https://www.commondef.com Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:07:40+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/trump-declares-ukraine-will-have-a-different-shape-after-war/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108460 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Julian Dorsett Trump expects the Ukraine war to end soon as Washington prepares for Abu Dhabi talks, but Russian controlled territory remains the central obstacle and European officials will not have seats at the negotiating table. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/trump-says-new-iran-strikes-highly-unlikely-if-tehran-seals-nuclear-deal-and-reopens-hormuz/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108457 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Frank Guy Trump is offering Tehran a diplomatic off ramp, but three aircraft carriers, 38 targeted bridges and a new task force show the United States remains ready to hammer Iran if negotiations collapse. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/denmark-and-lithuania-accelerate-baltic-mine-push-with-finlands-blocker/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108362 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Frank Guy Denmark and Lithuania are moving ahead with Finnish Blocker naval mine purchases under a multinational agreement designed to coordinate procurement, logistics, training, exercises and system support as Baltic tensions remain high. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/russia-fields-homegrown-starlink-rival-for-military-communications-over-ukraine-kyiv-says/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108359 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Bethany Loveland Ukraine’s military intelligence says Russia’s growing Rassvet satellite network may improve drone communications, precision strikes, and resistance to electronic warfare, even as its current 32 satellite constellation provides only intermittent coverage. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/us-and-colombian-troops-launch-sweeping-jungle-exercise-as-pentagon-pivots-to-the-hemisphere/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108356 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Bethany Loveland Exercise Southern Vanguard 2027 brings hundreds of U.S. and Colombian troops together for jungle warfare, explosive threat, cyber and maritime training as the Pentagon places renewed priority on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/european-troops-gear-up-in-poland-for-major-postwar-ukraine-mission-rehearsal/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108353 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Bethany Loveland Britain and France will lead 2,800 troops from 11 nations in a major rehearsal for deploying the Multinational Force-Ukraine after a ceasefire, testing logistics, command systems, infrastructure protection and maritime mine clearance. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/inside-the-afghanistan-war-soul-searching-behind-navy-expeditionary-commands-renaming/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108263 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Navy’s post Afghanistan review transformed its expeditionary command into a type command focused on training, force management and future combat needs, including growing roles for unmanned systems and expanded seabed and subsea warfare capabilities. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/army-serves-up-a-whopping-new-job-title-for-its-cooks/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108260 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Frank Guy The Army’s 92G culinary specialists are now tactical field feeding specialists, a lengthier title leaders say reflects their responsibility for food production, battlefield logistics, nutrition and sustaining soldiers during large scale combat operations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/october-hiring-blowout-drives-veterans-unemployment-down-to-stunning-2-7/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108256 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Frank Guy Veterans’ unemployment plunged to 2.7% in October as employers added 165,000 hires, far exceeding forecasts, while post-9/11 veterans also recorded a substantial drop in their jobless rate. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/rainbow-warrior-a-10-shows-off-marilyn-monroe-door-art-over-the-middle-east/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108251 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer U.S. Central Command photos show the “Rainbow Warrior” A-10C at an undisclosed regional location, revealing faded exterior markings and a Marilyn Monroe portrait inside the aircraft’s ladder hatch as the Warthog remains operational through 2030. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/trump-says-u-s-launched-minor-strikes-on-iran-as-missiles-slam-qeshm-island/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108267 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Bethany Loveland Trump described limited U.S. strikes against Iran but did not confirm a connection to reported missile impacts on Qeshm Island, while Tehran demanded practical American measures before moving into a new phase of diplomatic talks. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/u-s-forces-exit-major-somali-airfield-after-more-than-a-decade/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108243 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer American troops have left Baledogle Military Airfield after more than a decade, but they remain elsewhere in Somalia as counterterrorism operations continue and military officials leave open the possibility of returning to the installation. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/soldiers-who-absorbed-the-danger-honored-for-taking-down-fort-stewart-shooter/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108179 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Frank Guy Sgts. Aaron Turner and Michael Boron received the Army’s highest peacetime award after confronting and subduing the Fort Stewart shooter, while six other soldiers were honored for protecting personnel and providing critical care. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/free-drill-weekend-childcare-set-to-expand-nationwide-for-eligible-guardsmen/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108176 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer The Army National Guard is taking free drill weekend childcare nationwide by Dec. 31, but limited space, strict provider standards, and household eligibility rules could keep some military families from receiving the benefit. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/fort-hood-shooting-victims-still-missing-from-global-war-on-terror-casualty-rolls/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108173 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Bethany Loveland Despite receiving Purple Hearts in 2015, those killed at Fort Hood remain missing from major official Global War on Terror casualty records, angering survivors and families who insist their sacrifice deserves recognition. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/air-force-advances-plan-to-revive-wwii-pacific-airfields-for-6000-annual-operations/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108170 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Air Force proposal would bring more than 6,000 annual aircraft operations to four Pacific airfields as the Department of the Air Force examines environmental effects and island residents raise questions about transparency and local benefits. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/u-s-european-command-launches-sweeping-vigilance-push-as-hybrid-threats-escalate/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108167 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Common Defense Staff U.S. European Command is pressing troops, civilian employees, and military families to improve physical vigilance and digital discipline as drone incursions, suspected sabotage, hacking, and other hybrid threats raise security concerns across Europe. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/federal-judge-blocks-trumps-arlington-arch-moments-after-commission-approval/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108164 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Julian Dorsett A federal judge halted President Trump’s proposed 250 foot Arlington arch after its commission approval, siding with veterans who argue the massive memorial and security facility would disrupt sacred cemetery grounds and a historic Washington sightline. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/french-frigates-radical-bow-slices-through-waves-for-remarkably-smooth-sailing/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108116 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Frank Guy The Amiral Ronarc’h’s inverted bow reduces shocks and vibration, supports operations in rough seas and may limit structural wear, giving France’s 4,500 metric ton frigate the capabilities and stability normally associated with larger vessels. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/shield-ai-strikes-5-3-billion-echodyne-deal-to-bust-drone-threats/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108089 2026-11-09T15:44:27+00:00 Common Defense Staff Shield AI’s $5.3 billion Echodyne acquisition adds advanced MESA radar to its drone and autonomy portfolio as military demand for counter drone detection surges and the company expands across three unmanned systems business areas.