'No such thing as a regional conflict anymore,' US Strategic Command chief says

Food for thought! However, the article below seems to be strangely limited to information warfare.

By any other name, e.g. the Russo-Ukrainian War is already a World War III given how many countries are involved on both sides.

The Iran war of 2026 is fast expanding geographically encompassing more and more countries.

Then we have weaponized drones flying into other than the warring countries either by defensive measures, or intentional rerouting or otherwise (e.g. Ukrainian drones ending up in Baltic States or Romania etc.).

"... “There is no such thing as a regional conflict anymore,” Correll said. “Every conflict is global in the information domain.” ..."

'No such thing as a regional conflict anymore,' STRATCOM chief says - Breaking Defense "The Internet, social media, cyber and artificial intelligence extend the effects of war far beyond the battlefield, the admiral warned."

Well known Hackers with ties to Iran Hit Water Systems in 12 US States since March 2026

Bad news! Very concerning!

Maybe future wars will not be so bloody anymore as far as the military is concerned, but more devastating if not dangerous to the civilian population.

"Cyberattacks have hit water and wastewater systems in at least 12 states, officials say, with an Iran-linked hacking group suspected of trying to disrupt American infrastructure as the war drags on.

The self-proclaimed “CyberAv3ngers,” which cybersecurity experts tie to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, locked administrators out of more than 30 systems in Minnesota alone and blocked water from being pumped into towers. No supplies were harmed, but sources say hackers could have reached chemical dosing controls.

President Trump doubted Iran’s involvement, instead blaming “grossly incompetent” Minnesota leaders after an attack shut down a water plant there. ..."

"... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated in their July 30 joint public service announcement (Alert: I-073026-PSA) that since July 27, 2026, water and wastewater utilities in at least seven states had reported incidents, and that some of that activity had "degraded water operations." The FBI stated that reported operational effects have included pressure loss and flooding, and identified Rockwell Automation MicroLogix 1100 and 1400 series PLCs as the targeted devices. The PSA does not attribute the activity to any specific actor, referring only to "malicious cyber actors." ...

How has CyberAv3ngers evolved over time?

CyberAv3ngers has demonstrated a deliberate capability escalation across four documented phases:

In Phase One (2020–2022), the group operated as a propaganda persona, claiming responsibility for infrastructure disruptions in Israel that were later assessed as fabricated. DomainTools Investigations demonstrated that several claims reused imagery from earlier data leaks.

In Phase Two (October 2023–January 2024), the group compromised at least 75 Unitronics Vision Series PLCs across the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Ireland by exploiting default passwords on internet-exposed devices. The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was the highest-profile victim.

In Phase Three (2024–2025), the group deployed IOCONTROL, a custom-built malware platform for IoT and OT devices. OpenAI disclosed in October 2024 that CyberAv3ngers had used ChatGPT to assist with target reconnaissance and code debugging.

In Phase Four (March 2026 to present), the group pivoted to exploiting CVE-2021-22681, a critical authentication bypass in Rockwell Automation Logix controllers. Actors connected to internet-facing PLCs from foreign hosting providers using the same manufacturer engineering software (Studio 5000 Logix Designer) that legitimate operators use. Once connected, they downloaded and modified controller project files and altered operator display data. The July 22 advisory update expanded the manufacturer scope to include Schneider Electric and Siemens PLCs alongside Rockwell Automation. ..."

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 - Join The Flyover

At least 12 states face cyberattacks on their water systems, sources say

Iran-backed hackers likely behind attack that shut down Minnesota water plant — and they’re not done yet

Coordinated "cyberattack" on U.S. water utilities: What you need to know (original news release)

Ukraine’s battlefield integration surpasses US military’s, US Army secretary says

Amazing stuff! You never step in the same war twice!

"Ukraine has linked its military drones, sensors and weapons systems into a unified battlefield network, an integration Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told lawmakers Tuesday the U.S. military has yet to achieve.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Driscoll lauded Kyiv’s “Delta” command and control system and praised its ability to “integrate every single drone, every sensor and every shooting platform into just one single network.” A stark contrast, he said, to fragmented American systems that struggle to communicate or share data. ..."

Ukraine’s battlefield integration surpasses US military’s, Army secretary says

The Real People Who Fought the American Revolution

Very recommendable!

When Cities in major democratic countries Cancel New Year’s Celebrations. Really!

Bad news! When major democracies don't have a backbone or are spineless!

History is not kind to weakness and loosers! Appeasement led to World War II! What happened to peace through strengths?

"Major cities worldwide have canceled or scaled back New Year’s Eve celebrations amid security concerns following recent attacks and an FBI-foiled bombing plot in Los Angeles.

Paris canceled its traditional Champs-Élysées concert over crowd safety fears, replacing it with a pre-recorded broadcast while keeping fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe, while Tokyo scrapped the Shibuya Countdown Event, citing public drunkenness and crowd control risks.

Sydney’s Bondi Beach canceled its fireworks following the recent ISIS-inspired Hanukkah attack that killed 15 people, while Hong Kong replaced its Victoria Harbour fireworks with a smaller laser show.

The cancellations come as Times Square prepares for a million revelers with heightened NYPD security, though travel advisers report more people are opting for private, exclusive celebrations over massive public gatherings."

Sunday, December 28, 2025 - Join The Flyover

As US ramps up munitions production, South Korea and Australia want in

Another reminder that we may live in the most dangerous times since the end of the Cold War if not World War II!

What is all this massive rearmament and new arms race going on in Western countries for? Will this increase trigger happiness or feelings of superiority?

Did not heavy rearmament lead to World War I? What did we learn?

One severe mistake or miscalculation could trigger World War IV (World War III is already going on in the Ukraine).

The world would be a much better and more peaceful place without e.g. Putin the Terrible, Xi Jinping, and the Supreme Leader in Iran.

"South Korea and Australia are offering to relieve Washington’s strained defense supplier network, as U.S. defense planners grapple with bottlenecks in munitions production.

One partial solution is for overseas-based arms manufacturers to set up shop in the United States – something that Hanwha Aerospace from South Korea is proposing – and another is for American companies to build manufacturing facilities offshore. ..."

As US ramps up munitions production, South Korea and Australia want in

The Rise Of Autonomous Drone Warfare And What's Really At Stake

Recommendable! However, the video emphasizes too much the current advantage of drones for the offense. I bet it will not take too long to develop effective and affordable defensive countermeasures.

1971 Rewind: How India Saved Bangladesh From Pakistan's Genocide with Palki Sharma

Recommendable!

Why the Middle East has so many military conflicts

Recommendable, but the video has some shortcomings, e.g. it is antisemitic, state sponsorship of terrorism is barely mentioned.

6,000 residents to be evacuated after 1,000lb WWII bomb found in Hong Kong

The horrors of war continue long after the war ended!

Imagine, this bomb in a dense residential area like Hong Kong had exploded between then and now!

Just imagine for a moment all the unexploded ordnance on the territory of the Ukraine thanks to Putin the Terrible! How much of it will be discovered/recovered before it maims or kills children?

Developing | 6,000 to be evacuated after 1,000lb WWII bomb found in Hong Kong’s Quarry Bay | South China Morning Post "Police say specialists will begin disposing of bomb, which was discovered at a site on Pan Hoi Street, at 2am on Saturday"

The First Balkan War (1912-13)

Recommendable, but not very well done!

How did the India-Pakistan Conflict Start? | The First Kashmir War 1947-48

Recommendable!

The world has become maybe the worst powder keg since WW II

We are living in very dangerous times!

The Russo-Ukrainian War has been World War III for some time by any other name. It may escalate more at any moment. Any small incident could suddenly trigger a cascade of military actions given the tensions!

Putin the Terrible conducts a hybrid warfare against Western countries using sabotage etc.

NATO supports the Ukraine in its defense against the invasion by Putin the Terrible!

Recently, thousands of North Korean soldiers/mercenaries fight in the Ukraine for Putin the Terrible!

The Middle East is becoming more and more unstable. War in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and now Syria. Global maritime trade and Israel are threatened by an Islamist terrorist group operating out of Yemen. Behind it all, the warmonger Iran. Russia and Turkey are getting more involved with military operations in the region.

China wants to dominate the South China Sea and beyond. It bullies several countries in the region.

Can President Trump make a difference? Better hope and pray!

Desperate despots like Putin & Assad use chemical weapons - they will do ANYTHING to try to win

Very recommendable & concerning! 

Estonian-made combat robots, manufactured in the UAE, operating in the Ukraine now come with Starlink

No two wars are the same! 

Weapons and armor of today (e.g. human operated, expensive tanks) might be already obsolete by the next war!

"Estonian-made THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles operating in Ukraine will feature Starlink satellite connectivity, enabling their operation from thousands of kilometers away, the robot manufacturer announced on Wednesday.

A vehicle equipped to that effect, made by United Arab Emirates-owned and Estonia-based Milrem Robotics, will be unveiled at the company’s during Eurosatory 2024 trade show that begins next week, according to a company statement ..."

Estonian-made combat robots in Ukraine now come with Starlink

Footage Shows Ukrainian FPV Drone Destroying Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopter in Midair

More evidence that the future of warfare is here! Essentially confirming again that man powered weapons have become obsolete like knights in shining armor!

"Kyiv Post's sources in SBU (The Security Sevice of Ukraine) have confirmed that soldiers from the M2 unit of the SBU Special Operations Center successfully struck a Russian Mi-28 helicopter with a long-range FPV drone over the Kursk region on Tuesday, Aug. 6. ..."

Footage Shows Ukrainian FPV Drone Destroying Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopter in Midair "In what may be a historic first, a Ukrainian FPV drone appears to have hit a Russian attack helicopter in midair during active combat operations – and over Russian territory, no less."

Israel-Iran alliance: Jerusalem's secret arm sales to the Islamic Republic during Iran-Iraq War of 1980

The recent history of the Middle East is complicated and complex!

Was that a smart move along the lines of the enemy of my enemy is my friend or to make the attrition between both countries more grave during this war by helping the possibly weaker side?

Probably it was short-sighted not only in hindsight!

The book author Trita Parsi is the "co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft [an American think tank located in Washington DC], as well as the founder and former president of the National Iranian American Council." (Wikipedia)

"... “Israel viewed its security in the region as being one in which you needed to build alliances with a non-Arab state, in the periphery of the Middle East, in order to balance the immediate neighborhood of Arab states,” said Trita Parsi, founder and former president of the National Iranian American Council and author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the United States.  ...

Clandestine Israeli sales of military equipment helped turn the tide of the war and prevent Iran from falling to Saddam’s forces, which was of huge concern to Israel at the time. ...
Israel became one of its primary suppliers of military equipment. This relationship extended beyond mere arms sales: Jerusalem also sent military instructors to Iran and, in return, received vital intelligence that proved instrumental in its own military operations. One notable instance was the Iranian intelligence that aided Israel in executing Operation Opera, the 1981 airstrike that destroyed Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor – a cornerstone of Iraq’s nuclear ambitions. ..."

Israel and Iran: How Jerusalem helped arm Tehran during Iran-Iraq War - The Jerusalem Post Clandestine Israeli sales of military equipment helped turn the tide of the war and prevent Iran from falling to Saddam’s forces.

Analysis: Ukraine’s Drone Wars Will Impact Future Designs of Armored Vehicles

That you can bet on! The classic tank and tank battles of the 20th century is as dead as knights in shining armor!

Maybe future armored vehicles need jammers and/or detectors, lasers or shot guns to shoot down incoming drones etc.

Russia is already attaching some weird looking contraptions on their tanks to passively protect them. So far with little success.

"... Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, the head of planning for the US Next-Generation Combat Vehicle and his team, which is based in Eastern Europe, is focusing on what is now seen as the key threat to armored and other vehicles on the modern battlefield. Norman’s team is in contact with the Ukrainian operators of the Abrams and Bradleys, who provide invaluable feedback on all aspects of the performance of the vehicles in real combat situations with first-person view (FPV) drones now being considered as the main threat. ...
Two decades ago, the NATO military was taken by surprise by the widespread use of IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan, which attacked the vulnerable bellies and sides of armored vehicles and required urgent solutions. ...

Another method of defense has included jamming the control systems being used to guide the FPV drones which, in turn, have led to the development of drones with increased EW resistance. ..."

Analysis: Ukraine’s Drone Wars Will Impact Future Designs of Armored Vehicles Gen. Omar Bradley’s words, “We should not fight new wars with old weapons,” have been amply demonstrated on Ukraine’s battlefields – lessons weapons designers are (belatedly) taking on board.

Inside the US Army’s race to apply Ukraine lessons to future Abrams, Bradley replacement (I presume the article above references this article)

Rheinmetall Lynx concept demonstrator for US Army’s Bradley replacement, the XM30 OMFV (Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle) program.

In Normandy, a Jewish D-Day veteran buried in a Nazi mass grave will receive a proper burial 80 years later

Understandable! His soul did not rest in peace for so many years!

"... That all changed last year, when a tip arrived in the inbox of Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit that tracks down gravesites of Jewish American servicemen who were mistakenly buried under crosses. The tipster had recently visited a German-maintained grave site for Nazi officers, where the names of the dead were engraved on a plaque. 

There, on the plaque, was an unusual and Jewish-seeming name: Nathan Baskind. ..."

In Normandy, a Jewish D-Day veteran buried in a Nazi mass grave will receive a proper burial 80 years later - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

German and American soldiers at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany honor Nathan Baskind's remains after their excavation.

Ukraine Is the First major drone warfare battle field

Very recommendable! Good overview article!

Drones have already shown and proven that they can render expensive tanks and navy ships as useless as knight's armor!

Caveat: I skimmed the whole long article.

Ukraine Is the First “Hackers’ War” - IEEE Spectrum For clues to the future of warfare, study the struggle between FPV drones and electronic warfare