Middle East Archives

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The USS Nimitz Is Set to Retire Next Spring after 52 Years — but the Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Meant to Replace Her Is Running Years Behind

Summary and Key Points: The USS Nimitz, commissioned in 1975, is scheduled to decommission next spring after nearly 52 years of service — even...

Steve BalestrieriJune 2, 2026

The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Mediterranean Sea, August 1, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class nuclear aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brianna Barnett)

Dollars and Sense

If Iran Makes Good on Its Threat to Close the Strait of Hormuz, Gas Could Hit $7 a Gallon in America

Summary and Key Points: Iran just threatened to ‘completely’ close the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway that carries a fifth of the...

Jack BuckbyJune 2, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Just Told Israel to Evacuate Its Northern Cities — and the Ceasefire Is Hanging by a Thread

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel are again shadow boxing over the fate of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has long been a proxy...

Brandon WeichertJune 1, 2026

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), while participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, fires the first naval strike missile from a U.S. destroyer July 18. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

The Treaty

Trump’s Blockade Has Choked Off 95% of the Tanker Traffic Around Iran — and Tehran Is Feeling It

Summary and Key Points: When Trump announced his blockade of Iran in April, the goal was simple: choke off the oil money that keeps...

Jack BuckbyJune 1, 2026

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, takes off from Selfridge Air National Guard base for the 2020 London SkyDrive Air Show in Canada Sep. 12, 2020, Harrison Township, Mich. The F-35 Demo Team flew alongside the F-16 Viper, the F-22 Raptor, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration teams in London, Ontario, Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Forget F-22 and F-35 Stealth Fighters: The U.S. Air Force Is Flying 63-Year-Old Tankers — and It’s Becoming a Crisis

Summary and Key Points: In June 2025’s Operation Midnight Hammer, seven B-2 stealth bombers flew a 36-hour, 12,000-mile round trip from Missouri to strike...

Reuben JohnsonMay 31, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft soars through the air during exercise Marauder Shield 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Marauder Shield 26.1 emphasized a coordinated response to the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems. The exercise featured advanced counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration between the U.S. and Kuwaiti forces, bolstering regional security and demonstrating a commitment to collaborative defense.

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Might Have Used a Chinese-Made Missile to Shoot Down an F-15E Strike Eagle Flown by the U.S. Air Force

Summary and Key Points: A U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran in April — the first U.S. fighter downed by ground...

Reuben JohnsonMay 31, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The B-21 Raider Is the Stealth Bomber Designed to Slip Past China’s Defenses

Northrop Grumman is increasing production capacity for the B-21 Raider, hoping that the Air Force ultimately decides to buy more than the original projection...

Harrison KassMay 29, 2026

President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

The Treaty

Donald Trump’s Iran War Could Become America’s ‘Syracuse’ — the Disaster That Ended an Empire

Three months into his war with Iran, President Trump faces a fork in the road. Thousands of American and Israeli strikes have killed Iranian...

Gil BarndollarMay 29, 2026

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at a Military Mothers’ Day event, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

The Treaty

Trump Started a War on His Own — Now Every American Is About to Pay for It

Even if the Trump administration secures a 60-day ceasefire that reopens the Strait of Hormuz, the world will still suffer economic damage from the...

Brandon WeichertMay 29, 2026

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "Middle East"

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The USS Nimitz Is Set to Retire Next Spring after 52 Years — but the Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Meant to Replace Her Is Running Years Behind

Dollars and Sense

If Iran Makes Good on Its Threat to Close the Strait of Hormuz, Gas Could Hit $7 a Gallon in America

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Just Told Israel to Evacuate Its Northern Cities — and the Ceasefire Is Hanging by a Thread

The Treaty

Trump’s Blockade Has Choked Off 95% of the Tanker Traffic Around Iran — and Tehran Is Feeling It

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Forget F-22 and F-35 Stealth Fighters: The U.S. Air Force Is Flying 63-Year-Old Tankers — and It’s Becoming a Crisis

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Might Have Used a Chinese-Made Missile to Shoot Down an F-15E Strike Eagle Flown by the U.S. Air Force

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The B-21 Raider Is the Stealth Bomber Designed to Slip Past China’s Defenses

The Treaty

Donald Trump’s Iran War Could Become America’s ‘Syracuse’ — the Disaster That Ended an Empire

The Treaty

Trump Started a War on His Own — Now Every American Is About to Pay for It

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