Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Axel Sola may be one half of the best fight of 2026 thus far, but he also took home a gnarly cut as well.Sola faced Mason Jones in the featured prelim of UFC London on Saturday at O2 Arena. Jones picked up the unanimous decision victory in one of the craziest fights of the year to date, delivering a battle that woke up the London crowd after a tough stretch. Sola ended the fight quite bloody after Jones opened up a cut on his right cheek.After the bout, UFC CEO Dana White decided to share — as he typically does…

Bonn, 23.03.2026 – The European defence sector entered a new era of industry- and Ministry of Defence-cooperation in the domain of Main Battle Tanks. Funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), the MARTE project (Main ARmoured Tank of Europe) is far more than a technology project, it is a cornerstone for Europe`s strategic autonomy and military relevance in high intensity land warfare. MARTE aims to design Europe`s future Main Battle Tank as a system complete that will dominate future battlefields. MARTE sets new standards in multinational capability development by harmonizing the requirements of in total 11 European Member States involved…

This is an important milestone for Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS): As part of the Frontex operation in Malta, the Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Heron 1 reached the mark of 10,000 flight hours.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex awarded ADAS in 2025 for the second time with a four-year contract for maritime surveillance services over Central and Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Such services are being conducted with Heron 1, a medium-altitude and long-endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) provided by ADAS long-term partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).The full turnkey solution services are being delivered from Malta and…

In early 2026, the controversial Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov suggested that Russia should consider launching “special military operations” not just in Ukraine but also in Armenia and Central Asian countries explicitly positioning these regions as part of Moscow’s strategic interests. These statements prompted protests from Yerevan, Tashkent, and Bishkek. They were widely condemned as violations of sovereignty. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry denied these comments reflected official policy, yet did not repudiate the underlying logic outright. At first glance, this may seem like the predictable hyperbole of pro‑Kremlin media. But the persistence and escalation of such rhetoric, now heard repeatedly from…

When the United States and Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities in June last year, the operation caught many observers off guard — the planning was tightly concealed. By contrast, when Operation Epic Fury started in the early hours of Feb. 28, much of the world was staying up refreshing their screens, waiting for it to begin. Open source analysts tracked the usual indicators of escalation: satellite imagery, repositioning of carrier strike groups, and cryptic statements from officials. Intelligence agencies monitored missile deployments, while journalists quoted inside sources. Energy markets reacted to every rumor.  Amid this flood of signals, one stood out:…

On March 23, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) formally disbanded its long-standing “Fleet Escort Force” (護衛艦隊) and established a new “Fleet Surface Force” (水上艦隊), marking its most sweeping organizational overhaul since 1954. The reform also includes the creation of a new “Information Warfare/Operations Command” (情報作戦集団), reflecting a shift toward integrated, multi-domain operations. End of a 60-Year Backbone The Fleet Escort Force, established in 1961, had served as the backbone of Japan’s surface fleet for more than six decades. Its abolition—along with the Mine Warfare Force (掃海隊群)—marks the end of a defining institutional framework. In its place, the Fleet Surface…

11:59 22.3.2026 The AFP news agency, citing an Iraqi security official, reported eight overnight rocket and drone attacks on the US diplomatic and logistics center at Baghdad International Airport. According to the report, the attacks continued through the morning of March 22, with some rockets landing near the US base. Meanwhile, another security source reported that employees had left the US facility at the airport on March 21. Security sources said at least six attacks had been confirmed and the police had discovered a rocket launcher in an area near the airport. The facility, located in the Baghdad International Airport…

The Senate voted Sunday to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.The 54-37 procedural vote sets up a final vote on Mullin’s confirmation as early as Monday. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., voted to advance Mullin after backing him in committee as well. Also voting with Republicans was Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.If confirmed, Mullin will take over a department that has been shut down since Feb. 14 amid a stalemate over changes to immigration enforcement policy.Senate Democrats have declined to approve a funding bill for the department following the deaths of two U.S. citizens in…

The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. The Pentagon has reportedly drawn up plans to send American troops into Iran, possibly to Kharg Island or far deeper into the country to seize enriched uranium. These moves would represent a huge escalation for Operation Epic Fury. Former CENTCOM commander Joseph Votel offers us exclusive insights into the challenges and dangers of having U.S. boots on the ground in the Islamic Republic, and what it would take to seize Kharg Island or attempt to snatch Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium that…

Sputnik News 20260321 The US Treasury Department has issued a license for delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto vessels as of March 20. “Except as provided in paragraph (b), all transactions prohibited by the above-listed authorities that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel, including vessels blocked under the above-listed authorities, on or before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time [04:01 GMT], March 20, 2026 are authorized through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 19, 2026,” says the…