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Hegseth Faces Backlash After Proposing Pentagon Cuts To Fund Trump's Agenda

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced some heat on Wednesday after directing the Department of Defense (DOD) to find $50 billion in programs to cut next year so the money can be spent on President Donald Trump's priorities, The Associated Press reports.

Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Hegseth's comments on Wednesday were a departure from when he suggested last week, while traveling in Europe, that he would support backing a bigger budget, CNN reported.

"I think the U.S. needs to spend more than the Biden administration was willing to, who historically underinvested in the capabilities of our military," Hegseth said.
The defense secretary's directive also aligned him with some progressive lawmakers across the aisle, who have historically favored making cuts to the military's budget in order to fund programs like Social Security.

What To Know

Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, highlighted Hegseth's directive in a statement, singling out "woke programs" and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Salesses said in his statement that the cuts Hegseth wants to make will help fund President Donald Trump's agenda and priorities like building an Iron Dome in the United States and helping to secure the border.

The $50 billion in cuts Hegseth is seeking account for roughly eight percent of the military's budget, the AP reported.

It's not immediately clear which programs could be on the chopping block as a result of the defense secretary's directive.

Republicans Who Voted Against Confirming Kash Patel as FBI Director
[Yes, Patel was confirmed by the Senate.]

Two Republican lawmakers broke ranks on Thursday when the Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as the next director of the FBI after a contentious confirmation process.

The Context

Patel, who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, was widely considered one of Trump's most vulnerable nominees, facing questions about his previous criticism of the FBI's Russia investigation and pledges to fire top agency personnel who investigated Trump during his first term and after.

What To Know

The Senate narrowly voted to confirm Patel 51-49, with two Republicans voting against the former federal prosecutor's confirmation:

• Senator Susan Collins of Maine.
  
• Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
  

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, who was closely watched as a possible swing vote, ultimately voted to confirm Patel on Thursday. The former Senate majority leader has voted to confirm a number of Trump nominees, but voted against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.

In her statement announcing she would not support Patel, Collins said that "recent personnel actions" at the Justice Department indicate that there is "a compelling need for an FBI Director who is decidedly apolitical."

"While Mr. Patel has had 16 years of dedicated public service, his time over the past four years has been characterized by high profile and aggressive political activity," Collins said.

"Mr. Patel has made numerous politically charged statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead," the Maine senator continued. "These statements, in conjunction with the questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI employees, cast doubt on Mr. Patel's ability to advance the FBI's law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation."

I think that Senator Collins was a bit hypocritical by claiming that Patel gotta have a political motivation. Just look at any elections, be it in the US or Europe or anywhere else, all candidates make promises to change what they consider is terribly wrong in their countries. So why would it matter that much if Patel criticized the FBI in the past? Besides, the FBI gave millions of people motives to ask for a serious change in their administration. Will she also blame all of Trump supporters of being political motivated as well? And what if they are after the FBI arrested J6 partarkers, because not all of them were real protesters at all? Did they forget about Ray Epps instigating the so called insurrectionists on behalf of the FBI? Didn't the FBI investigate and the DOJ prosecute a J6 defendant because he had an unopened Lego box of the US Capitol, claiming he was planning to storm the building?

Trump to Remove Legal Status of Half a Million Immigrants

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Thursday reduced deportation protections and work permits for 521,000 Haitians under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson confirmed to Reuters.

The protections will expire in August, reversing a Biden administration decision that extended protections through February 2026.

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President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance said during the 2024 election campaign that programs like TPS had been abused under former President Joe Biden and suggested that they were illegal.
The Trump administration's move to reduce the protections is in line with Trump and Vance's pledge to undo Biden's immigration policies, some of which also protected immigrants from 15 other countries who are already in the U.S.
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Trump previously attempted to end most TPS enrollments during his first term but was blocked by federal courts.

Earlier this month, Noem also revoked Biden-era TPS extensions for 600,000 Venezuelans. Protections for a large percentage of that group will now expire in April.
Around 500,000 Haitians could be affected by the DHS' move to end TPS in August 2025. The department said it was allowing the protections to lapse in part because those who entered the country illegally were able to participate in the program.

TPS protections are only granted to nationals who can prove they have been continuously present in the U.S. since the most recent limit set by DHS. Those who have been convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors are not eligible for TPS.

Haiti has been on the TPS list since the country was devastated by a 2010 earthquake. Other countries on the list include Afghanistan, Somalia, and Ukraine, since 2010, following an earthquake. The Secretary of Homeland Security generally grants TPS to people from countries with ongoing armed conflicts, serious human rights abuses, or climate disasters.

Social Security Alarm Raised by Trump's Commerce Secretary

President Donald Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, a billionaire businessman who was confirmed in his role by the Senate on Tuesday, warned of widespread fraud in the Social Security program, which he described as "wrong."

Lutnick suggested on Fox News on Wednesday that the Trump administration's Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was tapped by the president to shrink the size of the federal government, will be looking into cuts to the program which represents a crucial lifeline for millions of Americans.
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Over 68 million Americans receive Social Security benefits every month, according to the latest data shared by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which manages the program. More than 54 million of these are retired workers and their dependents, more than 5 million are family members of deceased retired workers, and more than 8 million are disabled workers and their dependents.

The benefits are crucial to help older Americans, workers with disabilities, and families in which a spouse or parent has died maintain financial stability. Any cut to the program, which is already struggling with the looming threat of insolvency, could make an enormous difference in beneficiaries' financial health.
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Lutnick didn't offer any evidence of widespread fraud within the Social Security program. He said that the program would be looked at by DOGE.

"When I set up DOGE with Elon [Musk], so back in October [...] I flew down to Texas, got Elon Musk to do it. Here was our agreement: that Elon was going to cut a trillion dollars of waste, fraud, and abuse," Lutnick said on Wednesday, speaking to Fox News host Jesse Watters.

"Think about it: we have almost $4 trillion in entitlements and no one has ever looked at it before. You know Social Security is wrong. You know Medicaid and Medicare are wrong," the commerce secretary said.

"So, he [Musk] is going to cut a trillion, and then we'll get rid of all those tax scams that hammer against America and we're going to raise a trillion dollars of revenues," he said. "Our objective, under Donald Trump, is to bounce this budget and I'm telling you, you watch it, we're going to do it."

Recently, both Trump and Musk claimed that tens of millions of dead people over 100 years old are receiving Social Security payments, a statement that was rejected by the new head of the SSA Lee Dudek. Dudek said that while some improper payments have likely been made, the numbers mentioned by the president and Musk are overstated.

Trump Jokes of Third Term as Crowd Erupts Into '4 More Years' Chant

President Donald Trump joked about a potential third term during a Black History Month reception on Thursday at the White House.
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This is not a new notion for the president, as Trump has made similar comments in the past. But a U.S. president cannot be elected for more than two terms, as stated in the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

"No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once," the amendment reads.
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While speaking to the crowd, Trump said while laughing, "Should I run again? You tell me. There's your controversy right there." The crowd then began shouting, "Four more years! Four more years!" Eventually Trump waved off the crowd and said, "You're going to see that tonight ... on television."

Republican Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles has floated a bill to amend the Constitution to allow Trump to run for a third term. Ogles acknowledged that the bill faces an uphill battle, but it is "very important" for the country's future, he says.

What People Are Saying

Political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek via text on Thursday: "Trump has always used bold statements and unpredictability as part of his political brand, and hinting at a third run fits that pattern. Whether he's serious or simply rallying his base, the impact is the same...it keeps him in the spotlight, energizes his supporters, and forces both allies and opponents to respond. Given his history, it's difficult to say with certainty whether this is a genuine intention or a strategic move, but it certainly keeps the conversation centered on him."

Gov. Hochul to Decline Removing NYC Mayor Adams, Wants Increased Oversight

Governor Kathy Hochul plans to announce Thursday that she will not use her authority to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office but will push for strict new oversight measures on his administration, according to the New York Times, which spoke to two officials familiar with her thinking.
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Adams is accused of entering a coercive arrangement with the Trump administration to drop corruption charges. Hochul's decision not to remove him preserves voters' will but imposes strict new guardrails on the mayor's office, potentially harming his re-election chances while allowing him to serve the rest of his term.

Hochul will unveil legislation that includes creating a state deputy inspector general dedicated to overseeing New York City. Other measures would establish a fund for the city comptroller, public advocate, and City Council speaker to hire legal counsel to challenge the federal government if the mayor does not, bar the mayor from firing the city's Department of Investigation head without state inspector general approval, and increase state comptroller oversight of city finances.

The mayor has repeatedly said he will not resign, even as Democratic officials have called for his removal or resignation. Federal charges accuse him of accepting travel perks and campaign contributions from Turkish nationals in exchange for government favors.

U.S. District Judge Dale Ho is deliberating on whether to dismiss the charges after a recent hearing. Adams' critics argue his dealings with Trump officials compromised his ability to lead.

While Hochul has the authority to remove the mayor, she expressed concern about overriding voters' decisions. She hopes the oversight measures will reassure New Yorkers that the city will be held accountable until elections later this year.

Some allies of Adams and state lawmakers wary of further state intervention may resist the proposals when Hochul asks for legislative approval next week.

NYC Congestion Pricing: How Much Money Would the Toll Have Generated?

The congestion plan to reduce traffic and raise funds for New York's public transport was recently axed by President Donald Trump, potentially leading to the loss of millions in revenue for the city.

What Was The Proposed Congestion Pricing Plan?

The congestion pricing plan, officially known as the Central Business District Tolling Program, was approved by state lawmakers in 2019 and greenlit by the Biden administration in 2023.

The first-in-the-nation program took effect on January 5, after which most drivers were charged $9 tolls to enter Manhattan's busiest districts during peak hours, with motorcycles charged $4.50, and larger vehicles charged between $14.40 and $21.60.

City officials said that the plan would cut traffic and its associated environmental impacts, while also providing a lifeline to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which could use the toll revenues to improve the city's subway, bus and commuter rail systems.

A majority of New York voters were skeptical of Trump's desire to terminate the plan, according to an early February survey of 1,203 registered voters in the state by Morning Consult. Six-in-ten voters said that President Trump should "allow congestion pricing in New York City to continue."

Why Does Trump Want to Axe Congestion Pricing?

Earlier in February, Trump told The New York Post that the plan was "destructive to New York," adding that the reduction in traffic was hurting Manhattan's economy.

"Traffic is way down because people can't come into Manhattan and it's only going to get worse," Trump told the outlet. "People don't know about it until they get the bill."

The plan has also received pushback from neighboring New Jersey, whose officials have argued that the toll discriminates against its residents driving into the city and places an undue burden on interstate commerce.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote a letter to Trump in late January, in which he called the plan "a disaster for working- and middle-class New Jersey commuters and residents who need or want to visit lower Manhattan," and asked the president to give congestion pricing "the close look it deserved."

Greg Abbott Wants KFC To Become 'Texas Fried Chicken'

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has suggested Kentucky Fried Chicken should change its name to Texas Fried Chicken, after KFC announced it is moving its U.S. headquarters to the Lone Star State.
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Multiple major corporations have moved their corporate headquarters to Texas, attracted by the Republican controlled state's low taxes and business friendly policies. These include investment company Charles Schwab Corporation, energy firm Chevron and Elon Musk companies X, formerly Twitter, and SpaceX. Now KFC has moved there, despite its brand's ties to Kentucky.

What To Know

On Wednesday Abbott shared a New York Times story on X about KFC's announcement that it would be relocating its headquarters to his state.
In an apparent joke the governor added: "Kentucky Fried Chicken is leaving Kentucky & moving to Texas. Welcome to Texas, Colonel & company. Many hungry Texans appreciate your move.
[X Post]
"Now, and hear me out, any chance you would consider a name like Texas Fried Chicken or TFC? It's a great brand."

Yum! Brands revealed KFC would move its corporate headquarters from Louisville in Kentucky to Plano, Texas, on Tuesday.

The shift will mean 100 employees relocating to the new headquarters over the coming six months, with another 90 workers making the move over the next 18 months. However, KFC will keep a corporate office in Louisville and plans to open a new flagship restaurant in the city.

Texas has recorded solid economic growth over the past decade, with an analysis by Realtor.com predicting it will become the most populous state in the Union by 2045.

Ukraine War

Fanning Rift With Kyiv, Waltz Declines to Blame Russia for Starting War

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on Thursday declined to say who was responsible for the war in Ukraine, fanning the flames of a controversy started by President Donald Trump that has roiled relations between Kyiv and Washington.

Waltz sidestepped multiple questions from reporters about the origins of the war, one day after Trump claimed falsely that Ukraine started the conflict. Russia started the war by launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"His goal is to bring this war to an end, period," Waltz said of Trump, when asked by reporters at a White House press briefing to say which nation was responsible for starting the war.

Waltz's refusal to criticize Trump's characterization of the start of the war is likely to further an issue that has driven a wedge between the United States and Ukraine.
The two nations maintained close relations under former President Joe Biden but cracks in the partnership have emerged since Trump started his second term, pledging to end the three-year war on "day one."

The rift intensified this week after a delegation of senior U.S. officials — including Waltz — met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia to start negotiations to end the war. Ukraine did not participate in the talks, prompting concerns from Kyiv that it would be sidelined in the peace negotiations going forward.

Ukraine also rejected a U.S. proposal to receive a 50 percent interest in the country's minerals and some other natural resources in exchange for America's support for Kyiv over the past three years.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's rejection of the offer prompted Trump to lash out on social media. Trump called Zelensky a "dictator without elections" because Ukraine has been under martial law since the start of the war.

Speaking to reporters at the White House Thursday, Waltz said Trump's frustration with Zelensky was "multifold." He pointed to the negotiations over control of Ukraine's natural resources and the Trump administration's belief that "there needs to be a deep appreciation" for everything the U.S. has done to aid Ukraine.

Waltz also echoed a claim made by Trump on the 2024 campaign trail that the war would never have taken place if he had been in office at the time instead of Biden.

Trump Issues Zelensky Ultimatum Over Rare Earth Deal Snub

President Donald Trump issued Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky an ultimatum regarding his "resurrection" of the rare earths deal, according to Forbes Breaking News.
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Trump's statement about resurrecting the rare earths deal comes as tensions between himself and Zelensky have risen, as the U.S. and Russia held peace talks without Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, and the president called Zelensky a "dictator without elections."
Pushing for a deal that Ukraine may not agree to could delay the progression of peace negotiations, drawing out the war.

What To Know

Speaking to journalists about the potential rare earth materials deal with Ukraine, Trump said on board Air Force One on Wednesday, "I think I'm gonna resurrect it. You know, we'll see what happens, but I'm gonna resurrect it or things are gonna not make him too happy. And look, it's time for elections, haven't had an election in a long time."

He added that the U.S. is "doing very well with Russia" and that the U.S. is "going to do something with Russia," adding that a deal can be made with Moscow to "stop the killing of potentially additional millions of people. Soldiers are being just wiped out on both sides."

The president also alleged that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who presented the agreement to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv, was treated "rather rudely" as Zelensky was not available to see him, and that he "went there to get a document signed, and when he got there, he came back empty. They wouldn't sign the document."

This statement comes after Zelensky rejected the agreement, which sought to give American companies 50 percent ownership of Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits.

Trump had recently been pushing the deal and previously stated that he wants "the equivalent of $500 billion of rare earth" in return for the continued provision of aid by the U.S.

The Ukrainian president rejected the deal because he argued that it "is not ready to protect us, our interest," providing no security guarantees.

Zelensky has since instructed his team to work on crafting a counterproposal to Trump's rare earths deal that includes explicit security guarantees, while still allowing the U.S. access to its mineral deposits.

Trump Gave Europe Three Weeks to Sign Off on Ukraine 'Surrender': MEP

President Donald Trump gave Europe three weeks to sign off on terms for Ukraine's "surrender" to Russia, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) claimed.
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Observers of the 3-year-old war have worried that Trump may strike a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that pressures Ukraine to abandon its aspirations to join NATO and cede its currently occupied territories, effectively capitulating to Moscow's demands.

Ukraine says it has been excluded from high-stakes negotiations that will shape its future.
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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Finland's Mika Aaltola of the European People's Party claimed that the U.S. "has given us three weeks to agree on terms for Ukraine's surrender," referring to a proposed peace deal aimed at ending the war.

"If we don't, the United States will withdraw from Europe," Aaltola added.
[X Post]
He didn't provide evidence for his claims.

NBC News, citing U.S. officials, reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Ukrainian officials in a closed-door meeting that Washington may significantly reduce its troop presence in Europe. The report is based on sources with knowledge of private discussions between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government.

Days after Trump was sworn in for a second term as U.S. president, a European diplomatic source told a leading Italian news agency that Trump plans to withdraw roughly 20,000 U.S. troops from Europe.

The source told ANSA that Trump aims to reduce the American military presence on the continent by about 20 percent and intends to demand greater financial contributions from NATO allies to cover the costs of maintaining the remaining forces.

Emphasis is mine.

Who Is Valery Zaluzhny? Ukraine's Ex-Army Chief Could Challenge Zelensky

Donald Trump's rift with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky deepened this week as he labeled him a "dictator" and urged Ukraine to hold elections, intensifying speculation over who could succeed the Ukrainian leader.

Amid the public fallout, The Economist reported Wednesday that it had obtained internal polling indicating that General Valery Zaluzhny—who was a key figure in the war against Russia—would beat Zelensky should a wartime election be held.

Who is Valery Zaluzhny?

Zaluzhny served as Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces from 2021 to 2024 and now holds the position of ambassador to the United Kingdom. He was dismissed as head of the military on February 8, 2024, and replaced by General Oleksandr Syrsky.

Tensions between Zaluzhny and Zelensky had been simmering for months before he was removed from his post. The pair are reported to have clashed over the general's war strategies and the challenge of mass mobilization, CNN reported.

Zaluzhny's growing popularity among both the public and the military further fueled speculation that he posed a potential political challenge to Zelensky's presidency, Ukrainian and Russian media outlets reported.

In a commentary for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, published shortly after Zaluzhny's dismissal, researcher Konstantin Skorkin described the move as "the first time [Zelensky] has so openly gone against the tide of public opinion."

He said the decision likely alienated voters who view Ukraine's military personnel as heroes and Zaluzhny as their leader.

"But that's only half the story," Skorkin added, citing polls showing that 72 percent of Ukrainians—roughly the same percentage who once supported Zelensky—disagreed with Zaluzhny's removal.

What Has Zaluzhny Said About Entering Politics?

While Zaluzhny has not officially pledged to run for office, he has not ruled out the possibility.

When asked about his potential participation in Ukraine's future presidential elections, he dismissed the question as "inappropriate" but hinted at a future decision.

Russia Forced to Shutter Four Major Refineries After Drone Attacks

Four major Russian oil refineries have been forced to suspend operations after Ukrainian drone attacks throughout the past month, according to various outlets.
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Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian energy facilities in an effort to stop Russia's ability to continue funding the war.

Following drone strikes in 2024, Russia's average daily production of crude oil hit a 20-year low. The economic consequences of this are vast, as Russia's decrease in oil production not only starves its ability to fund its war effort but also decreases the amount of revenue generated from one of Moscow's key exports, which yields high profits.

What To Know

Russia's Syzran oil refinery, which is operated by Rosneft, one of the country's largest oil production companies, suspended its operations on February 19 after an attack by a Ukrainian drone that resulted in a fire, Reuters reported.

One of two unidentified industry sources told the outlet, "Refining has been temporarily suspended at CDU-6 due to a fire." The refinery, located in the city of Samara, was the subject of several Ukrainian attacks throughout 2024 and lies about 700 kilometers (430 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram that the oil refinery has "a processing capacity of 8.9 million tons of oil per year, making it one of the medium-sized refineries in the Russian Federation," and produces "fuel, aviation kerosene and bitumen."

Russian Military Radar and Spyware Facility Burns Down In Moscow

ARussian military radar and spyware facility in Moscow has been burned down, according to local reports.

A massive blaze erupted at the sanctioned Lebedev Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering in Russia's capital on Wednesday night, with Telegram channels highlighting its connections to the country's defense industry.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian government for comment via email.

Why It Matters
The cause of the fire remains unclear but numerous military facilities across Russia have been engulfed in flames since the start of Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Ukraine, primarily using drones, has targeted Russian military sites that support the country's ongoing aggression throughout the conflict.
[X Post]
What To Know

Helicopters were seen dousing the building with water in videos shared by the Telegram channel of the Sirena news outlet.

Sirena reported that the facility is involved in developing SIM cards with Russian encryption, manufacturing radar processors for marine radar stations and creating a system which enables Russia's security forces to monitor mobile and internet users.

According to Open Sanctions, the Lebedev Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering is subject to Western sanctions. It is described as holding a license administered by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as a license administered by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade license covers the "development, production, testing, installation, maintenance, disposal and sale of weapons and military equipment," while the FSB license is issued to IT companies that develop encryption and cryptography technology, information systems and telecommunication systems for the Russian intelligence services, as well as IT companies that develop personal database management systems for the Russian security services, the website states.

Russia Deploys Nuclear-Capable Yars Intercontinental Missiles in Exercise

Russia deployed autonomous launchers of the RS-24 Yars, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can be armed with nuclear warheads, on combat patrol routes on February 19, according to a Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Telegram.

Why It Matters

The deployment of the launchers of the Yars ICBM during exercises indicates that Russia could further escalate the conflict with Ukraine, undermining recent peace talks held with the U.S.

Further, the Kremlin has the world's largest nuclear weapons arsenal, just ahead of the U.S., and its use of ICBMs—which are strategic nuclear weapons—could enact more damage than non-nuclear missiles, taking out more territory.

What To Know

The Russian defense ministry wrote that "in the Novosibirsk missile formation, autonomous launchers of the Yars PGRK have been deployed on combat patrol routes," and that crews "march up to 100 kilometers [62 miles], disperse the units with a change of field positions, their engineering equipment and security" and "solve issues of countering sabotage and reconnaissance groups."

The defense ministry added that "as part of maneuver actions, missile units and subdivisions practice tasks of dispersing in a forest area in order to increase the stealth of the Yars PGRK units."

The RS-24 Yars is a strategic nuclear missile designed to carry numerous re-entry vehicles that can be sent to various targets and several nuclear warheads. The ICBM can be mounted on truck carriers or deployed in silos. Russian media has previously described the missile as a variation of Moscow's Topol-M missile.

The Yars ICBM is reported to have a range of approximately 11,000 to 12,000 kilometers and is able to carry up to four multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warheads, each with a yield of around 500 kilotons.

This is not the first time the Russian forces have deployed the Yars during training exercises, as the missile has been loaded into silos at the Kozelsk missile base in the Kaluga region southwest of the capital on numerous occasions in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Middle East

Mystery Drones Swarm Russia's Middle East Air Base

Unidentified drones swarmed over the Khmeimim air base in northwestern Syria and air defense systems were activated in response, according to the independent Russian outlet ASTRA Press.
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Why It Matters
If the new Syrian government, led by the new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham [HTS], is behind the drone attack at the air base, it could sour their relations with Russia. These were already likely to be complex due to Moscow's previously close relationship with former leader Bashar al-Assad. The Russian government met with Syrian officials in late January to discuss future relations and Moscow's request to retain its military bases.

What To Know

Oleg Blokhin, a Russian military blogger, wrote on Telegram that "At 2:30 local time, a combat alert was declared. It was designated as 'attack by a ground enemy.'" He added: "Almost immediately, the 'Pantsir' was activated. Shooting and explosions were heard." The "Pantsir" is in reference to the Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile system, an advanced Russian air defense system.

Blokhin said: "By 3:30, the intensity of the shooting had died down, although it was still ongoing." Newsweek has yet to verify who was involved.

Sabereen News, an Iraqi news outlet, posted on Telegram: "Anti-aircraft guns inside Hmeimim Airport in Syria, which is controlled by Russian forces, confront unidentified drones flying over the Russian base."

Russia retreated from the Khmeimim air base following the ousting of former Syrian President Assad's regime by rebel groups in early December 2024.

Iran Says it Broke US Spy Ring

Iran says it has smashed multiple espionage networks it alleged were working for the United States and Israel, marking Tehran's latest move against what it calls a vast web of foreign spies.

The arrests, carried out in Iran's northern Mazandaran province, come amid soaring tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iranian officials vowing harsh consequences for foreign interference.
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Iran frequently accuses foreign intelligence agencies of attempting to infiltrate its security infrastructure, often launching sweeping crackdowns on suspected spies.
The latest arrests reflect Tehran's ongoing battle against alleged operatives, though Iranian authorities have yet to provide evidence of the claims. These accusations also come at a time of heightened military and geopolitical tensions, with Iran threatening retaliation in the event of any strikes on its nuclear facilities.
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Siavash Moslemi, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander in the Mazandaran province said that authorities had successfully disrupted intelligence operations allegedly linked to "U.S. intelligence, the Zionist regime, and other hostile countries."

Moslemi said the suspects entered Iran as foreign nationals or visitors, using trading companies, cultural organizations, and charities as cover to gather classified intelligence and establish infiltration networks. He added that the operation had "prevented security threats and potential crises" but did not specify the number of any arrests or provide proof of links to the U.S. or Israel.

British Nationals Charged with Espionage

The announcement followed news that two British nationals, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, had been charged with espionage. Iranian authorities alleged that the couple, arrested in Kerman in January, had been gathering intelligence across multiple provinces under the guise of tourism and research.

Additionally, IRGC intelligence forces in Ardabil detained an individual accused of ties to Israeli intelligence. The unnamed suspect was alleged to have spread anti-Islamic propaganda and threatened religious scholars via social media.

Iran Responds to US Show of Force

Iran's top military commander has said that any threat to its national security would have dire consequences for the entire region, according to state media.

The warning comes after the U.S. staged a major regional show of force this week, deploying B-52 bombers over nine countries in the Middle East in a strategic display of military strength.
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The flyover, a key element of the U.S. deterrence strategy, underscores Washington's military resolve amid rising tensions. With growing instability and threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, the U.S. seeks to reinforce its dominance and demonstrate its readiness.

What to Know

The bomber task force mission featured midair refueling and live munitions drops at designated target ranges "in several partner nations," according to CENTCOM. U.S. F-15s, along with fighter jets from four regional allies, escorted the B-52s throughout the operation.

Iran Threatens Region

On Wednesday, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri warned that, "our armed forces are at the peak of their readiness."

"In the case of any mistake by the enemy, the security of the Zionist regime and those who participated in its equipment and operational planning will be put in danger." He added. Over the past year, Iran twice fired massive barrages of missiles and drones at Israel, in a spillover from the its war in the Gaza Strip and the fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Tensions between Iran and U.S. ally Israel are high. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the weekend that, with U.S. President Donald Trump's support, his government would "finish the job" against Iran.

Trump has toughened sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, but said he would rather a deal that stops Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has formally rejected nuclear weapons. However, it has continued to advance its nuclear program, accelerating the enrichment of uranium to up to 60 percent purity. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons.