More from Ryan Robertson
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Tehran’s top diplomat says Israel could spark ‘large-scale war’ with attack on Iran
Iran’s top diplomat warned Israel if it attacks Tehran it could lead to “a large-scale war,” and claimed Iran is ready for any Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic. The comments first surfaced when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s interview with China’s CCTV aired on Chinese state-run media on Saturday, Jan. 4. The foreign minister… -
Report finds US airfields in Pacific vulnerable to Chinese threats
The balance of power in the Indo-Pacific may depend on something as basic as concrete. As China fortifies its military airfields and expands the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, a new report highlights vulnerabilities in U.S. defenses that could shape future conflicts. The Hudson Institute, a nonpartisan think tank founded to prepare… -
Why Macron fears Iran’s nuclear program is nearing ‘point of no return’
French President Emmanuel Macron warned the world on Monday, Jan. 6, that Iran is nearing “the point of no return” when it comes to procuring potential nuclear weapons. Macron said during his address to French ambassadors that Tehran has enough enriched uranium to power a handful of nuclear warheads, and called Iran the biggest strategic… -
Israel, Hamas give conflicting updates on hostage negotiations
Hamas still holds around 100 hostages that the terrorist group kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Reports abound about how both sides are working towards a deal to free them, but there hasn’t been a formal exchange of hostages in months. On Jan. 5, Reuters reported Hamas and Israel were working on a ceasefire… -
Kremlin supporters brag of Moscow-led ‘sabotage’ in Baltic Sea on Russian TV
A Kremlin supporter reportedly bragged on Sunday, Jan. 5, that Russia was responsible for the suspected plot to sever communication lines on Christmas day between Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea. Officials said the damage to the cables could take months to fix. Leaders in the European Union weren’t exactly surprised by the acknowledgment.… -
Yoon impeachment crisis: Investigators push to enforce arrest warrants
South Korea faces an unprecedented political crisis as investigators work against a midnight deadline to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon remains in his official residence in Seoul, shielded by the Presidential Security Service, which has repeatedly blocked attempts to enforce arrest and search warrants issued by the Seoul Western District Court. The warrants… -
Israel used commandos to blow up Iran’s missile factory in Syria
This past fall, Israel sent more than 100 commandos to carry out a raid on one of Iran’s missile production facilities in Syria. The raid happened in September, and the soldiers reportedly didn’t suffer a single casualty. The world only learned much about it because the Israeli Defense Force recently released some details and footage… -
Chinese Coast Guard ‘monster ship,’ underwater drone enter Philippine waters
Philippine authorities are investigating the discovery of a suspected Chinese underwater drone and the presence of one of the world’s largest Coast Guard vessels, developments that are adding to rising tensions in the South China Sea. The region is the focus of ongoing disputes over territorial claims between China and the Philippines. On Monday, Dec.… -
Is the new leader in Syria more pragmatic than fanatic?
The Baathist regime ruled Syria with brutality since 1963. Then, in the span of a few weeks at the end of 2024, the dictatorship was overthrown, and Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. The ouster came at the hands of the rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani and his group, known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. “If you… -
Hamas making comeback in Gaza with 23,000 fighters: Report
Hamas is making a comeback through recruiting, multiple Israeli media outlets reported Wednesday, Jan. 1. When combined with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters, Channel 12 reported Hamas’ total numbers are at about 23,000 fighters. The Jerusalem Post confirmed the recruitment increase but reported the numbers are closer to 12,000 fighters. However, there’s a large discrepancy… -
Women and the world of wargaming: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, the team examined the evolving landscape of wargaming through the lens of female participation. Host Ryan Robertson sat down with Dr. Yuna Wong, a renowned scholar and advocate for inclusivity in gaming. Dr. Wong shared her insights on the historical underrepresentation of women in wargaming and how this has… -
Hundreds of Ukrainian, Russian soldiers return home in largest prison swap
Russia and Ukraine carried out their 59th prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began, with 189 Ukrainians and 150 Russians released in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The exchange highlights one of the few direct avenues of relief in a conflict now approaching its third year. Thousands of captives remain on… -
Ukraine drones now carry small cannons, fiber-optic cables
Ukraine’s armed forces are leading the world in real-time battlefield drone innovations. It wasn’t long ago that Straight Arrow News reported on Ukraine’s all-drone ground attack force, the first in history. Now, Ukraine is strapping shotgun-style cannons to first-person view drones to counter the unmanned aerial threat from Russia. Video released on social media purports…