Congressional Researcher Thinks the Air Force Already Has a Secret Stealth Bomber
On July 9, the U.S. Air Force formally launched the competition to build America’s next stealth bomber. But a July 2 report from the Congressional Research Service questions the flying branch’s official narrative. According to CRS’ Jeremiah Gertler, it appears the Air Force already has new bomber prototypes in... Read more
Dam Warfare

Dam Warfare

Uncategorized July 10, 2014

In April 2014, fighters of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria captured the Nuaimiyah Dam in western Iraq, despite earlier efforts to defend the site. They then overflowed it to dislodge Iraqi soldiers dug in upstream of the site—and to deny drinking water to civilians downstream. Iraq’s water... Read more
U.S. Commandos, Police Chased Fake Terrorists in South Carolina
In May, U.S. Army and Air Force special operators trained with South Carolina’s National Guard and local police in the capitol Columbia. Domestic exercises involving commandos and other security forces have been increasing in recent years—or at least are becoming more visible. The ground combat branch’s Special Operations Command... Read more
Uh Oh—A Crappy Italian Company Might Build The Netherlands’ New Stealth Fighters
The Dutch minister of defense recently attended talks in Rome to decide who would build nearly 40 F-35 stealth fighters for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Lockheed Martin in the U.S. designed the single-engine, radar-evading jet, but the company licenses some of the actual manufacturing to foreign factories. The... Read more
Don’t Forget About the U.S. Marines in Europe
The Pentagon dramatically increased America’s military presence in Europe after Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimea region earlier this year. The Marine Corps has been an important—but largely unknown—part of this build-up. Washington has worked hard to calm NATO allies and other European friends in the wake the Kremlin’s land-grab. Public... Read more
Sorry, Peaceniks—Nonviolence Won’t Stop ISIS
Tanks couldn’t stop the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Neither could artillery or helicopters. Not even Hezbollah’s well-trained fighters have succeeded in crushing the militant Islamists who conquered much of western Iraq in June. So why would holding hands and singing “Kumbaya” defeat ISIS’ head-chopping, enemy-crucifying fanatics? Yet... Read more
The World’s Longest Minefield Isn’t Where You Think It Is
The farthest-stretching mine belt on Earth isn’t in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the Angolan savannas or the Afghan mountains. It’s in one of the most desolate parts of the Sahara Desert. The U.N. classifies the Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory,” despite two-thirds of the region being occupied by... Read more
The U.S. Names Lots of Weapons After Native Americans
There’s been something of a public furor lately over the Pentagon’s tradition of naming military aircraft after Native American tribes. Critics claim the monikers are insulting—just as some believe that naming sports teams “Redskins” or “Indians” is derogatory. Others argue that it’s an honor to have a helicopter or... Read more
Yemen Is Getting New Spy Planes
Last month, the U.S. Air Force approved a contract to supply four new spy planes to the Yemeni air force. The aircraft are the just the latest American military aid to the restive country. The Pentagon will supply four modified AT-802 aircraft, along with training support and spare parts,... Read more
Oh No—Is This a New Rebellion in Uganda?
Armed men launched coordinated attacks on security forces in western Uganda on July 5. Officials have confirmed 90 deaths—and that number could rise. The Ugandan government was quick to label the attacks “tribal clashes.” But there are worrying signs that Uganda could face a new internal rebellion, dragging the... Read more