Today's Defense Pulse
U.S. Treasury expands sanctions on Iran-linked shipping network
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a new sanctions round targeting a global network of shipping firms, tanker operators and intermediaries tied to Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trades. Entities in Hong Kong, the UAE, India, Qatar, Singapore, China, Liberia and the Marshall Islands were added to the Specially Designated Nationals list.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Disciplined Growth Acquisition Corp raises $150M in IPO
Where We Are in the Storm | ClubGPF Clip with George Friedman
In a recent ClubGPF live discussion, Geopolitical Futures chairman George Friedman revisited his book *The Storm Before the Calm* to argue that America is moving through an 80‑year institutional cycle. He compared today’s political polarization and economic anxiety to three historic upheavals—the Revolution, the Civil War, and the Great Depression. Friedman contended that the current storm is the least threatening of those four major disruptions. The analysis frames today’s turmoil as a predictable, albeit uncomfortable, phase in a long‑term pattern.
Indian Register of Shipping Launches First Defence Export Project
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has launched its first defence export project, delivering a floating dry dock to the Sri Lanka Navy. The dock, constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, was inaugurated on February 19, 2026, with Rear Admiral MDK Wijewardana...
Dutch MOD Receive First Shipment Hexonia Combat Clothing System
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has taken delivery of the first batch of the Defence Operational Clothing System (DOKS) from German maker Hexonia GmbH. While the new kit replaces legacy uniforms, it retains the Netherlands Fractal Pattern (NFP) camouflage introduced...
Pentagon Shifts to Data-Centric Security to Boost Resilience
The Pentagon is moving from network‑centric to data‑centric security, embedding zero‑trust principles across the Navy and Marine Corps. Initiatives such as Project Dynamis and the Operation Cattle Drive effort aim to accelerate secure data sharing, reduce technical debt, and modernize...
Uncrewed Vehicle Orders Will Help Keep Rosyth Shipyard Afloat
UK orders for uncrewed maritime vehicles (UMVs) are expected to sustain work at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard as the Type 31 frigate programme winds down in the early 2030s. The Ministry of Defence’s Strategic Defence Review calls for a hybrid fleet of...
UK Confirms New Chinooks to Get Aerial Refuelling Equipment
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the incoming Chinook H‑47(ER) helicopters will be delivered with a built‑in air‑to‑air refuelling receiver. Despite this capability, the current plan is to rely on United States KC‑130 aircraft for in‑flight refuelling rather than...
How to Deter Chinese Aggression Against Taiwan, with Rep. John Moolenaar
In a February 27 2026 Atlantic Council podcast, Rep. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, argued that deterring Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait is a core U.S. national‑security interest. He discussed the economic stakes of the U.S.–China rivalry...
Who’s Really Running AI? Inside the Billion-Dollar Battle over Regulation with Alex Bores
Alex Bores, a New York State Assemblymember, championed the state’s pioneering RAISE Act, a comprehensive AI safety bill that could become a national template. The legislation sparked a $125 million super‑PAC backlash from a Silicon Valley lobbying coalition, while Anthropic poured...
Wyden Blocks Nominee to Lead NSA and Cyber Command
Senator Ron Wyden has blocked Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s nomination to lead the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, citing insufficient experience for the urgent cyber threat landscape. Meanwhile, the Army is piloting AI to speed doctrine writing, the Ninth Circuit...
The Arsenal Beneath the Arsenal
Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Cadenazzi joined a live event with Ryan Evans to assess the current state of the U.S. defense industrial base. The dialogue covered a surge of venture‑capital‑backed startups, the dominance of legacy primes, and the urgent...
SEALSQ Expands Japan Presence to Support 2035 Quantum Security Mandate
SEALSQ Corp is expanding its footprint in Japan by showcasing its production‑ready QS7001 secure System‑on‑Chip and QVault Trusted Platform Module at two March 2026 industry events. The move backs Japan’s National Cyber Command Office mandate to transition all government and critical‑infrastructure...
US Army Renews Clearview AI Facial Recognition Contract for Special Operations
The U.S. Army’s 1st Special Forces Command has awarded Clearview AI a new contract to extend its facial‑recognition software subscription from March 2026 through March 2027, with options to continue until 2030. The agreement covers five software licenses and maintains...
Stick to Your Guns: Why the Marine Corps Is Opting for the M27 over the Army’s M7
The U.S. Marine Corps has confirmed it will continue fielding the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle rather than adopting the Army’s new 6.8 mm M7 Next Generation Squad Weapon. Marine officials say the 5.56 mm‑chambered M27 aligns with the Corps’ amphibious doctrine, close‑combat...
Next-Gen Supersonic Platform Targets Evolving Missile and Drone Threats
SNC and Specter Aerospace announced a next‑generation supersonic aerial platform aimed at countering hypersonic missile attacks and dense drone swarms. The system promises significantly longer range than existing counter‑missile solutions, extending operational reach for joint forces. By operating at supersonic...
UK Hosts Senior NATO Leaders to Discuss Nuclear Deterrence
On 27 February the United Kingdom convened senior NATO political and military leaders to review the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence strategy and Euro‑Atlantic security. The gathering underscored NATO’s unwavering commitment to nuclear deterrence and highlighted the UK’s unique position as the only...
New Alliances: The Space Defence Implications of the Canada-Japan ETTA
Canada and Japan have signed an Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA) to co‑develop defence projects and share technology, including space‑related capabilities. The deal aligns with Canada’s push to diversify away from US‑centric procurement and Japan’s move to expand its...
IAEA Report Says Iran Must Allow Inspections, Points at Isfahan
The International Atomic Energy Agency released a confidential report urging Iran to grant unrestricted access to all nuclear facilities, highlighting the Isfahan site where a new enrichment plant and tunnels store uranium enriched up to 60%. The agency estimates Iran...
February Land Forces Roundup: ST Engineering and Russia Lift the Lid on New Platforms
The World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh attracted nearly 1,500 exhibitors and 140,000 visitors, cementing its status as a premier land‑forces exhibition. Turkish manufacturers BMC, Otokar and FNSS showcased more than a dozen new vehicles, while Russia’s Rosoboronexport introduced the...
Nato Allies Agree to Move AFSC Programme to Next Stage
NATO allies have approved the transition of the Alliance Federated Surveillance and Control (AFSC) programme into its establishment phase, setting the groundwork for a multi‑domain surveillance architecture. The move anticipates the retirement of the current AWACS fleet by 2035 and...
US Approves $280m FMS of KuMRFS Radars to Jordan
The U.S. State Department has cleared a $280 million foreign military sale to Jordan for Raytheon’s Ku‑band Multi‑Function Radio Frequency System (KuMRFS) radars and associated command‑and‑control, logistics, and training packages. The deal, led by RTX Missile Defense Technologies, includes generators, GPS...
The Case for Why Better Breach Transparency Matters
Cybersecurity experts Adam Shostack and Adrian Sanabria argue for greater breach transparency at RSA Conference. They highlight that current practices treat incidents as legal liabilities, limiting shared learning. The speakers propose structured feedback loops similar to aviation and medicine. Without...
CISA Warns that RESURGE Malware Can Be Dormant on Ivanti Devices
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has detailed how the RESURGE implant silently resides on Ivanti Connect Secure appliances, exploiting the zero‑day CVE‑2025‑0282. The 32‑bit Linux shared object libdsupgrade.so remains dormant until it detects a specific inbound TLS...
Falfurrias-Backed Woven Solutions Acquires Government Consultancy Valence
Woven Solutions, a Reston‑based software provider for the national security community, announced the acquisition of Valence, a government consultancy. The deal is backed by private‑equity firm Falfurrias Capital Partners, which has been fueling Woven's expansion. Valence brings deep advisory expertise...
MP's "Strong" Quarter: Accelerated Production, Long-Term Agreements With Major Tech Companies
MP Materials posted a fourth‑quarter revenue of $52.7 million and net income of $9.4 million, buoyed by a U.S. Department of War price‑floor agreement. The company recorded a 12% year‑over‑year increase in rare‑earth oxide concentrate, producing a record 50,692 metric tons, and more...
AIAA Announces 2026 Key Issues to Advance U.S. Aerospace Leadership
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics released its 2026 Key Issues, outlining priority actions to preserve U.S. aerospace leadership across aviation, defense, research, and space. It calls for sustained NextGen funding to modernize the National Airspace System, clearer pathways...
Singapore to Acquire Three Gulfstream Maritime Surveillance Aircraft
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence announced the purchase of three Gulfstream G550‑MSA maritime surveillance aircraft. The G550‑MSA, fitted with an AESA radar, electro‑optical/infra‑red sensor suite and self‑protection systems, will complement the recently selected Boeing P‑8A Poseidon and replace aging Fokker 50...
Philippines to Send Observers to Thai-Cambodian Border
The Philippines has taken the helm of an ASEAN observer team monitoring the Thailand‑Cambodia border conflict, with General Romeo S. Brawner appointed as chairman. A Philippine Armed Forces delegation visited both nations from February 9‑13, meeting senior defense officials and reaffirming...
Teledyne and M Subs Announce Strategic Collaboration
Teledyne Marine and UK‑based M Subs have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a strategic collaboration focused on Royal Navy and other international naval programs. The partnership will fuse Teledyne’s unmanned vehicle platforms, autonomy software, sonars, acoustic communications, cameras, lighting...
AF Week in Photos
The Air Force’s February “AF Week in Photos” series showcases a broad spectrum of activities—from flare‑testing on C‑17s and captive‑carry trials of the YFQ‑44A to joint Red Flag exercises with F‑35s and F‑22s. Images also highlight the MH‑139 helicopter modernization,...
Pakistan–Afghanistan Escalation Signals Shift From Proxy Conflict to Open Hostilities
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan erupted into open hostilities after Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes on key Taliban‑run military installations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. The strikes, announced by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, were framed as a response to a...
Spectrum Control Introduces PulseShield™ Transportable HEMP Filter Series for Mobile Mission Continuity
Spectrum Control has launched the PulseShield™ Transportable HEMP Filter Series, a compact, lightweight line of high‑altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) filters that meet MIL‑STD‑188‑125‑1A (E1/E2) requirements. The modular, plug‑and‑play units are designed for rapid deployment on mobile shelters, tactical vehicles, and...
German Navy Orders Four Training Boats From Fassmer
German shipbuilder Fassmer has secured a contract with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to build four SAMSe (mod) training boats for the German Navy. The vessels will support nautical instruction and the “Überleben...
ScarCruft Uses Zoho WorkDrive and USB Malware to Breach Air-Gapped Networks
North Korean APT ScarCruft launched the Ruby Jumper campaign, employing a chain of malware that includes RESTLEAF, SNAKEDROPPER, THUMBSBD, VIRUSTASK, FOOTWINE and BLUELIGHT. The first‑stage payload uses a malicious LNK file to execute PowerShell, which carves and runs additional components....
Is Turkey About to Purchase F-35 Fighter Jets?
Turkey is negotiating a $500 billion energy partnership with the United States that appears tied to a prospective purchase of Lockheed Martin F‑35 Lightning II fighter jets. The deal is expected to be formalised at the NATO summit in Ankara on 7–8 July, with...
Phishing Attacks Against People Seeking Programming Jobs
A wave of phishing campaigns is targeting individuals searching for programming jobs, using fabricated job listings to harvest credentials. At the same time, North Korean APT37 has released new tools that weaponize removable media, raising concerns about air‑gap breaches. The...
Is A.I. Eating the Labor Market? + The Latest on the Pentagon, OpenClaw and Alpha School
In this episode, Kevin Roose, Casey Newton, and their panel dissect the accelerating impact of AI on the labor market, highlighting concerns that automation is displacing jobs across sectors. They also unpack recent developments: the Pentagon’s legal clash with Anthropic,...
Viral Satellite Imagery of U.S. Military Assets Around Iran NOT Taken by Chinese Satellites: Hu Bo
Chinese firm MizarVision posted high‑resolution satellite images showing U.S. F‑22 fighters at an Israeli base, sparking speculation that the pictures came from Chinese satellites. Analysts from the South China Sea Probing Initiative, led by Hu Bo, used satellite ephemeris and resolution...
China Is Playing the Long Game over Iran
China is maintaining a cautious diplomatic stance toward Iran despite a 25‑year strategic partnership and its role as Tehran’s primary oil buyer, accounting for over 80% of Iranian exports in 2025. Beijing publicly urges restraint and dialogue while opposing Iran’s...
SAIC Awarded $95M GAO IT Modernization Contract
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) secured a $95 million contract from the U.S. Government Accountability Office to overhaul its Technical Information Services IT environment. The agreement calls for end‑to‑end services that modernize applications, platforms, and operating models while embedding security, automation,...
Useful Lemons
The article proposes converting decommissioned U.S. vessels into sea‑going factory ships and power‑plant ships to slash logistical delays in the Indo‑Pacific against a rising Chinese threat. It argues that current stockpiles could be exhausted within a week of conflict, making...
An-225 Remains Wrecked; Rebuild Hopes Remain Uncertain
Latest images of the An-225 at Hostomel.... the world’s largest plane has been a burned out wreck since the 2022 invasion. No restoration, just remains. Ukraine still talks about building a new one, but it’s not happening yet. The original is...
Iran's Regime at Weakest in 46 Years, US‑Israel Action Possible
Spot on analysis by @gen_jackkeane as always. Islamic Regime in Iran at the weakest point in 46 years, a joint U.S.-Israel military operations could set the conditions for a regime change.
2026 National Homeland Security Conference Opens Call for Presentations
The National Homeland Security Association (NHSA) announced a call for presentations for its 2026 National Homeland Security Conference, set for August 10‑13 in Louisville, Kentucky. The event expects more than 1,000 attendees from federal, state, local, military, and private‑sector backgrounds....
Iran Misreads U.S. Stance, Undermines Negotiation Credibility
Islamic Regime in Iran thinks they are negotiating with past U.S. administrations, not taking the military course of action seriously IMO.
Limited B‑52 Fleet Hampers Engine, Radar Upgrade Scheduling
Small B-52 Fleet Size Creates Challenges For Engine, Radar Upgrade Plans With just some B-52s equipped for the nuclear mission and all of them in high demand around the globe, finding time to install the upgrades is an issue. ...
UK Throwing Good Money After Bad in Watchkeeper Drone Retention
The UK has extended the service of its Watchkeeper Mk 1 UAV fleet by two years, costing roughly £95.7 million. The eight‑aircraft loss rate and a £1.35 billion run‑up have left the programme plagued by reliability concerns. Maintaining the drones will consume about...
Info on 1st Multi-Domain Task Force Being Suppressed
There seems to have been a general attempt to restrict information about the whole 1st Multi-domain Task Force that operates Typhon and Dark Eagle. https://t.co/odFObLuaEz
New CNAS Report Warns of Taiwan's Hellish Future
Many thanks to @TheBaseLeg for highlighting @molkathcam & my new @CNASdc report on a Hellscape for Taiwan in @BreakingDefense https://t.co/qdUJFvpsrx
Security Must Account for All Human Actors
The farmers and the mercenaries: Rethinking the 'human layer' in security | CSO Online https://t.co/W4BglrjoFn
Trump Admin Alleges 2020 Chinese Nuclear Test From Seismic Data
The Trump administration has accused China of conducting a small nuclear test in 2020. The claim is that a seismic event was detected in Western China around that time. A lot is going on here, so let's unpack it. Full Newsletter:...