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The New York Times
Celebrating his seizure of Crimea in 2014, President Vladimir V. Putin later called the peninsula an “unsinkable aircraft carrier,” hailing Russia’s return there as a symbol of revanchist ambition. Now the Ukrainian military is hammering Crimea with swarming drone attacks, seeking to transform it from a Russian-occupied fortress into a nightmare for the Kremlin to manage.
Defense News
European NATO allies have largely filled the gaps left by the United States in the alliance’s defense plans, NATO’s top commander said on July 2, adding the bloc was looking at workarounds to address the remaining shortfalls in a few areas.
DefenseScoop
The Navy is conducting market research for an “Advanced Emission Suppression Missile” with extended range that could knock out enemy air defense systems, according to a request for information released July 1.
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, it’s crucial to remember that air and space power have manifested some of our nation’s most important achievements. Whether talking about winning wars or exploring the globe and outer space, Airmen, Guardians, astronauts, teams of engineers, support personnel, and top national leaders have repeatedly harnessed the domains of air and space to do what many previously thought was impossible. We gather to discuss the top accomplishments, innovations, and examples of personal sacrifice that our team thinks best exemplify air and space power.
The Associated Press
Iran’s top officials and brothers of the new supreme leader emerged into public view July 5 to attend funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. ... Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to make an appearance in the funeral ceremonies, which are unfolding over several days. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.
Defense News
Japan, Italy, and the U.K. have handed a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) development contract to their national champions building the GCAP jet, days after the U.K. freed up crucial cash to make it happen following a monthslong hold-up.
The War Zone
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says concerns it raised last year about the U.S. Navy’s E-130J Phoenix II program “have morphed into realities.” The timeline for moving from the development of the aircraft to putting it into actual production has already slipped by approximately one year.
Defense One
By Lauren C. Williams Business Editor July 3, 2026 Technology Nuclear How many missions could a drone or satellite fly with a battery pack that can last decades? And what if that battery could be fueled by nuclear waste? That’s the future scientists are working toward in DARPA’s “Rads to Watts” program, which aims to create lightweight batteries with a high energy density.
Task & Purpose
The United States has withdrawn most of the troops sent to Nigeria earlier this year, after wrapping up a combat operation against Islamic State fighters in the country. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, head of U.S. Africa Command, confirmed the drawdown of “much of our forces that were just there for that operation.”
Breaking Defense
Pentagon leaders are still struggling to meet weapons delivery timelines despite their frequent pledges to get new equipment into troops’ hands more quickly, according to a new government watchdog report.
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The Wall Street Journal
President Trump on July 1 achieved his long-awaited ambition of flying on a new Air Force One, thanks to the Qatari government. But his plans for the aircraft’s future might prove much more difficult to get off the ground.
One More Thing
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The Washington Post
Military aircraft roared through the skies above the nation’s capital for much of the afternoon on Independence Day for what organizers called “the most ambitious aviation spectacle in American history.”
