News
Biden declares ‘Kyiv stands’ in surprise visit to Ukraine
President Joe Biden paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Feb. 20 to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
North Korea fires 2 missiles in tests condemned by neighbors
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea east of the country Feb. 20 in its second test launch in three days, prompting Japan to request an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.
Why China’s stand on Russia and Ukraine is raising concerns
Nearly one year after Russia invaded Ukraine, new questions are rising over China’s potential willingness to offer military aid to Moscow in the increasingly drawn-out conflict.
Turkey rejects links between NATO expansion, F-16 deal
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Feb. 20 called for Sweden and Finland to be accepted into NATO “as quickly as possible,” although his Turkish counterpart dismissed the possibility of any link between their accession and Turkey’s request for F-16 fighter jets.
Business
Army says it’s saving money with JLTV recompete, expects new test vehicles within 18 months
“The Army succeeded in obtaining a lower cost than the independent government cost estimate through the recompete,” said Michael Sprang, the service’s JLTV project manager.
Emirati conglomerate EDGE grabs majority stake in Estonian robotics firm
Tallin’s Milrem Robotics was seeking investment for expansion, while EDGE continues autonomous tech push.
Israeli defense firm Rafael opens first office in United Arab Emirates
In a growing closeness once unthinkable for the historical rivals, Israel and some Gulf nations, especially the UAE, have made significant strides in defense cooperation ever since the Abraham Accords were signed in 2020.
US tries to woo India away from Russia with display of F-35s, bombers
The United States brought its most advanced fighter jet, the F-35, to India for the first time this week alongside F-16s, Super Hornets and B-1B bombers as Washington looks to woo New Delhi away from its traditional military supplier, Russia.
Defense
Troops can take three weeks off to travel for abortions, IVF treatment
The Defense Department dropped a trio of new policies Feb. 16 aimed at closing some of the gaps that the overturn of Roe v. Wade opened up in service members’ ability to access reproductive health care.
Lack of amphibs is a training issue, says Marine Corps assistant commandant
The assistant commandant also sought to tamp down on the narrative that funding amphibious shipbuilding was a fight between the Navy and Marine Corps.
Why the Air Force’s best ‘secret weapon’ has nothing to do with airplanes
The little-known program may be one of America’s best tools for winning the next war.
Sentinel ICBM ‘on track’ for flight test this year
According to the Congressional Research Service, due to its modular design and increased throw weight, the Sentinel ICBM could be equipped “with two or three warheads to meet the international security environment.”
Veterans
Bill would launch clinical trials on cannabis use for vets pain, PTSD
A key Senate panel on Feb. 16 advanced legislation for the first time which would require Veterans Affairs officials to hold clinical trials on using medicinal cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain and post-traumatic stress.
