Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

03:11 13.6.2026 US forces have shot down multiple Iranian attack drones flying toward the Strait of Hormuz, in another flare-up of violence even as Washington and Tehran are suggesting a peace deal is imminent. “Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on June 13. “US forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded. The international trade corridor remains open for transit,” it added. Earlier, Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard near the port…

Bottom lines up front OSLO—You’d be forgiven if the past week of statements and strikes by and between Iran, the United States, Israel, and Hezbollah have given you a sense of whiplash. The capricious behavior and comments by all parties do not inspire confidence. But in its own way, the past week has been clarifying. The possibility of a full-scale war is diminishing, as is the likelihood that US President Donald Trump will simply wash his hands of the situation and walk away. Either outcome remains a possibility, of course, but the most likely outcome is increasingly that of an…

Joe Rogan can’t believe how big of an underdog Justin Gaethje is going into UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje and Ilia Topuria will collide on Sunday for the right of being called the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion. While Topuria holds the main title, his hiatus led to Gaethje winning interim gold in a January tilt against Paddy Pimblett. The two heavy-handed strikers will meet on the White House lawn in the UFC Freedom 250 main event. Rogan has caught wind of the betting odds for Topuria vs. Gaethje, and he thinks the oddsmakers are selling “The Highlight” far too short. He…

On Episode 289 of The Menace Podcast, Dennis James was joined by Jose Raymond and Milos Sarcev, and the host shared what he tells people when asked if he would change anything about his career. Competing across three decades, Dennis James became a Mr. Universe in the 90s, a Europa Super Show winner in the 2000s, and a Masters Mr Olympia contender in 2012. The Menace competed in an astonishing ten Mr Olympia events during his career, and cracked the top five, flexing his way to fourth place in 2003. But despite his immense success with muscle, James believes that a…

Agencies are moving ahead on the Trump administration’s governmentwide goal of eliminating .gov websites deemed “confusing” or duplicative. The Commerce Department, working with the Office of Management and Budget, is looking to reduce its number of websites by nearly 50% Brian Epley, the department’s chief information officer, said at an industry conference on Thursday that the website is meant to make it easier for online users to search for information and services that Commerce and its component agencies provide. “That front door has to be easy, it has to be clear, and it has to deliver on the services that we’re…

House lawmakers want to block future layoffs of some Defense Department employees, test out drones to fight fires and create new chief acquisition talent officers. These are a few of the provisions that could matter most to Defense Department employees if they become law under the House’s version of the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill. The full House now is considering the bill after the House Armed Services Committee passed the legislation on June 5. Workforce protections Multiple amendments would block the Trump administration from laying off certain DoD employees, except in cases of poor performance or misconduct. If the…

PARIS — This year’s Eurosatory defense show near Paris may be the last chance for European countries to shop for weapons that will still be delivered in time for a possible conflict with Russia, according to the retired French general who heads the company running the event.With some military experts warning Europe risks a direct confrontation with Russia in the next two years, defense equipment still in development would arrive too late to make a difference at the outbreak of a conflict, said Charles Beaudouin, the CEO of Coges Events, which organizes the show, the largest of its kind by…

By Alex Raufoglu June 13, 2026 WASHINGTON — After more than three months of conflict that has shaken the Middle East, disrupted energy markets, and heightened concerns about regional stability, the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a possible peace agreement. Amid intensive diplomatic efforts brokered by Pakistan, officials in Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad indicated on June 12 that negotiations on a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had made significant progress. The proposed agreement would focus on immediate de-escalation measures, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and securing…

Line Crossed? Fully Autonomous Drones Kill Russian Soldiers | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University wpDiscuzInsert

WARSAW, Poland — U.S. manufacturer AM General will pitch its Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2, each integrated with counter-drone systems, to potential clients at the Eurosatory show in Paris next week.John Chadbourne, the president and CEO of AM General, said in a statement the UGV represents the company’s answer to evolving battlefield needs, showing how mission success can be achieved with uncrewed capabilities. “With this platform, we’ve been able to demonstrate that autonomous mobile technology can be leveraged for multiple uses including logistics support, casualty evacuation, lethality missions, as well as defensive operation, which…