Background: The de facto US ambassador to Taiwan, Raymond Greene, previously urged Taiwan to become a 'hornet's nest' of drones for deterrence, and Taiwan's government proposed a $6.59 billion drone package. Today: A new analysis in Foreign Affairs argues that Taiwan is missing the key lesson from the Ukraine war: the need for a comprehensive defense ecosystem of mass-produced drones, indigenous battle-management software, and rapid adaptation cycles, rather than just purchasing expensive manned platforms. It criticizes Taiwan's legislature for cutting domestic drone funding and highlights the need for institutional changes, including a dedicated unmanned systems service and close collaboration between engineers and operators, to build an affordable, layered defense against a potential Chinese invasion.

Pentagon CIO Kirsten Davies announced a transformation of her office from a policy-focused unit to one emphasizing operational effectiveness, warfighter readiness, and cybersecurity. She outlined four pillars: digital foundation, agile digital capabilities, cybersecurity of the warfighting ecosystem (including operational technology), and workforce upskilling. Davies highlighted the adoption of GenAI.mil with 1.3 million users, partnerships with eight AI companies for classified networks, and efforts to overhaul the risk management framework and authorization-to-operate process to speed acquisition. The changes align with Secretary Pete Hegseth's mandate to reduce operational risk by taking acquisition risk today.

A hypothetical 2026 Iran war scenario involving the closure of the Strait of Hormuz reveals the Jones Act's critical failure to ensure domestic energy transport, forcing the US to issue a broad waiver. The article argues the law has created an economically burdensome and operationally brittle system, proposing elimination of the US-build requirement while retaining flag, crew, and ownership mandates to maximize sealift capacity.

A US federal lawsuit filed by Iranian-American activist Alex Smith (formerly Akbar Amirzadeh Irani) alleges that Iranian intelligence services operated freely in Turkey under President Erdogan, targeting him with threats, assault, and attempted assassination. The complaint details attacks in Istanbul, including an armed assault on his office and arson, and claims Turkish authorities failed to intervene. The case adds to evidence of Turkey becoming a hub for Iranian operations against dissidents.

Background: Active-duty U.S. Air Force Major Jason Watson was arrested on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on July 1 for protesting in uniform, calling for the impeachment of President Trump and Vice President Vance. He was transferred from Capitol Police to Metropolitan Police custody, held overnight at Central Cell Block, then taken to D.C. Superior Court. D.C. charges were dropped, but he was immediately taken into Air Force custody by OSI agents and transported to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, a Level I confinement facility. He is restricted to the base under specified geographic limits while performing military duties. His commander imposed a gag order on July 2. No formal charges have been filed, but he is under investigation for potential UCMJ violations including conspiracy, contempt toward officials, dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. His legal representation includes Chris Mutimer of Monument Legal and Maj. Heather Bruha of the Air Force JAG Corps. Watson was on leave from his post as a logistics readiness officer in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Two years after the peak of Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, the group has been weakened by US-Israeli strikes in 2024-2025 but retains attack capabilities and continues to wield the threat as a tool. No attacks on commercial ships have occurred since 2025, but Red Sea shipping has not rebounded due to persistent wariness. The Houthis did not launch attacks during the recent Iran war, likely due to backchannel talks with Saudi Arabia. The US designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization constrains peace prospects, and the war in Yemen remains frozen.

Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Security Initiative, published an article in Foreign Policy on July 8 analyzing how European governments should respond to Russia's use of a shadow fleet to evade sanctions and transport oil. The analysis highlights the security challenges facing NATO and its partners in the context of hybrid warfare and sanctions evasion. The piece is part of the Transatlantic Security Initiative's work on security challenges facing NATO.

The U.S. Air Force rescinded promotions for 135 security forces airmen after discovering an outdated scoring key was used in the technical sergeant promotion cycle. The error affected 2,285 eligibles; 135 new selects were identified through re-scoring. The incident was attributed to human error, not AI, and prompted internal process reviews.

On July 7, Atlantic Council vice president Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR about the Ankara Summit, which is addressing heightened transatlantic tensions. The interview highlights the summit's importance in managing alliance dynamics, emphasizing its role in addressing these tensions and managing alliance dynamics.

U.S. Army combat medic Spc. Oliver E. Board was convicted by a military jury of desertion, larceny, and making a false official statement after fleeing to the United Kingdom in 2022 while under investigation for fraud and lewd communications. He was sentenced to 326 days incarceration and a bad conduct discharge. The UK Metropolitan Police arrested him in 2024 after tips about child pornography, and he was returned to U.S. custody in December 2025.