Section

Defense & Security

Military, intelligence, national security

Al Jazeera English

South Korea and US Reduce Duration of Annual Military Drills

South Korea has announced a reduction in the duration of the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise, decreasing it from 11 days to five. This change comes in response to an order from former President Trump.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
New York Times — Politics

Pentagon Reduces Joint Military Exercises With South Korea

The Pentagon is scaling back joint military exercises with South Korea, following an order from President Trump. This decision has raised concerns among Asian allies about regional security.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.10
Washington Examiner

USS Benfold Loses Power for Four Days in South China Sea

The USS Benfold, a U.S. Navy destroyer, experienced a power loss for four days in the South China Sea due to generator failure. The ship was assisted by other vessels in the strike group and was towed to Subic Bay for repairs. Power was restored, and the Benfold resumed operations without injuries to the crew.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Al Jazeera English

Democrats request investigation into USS Lincoln and US Navy readiness

Democratic lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, questioning whether its current conditions indicate a larger issue of poor planning within the US Navy. The inquiry is prompted by ongoing tensions related to Iran.

Bias: 42 Sentiment: +0.00
PBS NewsHour

Trump Reduces Joint Military Exercises with South Korea

President Trump has decided to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, attributing this change to cost concerns, his relationship with North Korea, and South Korea's stance on the Iran conflict. This move is seen as part of Trump's transactional approach to alliances.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Axios

Israel Justifies Airstrike on Syrian Airbase Amid U.S. Concerns

Israel stated that its airstrike on a Syrian airbase was aimed at preventing a Turkish military buildup, according to U.S. and Israeli officials. The strike caused damage but no casualties. The U.S. expressed concerns over the action, labeling it an unnecessary escalation, while Turkey denied any military presence at the site.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: -0.10
Ars Technica

Ukrainian Drones Engage Russian Tanks Equipped with New Protection System

Russian tanks with the Arena-M active protection system were deployed in Ukraine but faced significant challenges as Ukrainian drones destroyed several tanks. Reports indicate that while the protection system had some success in intercepting drones, overwhelming numbers of drones were still able to disable the tanks.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Washington Examiner

Israeli Air Strike on Syrian Air Base Draws U.S. Criticism

An Israeli air strike on a Syrian air base on August 18, 2026, has prompted criticism from U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack, who called it an "unnecessary escalation." The strike targeted facilities at the Abu al Duhur Airbase, with no reported casualties. The Israeli government justified the action by citing security concerns related to Turkish troop deployments at the base.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.10
Al Jazeera English

US Increases Tomahawk Missile Production

The Pentagon has contracted a defense manufacturer to increase the production of Tomahawk cruise missiles. This move is aimed at strengthening military capabilities.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
The Hill

USS Benfold Experienced Power Loss for Four Days in South China Sea

The USS Benfold, a U.S. Navy destroyer, experienced a power loss for four days in the South China Sea due to an engineering casualty on July 24. This situation left the sailors without essential services such as toilets and potable water.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.10
Washington Examiner

DOJ charges 17 individuals for cyber theft linked to Iranian government

The Department of Justice has charged 17 Iranians for allegedly conducting a cyber theft campaign on behalf of the Iranian government, targeting various institutions worldwide since 2013. The indictment claims that the hackers stole over 31 terabytes of data, leading to significant financial costs for the victims involved.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Washington Examiner

Iran Responds to Trump's Claims on Strait of Hormuz

Iran has reacted to President Trump's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz would be U.S. territory, criticizing U.S. negotiators for their approach. Iran insists it will keep the strait closed until its conditions are met, following the expiration of a memorandum of understanding. Tensions in the region remain high, with incidents involving commercial vessels reported.

Bias: 36 Sentiment: -0.20
The Hill

UAE Reports Detection of Two Missiles Fired from Iran

The United Arab Emirates reported that its armed forces detected two missiles fired from Iran on August 18, 2026. Both missiles fell into the water, with one landing outside and the other within UAE territorial waters.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
nbcnews.com

Russia Supplies Drone Components and Ammunition to Iran

Russia is reportedly shipping drone components, ammunition, and TNT to Iran through the Caspian Sea, as indicated by a European government document. This supply is intended to help Iran restore its stockpiles affected by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Washington Examiner

Zelensky vows retaliation after missile strike kills ten in Kharkiv region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to retaliate after a Russian missile strike killed ten people in the Kharkiv region on August 18, 2026. He condemned the attack on civilian areas and urged international allies to take action against Russia. This incident follows a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike targeting Russia over the weekend.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: -0.50
The Hill

Trump Advocates for Design Changes to U.S. Aircraft Carriers

President Trump is advocating for changes in the design of U.S. aircraft carriers, specifically a return to steam catapults on Ford-class carriers. This push may lead to increased construction costs and delays in completion timelines.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
cnbc.com

South Korea Prepares for Potential Challenges Amid Reduced U.S. Military Drills

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the importance of peace while preparing for potential challenges, following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to reduce joint military drills with South Korea. The exercises, which began on August 14 and involve 18,000 South Korean personnel, have been criticized by North Korea as rehearsals for invasion. Discussions between South Korea and the U.S. are ongoing regarding military contributions amidst these developments.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: +0.00