In a dramatic escalation, the Israeli Air Force bombed Syria’s defense ministry and presidential palace in Damascus on July 16, marking the first time in years that Israel has directly struck such high-level government targets in the capital. The strikes were aimed at halting what Israel says are violent campaigns by Syrian forces against the Druze minority in southern Syria’s Suwayda region. At least three were killed and over 30 wounded in the attacks, which Israel claims were necessary to protect the Druze, a community that includes members serving in the IDF. Israel’s military said it targeted Syrian command infrastructure directing operations against the Druze and warned of more intense strikes if the violence continued. The strikes sparked protests in Damascus and added strain to U.S.-led normalization efforts between Israel and Syria, now ruled by President Ahmed al-Sharaa after a coup ousted Bashar al-Assad. While the U.S. called for restraint, it acknowledged the influence of Israel’s domestic Druze population on the Netanyahu government. A ceasefire was announced but quickly broke down as both Israeli air raids and internal Syrian clashes continued. Click here to read more.

MP Materials, the only U.S.-based rare earths miner, just secured major backing from Apple and the Pentagon to scale production of high-demand magnets used in iPhones, EVs, and defense systems. The $500 million deal with Apple will support an expansion of its Texas plant to begin using recycled materials, with Apple-bound production starting in 2027. Meanwhile, a $400 million Defense Department investment makes the government MP’s largest shareholder and guarantees a minimum price for critical elements like neodymium and praseodymium. These agreements aim to reduce U.S. reliance on China, which dominates rare earths supply and recently imposed export restrictions amid ongoing trade tensions. Click here to read more.

The Pentagon is allocating nearly $1 billion to four AI powerhouses — Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and Elon Musk’s xAI — to build “agentic AI workflows” aimed at supporting defense priorities ranging from logistics to intelligence to warfighting. Each company may receive up to $200 million through the Defense Department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), with projects potentially integrating with systems like Maven Smart (for AI-powered targeting) and ADVANA (the DoD’s central data hub). While it remains unclear if these AIs will directly control live weapons, the deal underscores the military’s growing reliance on private-sector AI talent — even as concerns swirl over xAI’s recent controversies. Click here to read more.

A new Senate defense bill could save more than 100 A-10 Warthogs from retirement in 2026, countering the Pentagon’s plan to phase out the entire fleet of 162 aircraft. The Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act also seeks to reverse sharp cuts to the F-35 program by restoring 10 jets to the Air Force’s order and bolsters funding for the E-7 Wedgetail, despite Pentagon efforts to scrap it due to cost and survivability concerns. The bill reflects growing bipartisan resistance to recent Air Force cuts, including from 16 retired four-star generals. Click here to read more.

In a landmark shift, the Pentagon has redefined how the U.S. military will deploy small drones, now classifying Group 1 and 2 uncrewed aerial systems as “consumables” akin to ammunition—dramatically streamlining their acquisition, deployment, and use. This new policy empowers lower-level commanders to procure and operate weaponized drones directly, expands domestic drone manufacturing, mandates integration into all major training exercises by 2027, and prioritizes rapid fielding to Indo-Pacific units. Inspired by Ukraine’s battlefield innovations and aiming to outpace adversaries like China and Russia, the initiative marks a long-overdue effort to make drone dominance central to U.S. military strategy. Click here to read more.

In a historic first, the nuclear-powered U.S. Navy submarine USS Newport News docked in Iceland on July 9, marking the first-ever visit of its kind to the island nation. Navy officials say the port call signals U.S. resolve in defending the Arctic and the High North amid growing Russian and Chinese interest in the region’s strategic waterways and resources. The visit underscores strengthened U.S.-Iceland defense ties and highlights NATO’s focus on Arctic security. Armed with Tomahawk missiles and torpedoes, the Newport News reinforces deterrence in the GIUK gap — a critical chokepoint in North Atlantic defense. Click here to read more.