My weekly update on war and strategic competition. This week, boots on the ground in Iran, Ukraine disrupts Russia's offensive preparations, Pacific security and my Big 5 reading recommendations.
Another interesting piece about how Putin's most loyal and public supporters are now being controlled. When people like Vladimir Solovyov are going off script, things are not going well.
The Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Russian forces carried out 619 assault operations between March 17 and March 20, 2026, but failed to break Ukrainian defenses and suffered heavy losses during the offensive. Syrskyi said
Ukrainian drone operators have intercepted and destroyed a rare Russian Skat-type reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle, according to video and a statement released by Wild Hornets, a developer of interceptor drones. Systems like the Skat-450M are used not only for surveillance
Germany has financed an additional 15,000 STRILA interceptor drones for Ukraine’s National Guard under a new support package that also includes training, logistics, and further development, the German Embassy in Ukraine said Monday. “Another 15,000 STRILA interceptor drones produced in