Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Italy may finally be about to publish its first-ever national security strategy, a striking development for the only G7 country that has never had one.For decades, a mix of government instability, competition between institutions, a relatively permissive international environment, and the perceived reliability of U.S. security guarantees in Europe and the Mediterranean reduced incentives to produce a strategy. Recently, however, domestic political consolidation and external pressures have appeared to align in a way not seen before. Until recently, limited news articles and confidential interviews with policymakers, diplomats, and military officials pointed to a forthcoming publication that could address what military…

With the 8×8 wheeled IFV programme ongoing, the Turkish Land Forces still have to replace their tracked infantry fighting vehicles, their current inventory being based on around 650 ACV-15 fitted with 25 mm turrets, 20% of them upgraded to the T1 standard. The advent of the new Altay MBT will certainly require the adoption of a more modern tracked vehicle for mechanised infantry, and after showing it with several different turrets, Otokar showcased its Tulpar IFV fitted with the Aselsan Korhan 35 mm turret click on image to enlarge In the past years the Tulpar tracked platform unveiled by Otokar…

With half its original order of 60 UH-60Ms diverted to other services, Taiwan’s army aviation hopes to increase its utility transport helicopter fleet. (Taiwan MND)Taiwan hopes to significantly boost its defence spending, with the current administration committed to increasing military expenditure to 5% of GDP by 2030. The Army Aviation and Special Forces Command is hoping to cash in on extra funds to nullify a shortfall in utility transport helicopters.For 2026, the defence budget is set to exceed the 3% threshold for the first time since 2009, even though Taiwan’s parliament reduced a NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) proposed supplementary budget…

Gen. Frank Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, sat down with Ryan to discuss the vision behind the command’s new Autonomous Warfare Command and what it signals for the future of military operations in the Western Hemisphere. Donovan explains how SOUTHCOM aims to move drones and autonomous systems beyond tactical experimentation and connect them to strategic effect: disrupting cartel networks designated as terrorist organizations, strengthening cooperation with allies and partners, and giving the command new ways to see, decide, and act across a complex region. This episode was brought to you by NODA. Find out more about our friends at…

Raytheon has been awarded a contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to provide SeaRAM® ship self-defense systems in support of Australia’s SEA 3000 General Purpose Frigate program. The SEA 3000 program is set to replace the decommissioning Anzac-class frigates with 11 Upgraded Mogami-class frigates.   Press release by Raytheon Under the contract, Raytheon will supply SeaRAM launchers, Blast Test Vehicles, and technical services to support installation and testing of the systems for the first three ships which are being built in Japan by MHI. “SeaRAM extends the defensive reach of a ship beyond traditional close in weapon system ranges,” said Barbara Borganovi, president of…

What the Basic Philosophies of the Chinese Philosopher Mean to Us“It is the man that can make the truly great, and not the truth that can make a man great.” —Confucius Confucius was a philosopher and teacher who lived in China 2,500 years ago. He believed that the way to make the world a better place is to make yourself a better person and then change people by setting a good example. Because of his emphasis on doing the right thing along with thinking good thoughts, Confucius has shaped the lives of martial artists everywhere. In karate, it is especially…

HMS Dragon, the RN Type 45 destroyer, is redeploying from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East, in preparation to support a potential post-conflict shipping security mission. Crown copyright/UK Ministry of Defence, 2026. The UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has been redeployed from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Middle East to potentially support an independent multinational mission. This mission aims to secure international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, should the US/Israel versus Iran conflict reach a decisive stage. Dragon has been stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean since late March, deployed there to protect UK national…

The solo dungeon crawler uses genes, mutations, chain-based skills, And Has a Demo Available. IRSEN, a turn-based roguelite dungeon crawler from solo developer Ihar Sirotsin, also known as Datchannin, now has a free public demo available on Steam. The game is currently in development for PC, with the full release still to be announced. The premise starts after a catastrophic event makes the surface unlivable. Beneath it, a mutant ecosystem has formed, shaped by radiation, biological corruption, and creatures that have adapted to survive there. The player controls a lone survivor descending into that underground world, using the same genetic…

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday that it is prohibiting the use of kratom, an herbal stimulant, and related products effective immediately.In a general order announcement May 12, Deputy Commandant for Personnel Readiness Rear Adm. Charles Fosse said Coast Guard members may not ingest, possess or distribute kratom and its psychoactive ingredients mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Fosse did not say what prompted the Coast Guard-wide order, simply saying that drug abuse by Coast Guard members would “not be tolerated.”The Coast Guard did not respond to a request for additional information by publication. Kratom is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia.…

Georges St. Pierre is a former UFC middleweight champion in his own right, and his thoughts on the recent Khamzat Chimaev versus Sean Strickland title clash at UFC 328 were something that GSP recently touched on. The former two-division UFC titleholder spoke about this to Mike Bohn during an interview with MMA Junkie. Khamzat Chimaev dropped his middleweight crown to former champ Sean Strickland by way of a split decision at UFC 328 on May 9th. GSP mentioned being surprised by how the bout played out, quipping about how incredible and amazing it is to see the body of work…