Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members. Each Monday, we bring you a curated selection of articles from Ukrainian media offering insight into how Ukrainians themselves debate the issues shaping their country.American coverage often narrows the view to the battlefield — these pieces widen it, revealing the texture of daily life, politics, and public argument in a nation at war. The perspectives gathered here are varied, candid, and often surprising, together forming a more complete picture of Ukraine as it really is.Frontline and StrategyЦензор.НЕТ —…

In this report, the authors examine the agricultural security risks to crop production in the U.S. Corn Belt, the backbone of the United States’ food, feed, and biofuel industries. This region in the heart of the Midwest faces evolving threats that are shaped by biological factors, such as plant pathogens and pests; environmental stressors, such as drought and climate variability; societal and technological shifts that influence production, such as changes in supply chains; and policy frameworks. These interacting factors affect agricultural security, domestic stability, and global trade. By identifying key threat categories and potential impacts on the Corn Belt’s agricultural…

There is a parallel universe where Donald Trump is the grand strategist of his own imagination. In this world, Trump remains bombastic, manipulative, and irresistibly drawn to casting himself as a risk-taker thriving on high-stakes moves. But he also somehow absorbs the hard-nosed realism and political sensitivity of his decade-long pen pal, Richard Nixon. The result is a leader who still craves spectacle, but understands the power of secrecy and executive control. Consequently, Trump would quietly work with key countries to hammer out a trade bloc instead of waging tariff wars. He would increase pressure on Venezuela while privately negotiating…

Carlos Ulberg is convinced his time on the sidelines will be brief. “Black Jag” captured the light heavyweight title earlier this month, scoring a stunning first-round knockout of former champion Prochazka in the UFC 327 main event. At first, it seemed like his title opportunity might slip away after he injured his knee and was visibly hindered early on. But the New Zealander turned the fight around in a flash, unleashing a devastating left hand that floored “BJP” before pouring on follow-up shots to secure an emphatic finish. It later emerged that Carlos Ulberg had torn his ACL and has…

A soldier exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam and his daughter have taken the Department of Veterans Affairs to court over disability benefits for children born with birth defects linked to the toxic herbicide.Former Army telecommunications technician Ronald Christoforo, along with Michele Christoforo, filed suit Monday in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut, alleging that the VA discriminates against thousands of disabled children of Vietnam veterans by providing compensation to those whose mothers served but not their fathers, with one exception: children born with spina bifida. In the suit, the Christoforos note that Michele’s birth defect, which causes…

The U.S. Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray successfully completed its first test flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, April 25, achieving a key step for unmanned carrier operations. U.S. Navy press release The MQ-25A took off at 10:49 a.m. CDT and flew for approximately two hours. During the flight, U.S. Navy and Boeing Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) controlled the aircraft from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 ground control station that includes Lockheed Martin’s MDCX™ system. The AVPs executed a series of maneuvers and tests, successfully validating the aircraft’s basic flight controls, engine performance, and handling…

The U.S. Air Force demonstrated advanced airpower and precision parachute capability during the 2026 Peruvian Airshow at Las Palmas Air Base, Peru, April 25, 2026. U.S. participation included the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team, marking the second consecutive year of U.S. involvement in the Lima-based event and reinforcing interoperability with Peruvian counterparts. “Airshows are more than just a stunning display of aviation, they are a living demonstration of our powerful friendship and commitment to continued partnership,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey “Buddha” Budis, Air Boss for the U.S.…

The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. U.S. President Donald Trump met with top national security officials today to discuss a new Iranian proposal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed. Iran offered a new deal to reopen the Strait and end the war, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage, Axios reported, citing a U.S. official and two sources with knowledge. As part of that deal, “the ceasefire would be extended for a long period or the parties would agree…

People’s Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:10, April 27, 2026 TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) — Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said midnight Sunday that the discussions he had earlier in Muscat with Omani officials included ways to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. “Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world,” Araghchi wrote on social media platform X. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi arrived in Muscat on Saturday, and held talks with senior…

Footage of a new Romance of the Three Kingdoms fighting game demo had surfaced online last year. This Soul Calibur-esque fighter essentially pitted characters from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Dynasty Warriors series against one another, but in a 1v1 format. The characters announced thus far are Guan Yu, Lu Bu, Diao Chan, Xun Yu, Xiahou Dun, Dong Zhuo, Sun Shangxiang and Zhang Fei. It was recently announced that Kingdom Heroes: Arena (the name of this…