The USAF recently conducted an exercise in which AI was used to recommend targets to speed up military decision-making and reduce cognitive load on humans. It found human judgement was complementary to what was machine-generated.

On June 5, 2025, Ukraine executed “Operation Spiderweb”. Using low-cost, AI-enabled drones smuggled into Russian airbases via covert methods, more than 40 Russian aircraft were reportedly damaged or destroyed, exposing vulnerabilities in Russia’s air-defence systems.

Gregory Poling contends China’s coercive actions in the South China Sea—once effective—now fail to intimidate ASEAN states. Pushback has grown via diplomacy, modernization, and alliances; shifting the regional strategic balance

The cost of redeveloping PNG’s Lombrum Naval Base has inflated to AUD 500 million, exceeding initial budgets. The upgrades—intended to enhance regional maritime capability—now raise concerns about financial oversight and long-term sustainability.

The US drone crashed after a critical propeller ring failed—highlighting risks of mechanical fatigue and the challenges of preventing early component wear in advanced unmanned systems. The drone hadn’t reached its scheduled overhaul time.

“Study Mode” aims to shift students from passive chatbot use toward more interactive, question-driven learning while addressing concerns about rising academic dishonesty. Recent studies suggest increased use of AI may lead to shallower understanding.

The new $500m agreement with Vanuatu highlights how smaller nations can reshape regional partnerships—leveraging climate priorities, mobility demands, and strategic competition—to secure significant concessions and long-term influence. Diplomatic sway has now shifted.

Men are lonelier than ever, but few talk about it—especially in environments that prize stoicism. This article unpacks the risks, roots, and remedies for male disconnection in modern life.

Sudan’s Kordofan region, rich in oil and geopolitically critical, has become the epicentre of a brutal power struggle. The protracted conflict reveals the strategic importance—and vulnerability—of energy corridors in contested zones.

Sending offensive weapons to Ukraine; jointly producing advanced drones; treating Russian missiles or drones overflying NATO airspace as hostile objects; and transferring immobilized Russian state assets to Ukraine—these are all bargaining chips worth exploring.