More from Ryan Robertson
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Assad ouster in Syria will have ‘ripple effects’ in Iran, Russia
The Assad regime in Syria is over. In the next few days, the Syrian government is expected to turn over control of the country to the rebel-led Salvation Government. After 50 years of the regime’s brutality, the lightning-fast offensive to push Bashar Assad out of power lasted just 12 days, but the ripple effects could… -
Former Russian prison boss killed in car bombing in occupied Ukraine
A former Russian prison boss is dead after a car bombing in Ukraine. Ukrainian media said Sergei Yevsyukov was killed in the blast from an explosive device planted under his car on Monday, Dec. 9. The attack, which also critically injured Yevsyukov’s wife, happened in Donetsk, a city now occupied by Russia. Yevsyukov was chief… -
Ukraine pushes for NATO action, open to Western troops
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed openness to the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine as part of a broader security framework tied to NATO membership. Speaking on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy said clear timelines for joining both NATO and the European Union are essential for Ukraine’s future. He noted, however, that NATO membership requires… -
Taiwan on alert as China deploys 90 ships in military exercise
Taiwan is reporting one of the largest Chinese naval deployments near its waters in recent months, with nearly 90 vessels and reserved airspace zones near the island sparking fresh concerns about regional security and military posturing. The seven airspace zones are near its Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, which Taiwan said could signal upcoming military exercises.… -
Pentagon warns of China-Russia alliance threatening Arctic security
The Arctic is shifting from a region of international cooperation to a battleground for global power. China is expanding its presence, pursuing influence in Arctic governance and tapping into economic opportunities created by climate change. Its growing partnership with Russia—spanning trade, science and military cooperation—is reshaping regional dynamics. The Pentagon warned that this unprecedented collaboration… -
IDF, Shin Bet say Israel killed Hamas commander involved with Oct 7 attacks
One of the Hamas commanders who led a deadly assault on an Israeli kibbutz during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks is dead. The Israel Defense Forces killed him in an airstrike, the IDF and Shin Bet announced Friday, Dec. 6. Israeli fighter jets struck and killed multiple top Hamas commanders in Gaza this week, including… -
US Army conducts double-shot with ATACMS missile replacement
The U.S. Army successfully conducted a double-shot test strike using a new long-range missile. The military branch is testing the new weapon in hopes of replacing its tactical missile system (ATACMS). For the last 30 years or so, the Army relied on ATACMS to be the workhorse for long-range precision strikes. During a November test… -
Philippines says Chinese coast guard sideswiped, fired water cannon at ship
China is once again being accused of “aggressive actions” in the South China Sea. This time, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Wednesday, Dec. 4, Chinese coast guard ships attacked one of its boats with heavy-duty water cannons and intentionally sideswiped it in the disputed waters. The Philippine Coast Guard says it was on patrol,… -
Top Russian, US generals discuss Mediterranean drills in rare call
Russia’s top military officer called his U.S. counterpart last week to warn of live-fire missile tests in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The advance notice was given to U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown amid heightened tensions between the United States and Russia. Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that the call aimed to prevent incidents in… -
UK defense minister warns British Army could be wiped out in large-scale war
A U.K. defense minister warned the British Army could be wiped out within six months of a large-scale war. Alistair Carns, the nation’s minister for veterans, said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army’s demise. “In a war of scale, not a limited intervention but one similar… -
How the US Space Force will work to protect Japan’s national security
U.S. Space Force Guardians are deploying to Japan on Dec. 4 in a move meant to bolster the Japanese self-defense forces against threats from Russia, China and North Korea. The United States activated its first Space Force Unit in Japan at Yokota Air Base, just west of Tokyo, on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The unit will… -
A conversation with NATO’s commander in North Texas: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, host Ryan Robertson sits down for a conversation with the commander of the European NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT). Col. Jeffrey Shulman, commander of the 80th Flight Training Wing, based at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, talks about how the program aims to provide advanced pilot… -
Advanced Zumwalt destroyers to host US Navy’s 1st hypersonic weapon
For years, the U.S. Navy has been hard at work seeking to salvage the design of the futuristic Zumwalt destroyers. With a hefty price tag of $7.5 billion, the destroyers were meant to replace the Arleigh-Burke class destroyers. The design was eventually abandoned, though the three finished destroyers are still operational and highly advanced. Now,…