Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to reports that former US President Donald Trump had ordered military action against Latin American drug cartels, asserting that there would be “no invasion of Mexico.” Sheinbaum’s statement followed reports of a directive signed by Trump authorizing military force against cartels, some of which his administration had designated as terrorist organizations. The New York Times reported that this directive would allow for military operations on foreign soil. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the order.
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The United States deployed a significant portion of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, firing over 100 missiles. This rapid use of THAADs exposed a potential shortfall in the US missile defense system and depleted a valuable asset. Despite a high interception rate, dozens of Iranian missiles still struck Israel, causing substantial damage. Experts and former defense officials have voiced concerns about the depletion of these vital interceptors and the need to increase production to address this issue, especially given global security concerns.
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Cybersecurity experts are cautioning the public about a recent breach of a US state’s National Guard network by the Salt Typhoon cyber espionage group. The DoD revealed the group maintained access for almost a year, potentially accessing sensitive military and law enforcement data, including administrator credentials and network diagrams. This data theft included configuration files for critical national infrastructure organizations and state government agencies, raising concerns about potential follow-on attacks. The incident, part of a larger campaign linked to Chinese-backed hackers, highlights the group’s proficiency and the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures, including Zero Trust adoption and breach containment strategies across all US government networks.
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Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest war-fighting drills in Australia’s history, commenced with live-fire exercises featuring the newly acquired HIMARS. The three-week event involves over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations, including the United States and Australia, with activities also taking place in Papua New Guinea for the first time. Chinese surveillance ships are anticipated to monitor the exercises, as they have done in previous iterations, prompting adjustments in Australia’s operational approach. The exercise began shortly after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China, during which he indicated that the surveillance would not be a point of contention.
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A recent study analyzing Pentagon spending from 2020 to 2024 reveals that the majority of discretionary funds, totaling $2.4 trillion, were allocated to private military contractors. The report, from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and Costs of War project, indicates that the US military budget has nearly doubled since 2000, driven by factors including the post-9/11 “global war on terror” and efforts to counter China. This substantial spending benefits top arms firms and the growing military tech sector, leading to a transfer of wealth from taxpayers to fund war and weapons manufacturing, as military aid and democracy promotion programs are simultaneously slashed.
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During a recent briefing to senators, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine explained that the US military did not use bunker-buster bombs on the Isfahan nuclear site because of the facility’s depth, which likely would have rendered the bombs ineffective. Intelligence assessments indicate that Isfahan houses the majority of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. While US B2 bombers targeted Fordow and Natanz, only Tomahawk missiles were deployed against Isfahan, which caused moderate to severe damage to the above ground structures of the facilities. Lawmakers acknowledge that the strikes may not have eliminated all of Iran’s nuclear materials.
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Overnight drone attacks, attributed to Iranian-allied Iraqi militias, targeted several military bases, including Ain al-Asad, causing significant damage to radar systems. These attacks, likely a response to potential US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, targeted bases under Iraqi military control, though US personnel are stationed at Ain al-Asad. Despite the damage, no US or Iraqi personnel were injured. With a fragile ceasefire emerging, there’s growing fear that such actions could destabilize the peace process in Iraq, especially given prior warnings from militia contacts.
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Iran launches missiles at U.S. military bases in the Middle East. This situation, as many predicted, has now become a reality. The anticipation of retaliation from Iran was almost universal, making the recent missile launches a predictable consequence of escalating tensions. It’s a moment that underscores the interconnectedness of global politics and the potential for conflict to quickly spiral.
The expectation of this response wasn’t just a hunch; it was informed by the historical patterns of international relations. When one nation takes aggressive military action against another, a reaction is almost inevitable. The complexities of the situation are also exacerbated by the different players involved and their individual motivations.… Continue reading
Following a US airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed unprecedented retaliation against the United States. His representative, Hossein Shariatmadari, called for immediate action, including a missile strike on US naval forces in Bahrain and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s foreign minister condemned the attack as a violation of international law, reserving the right to defend its sovereignty. While Iran assures its citizens of safety, the atomic agency declared its continued pursuit of nuclear development.
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B-2 stealth bombers have departed a US base for the western Pacific. This deployment follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement that the US military stands ready to execute any presidential order concerning Iran. The move is widely interpreted as a show of force, potentially in response to escalating tensions with the Iranian government. The specific mission of the bombers remains undisclosed.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood