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Welcome to The Adversarial. Every other week, we’ll provide you with expert analysis on America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists. Read more below.***IranIn late September, U.S. and Iranian negotiators engaged in indirect talks for the first time since the memorandum of understanding they struck in June fell apart. On Oct. 8, U.S. President Donald Trump said “productive discussions” were underway. But it will take some doing to break the deadlock. Tehran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week carries diminishing allure for Washington, as traffic through the chokepoint has trended upward. Also, Iran’s demand…

A new U.S. Army multi-domain task force, one of five recently established or under development by the service, was activated this week with a ceremony at Fort Carson, Colorado.The 4th Multi-Domain Task Force will focus on synchronizing long-range precision fires in the Indo-Pacific region “to deny, disrupt and disaggregate adversary capabilities” and create advantages for other units in the joint force, the Army said in a release. The task force includes four battalions and is planned to grow to 2,100 soldiers. Col. Hugh W.A. Jones assumed command of the task force during Thursday’s ceremony. He previously commanded the 2nd Stryker…

The project, funded through ESA’s NAVISP Element 2 Programme, explores the use of Low Earth Orbit communication constellations to enhance navigation performance in GNSS-denied environments.The initiative strengthens UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía’s commitment to robust, precise and reliable guidance, navigation and control for tactical UAS operating in contested scenarios.UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, a Grupo Oesía company specialized in advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) solutions for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), is conducting, within the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA)’s NAVISP Element 2 Programme, research into the use of Signals of Opportunity from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication constellations for resilient navigation.Aligned…

Abu Dhabi, UAE: 9 October 2026 – EDGE has signed a contract with Morocco’s Administration of National Defence (ADN), the body overseeing defence procurement for the Royal Armed Forces, to supply its DESERT STING 16 (DS-16) guided-glide weapon and THUNDER P-31 precision-guided munition to the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF). Signed at the Marrakech Air Show 2026, the contract covers the supply of both weapons and their integration across the RMAF’s fleet of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The contract reflects EDGE’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Morocco and to Africa, one of its priority growth markets. EDGE works…

The GBU-31 JDAM looks almost boring.It has no dramatic rocket motor. No exotic seeker sits in its nose. At its core, it is a large gravity bomb fitted with a guidance kit.That simple idea changed air warfare.The Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, gave aircraft a way to turn existing unguided bombs into precision weapons without designing an entirely new bomb for every mission. The GBU-31 JDAM is the 2,000-pound class member of that family, built around warheads such as the Mk 84 and BLU-109.The clever part sits at the back.A JDAM tail kit combines an inertial navigation system with…

Issue Brief October 9, 2026 • 2:24 pm ET Print this page By David Julazadeh Key takeaways NATO has access to advanced technology; its ability to adopt it is another matter.Cloud-enabled infrastructure is a critical enabler—and a central test of NATO’s ability to close this gap.NATO’s future advantage will depend on how quickly and effectively it can turn technological advances into Alliance-wide operational effects. Executive summary NATO has made significant progress in advancing emerging technologies, including cloud-enabled infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and other digital capabilities. Initiatives such as the NATO Innovation Fund, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the…

Home › UFC News › Ahead of BKB 60 – BKB Lands TV Azteca Deal, Bringing Bare-Knuckle Fights to Mexico and Latin America BKB is getting more screen time south of the border. The bare-knuckle boxing promotion has signed a partnership with TV Azteca to bring its events to viewers across Mexico and Latin America, starting with BKB 60 in Newcastle, England, on Saturday, October 10. Announced October 8, the agreement adds a television outlet just weeks after BKB staged its first event in Mexico. The deal puts BKB alongside a broadcaster with an established boxing audience. TV Azteca was…

More than 750 defense exhibits, senior Army leaders and thousands of military professionals will converge on Washington, D.C., Oct. 12–14 for the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition, one of the nation’s largest gatherings focused on land warfare and military modernization. The three-day conference, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, brings together military leaders, defense industry executives, policymakers, service members and international partners to examine the Army’s priorities and the technologies shaping the future battlefield. Military.com will be on the ground throughout the conference, reporting on major announcements, interviewing military and industry…

A change to the login system for the MHS Genesis medical records’ patient portal has caused headaches for military health beneficiaries, as many have found they can’t access their entire family’s accounts. The Defense Health Agency announced in mid-September that it was switching from the older login process, DS Logon, to a new program called myAuth for the MHS Genesis system. DS Logon required lengthy passwords that had to be changed frequently, while myAuth promised a more “user-friendly experience” and improved security, according to DHA. Following the transition, however, some patients have been unable to access their own medical records.…

The first round of the JKD Kumite Challenge 2026 took place on September 19, 2026, at the JKD Sport Centre in Tehran, Iran, bringing together 20 determined fighters ready to test their endurance, discipline, and fighting spirit. Organized by Jalaiyan Dojo / IFK Iran, the event featured three kumite challenges based on the participants’ age categories: U16: 10-Man Kumite U18: 20-Man Kumite 18+: 30-Man Kumite The competition delivered an impressive display of determination and perseverance. After completing their scheduled 10 fights, several younger participants requested to continue up to 20 fights. Similarly, fighters who completed the 20-Man Kumite challenge were…