Blog•Feb 17, 2026
AI-Intelligentized Naval Mines and U.S. Subsea Access in the Paracel Islands
China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy is modeling AI‑intelligentized seabed mines that could hide in the Paracel Islands’ acoustic shadow zones, creating a persistent anti‑access/area‑denial (A2/AD) field. The concept builds on an estimated 50,000‑100,000 existing Chinese naval mines, adding adaptive target discrimination and selective engagement. U.S. submarines and ISR platforms rely on the Paracels for regional access, but the envisioned kill‑zone would obscure sonar returns and force route changes. The United States is urged to develop advanced detection and electronic‑warfare solutions to preserve undersea freedom of movement.
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Chemical Weapons by Violent Non-State Actors in Combat
The paper reviews chemical weapon use by violent non‑state actors, highlighting the Tamil Tigers’ 1990 chlorine attack and Islamic State’s 76 documented chlorine and mustard strikes between 2014‑2017. It notes the relative ease of acquiring industrial chemicals and the primitive...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
Mapping Weaponized Drone Attacks Attributed to Mexican Drug Cartels
The NCITE research center documented 221 weaponized drone incidents in Mexico between 2021 and 2025, with 27 attacks killing 77 people. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) accounted for the largest share, linked to 42 attacks, while La Nueva Familia...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
Greens Demand US Military Flights Be Barred From Prestwick
The Scottish Greens have demanded that the Scottish Government evict US military forces from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, citing over 550 landings since April 2025 as evidence of routine use. They plan to raise the issue in a parliamentary debate, arguing...
By UK Defence Journal – Air
Blog•Feb 15, 2026
Dutch Defence Secretary Boldly Claims F-35 Software Could Be ‘Jailbroken’
Dutch Defence Secretary Gijs Tuinman told Dutch radio that the F‑35’s software could potentially be “jailbroken,” hinting at a future where the Netherlands might operate the jet without U.S. approval. He stopped short of confirming any concrete plan, noting the...
By The Aviationist
Blog•Feb 14, 2026
Recommended Weekend Reads
This weekend’s reads dissect the shifting geopolitics of NATO under Trump’s “quiet‑quit” strategy, the erosion of U.S. reliability among European allies, and Germany’s push to become Europe’s new defense hegemon. They also examine the economic fallout of Trump’s expansive tariff...
By Perspectives
Blog•Feb 13, 2026
World’s Largest Drone Fleet Deployed to Deter Russia
NATO has moved to operationalize its Task Force X Baltic, signing a letter of intent with eight member states to launch the second phase of the programme. The initiative demonstrated the rapid fielding of a fleet of over 50 commercially‑available...
By UK Defence Journal
Blog•Feb 13, 2026
Labour MP Calls for NATO ‘Neighbourhood’ Model for Decisions
Labour MP Graeme Downie argues NATO’s consensus‑based decision‑making is too slow for modern crises. He proposes a “neighbourhood” model that empowers regional allies, especially those closest to a theatre, to act quickly. Downie cites the UK’s anti‑submarine capabilities in the...
By UK Defence Journal
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Issues New Rules of Procedure for Its Adjudicatory Role in the Administrative False Claims...
The episode explains the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals' (CBCA) new procedural rules for handling cases under the Administrative False Claims Act (AFCA), which replaces the old PFCRA. It outlines how the AFCA differs from the False Claims Act, notably...
By The Federal Government Contracts & Procurement Blog
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
Asia’s Administrative Arms Race: How U.S.-China Strategic Competition Is Reshaping Economic Statecraft
China has invoked its Export Control Law to ban dual‑use exports to Japan and tighten rare‑earth licensing, signaling a new escalation in its diplomatic dispute with Tokyo. The move follows a broader trend of Beijing building offensive economic statecraft tools,...
By Just Security
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
Early Edition: February 11, 2026
President Trump signaled a possible second U.S. carrier strike group to the Middle East if talks with Iran collapse, while U.S. forces in Qatar have mounted Patriot missiles on mobile launchers for rapid response. Washington also issued a draft demanding...
By Just Security
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
Russia’s Foreign Fighter Pipeline: How Moscow Exploits Global Poverty to Feed Ukraine’s Frontlines
Russia is increasingly turning to the Global South to replenish its dwindling ranks in Ukraine, recruiting thousands of migrants with promises of work, money, or citizenship and then sending them to the front lines. Ukrainian intelligence has identified over 18,000...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
The Role of Foreign Fighters in a Taiwan Resistance Scenario
The article examines how Taiwan could incorporate foreign volunteers into a resistance movement if the island were occupied by the PLA, drawing lessons from Ukraine’s International Legion. It outlines recruitment channels, clandestine infiltration methods, and integration challenges such as language...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
AI and Critical Thinking
In this episode, Dr. Frank Hoffman discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and critical thinking within military education and decision‑making. He defines critical thinking as a disciplined, self‑aware process essential for sound command, and warns that pervasive use of generative...
By Futura Doctrina
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
Navigating the Complexities of North Korean Strategy: Insights From David Maxwell
Security analyst David Maxwell discussed North Korea’s hybrid strategy, combining conventional forces with social‑warfare tactics, in a recent podcast. He examined the Pentagon’s new report, highlighting its impact on South Korea’s defense posture and the broader alliance framework. Maxwell warned...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
Cognitive Warfare to Dominate and Redefine Adversary Realities: Implications for U.S. Special Operations Forces
Cognitive warfare expands conflict into the human mind, targeting perception, judgment, and belief formation. The paper argues the United States is unprepared for adversaries leveraging AI‑driven disinformation, deepfakes, and social‑media algorithms. It highlights China and Iran’s use of cognitive contagions...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 11, 2026
Maduro’s Capture and International Law: The Noriega Precedent
U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, prompting comparisons to the 1989 U.S. operation that removed Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. Scheffer’s brief outlines Justice Department memoranda that justify extraterritorial arrests under a self‑defense rationale against narcotics trafficking. The analysis highlights...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 10, 2026
CNAS Podcast | Carney’s Challenge: Can Europe Take the Reins of NATO?
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking at Davos, warned that the international system is experiencing a rupture rather than a gradual transition, urging middle powers to reduce reliance on the United States. He called for diversified partnerships and collective action...
By Small Wars Journal
Blog•Feb 10, 2026
Invitation (2/19/26): Turning OSINT Chaos Into Strategic Clarity | Irregular Warfare Initiative
On February 19, the Irregular Warfare Initiative and CACI DarkBlue will host a half‑day convening in Reston, Virginia titled “Turning OSINT Chaos into Strategic Clarity: Countering Malign Chinese Influence.” The event gathers senior irregular‑warfare practitioners from government, intelligence, and the...
By Small Wars Journal
![DEFAERO Strategy Series [Feb 10, 26] Steve Grundman on Acquisition Reform and Recent Headlines](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/7f41b5478cfc1b47b8fa96373c97b2b2.webp)
Blog•Feb 10, 2026
DEFAERO Strategy Series [Feb 10, 26] Steve Grundman on Acquisition Reform and Recent Headlines
Steve Grundman appeared on the DEFAERO Strategy Series to outline the Pentagon’s latest acquisition reform push, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s forthcoming list of underperforming contractors. He highlighted the Trump administration’s new equity stakes in key defense suppliers and the...
By Defense & Aerospace Report
Blog•Feb 10, 2026
UK Faces Rising Undersea Threat, MPs Warned in Stark Evidence Session
The UK Defence Select Committee highlighted a growing under‑sea threat, chiefly from Russia’s deep‑sea capabilities and expanding Chinese activity. Around 120 international cables and extensive subsea infrastructure make the seabed a critical vulnerability for communications, energy and finance. Witnesses warned...
By Navy Lookout
![The Downlink [Feb 08, 25] Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/b15d6f1cb9aee2070efecd81eec3386a.webp)
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
The Downlink [Feb 08, 25] Space Money: The Space Force Budget And A New Leader
The U.S. Congress approved and President Donald Trump signed the Space Force’s FY 2026 budget of $26 billion. The allocation marks a modest increase over the previous year and underscores continued investment in space‑based defense capabilities. At the same time, the Space...
By Defense & Aerospace Report
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
The Former Head of NSA on the Future of U.S. Cybersecurity
Retired Gen. Paul Nakasone, former NSA director and U.S. Cyber Command commander, discussed his doctrine of persistent engagement, its role in safeguarding recent U.S. elections, and the evolving cyber threat landscape. He highlighted the need for broader public‑private partnerships, a...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 9, 2026
What the Royal Thai Navy’s Offshore Fire Support Reveals About Its Approach to Littoral Warfare
The episode examines the Royal Thai Navy’s use of offshore fire support during the 2025 Cambodia‑Thailand border conflict, focusing on the patrol gunboat HTMS Thepa’s naval gunfire missions. It highlights how small navies like Thailand’s shift fluidly from constabulary duties...
By CIMSEC
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
New 39th Regiment Formed in the National Guard
Ukraine’s National Guard officially created the 39th Regiment on 15 January 2026, assigning it unit number 3117 and basing it in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast. The regiment reports to the Central Directorate and is tasked with maintaining public order in designated cities while...
By MilitaryLand.net
Blog•Feb 8, 2026
How Will the Type 26 Frigates Be Shared Between the Norwegian Navy and Royal Navy?
The UK has confirmed that at least one Type 26 frigate, currently being built for the Royal Navy, will be transferred to Norway, fulfilling a 2029 service‑entry target. This allocation is presented as a boost to NATO’s northern flank, with a...
By Navy Lookout
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
OHA Reminder: Compliance with SBA Joint Venture Requirements Is Determined at Final Proposal Revisions
The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) clarified that compliance with joint‑venture requirements under 13 C.F.R. § 128.402(c) is judged at the date of a final proposal revision, not the initial offer. In the GSA‑led protest VSBC‑459‑P, OHA ruled that MindVen’s SDVOSB...
By SmallGovCon
![Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 06, ’26 Washington Roundtable]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/d39aba0f7693213c0ffdf769e4ffd100.webp)
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 06, ’26 Washington Roundtable]
The Defense & Aerospace Report’s Washington Roundtable brought together senior defense analysts to assess the latest U.S. security agenda. Lawmakers restored full Department of Homeland Security funding after a partial shutdown, while the administration pushes a large defense reconciliation bill...
By Defense & Aerospace Report
Blog•Feb 6, 2026
Xi Jinping Tightens Grip as China’s Military Purge Deepens
Chinese President Xi Jinping intensified his anti‑corruption and loyalty campaign by dismissing two of the People’s Liberation Army’s top commanders in January 2026. General Zhang Youxia, senior vice‑chairman of the Central Military Commission, and General Liu Zhenli, head of the...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
Hormuz on the Brink?
U.S. forces escalated the standoff with Iran after an F‑35 shot down an Iranian drone that approached a carrier in the Arabian Sea. Both sides have scheduled high‑level talks in Istanbul, raising hopes for a diplomatic de‑escalation. The dispute centers...
By Energy Flux
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
The Kremlin Files: Russian Double Agents and Operational Games
The article explains that Russian intelligence agencies prioritize loyalty to Putin and the regime over national interests, making double‑agent operations—called operational games—their core doctrine. These operations generate fabricated success stories and statistics that feed directly into Kremlin budget justifications. Historical...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
Federal Push for Critical Minerals Stockpiling: 2025 in Review and Outlook for 2026
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency is accelerating critical‑minerals stockpiling, with a $1 billion procurement plan announced for 2025 and new RFIs covering scarce elements such as scandium, tungsten and rare‑earths. Recent legislation, notably the One Big Beautiful Act, injected $2 billion into the National...
By Inside Government Contracts
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
HAL Sidelined, Private Giants Shortlisted for India’s AMCA Stealth Jet
India's Ministry of Defence has shortlisted three private aerospace giants—Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Forge—to lead the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country's first indigenous fifth‑generation stealth fighter. For the first time, state‑run Hindustan Aeronautics...
By Livefist
Blog•Feb 3, 2026
Should Western Tech Giants Partner With Pro-Hamas Network Al Jazeera?
Google Cloud has become the primary technology provider for Al Jazeera’s new AI‑driven news engine, “The Core,” which uses generative AI to draft scripts, retrieve archives, and create visualizations. Critics argue the partnership risks amplifying state‑directed, pro‑Hamas content because Al...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 3, 2026
Pentagon Releases Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The Pentagon unveiled an "AI‑first" strategy, appointing the Under Secretary for Research & Engineering as a single chief technology officer with decision authority. The plan centers on seven pace‑setting AI projects that span warfighting, intelligence and enterprise missions, backed by...
By Inside Government Contracts
Blog•Feb 3, 2026
Navigating the New Interregnum
The episode examines the current geopolitical interregnum—a transitional period between the fading Pax Americana and an as‑yet undefined new world order. It highlights how U.S. actions in Venezuela and threats to Greenland have destabilized NATO, prompting speculation about a future...
By Futura Doctrina
Blog•Feb 2, 2026
What to Know About the Department of Defense’s Review of 8(a) and Small Business Awards
The episode explains the Department of Defense's two‑stage review of small‑business and 8(a) contracts over $20 million, aimed at identifying non‑essential awards, excessive pass‑through arrangements, and above‑market pricing. It outlines the tight timeline—stage one due by Jan 31, 2026 and stage two...
By The Federal Government Contracts & Procurement Blog
Blog•Feb 2, 2026
Greenland’s Worth a Fight and Russia’s Trying to Start One
Greenland’s position in the GIUK Gap makes it the linchpin for NATO’s ability to detect Russian submarines before they enter the Atlantic, while its Pituffik Space Base hosts critical early‑warning radars for U.S. missile defense. Moscow is exploiting the U.S.‑Europe...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Feb 2, 2026
Russia’s Strategic Brown Water Capabilities: A NATO Blind Spot?
The episode examines Russia’s expanding use of inland waterways—its “brown water” zones—as a strategic platform for long‑range missile strikes, highlighting the 2015 Caspian Sea Kalibr launch as a watershed moment. It explains how the universal 3S14 vertical launch system equipped...
By CIMSEC
Blog•Jan 31, 2026
Royal Navy Begins to Explore Integrating Aster Missiles with Mk 41 Vertical Launch System
The UK Ministry of Defence has commissioned a £2 million study with MBDA UK to determine whether the European‑made Aster missile can be launched from the US‑standard Mk 41 vertical launch system. The year‑long effort targets future RN platforms such as the...
By Navy Lookout
Blog•Jan 31, 2026
Senegalese Navy Conducted Historic First Anti-Ship Missile Launch
On November 9, 2025 the Senegalese Navy fired its first anti‑ship missile from the Walo‑class offshore patrol vessel Cayor. The vessel launched an MBDA MARTE Mk2/N lightweight missile at a decommissioned landing craft 15 km away, striking containers that simulated a...
By Naval Analyses
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
China’s Stunning Military Purge – and What It Means For Taiwan
President Xi Jinping has purged two of the most senior members of the Central Military Commission, General Zhang Youxia and General Liu Zhenli, effectively gutting the PLA's top command. The removals, framed as discipline violations, follow a broader campaign that...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
FAR Part 13: Can I Wait to Protest When the Agency Tells Me a Debriefing Will Be Provided?
This episode breaks down a recent GAO decision (ASG Solutions Corp.) that clarified how timeliness rules apply when a contract is awarded under FAR Part 13. The GAO held that because the Navy’s procurement was a simplified acquisition, it was not...
By The Federal Government Contracts & Procurement Blog
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
Oceanic Barrier Systems: Barrier Concepts for War and Competition in the Pacific
The episode examines China’s recent deployment of 1,000‑2,000 fishing vessels to create a 400‑kilometre maritime barrier near Taiwan and Japan, interpreting it as a rehearsal for civilian‑ship‑based anti‑access tactics. It links this maneuver to broader PLA strategies that repurpose civilian...
By Futura Doctrina
Blog•Jan 27, 2026
Inside Trump’s New ‘Board of Peace’
President Donald Trump signed the charter for the newly created Board of Peace (BOP) at Davos, positioning himself as its inaugural chairman with sweeping authority over membership, agenda, and dissolution. The charter grants Trump unilateral power to appoint and remove...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Jan 26, 2026
They're Coming for Our Kids: How Extremists Target Children Online
Extremist groups are increasingly targeting children on platforms such as Discord, Instagram, Reddit, and gaming chats, turning these digital third spaces into recruitment hubs. In 2024, teenagers accounted for roughly two‑thirds of ISIS‑linked arrests in Europe, and similar patterns are...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Jan 26, 2026
The Next FATF Test: Can the West Demand Results From Pakistan?
The Financial Action Task Force will meet in February 2026 to reassess Pakistan after its 2022 removal from the grey list. While Pakistan has introduced anti‑money‑laundering laws and institutional reforms, open‑source evidence shows terrorist groups like Jaish‑e‑Mohammad and Lashkar‑e‑Taiba still...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Jan 23, 2026
Loosening the Gordian Knot of Global Terrorism: Why Legitimacy Must Anchor a Counterterrorism Strategy
The 2026 terrorism environment is more hybrid and unpredictable than ever. The author argues that a legitimate U.S. counterterrorism strategy—grounded in legal credibility and international partnership—is essential for the second Trump administration. Past strategies, like the 2018 National Strategy for...
By The Cipher Brief
Blog•Jan 22, 2026
Trilateral Shipbuilding: Build a Missile Corvette Fleet with Asian Allies
In this episode, CDR Chase E. Harding outlines a proposal for a trilateral shipbuilding program among the United States, Japan, and South Korea to produce fast‑attack missile corvettes that can counter China’s expanding naval fleet. He details the historic decline...
By CIMSEC
Blog•Jan 21, 2026
The Kremlin Files: Russia’s Way to the Gray Zone
The article examines Russia’s evolution of gray‑zone or hybrid warfare, focusing on the doctrine of “non‑contact war” and the intelligence‑driven “active measures.” It traces the concept from Soviet‑era sixth‑generation warfare ideas through the writings of generals Slipchenko, Gareev and Gerasimov,...
By The Cipher Brief