If the U.S. went to war and turned to the military draft to enlist more soldiers, should women be required to serve? That is the question lawmakers debate on Capitol Hill as they build the military budget for 2025. Right now, selective service laws require men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register…

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduced a bill that would require the Biden administration to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terror. It is the duo’s second attempt at pushing this through Congress. The senators first tried in May 2022 with a resolution that urged the secretary of state to make…

Tensions have escalated in the South China Sea following a violent clash between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards Monday, June 17. Newly released footage reveals the severity of the encounter near the contested Second Thomas Shoal, showing Chinese officers wielding weapons and damaging Philippine naval equipment during what was meant to be a routine…

The Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari commented during a broadcast interview with Israel’s Channel 13 on Wednesday, June 19. His statement appeared to show a rift between the army and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his goal to destroy Hamas. Hagari said the idea “to make Hamas vanish” is like “throwing sand…

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has confirmed that Iran is expanding its activity at the subterranean Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant by installing hundreds of new centrifuges. This move could potentially triple Iran’s production of enriched uranium, which could be quickly refined to weapons-grade material. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran already possesses…

Escalating lawlessness and security concerns in Gaza have significantly delayed humanitarian efforts, with more than 1,000 truckloads of aid remaining stagnant at a Gaza-Israeli border crossing days after Israel implemented a humanitarian pause in fighting. United Nations officials reported that people are looting trucks as soon as they reach Gaza. The number of aid trucks…

The Philippines is taking steps to ensure China does not dominate the South China Sea by building its first BrahMos anti-ship missile base aimed at the contested waters. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies appears to show the development of the base, which includes a high bay for maintenance and testing, as well as a separate…

A U.S. soldier has been sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty by a Russian court of stealing money from his girlfriend Alexandra Vashchuk and threatening to kill her. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was sentenced to three years and nine months Wednesday, June 19.  According to Russian media, Black partially admitted…

Russian President Vladimir Putin receives a grand welcome from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the two leaders strengthen their partnership. And tense moments during the White House briefing as someone appeared to faint as dangerous temperatures grip the nation’s capital. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, June 19, 2024.…

If current conflicts serve as any indication, the open seas will likely play a large role in the next American military conflict. Key battles involving Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, Ukraine, Russia and China all demonstrate that the U.S. is falling behind when it comes to maritime warfare. Current constraints on American shipbuilding are hindering military efforts…