To deter Iran, US must rethink military basing in the Middle East

Geography is destiny, but when it comes to U.S. bases in the Middle East, it needn’t be. Our current basing structure detracts from our ability to deter Iran — the core threat — because it reduces our ability to fight effectively in a high-intensity scenario. We need...

Finnish startups are thriving in the wake of NATO expansion

HELSINKI — Startups are driving growth within Finland’s defense sector after the country joined NATO last year, with companies showing upticks in revenue of between 30% and 40%, according to an industry survey by the Helsinki-based investment firm Tesi Oy. The survey...

With US military support, Israel shifts Middle East power balance

WASHINGTON — Israeli military strikes are targeting Iran’s armed allies across a nearly 2,000-mile stretch of the Middle East and threatening Iran itself. The efforts raise the possibility of an end to two decades of Iranian ascendancy in the region, to which the 2003...

Naval Group launches robotic boat featuring lessons from Ukraine

LORIENT, France — Naval Group subsidiary Sirehna has launched an unmanned surface vessel that incorporates lessons learned from Ukraine’s deployment of robotic boats against Russian targets in the Black Sea, according to company officials. The craft, measuring just...

Trophy vehicle-defense system gets top-attack upgrade

JERUSALEM — Israeli defense contractor Rafael has equipped its Trophy active protection system with a top-attack defense capability, closing a vulnerability against drones and missiles that has plagued even heavily armored vehicles, according to the vendor. Rafael...

Romania picks Turkish armored vehicles in $940 million deal

WARSAW, Poland — Romania has selected the Turkish Cobra II four-wheel-drive armored vehicle for the country’s land forces, ordering a total of 1,059 units. Under the plan, the first 278 vehicles will be made in Turkey by manufacturer Otokar, and the remainder at a...

Brazil’s deal for Israeli howitzers ‘frozen’ over Gaza war

SANTIAGO, Chile — Five months after the Brazilian Army announced its decision to buy howitzers from Israel’s Elbit Systems, the project remains suspended over Brazilian President Inazio “Lula” da Silva’s criticism of Israel’s actions against Hamas in Gaza. According...