Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

A few days ago, I published an article covering some of the latest XCOM-like strategy RPGs. Today, I’m returning to XCOM, this time because of an interesting Humble Bundle that has launched a new collection dedicated to publisher 2K, bringing together 15 PC games for a minimum payment of $15. The 2K Megahits 2026 Bundle covers everything from shooters and horror adventures to real-time and turn-based strategy, with all included titles delivered as individual Steam keys. The offer is scheduled to remain available through August 7, 2026. Obviously for us, turn based lovers, the strongest reason to take a closer…

The Fort Jackson Photo Studio will permanently close its doors Aug. 1. The studio, which has been a mainstay of Department of the Army photographic support across South Carolina and parts of Georgia and North Carolina, will close due to personnel issues and last year’s sunsetting of the Department of the Army Photo Management Information System, or DAPMIS. “Providing quality service to all customers has been my goal since taking over the photo lab, nearly three years ago,” explained Reginald Rogers, Fort Jackson’s community engagement officer. “I’ve enjoyed providing that service and building relationships with the officers, noncommissioned officers and…

Previous U.S. foreign, security, and defense policies toward the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have failed. Contrary to the decades-long hopes and expectations of Western policymakers, the PRC’s rapid economic development via quasi-capitalistic mechanisms did not foster internal democratic norms. While the “opening up” dictates of the post-Deng Xiaoping era brought spectacular economic growth, they failed to transform the CCP into a responsible stakeholder in the U.S.-led international community. Unrealistic expectations that the PRC would cooperate as a stable security partner in the Indo-Pacific never materialized; in fact, the opposite occurred. The CCP has…

As part of its major “Firepower” project, Rheinmetall is massively expanding its production capacities for ammunition and propelling charge components. On July 22, the official foundation-laying ceremony was held at the long-established site of its subsidiary Rheinmetall Nitrochemie in Aschau am Inn for one of Europe’s most modern powder plants. The ceremony was attended by Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence Nils Schmid, and Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger, among others. Guests of honor at the foundation-laying ceremony: State Secretary Nils Schmid (MoD), Armin Papperger (Rheinmetall), Markus Söder and Hubert…

This report assesses emerging energy and water technologies that could enhance the U.S. Air Force’s ability to sustain agile combat operations in contested environments. It evaluates developments in portable power generation, storage, and purification—from airborne wind turbines to atmospheric water harvesting—highlighting their maturity, deployability, costs, and logistical implications for expeditionary resilience. This research was sponsored by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment and conducted by RAND Project AIR FORCE.This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and…

Bosnia and Herzegovina has returned to the centre of geopolitical rivalry in the Western Balkans. But unlike previous crises, the latest confrontation is not between Russia and the West. Instead, in early July, an unprecedented dispute has emerged between the United States and its principal European allies over energy, international governance and the future direction of the country itself. For almost thirty years, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) has served as the international guarantor of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, exercising sweeping executive powers (the ‘Bonn Powers’), with the authority to dismiss elected officials and impose legislation. The…

Oscar De La Hoya has long been a vocal critic of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing project and he’s drawing from a recent pop culture phenomenon for his latest volley.Citing Christopher Nolan’s hit film The Odyssey, the boxing legend explained why fans shouldn’t be fooled by Zuffa Boxing boasting about huge paydays for major signings, because that kind of money is likely to become rarer and rarer if more fighters flock to White’s fledgling promotion.“So I saw The Odyssey the other day,” De La Hoya said in Instagram video. “It was about the Greeks and how they invaded the city of…

The U.S. Navy Reserve is offering enlisted sailors, officers and civilians sizable financial incentives to remain or join the service, the Navy announced Wednesday.Beginning June 1, 2026, individuals may qualify for several different bonus enlistment packages from the Navy Reserve as part of the fiscal 2026/2027 Recruiting and Retention Incentive Program. “Our people remain our greatest competitive advantage,” said Capt. James R. Prouty, commander of Navy Recruiting Reserve Command. “These expanded bonus opportunities represent a well spent investment in both the current force and the next generation of reserve sailors.”For the latter, the programs include the New Accession Training Enlistment…

The White House says President Donald Trump will not intervene as Andrew Tate and his brother fight a British request to extradite them from the United States. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave a brief answer when asked whether the Trump administration planned to get involved: “No. We’ve already answered that question.” President Donald Trump Won’t Stop Andrew Tate and Brothers’ Extradition, Leavitt Says The Tate brothers were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on July 18 and are in federal custody in Florida while the U.S. court process moves forward. Their next hearing is scheduled for July 27, though the…

The State Department on July 16, 2026, hosted what officials billed as a ministerial on the resurgence of left-wing political terrorism.Secretary of State Marco Rubio invited representatives from more than 60 countries to Washington to hear an argument that many of them appear not to believe: that a transnational far-left terrorist movement called antifa threatens the democratic world. At the event, allies were asked to mobilize against that enemy despite nations like the Netherlands and Germany politely noting to their host that they cannot find evidence of any such group.Some intelligence analysts have declined to brief on antifa at interagency meetings because they do not regard it as a serious counterterrorism threat. As a terrorism…