Top U.S. military leaders, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, visited Puerto Rico as tensions rise with Venezuela and operations in the Caribbean intensify. Puerto Rico is serving as a key staging ground for equipment and personnel as the Trump administration targets Venezuelan-backed drug cartels, labeling leader Nicolás Maduro a “narco-terrorist.” During the visit, Hegseth addressed nearly 300 soldiers and toured the USS Iwo Jima, part of ongoing amphibious exercises involving 4,500 Marines and sailors. The deployment includes MQ-9 Reaper drones, warships, and F-35 fighter jets, signaling a strong show of force amid increased cartel-related strikes and growing confrontations with Venezuelan forces. While officials maintain the mission focuses on counter-narcotics, analysts believe it sends a broader message to Maduro’s regime. Click here to read more.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the U.S. Department of Defense back to its original title, the Department of War, marking a symbolic shift in military posture. Joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, Trump said the move reflects a “warrior ethos” and an emphasis on “offense, not just defense.” While it’s unclear if Congress must approve the change, Republican lawmakers have introduced the Department of War Restoration Act to make it permanent. The Pentagon has already begun updating communications and titles, including renaming Hegseth’s role to “Secretary of War.” Supporters argue the change restores historical tradition, while critics question its necessity and legality. Click here to read more.

Newly released images show a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle firing air-to-air optimized APKWS II rockets, marking a major step in its counter-drone and cruise missile capabilities. With the ability to carry up to 42 of the low-cost, laser-guided rockets alongside traditional missiles, the Strike Eagle is evolving into a powerful “weapons truck” for persistent defense. This air-to-air variant, dubbed AGR-20F or FALCO, uses specialized guidance and a proximity fuze to intercept drones at a fraction of the cost of AMRAAMs or Sidewinders. The system, already combat-proven in the Middle East, could expand to other U.S. aircraft and may soon feature dual-mode guidance for even greater flexibility. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Army demonstrated that AH-64E Apache helicopters remain effective against modern threats, successfully defeating various drones during a recent drill in North Carolina. The exercise highlighted the Apache’s ability to detect, track, and destroy unmanned aerial systems, offering mobile and flexible counter-drone options where ground-based systems are limited. Despite growing global interest in cheaper unmanned platforms, the Army maintains that Apaches provide critical capabilities, rapidly deploying into threatened areas. The demonstration comes as allies like Poland prepare to integrate the helicopter into their forces, underscoring its continued relevance on the modern battlefield. Click here to read more.

The U.S. military has carried out its first lethal strike against a Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 suspected members of the Tren de Aragua cartel, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization. President Trump confirmed the operation, sharing declassified video of the strike and warning other traffickers to “beware.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the targeted vessel was following a common smuggling route and indicated that more operations will follow. This marks a major escalation in U.S. counter-narcotics efforts in the region since warships were deployed earlier this year. Click here to read more.