Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Liberal militarized states must rely on secrecy and must even deceive their own populations when the country’s interests require it.1 Background Since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, we have seen membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) more than double. This is bizarre, when recalling that it was established as a bulwark against the spread of communism from the USSR to Western Europe. The USSR collapsed and ceased to exist in December 1991 as West Germany was reunited with East Germany. In this article, we will explore the question of why an organization established…

Stock image. Image credit: Steve Mann/stock.adobe.com Aurora Labs has moved to expand its role in Australia’s defence manufacturing sector, announcing a Memorandum of Understanding with Ares Armaments Australia to progress research, development and rapid production techniques for advanced small-arms components. In a statement, the ASX-listed company said the non-binding agreement with Ares Armaments — described as a sovereign defence manufacturer specialising in precision small-arms and armaments — will focus on prototyping and testing lighter, stronger and more consistent components using exotic metals. The company said the collaboration aims to support future high-volume manufacturing opportunities in defence applications. According to Aurora…

Phoenix border guards destroying a Chinese-made multiple-launch rocket system near Kostiantynivka. Screenshot from Phoenix unit video Посилання скопійовано Ukrainian soldiers from the Phoenix border guard unit have destroyed a Chinese-made Type-63 multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) near the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast. Source: Phoenix border guard unit Quote: “In recent days, drone pilots from the Phoenix border guard unit have managed to detect and destroy a Chinese-made Type-63 multiple-launch rocket system and heavy armoured vehicles on the Toretsk front.” Advertisement: Details: Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service reported that the number of Russian assault troops killed in this…

The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting market research with an eye toward adopting commercial technologies and AI that could boost the efficiency and efficacy of its procurement processes. The USCG — which is considered a military service but falls under the remit of the Department of Homeland Security — is trying to address a variety of shortfalls within its acquisition community, including heavy reliance on manual business methods and workflows; minimal end-to-end workflow status visibility and business intelligence capabilities to support strategic planning, reporting and enterprise decision-making; disparate knowledge management; scarcity of tools to support requirement development processes and industry…

Tonight, community members are offering support to the family of corrections officer Jeremy Hall. Investigators say an inmate attacked him at the prison where he worked in Grayson County, Virginia.Sam Bartlett owns Curtis Bartlett Fitness. He says many members of the gym knew Officer Jeremy Hall. He felt moved to help because his son died in the line of duty. The vibe was solemn at the gym.”Well, I get chills now just thinking about it,” Bartlett said. The Curtis Bartlett Fitness Center is a gym where many veterans and first responders work out — some of whom knew corrections officer…

Many women who rely on public transportation are rethinking taking it following the violent attack on the Chicago Transportation Authority’s Blue Line train this week.Self-defense experts said that despite the attack, they can still depend on it and stay safe. Experts said what happened at the Clark and Lake stop on Monday night is rare, and that more often than not, women know the attacker. They said there are tools on the train cars and common defense techniques they want women to keep in mind.For many commuters, the “L” is the only form of transportation they can depend on for…

Recent military exercises and doctrine suggest the leading war plan for Beijing to compel Taiwan is a joint blockade. This plan envisions operations ranging from gray zone quarantines to more traditional protracted blockades that isolate Taipei and shift the balance of risk to U.S. and Japanese forces while setting conditions for follow-on military operations ranging from coercive firepower strikes to full-scale invasion.A critical element of China’s strategy will be implemented in the cyber and space domains in peacetime. This demands sustained U.S. efforts to constrain China’s ability to harness commercial cyber and space resources before conflict begins. By targeting these…

This Friday, November 21, the world’s largest martial arts organization will return to Bangkok, Thailand, with another explosive installment of its weekly Asia primetime event series. ONE Friday Fights 134 features 12 intriguing matchups across Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA, showcasing elite athletes from around the globe — most of whom will be chasing the US$100,000 contract and spot on ONE Championship’s main roster. In the headline attraction, decorated Thai striker Yodlekpet “The Destroyer” Or Atchariya squares off with surging Azerbaijani finisher Anar Mammadov in a flyweight Muay Thai bout that promises fireworks. A former four-time Muay Thai World Champion…

Brad Lewis and Stephen Foote are back this week to sink their teeth into a plethora of combat sports action, starting with last weekend’s sensational UFC 322 in New York City.It was a landmark evening for the welterweights at MSG, where Michael Morales and Carlos Prates kept their stocks soaring with highlight reel knockouts, before Islam Makhachev sealed the show with a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena to claim the division’s championship belt.Where to next with the welterweight matchups? And who would be Makhachev’s first challenger?With New Zealand’s beloved Dan Hooker back in action in Qatar this weekend, the…

Thai-based company Chaiseri introduced its Guardian-T 8×8 concept vehicle at the Defense and Security 2025 exhibition in Thailand, showcasing a new direct-fire support platform based on the Royal Thai Navy Marine Corps amphibious chassis. The design matters for Thailand’s defense industry because it signals a push toward export-ready armored systems with greater mobility and modular firepower. The Thai-based company Chaiseri used the opening days of Defense and Security 2025 in Bangkok to pull the wraps off its Guardian-T concept, a medium-weight 8×8 armored vehicle designed for direct-fire support roles. Company officials described the design as an evolution of the amphibious…