Ukraine hold exercise, Taliban and US hold talks, Mexico to hire 50,000 military and police

Syrian Conflict The Syrian War started in 2011 as an uprising and protests against the government of Syria led by Bashar Al Assad. Developments:  The October 15 deadline has passed for the Russian-Turkish deal which allowed for a buffer zone between the city of Idlib and Syrian/Russian forces. The rebels were told to leave the […]

New satellite images show significant Russian military buildup in NATO’s backyard

New satellite images show significant Russian military buildup in NATO’s backyard

According to satellite images captured by the commercial imagery and analysis firm ImageSat International, the Russian military has commenced a major modernization effort of its forces in their Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. This news, coupled with previous revelations made during the summer about upgrades to what appear to be nuclear weapons storage sites, paint a troubling picture […]

The Army’s response to hypersonic threats includes 1,000 mile missile firing cannon

The Army’s response to hypersonic threats includes 1,000 mile missile firing cannon

Hypersonic missile technologies represent a fundamental shift in the way modern wars are waged. These platforms under development in Russia, China, and the United States travel at speeds in excess of Mach 5, making them all but impossible to intercept using existing missile defense systems. The seemingly unstoppable nature of these weapon platforms has forced […]

Russian and American space efforts stall as China continues to ramp up

Russian and American space efforts stall as China continues to ramp up

Last week, a Russian Soyuz rocket carrying a crew made up of one American and one Russian was aborted mid-flight, forcing the capsule into what’s been called a “ballistic descent;” which is a decidedly sterile term for what amounts to careening back to earth at breakneck speeds and landing somewhere in Siberia before waiting for […]

Breaking News: US and Ukrainian pilots reportedly killed in Su-27 fighter crash

Breaking News: US and Ukrainian pilots reportedly killed in Su-27 fighter crash

On Tuesday, a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet crashed during a joint NATO-Ukrainian military exercise, claiming the lives of both pilots. Although their identities have not yet been released, earlier reports suggest that one of the killed pilots was an American Air National Guard officer. While information is still limited, the accident presumably took place during […]

Russian Spetsnaz Take Out Terrorists in Dagestan

Russian Spetsnaz Take Out Terrorists in Dagestan

Much of what we post here is based on preparing the potential Special Operations candidates for what they will face in the various Selection or qualification courses. But sometimes it is good to change things up a bit and delve into our shared history to learn and respect where we come from. Other times, like […]

The geopolitical residues of an earthquake in the Russian Far East

According to recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data, the Russian Far East chain, the Kuril Islands, was hit by a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake, with initial reports stating a 6.5. The epicenter was south of the archipelago, approximately 93 miles from the closest town, Severo-Kurilsk. The quake occurred beneath the surface of the ocean, on its floor—exactly […]

Early Christmas this year? For some nations, yes

Early Christmas this year? For some nations, yes

This year, Father Christmas is arriving quite early for some. Syria, India, and Turkey will all be receiving ‘boxes’ full of Russian goodies. The first has received the S-300 surface-to-air missile system. India and Turkey, on the other hand, have signed agreements for the more advanced S-400 anti-air missile system. But the background behind each […]