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Third F/A-18 Jet Lost from USS Truman During Red Sea Operations

The USS Harry S. Truman lost another F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet on Tuesday when it went overboard during a failed landing attempt, according to U.S. defense officials. This marks the third Super Hornet lost from the carrier since its deployment to the Middle East in September. All three incidents occurred during operations in the Red Sea and surrounding areas. (Read More)​

Pakistan Downs Indian Rafale Jet, French Official Confirms

A French intelligence official quoted by CNN confirmed that Pakistan downed a Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani Defense Ministry claims that five Indian Air Force aircraft: three Rafales, a MiG-29, a Sukhoi-series jet, and a drone, were downed in an overnight attack near the India-Pakistan border, carried out in retaliation for India’s launch of missile strikes on six targets inside Pakistan. (Read More)​​​​

US Could Lead Gaza After War, Under New US-Israel Plan

The United States and Israel are discussing a plan for Washington to lead a temporary administration in Gaza after the war ends, five sources familiar with the talks told Reuters. The proposed plan would have a U.S. official overseeing Gaza during a transitional period until the region is demilitarized and a stable Palestinian leadership is established. The model being considered is similar to the Coalition Provisional Authority the U.S. set up in Iraq in 2003 after the toppling of Saddam Hussein. (Read More)​​

US Special Ops Eye Unmanned Vessels with Missiles after Purported Ukrainian Strike | Breaking Defense

At SOF Week 2025, USSOCOM expressed interest in “marsupial” USVs—uncrewed vessels that launch drones or weapons—following Ukraine’s reported use of a USV to down Russian jets. While still conceptual, officials aim to combine modular tech for future capabilities. Procurement of small USVs with SOF-specific modifications is planned for FY2027, pending formal requirements from Naval Special Warfare Command. (Read More)​

Blackbird Successor Capable of Speeds Over Mach 5 Could Debut by Late 2025, Says Report

A prototype of the SR-72 hypersonic jet, the successor to the retired SR-71 “Blackbird,” could debut by late 2025, according to online publication The National Interest. The report reveals that the aircraft, dubbed the “Son of Blackbird,” is being developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works team. (Read More)​

Messaging App Used by Waltz Suspends Services Following Security Breach

TeleMessage, an Israeli-developed messaging app, has suspended all services after a hacker reportedly accessed internal data. The app’s parent company, Smarsh, said it is investigating the incident and has hired an outside cybersecurity firm to help. “We acted quickly to contain it and engaged an external cybersecurity firm to support our investigation,” a Smarsh spokesperson said Monday. “Out of an abundance of caution, all TeleMessage services have been temporarily suspended.” (Read More)​

US Orders More Spying on Greenland as Trump Eyes Takeover

U.S. intelligence agencies have reportedly been instructed to increase surveillance on Greenland and those supporting the self-governing island’s independence. According to The Wall Street Journal, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued the directive to the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency last week. (Read More)​​

Syria Confirms Indirect Talks With Israel Through UAE Backchannel

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has confirmed that Syria is holding indirect talks with Israel through a backchannel set up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Al-Sharaa said the talks began after his visit to the UAE on April 13. “There are indirect talks with Israel through mediators to calm and attempt to absorb the situation so that it does not reach a level that both sides lose control over,” he told reporters during a visit to Paris on Wednesday. (Read More)​

Facing ‘Fusion of Foes,’ Special Ops Leaders Envision ‘SOF Renaissance’ | Breaking Defense

At SOF Week 2025, USSOCOM leaders warned of a “fusion of foes” as global threats converge, prompting what Gen. Bryan Fenton called a “SOF renaissance.” Crisis missions are up 200%, and Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Shorter stressed the need for rapid tech adoption, including uncrewed systems and commercial intel. A new global SOF network of 63 nations is now key to strategic outcomes. (Read More)​