2026 – Page 279 – The Defense Post

Jan- 2026 -

3 January

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro displays a map showing an oil-rich region it disputes with Guyana

Trump Says Venezuela’s Maduro Captured in ‘Large Scale’ US Strike

President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country.

3 January

Asia Pacific

Thai military personnel stand guard overlooking the Moei river on the Thai side of the shared border with Myanmar

Staff Writer With AFP

Cambodia Demands Thailand Withdraw Troops, Week Into Border Truce

Cambodia called on neighboring Thailand on Saturday to pull out its forces from areas Phnom Penh claims as its own, one week since a truce halted deadly clashes along their disputed border.

3 January

Americas

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addressing a press conference while in front of blue screen

Staff Writer With AFP

Venezuela Accuses US of ‘Aggression’ as Explosions Rock Caracas

Venezuela accused the US of an "extremely serious military aggression" after explosions rocked the capital Caracas following a months-long pressure campaign by President Donald Trump.

3 January

Middle East

Lebanon, Kfarchouba, 2025-09-26. Patrol with the Indian unit of UNIFIL along the Israeli border, near the village of Kfarchouba, in southern Lebanon. UN peacekeepers have been deployed along the border with Israel since 1978. Photo by Angeline Desdevises / Hans Lucas. Liban, Kfarchouba, 2025-09-26. Patrouille avec l unite indienne de la FINUL le long de la frontiere israelienne, pres du village de Kfarchouba, dans le sud du Liban. Les casques bleus de l ONU sont deployes le long de la frontiere avec Israel depuis 1978. Photographie par Angeline Desdevises / Hans Lucas. (Photo by Angéline Desdevises / Hans Lucas via AFP)

Staff Writer With AFP

UN Force Says Israeli Army Fired Near Peacekeepers in South Lebanon

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon said gunfire from an Israeli position hit close to its peacekeepers twice, reporting no casualties but decrying a "concerning trend."

3 January

Europe

Soldiers, formation, parade, military parade of the Russian Army on Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2025. Military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Russia's parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Photo: The Kremlin Moscow via (Photo by The Kremlin Moscow / The Kremlin Moscow / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP)

Staff Writer With AFP

Russia Scores Highest Ukraine Gains Since First Year of War

Russia's battlefield gains in Ukraine last year were the highest since 2022 as Kyiv was set to host security advisers from allied states despite Moscow's unrelenting strikes.

3 January

Middle East

Staff Writer With AFP

Yemen Separatists Launch Two-Year Independence Transition as Strikes Kill 20

Yemen's UAE-backed separatists announced a two-year transition to independence Friday despite reporting 20 deaths in airstrikes from a Saudi-led coalition.

2 January

Europe

Staff Writer With AFP

Ukraine Hosts Talks With Security Allies in Kyiv

Ukraine is hosting security advisers for crunch talks as Kyiv insists negotiations are zeroing in on a deal, while Russia claims a deadly New Year strike torpedoed the efforts.

2 January

Americas

Joe Saballa

US Army Launches AI, Machine Learning Career Path for Officers

The US Army is launching a dedicated career path for officers specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

2 January

Americas

ARCTIC OCEAN - The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea, homeported in Seattle, sits ice in the Northern Arctic Ocean in support of various scientific research projects, Oct. 5, 2009. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Pamela J. Manns

Rojoef Manuel

US Coast Guard Taps Bollinger, Rauma for Six Arctic Security Cutters

The US Coast Guard has contracted Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards and Rauma Marine Constructions in Finland for the construction of six Arctic Security Cutters.

2 January

Air

U.S. Marine Corps riflemen with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), load a simulated warhead onto a Neros Archer first-person view drone during attack drone training on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Nov. 19, 2025. 22nd MEU(SOC) Marines are being trained and certified by the 2nd Marine Division and the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team on first-person view drone systems to enhance combat readiness. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Rojoef Manuel

New US Marines Training Pipeline to Expand FPV Attack Drone Force

The US Marine Corps has launched a new training framework to rapidly expand the number of warfighters qualified to operate small unmanned aerial systems.

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