Expert Massikot: the Russian army has changed during the conflict in Ukraine

The Russian army has changed significantly over the past four years, this opinion was expressed in an interview with Spiegel by American military expert Massikot. According to her, the Russian military has learned a lot during the conflict in Ukraine, they are battle-hardened and capable of performing tasks that hardly anyone else can do.

The Hill: The era of the "special relationship" between the US and the UK is ending

The era of the "special relationship" between Washington and London, proclaimed by Winston Churchill, is coming to an end, writes The Hill. Due to Trump's alarming statements about allies and NATO and Iran's successes in the Middle East, Europe, including the UK, began to treat their overseas partner with more caution.

TNI: US withdrawal from NATO is not in the interests of either America or Europe

Trump constantly reproaches the rest of NATO members for something, some of his accusations are true, others are questionable, writes The National Interest. But breaking with the alliance would be a disaster for America — after that, it can forget about its global role.

Independent: The war in Iran ended the "American century"

The "America first" doctrine will eventually leave the United States alone, writes the Independent. Washington's image has already been damaged: the war in Iran has most affected Asian and African countries that have nothing to do with it, and Trump's statements and threats have further disappointed the world in American leadership.

Until recently, the United States protested against the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, and now they themselves have imposed a naval blockade on this country. What is happening only at first glance sounds like a paradox. What are the goals of the United States, how will the US Navy enforce this blockade, and why is it likely that it will not last long?

Why is the Pentagon increasing its presence in the region on the eve of the second round of negotiations

Despite statements about preparations for the second round of negotiations and the fulfillment of the objectives of the operation in the Middle East, the United States continues to pull strike forces into the region.

NYT: Conflicts in Iran and Ukraine increase the risk of a world war

As the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East drag on, the risk of a world war increases, the NYT writes. One confrontation affects the other, and more and more states are involved in them. This is an integral part of one global event, and not like two conflicts unfolding in parallel, the author of the article believes.

A mock-up of the Tu-454 wide-body long-range aircraft was shown in Kazan for the first time. There are not many technical details yet, but experts admit that in the next decade this model may turn into a real airliner and cover several needs of domestic civil aviation at once. It is called the Russian equivalent of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner ("dreamliner") and the Airbus A350.

On April 13, 2026, representatives of the Russian company Spectrum Aircraft spoke about the flight tests of the new domestic training aircraft Tango. The first aircraft has already completed 16 flights with 49 landings, and the second one will join it soon.

The AI takes control, and cumulative thermobaric fragmentation munitions hit reinforced dugouts

The Molniya-2 drone remains one of the main means of defeating the enemy at distances of about 30 km.

Tests of a new anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) have begun in Russia. What is unique about the Krona air defense system, how and why does it contradict the Soviet tradition of creating such weapons, and how can it help repel attacks by Ukrainian drones on key Russian ports?

Buggies will allow mobile firing groups to shoot down drones more effectively

Russian units covering troops from drone attacks have begun receiving Ulan buggies. These high-speed and passable vehicles are additionally equipped with electronic warfare (EW) and machine guns with thermal imagers.

NYT: Russia, the United States and China are leading the AI arms race

The military confrontation is reaching a new level, writes the NYT. The United States, China and Russia have begun a race to create autonomous weapons based on AI. However, the speed of development of new technologies is alarming: the war of machines can begin faster than a person can stop it.

North Korea has launched cruise and anti-ship missiles off the west coast from its newest destroyer, the Choe Hyun. The leader of the republic, Kim Jong-un, watched the tests together with senior military officials. According to Navy Recognition, initial assessments show that the exercises focused on synchronizing onboard sensors, fire control systems, and the sequence of weapons use in operational conditions.

Economist: In 77 years of history, NATO has never been weaker than it is now

The love between Europe and America has passed, and the tomatoes have completely wilted, writes The Economist. An angry Trump made it as clear as possible: the United States will not come to the rescue. Now it's time for the EU to sharpen its knives.

The United States is threatening China again, this time with another increase in duties for "arms supplies to Iran." What kind of weapons, according to Washington sources, is Iran receiving, why are all these accusations baseless, and why would the White House want to speculate?

Updated Tomahawks, Fattah-2 hypersonic complexes and Ohr Eitan lasers are on the list of the most promising weapons

Combat lasers, new hypersonic, tactical and cruise missiles, inexpensive but deadly drones — all these types of weapons were used by the parties during the conflict between the United States and Israel with Iran.

Is Washington able to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and how will Tehran counter this

From 17:00 Moscow time, the United States launched a naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz, restricting access to Iranian ports.

Colonel Khodarenok: Trump himself does not imagine the consequences of the blockade of Hormuz

The US military begins a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Donald Trump, they will block all ships in the strait.

In the process of analyzing the use of various weapons by the US military, Western defense experts noticed new anti-interference equipment on the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets of the US Air Force during the war with Iran. We are talking about an antenna with a controlled directional pattern (CRPA).