Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

2/20/26 National Security and Korean News and Commentary | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University wpDiscuzInsert

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) has designed and developed the Drone Killer Cartridge (DKC), a new and cost-effective family of ammunition for the warfighter that increases probability of hit and kill against drone threats while inherently reducing collateral damage. “We’re enabling extended range, shotgun-style effects through automatic rifles and machine guns with nothing more than an ammunition change,” said Brian Hoffman, Man-Portable Weapons Chief Engineer at NSWC Crane. DKC is an ammunition technology that disperses a cluster of projectiles upon firing—for rifles, automatic rifles, and machine guns—with far greater range than a conventional shotgun. These effects increase…

Sean Strickland appeared to be in really rough shape during his weight cut for Saturday’s main event clash with Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston, but when it was all said and done the former UFC middleweight champion still made weight.This is a big weekend for Strickland. The former 185-pound titleholder is just 1-2 in his last three trips to the cage and looking to turn in a memorable return to the win column in order to land a spot on UFC’s White House card. Strickland will have to defy the odds considering Hernandez is a sizeable betting favorite for UFC…

House Democrats are pressing leaders at the Federal Bureau of Prisons for details on their plans to address major and long-time staffing shortages across the frontline BOP workforce. A letter sent Friday to BOP Director William K. Marshall III from top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee warned that workforce issues have reached a “crisis point,” leading to operational challenges and unsafe conditions in the federal prison system. “By far, the most significant challenge to BOP’s ability to fulfill its public safety mission is its pervasive shortage of critical staff — particularly of correctional officers, healthcare professionals and mental health…

Vladimir Putin received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla at the Kremlin. February 18, 2026 21:00 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Minister, friends, It is a great pleasure to meet with you in Moscow, not only in your capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs but also as a special envoy of the President. Please convey my best wishes to the President of Cuba and Army General Castro. Relations between our countries are special and have been forged through history. We have always stood by Cuba in its struggle for independence,…

The Wall Street Journal WASHINGTON—A major U.S. arms-sales package for Taiwan is in limbo following pressure from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and concerns among some in the Trump administration that greenlighting the weapons deal would derail President Trump’s coming visit to Beijing, according to U.S. officials. In a phone call earlier this month with Trump, Xi urged caution on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the democratic, self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory. Trump wants to avoid antagonizing China ahead of his visit, set for the first week of April, the officials said. Asked on Monday whether he planned to send more…

The Department of Defense is defending its decision to invite controversial Pastor Doug Wilson, a self-described Christian nationalist who opposes women serving in combat, to preside over a 15-minute worship service at the Pentagon this week. A spokeswoman for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was glad to welcome Wilson to the Pentagon on Tuesday to deliver a devotional as part of a monthly Christian gathering he instituted last summer. “Despite the Left’s efforts to remove our Christian heritage from our great nation, Secretary Hegseth is among those who embrace it,” the spokeswoman’s statement read.In an interview with Military Times,…

The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, its embarked airwing and elements of its carrier strike group (CSG) are now in the western Mediterranean. The Ford and the USS Mahan, one of its Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer escorts, transited the Strait of Gibraltar around 1 p.m. local time (7 a.m. Eastern), eyewitnesses told The War Zone. The Ford passed through the Strait from the Atlantic after leaving the Caribbean, where it took part in the mission to capture Venezuelan dictator…

Conor Benn has signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing, parting ways with Matchroom Boxing after more than a decade under Eddie Hearn’s banner. The 29‑year‑old British welterweight announced the move on social media, marking one of the first major names to join Zuffa Boxing as the new promotion builds out its roster under TKO Group Holdings. Conor Benn ditches Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing in major shake‑up Benn’s record now stands at 24 wins and 1 loss, with 14 stoppages, and he enters Zuffa coming off a pair of high‑profile clashes with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025, each winning a…

Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip crossed into Israel on the night of October 7, 2023, initiating an attack on civilians and Israeli forces of exceptional brutality. The attack, and the equally severe response by the Israel Defense Forces, initiated an unprecedented conflict in Gaza that continued for two years and led to more than 70,000 casualties in the Gaza Strip alone. On October 10, 2025, a ceasefire leading to hostage and prisoner exchanges went into effect, marking the first phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the conflict and paving the way for peace between Israelis and…