The deterrence problem: America took its eye off Iran with Indo-Pacific pivot, ex-CENTCOM chief says

The deterrence problem: America took its eye off Iran with Indo-Pacific pivot, ex-CENTCOM chief says
The deterrence problem: America took its eye off Iran with Indo-Pacific pivot, ex-CENTCOM chief says

As the US and Israel contend with multiple Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East, Joseph Votel told Breaking Defense the US must “hold [Iran] accountable.”

After deadly drone attack in Jordan, US Central Command reassessing air defense needs

After deadly drone attack in Jordan, US Central Command reassessing air defense needs
After deadly drone attack in Jordan, US Central Command reassessing air defense needs

“What was different about this attack is where it landed: It did impact… where living quarters are,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, a day after three soldiers were killed in an attack.

Navy says it nabbed ‘lethal’ Iranian missile components heading to Houthis, 2 SEALs missing

Navy says it nabbed ‘lethal’ Iranian missile components heading to Houthis, 2 SEALs missing
Navy says it nabbed ‘lethal’ Iranian missile components heading to Houthis, 2 SEALs missing

“Seized items include propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components. Initial analysis indicates these same weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and attack innocent mariners on international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea,” according to a CENTCOM statement. 

Navy to seek industry help on countering ‘cross-domain’ drone attacks

Navy to seek industry help on countering ‘cross-domain’ drone attacks
Navy to seek industry help on countering ‘cross-domain’ drone attacks

US Navy warships in the Red Sea have been fending off numerous aerial drones since arriving on station last year.

Tweaking the ‘defense posture’: USS Gerald Ford strike group to leave the Mediterranean

Tweaking the ‘defense posture’: USS Gerald Ford strike group to leave the Mediterranean
Tweaking the ‘defense posture’: USS Gerald Ford strike group to leave the Mediterranean

“The Ford’s deployment had already been extended once. The Navy does not like to extend deployments too much because of fatigue on the crews,” analyst Mark Cancian told Breaking Defense.

Analysis: Houthi targeting of Israel suggests new, longer-range missile in play

Analysis: Houthi targeting of Israel suggests new, longer-range missile in play
Analysis: Houthi targeting of Israel suggests new, longer-range missile in play

In a technical analysis, Ralph Savelsberg suggests the armed Yemeni group is likely firing a variant of an Iranian missile toward far off targets.

Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit

Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit
Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit

US partners Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are sending a message to US with high-profile Putin meetings, analysts told Breaking Defense.

As US Navy bats down Red Sea ‘threats,’ analysts see years-old security problem

As US Navy bats down Red Sea ‘threats,’ analysts see years-old security problem
As US Navy bats down Red Sea ‘threats,’ analysts see years-old security problem

“The Houthi disruptive capability… is not a new phenomenon,” one expert told Breaking Defense.

ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges

ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges
ITU rules meeting: Geopolitical ‘fireworks,’ DoD spectrum challenges

Disputes over spectrum use by mega-constellations in low Earth orbit, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, also carry heavy political baggage at the 2023 World Radio Conference that starts tomorrow in Dubai.

Hezbollah leader gives fiery Gaza speech, but does not signal wider conflict

Hezbollah leader gives fiery Gaza speech, but does not signal wider conflict
Hezbollah leader gives fiery Gaza speech, but does not signal wider conflict

“He does not want escalation, and the skirmishes on [Lebanon’s] southern borders are strictly kept in a zone where Israel can bear them,” retired Lebanese armed forces Gen. Wehbe Katicha told Breaking Defense.

Amid US strikes in Syria, examining Iran, its proxies and the question of control

Amid US strikes in Syria, examining Iran, its proxies and the question of control
Amid US strikes in Syria, examining Iran, its proxies and the question of control

The US has made no secret it holds Iran responsible for the actions of its regional proxies, but experts told Breaking Defense Tehran’s level of control can vary from group to group.

The Israeli Gaza campaign: High expectations, big risks and bleak outcomes

The Israeli Gaza campaign: High expectations, big risks and bleak outcomes
The Israeli Gaza campaign: High expectations, big risks and bleak outcomes

Analysts say there are three overarching questions: Whether Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas is realistic, whether another front in the war will explode, and what the long-term regional fallout from the operation could be.

Pentagon says it is transferring arms, ammo seized from Iran to Ukraine

Pentagon says it is transferring arms, ammo seized from Iran to Ukraine
Pentagon says it is transferring arms, ammo seized from Iran to Ukraine

The move comes as any further Ukraine aid on Capitol Hill is snarled by yesterday’s votes to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House.

The new US-Bahrain security agreement is light on big changes, but could be a blueprint: Analysts

The new US-Bahrain security agreement is light on big changes, but could be a blueprint: Analysts
The new US-Bahrain security agreement is light on big changes, but could be a blueprint: Analysts

The Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement promotes deterrence and more military integration, but Bahrain likely wanted more, one analyst said.