China’s EV Market Is Imploding: "China’s state-led EV program, by design, has been predatory. ... Bloated by excessive investment, distorted by government intervention, and plagued by heavy losses, China’s EV industry appears destined for a crash." www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

"The IMF said that Europe’s debt levels risk becoming 'explosive' if business & labour reforms are not implemented & deficits are not slashed by boosting tax revenue, curbing social spending, & improving government efficiency.” www.euractiv.com/news/europes...

Because I didn't have to teach on election day, I was able to read some recently published articles. The highlight was @johnrdeni.bsky.social's recent analysis of NATO's response to the "shock" of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. I highly recommend it.

Russia ends seasonal draft model, moves to year-round conscription from 2026 kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-...

NATO member Romania signs agreement with Germany’s Rheinmetall to build a gunpowder plant apnews.com/article/roma...

As Romania says US will cut some troops in Europe, here is my debate with @johnrdeni.bsky.social - #TheGlobalAgora #podcast: ▶️ Is a drawdown of US forces from #Europe all but certain and what would it mean? podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and... #Trump #NATO #security #defense

Ouch. armedservices.house.gov/news/documen...

And note the rationale -- essentially, Europe's increasing capability makes this move possible.

There appears to be a disconnect between the reporting on this and what the US Army is actually doing. This USAREUR-AF press release makes it clear the entire IBCT(-) is redeploying without replacement: www.europeafrica.army.mil/ArticleViewP...

US will reduce its troops on Nato's eastern flank, Romania says bbc.com/news/article...

Lithuania shuts Vilnius airport, Belarus border in fourth airspace incident this week www.reuters.com/world/europe...

SBU reveals next-gen Sea Baby naval drones, confirms use in June Crimea Bridge attack kyivindependent.com/sbu-releases...

Ukraine strikes Russian chemical plant with Storm Shadow missiles, military says kyivindependent.com/breaking-ukr...

After Trump’s turn toward Putin, NATO leader rushes to Washington politi.co/4o2MY3L via @politico.com

Ukraine preparing long-term contract for 25 Patriot systems after meetings in US, Zelensky says kyivindependent.com/ukraine-prep...

The Army's new tank will roll out a decade early. Here’s how they did it www.defenseone.com/defense-syst... via @defenseone.bsky.social

Pressure mounts on NATO allies to go all-in on Trump arms scheme for Ukraine www.politico.eu/article/pres...

Germany pledges big military aid package to Ukraine as Kyiv puts 2026 defense needs at $120 billion apnews.com/article/nato...

NATO agonizes over leaky air defenses while Russian threat grows www.politico.eu/article/nato...

Fresh fractures in German coalition over 'lottery' military service feud www.euractiv.com/news/fresh-f...

US defense manufacturer reveals new Tomahawk launcher — just what Ukraine would need to hit Russia kyivindependent.com/american-def...

Unfortunately, this looks like real backtracking on Macron's incomplete economic reform agenda: Political Turmoil in France Weighs on Businesses and Investors www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/b...

Putin Admits Russia’s Role in Downing Azerbaijani Passenger Jet www.wsj.com/world/russia...

Italy unveils €31 billion defense budget with NATO target in mind www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

NATO’s New Northern Land Command Inaugurated in Finland -- the Multi-Corps Land Component Command (MC LCC) www.highnorthnews.com/en/natos-new...

The Atlantic article reinforces this recent piece of analysis: "The Case for War: Why the West Should Double Down in Ukraine" ip-quarterly.com/en/case-war-...

How Ukraine Turned the Tables on Russia (no pay wall). Best line of the piece is the last one. www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

'Liberating our land, step by step' — Ukraine reports successful counterattack in Dnipropterovsk Oblast kyivindependent.com/ukraine-dnip...

Over 100,000 Western-made parts found in drones, missiles used in Russian recent mass attack, Zelensky says kyivindependent.com/over-100-000...

A very good step - overdue, one might argue.

"This Program Rescued Army Recruiting" (no pay wall) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...

Hope DEU officials can get this into UKR (and POL and ROM and LTU) for some field testing. "Rheinmetall showcases Mission Master UGV with compact Skyranger [for short-range counter-UAS]" www.janes.com/osint-insigh...

Great WOTR essay by Zsofia Wolford, James Black, and @paulvanhooft.bsky.social on UK and FRA roles in strengthening strategic deterrence in Europe. Here's hoping many DEU officials read this too! warontherocks.com/2025/09/can-...

Russia’s Military Budget Shrinks as War Costs Hit Kremlin’s Economic Limits www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/w...

It's not a $60B military/financial aid package, but it's an important contribution: U.S. to Provide Ukraine With Intelligence for Missile Strikes Deep Inside Russia www.wsj.com/world/europe...

Russian territorial gains in Ukraine drop sharply in September, monitoring group says kyivindependent.com/russian-terr...

Just in time for your furlough-related down time -- check out the latest SSI Live podcast in which guest host MAJ Brennan Deveraux interviews Brian Carlson on RU-PRC rivalry in Central Asia: ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...

Putin Orders Highest Fall Conscription Target in 9 Years www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/29/p...

Trump threatened NATO exit, Stoltenberg reveals in new memoir - go.shr.lc/4nR9fkh

'Just shoot them' — Russian commander told troops to open fire on retreating soldiers, intercepted comms suggest kyivindependent.com/russian-comm...

US Army Moves to Strengthen 155mm Shell Stocks With $640M Buy thedefensepost.com/2025/09/26/u...

Germany backs EU’s ‘creative’ plan to send frozen Russian cash to Ukraine www.politico.eu/article/germ...

To Understand Ukraine at War, Stop by a Gas Station (no paywall) www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/w...

Russia Moves to Raise VAT by 2% as Budget Deficit Swells: Weaker global oil prices, a stronger ruble and high interest rates have sapped growth this year, forcing the government to find ways to make up for the lost revenues. www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/24/r...

Clearly somebody in authority has recently been reading this latest essay from Elisabeth Nielsen and me on "The Case for War: Why the West Should Double Down in Ukraine" ip-quarterly.com/en/case-war-...

Lede buried? Yes, "Germany’s €80B rearmament plan sidelines US weapons," but I'd argue most important takeaway is literally the last line of the article: "Taken together, they add up to a comprehensive modernization effort touching every branch of the armed forces." www.politico.eu/article/germ...

Great that POL is leaning forward on this long overdue change to rules of engagement, but NATO needs to make such an announcement as well: "Poland will shoot down encroaching Russian aircraft, warns PM Tusk" www.politico.eu/article/pola...

Given yet *another* intentional violation -- this time by three RU MiG-31 fighters -- I'm re-upping this essay in which I suggest how NATO could actually put the 'denial' in Deterrence By Denial: www.politico.eu/article/nato...

Russian fighter jets breach Estonian airspace near Tallinn www.politico.eu/article/russ...

Assiduous avoidance of the word "Greenland" herein: "High costs and long waits for popular US-made Patriots just drove a NATO ally to pick a European rival" www.businessinsider.com/nato-ally-pi...