An Air Force Wideband Enterprise Terminal stands poised under a protective geodesic radar dome. AFWET terminals communicate with a variety of satellites and keep military branches and other government agencies connected worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)
Pentagon Confirms Iranian Missile Damaged US Communications Dome at Qatar Base
The Pentagon confirmed earlier this week that an Iranian ballistic missile that struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, caused damage to U.S. equipment and structures, including a $15 million communications dome. The confirmation came after the Associated Press published satellite images showing damage to a geodesic dome that housed a Modernization Enterprise Terminal (MET)—a secure communications hub installed in 2016. (Read More)
Ukraine Kills Suspected Russian Agents After Assassination of Intel Officer
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said Sunday it killed two suspected Russian agents believed responsible for the assassination of SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych in Kyiv last week. Voronych was shot multiple times Thursday morning in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district. Surveillance footage shows a masked gunman approaching him in a residential parking lot and firing several rounds with a silenced handgun before fleeing on foot. (Read More)
Israel Accused of Plotting Assassination Attempt on Iranian President During June Strike
Iran claims Israel attempted to assassinate President Masoud Pezeshkian and other government officials during a missile strike on June 15, according to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Fars News Agency. According to the news outlet, six bombs targeted both access and entry points of a secret underground facility in Tehran on June 15, while Pezeshkian was attending an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council. (Read More)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered an unprecedented overhaul of U.S. drone policy, aiming to establish global dominance in small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) by 2027. The directive, issued Thursday, grants frontline commanders new authority to procure, test, and deploy drones, while also encouraging "local innovation," such as 3D printing parts. (Read More)
Rolls-Royce Wins $54.7 Million Navy Contract for MT7 Engines
Defense contractor Rolls-Royce Corp. has secured a $54.7 million contract modification to supply 12 MT7 turboshaft engines, along with parts and installation kits, for the U.S. Navy’s Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) program. The engines will power the Navy’s LCAC 100-class air cushion craft, which are replacing the older LCAC fleet. Each vessel uses four MT7 engines for propulsion and lift, enabling rapid transport of equipment and personnel from ships to shore. (Read More)
Super Quiet Special Operations Drones Being Modified To Launch Smaller Drones | TWZ
U.S. Special Operations drones based on civilian gliders are getting a major upgrade. The ultra-quiet RQ-29 Long Endurance Aircraft will soon be able to launch smaller drones mid-flight, adding new capabilities like extended surveillance, electronic warfare, and even precision strikes. This move shifts the RQ-29 from passive observer to potential discreet attacker—without losing its low-profile advantage. (Read More)
Iran Expels Over 500,000 Afghans in Two Weeks, UN Reports
Over half a million Afghans have been expelled from Iran in the past 16 days, marking one of the largest forced migrations in recent years, according to the United Nations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 508,426 Afghans crossed the Iranian-Afghan border between June 24 and July 9. (Read More)
New Caledonia Gains More Autonomy but Stays Within French Republic Under New Deal
France and New Caledonia have reached an agreement that grants the South Pacific archipelago greater autonomy while keeping it part of France, French president Emmanuel Macron announced. “After more than 10 days of discussions, the elected officials of New Caledonia and the representatives of the State have reached a historic agreement. A State of New Caledonia within the Republic,” Macron wrote on X. (Read More)
American Killed by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank, Family Says | ABC
A 20-year-old American citizen from Florida was killed Friday in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian officials and his family. Sayfollah “Saif” Musallet died in the town of Sinjil after an altercation with Israeli settlers. The Palestinian Health Ministry said settlers blocked medical aid for over three hours, and Musallet died before reaching a hospital. (Read More)
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Screenshot from a video released by the Myanmar Paladin Force U – 18 showing an ambush of junta soldiers at a liquor shop (Photo: Myanmar Paladin Force U – 18 via @War_Noir / X) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Video Shows Truck-Bed Ambush on Myanmar Soldiers Buying Alcohol Guerrillas from the Kanbalu District Mobile People’s Defense Force (PDF) and Dhuwan PDF ambushed junta soldiers while...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Images released on July 7th by the IDF showing operators during a "targeted overnight operation" into southern Syria to apprehend a Iranian ‘Quds’ Force cell (Photo: IDF via Press Release) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Israel Strikes Military Tanks in Southern Syria as Sectarian Violence Erupts Israel's military struck several Syrian tanks in Sweida province on Monday amid escalating...
Alert Line UG Solutions is now hiring Specialized Drone Operators for ISR missions in contested environments. If you have experience flying in GPS-denied zones and working with advanced payloads, they want to hear from you. Learn More → Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. An image released by the Israel Defense Forces shows Division 91 troops operating in southern Lebanon to prevent the reconstruction of Hezbollah infrastructure. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)...
