US Service Member Killed in Iraq During Ordnance Disposal

The US Marines have marked the 15th deployment to Australia under the Marine Rotation Force-Darwin initiative, with this year's rotation standing out as the first to be certified as a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. This certification, achieved during an exercise in the Philippines, validates the task force's credibility and proficiency in responding to crises, from full-scale combat to humanitarian assistance. With around 2,000 personnel, the task force has maintained a heavy operational tempo, traveling to six or seven different countries and engaging in 13 planned operations, activities, and exercises. The Marines have been working closely with Australian forces, including the Darwin-based 1st Brigade, and have also conducted training with the French in Tahiti. The task force's expeditionary mindset and ability to quickly respond to locations have been key to its success, with commander Col. George Flynn highlighting the importance of being able to demonstrate operational reach throughout the region. The Marine Corps is also evolving to meet modern combat needs, with a focus on increasing capabilities in areas such as unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone systems.

A recent analysis by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies has revealed a network of at least 75 flights by Russian military and military-linked aircraft to sub-Saharan Africa between January 2025 and July 2026. The flights, which were tracked using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data, connected Russia to countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The majority of these flights, 56, landed in Burkina Faso, which is believed to be a transit point for Russian operations in the region. The report also identified several private carriers, including Kyrgyzstan-registered Sapsan Airlines, that remain unsanctioned despite their links to Russian military logistics. The findings suggest a significant and ongoing Russian military presence in the Sahel region, with potential implications for regional security and stability.

The US Army has announced it is opening its military test ranges to private industry, allowing companies to test drones, counter-drone systems, and other technologies without needing an existing government partnership. The move aims to accelerate the development and testing of these systems, with five ranges available in the US and internationally, including a site in Michigan that will simulate electronic warfare conditions similar to those in Ukraine. Companies can request range access through an online portal, although specific locations and timelines are not guaranteed. The initiative is part of the Pentagon's efforts to speed up drone and counter-drone acquisition, following reports of depleted interceptor stockpiles and a push to expedite critical weapons production.

President Donald Trump revealed that he secretly switched planes in Turkey last month due to an Iranian assassination threat. Trump was transferred from Air Force One to a military plane via a catering truck, a move directed by the Secret Service. The president stated that he followed the Secret Service's instructions and was not aware of the details of the threat. The operation was kept secret until it was reported by The Washington Post. Trump's aides and journalists traveling with him were left on the original plane, which was presumed to be carrying the president. The incident highlights the extraordinary security measures taken to protect the president, especially during a time of heightened tensions with Iran.

Matan Chorev, vice president and director of RAND Global and Emerging Risks, discusses the rapid advance of artificial intelligence and its implications for US national security. Chorev notes that AI is reshaping every aspect of life, work, and competition, but its impact on strategic autonomy will be significant. Major powers like the US and China will find it harder to translate AI advantages into geopolitical dominance, while emerging powers will see a growing gap with great powers. This will require states to rethink their national security and diplomatic strategies. Chorev emphasizes the need for strategic planning and preparation for transformative change, warning that failing to do so could have catastrophic consequences for US national security and humanity.

Boeing has introduced an ultra-low-cost radar seeker, designed to provide missile guidance at a significantly lower cost. The seeker, built from commercial parts adapted for military use, can be installed in the nose of a missile or bomb and guides the weapon towards its target. Boeing's Ultra Low-Cost Seeker (ULCS) has undergone several tests, demonstrating its ability to detect and track targets in various weather conditions and from different platforms. The company aims to use the ULCS in its air and missile defense interceptors, guided bombs, and cruise missiles, highlighting its potential for reuse across multiple weapons systems. This development could significantly impact the military's ability to acquire guided weapons, as the high cost of traditional seekers has limited their availability. Boeing's innovation is part of a broader trend towards modularity in defense technology, with other companies like Lockheed Martin also exploring similar approaches.

A senior Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby, has pushed back against reports of dwindling US military stockpiles and capabilities, reaffirming Washington's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Colby's remarks come amid growing concerns over China's increasingly assertive military activity in the South China Sea. The US undersecretary for policy emphasized that the US military is 'ready and capable' of fulfilling its priority missions, despite demands in the Middle East potentially draining stockpiles. Colby's visit to Southeast Asia, which includes stops in Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia, aims to strengthen US ties with regional allies and counter China's rising influence. The US approach to the region is described as 'defensive' and designed to deny any state the ability to become the regional hegemon. The visit follows a tense incident between the Philippines and China, and precedes President Xi Jinping's state visit to the US in September.

The Pentagon is pushing defense companies to accelerate production and delivery of critical weapons, citing recent combat with Iran as a catalyst for the urgency. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg has given industry leaders 21 days to submit plans for significantly faster production schedules and increased capacity. The move comes as U.S. munitions stockpiles have been depleted, with estimates showing declines in stocks of key missile interceptors such as Patriot and THAAD. Companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and RTX have been tasked with proposing capital investments, facility expansions, and explaining how they will work with the Pentagon to increase production. The goal is to replace interceptors quickly, with current delivery timelines ranging from 42 to 53 months. The Pentagon's push extends beyond the Iran conflict, with 16 critical programs under consideration for accelerated production or increased procurement in the fiscal 2028 review.

Lockheed Martin has launched Strigo, a new line of modular missile and sensor hardware, along with a dedicated product center designed to accelerate the development and deployment of weapons. The Strigo line covers radio-frequency sensors, missile datalinks, and missile seeker technologies, all built on a common baseline architecture that allows for reconfiguration for different missions. This modular approach is expected to lower life cycle costs and enable the company to adapt to customer needs quickly. Lockheed has invested $250 million in the product center, which has already demonstrated its capability to move concepts from design to testing in a matter of months. The company has also highlighted the role of Strigo technologies in the development of the Increment 2 seeker package for the US Army's Precision Strike Missile. With this move, Lockheed aims to support the Pentagon's Arsenal of Freedom initiative, which focuses on building up the munitions industrial base.

As European nations face a growing array of threats, their readiness to respond is improving unevenly. While some countries are taking prudent steps to counter hostile state-sponsored threats, others risk delaying their responses. Russian state-sponsored acts of sabotage have increased in Europe, targeting companies supplying arms to Ukraine and the transport sector. To meet these challenges, European nations must adopt a comprehensive and holistic response, founded on a whole-of-society approach. This includes close collaboration between the government, military, and private sector, as seen in Ukraine's efforts to repair critical infrastructure. Governments can also engage with industry representatives to identify critical sectors and professions, and establish frameworks to sustain operations during crises. Although defence spending is increasing, the frameworks governing its deployment are crucial to a nation's response to crisis. Countries like Finland, Sweden, and Germany are strengthening resilience across society, government, and industry, but more needs to be done to address the diverse nature of threats.