Ukraine uncovers Russian ‘rat’ in Security Service
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) arrested Dmitry Kozyura, the head of the country’s Anti-Terrorist Center headquarters, for allegedly being a Russian spy. The SBU claims to have evidence of at least 14 instances of espionage, including sharing intelligence on rocket attacks.
Kozyura pleaded guilty to collaborating with Russia’s FSB and will remain in custody until his trial begins on April 11.
The SBU says his arrest is part of a broader effort to purge Russian spies and corruption from the country.
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Another rat was rooted out in Ukraine. The country’s Security Service (SBU) announced on social media that the head of the country’s Anti-Terrorist Center headquarters was actually a Russian spy. The SBU called him a “rat” and said it had evidence of more than a dozen incidents of espionage.
Local media in Ukraine identified the alleged traitor as Dmitry Kozyura. The head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, personally participated in Kozyura’s arrest after also helping conduct the investigation.
What led to the espionage charges?
Kozyura is accused of using a Russian-supplied cell phone, SIM card, and wireless router to communicate with his handler in Russia’s Federal Security Bureau (FSB), the intelligence service that replaced the Soviet-era KGB.
Ukraine’s Security Service says it has evidence of Kozyura communicating with Russia at least 14 separate times, including one instance where he passed along details about rocket attacks. The SBU said Kozyura was fed both real and false intelligence as part of the investigation.
A day after his arrest, Kozyura appeared in a Ukrainian district court. He pleaded guilty to charges of collaborating with the Russian FSB and will remain in custody until at least April 11, when his trial is scheduled to begin. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The spy’s family is facing punishment too
Some of Kozyura’s family members may also face prosecution. The SBU said audio intercepts revealed many of his close relatives, including his parents, were aware of and supported his actions. As a result, they too will be charged under a Ukrainian wartime statute that outlaws support for Russia’s invasion.
For his part, SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk said Kozyura’s arrest is just another step in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to rid the country of Russian spies, assets, and corruption.
ACLU sues Trump administration for access to migrants sent to Guantánamo
The ACLU filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of holding detainees at Guantánamo Bay without being able to consult lawyers. The complaint said immigrants there have disappeared into a “black box.”
A Department of Homeland Security official said the detainees can contact legal representation over the phone.
The Trump administration said the first flight of detainees sent to Guantánamo Bay had alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
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The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Trump administration over the migrants recently taken to Guantánamo Bay. Last week, the U.S. started using military aircraft to transport migrants to Cuba. Immigration advocates said this will result in the migrants being detained without legal representation.
The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in Washington, D.C., said the detainees have a right to lawyers and calls for immediate face-to-face access to the migrants.
Among the plaintiffs are relatives of Gitmo detainees and groups who want to offer legal services to the migrants.
The complaint claims that “immigrants held at Guantánamo have effectively disappeared into a black box and cannot contact or communicate with their family or attorneys.”
Does the DHS respond to the claims?
A senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told the New York Post that migrant detainees at Gitmo have been able to contact their legal representation over the phone.
The ACLU also said the Trump administration withheld information regarding the immigration status of the transferred individuals and the conditions of their confinement.
The Trump administration said the first flight of detainees sent to Guantánamo Bay carried alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who visited the base on Friday, Feb. 7, said in a social media post that some detainees had allegedly been charged or convicted of homicide, robbery and other crimes.
I was just in Cuba and saw firsthand criminal aliens being unloaded off a flight at GITMO.
My message to criminal alien murderers, rapists, child predators and gangsters: do not come to this country or we will hunt you down, find you, and lock you up. pic.twitter.com/rCHOUns77a
President Donald Trump said Guantánamo can hold as many as 30,000 people, and vowed to carry out mass deportations.
During the week of Feb. 3, the White House confirmed more than 8,000 people have been arrested in immigration enforcement actions since Trump took office.
Team US making life-changing memories at Invictus Games 2025
The 2025 Invictus Games are taking place in Whistler and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is a nine-day adaptive sports competition held from Feb 8-16.
Team U.S. consists of 50 injured, ill and wounded veterans and service members. They will compete along with 500 other athletes from across more than 20 nations.
Straight Arrow News spoke with five members of Team U.S. as they prepared for the games: Retired Marine Corps Sgt. Lydia Figary, retired Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Steve Flemming, retired Air Force Col. Jacqui Marty, retired Special Operations Command Master Sgt. Ivan Morera, and retired Army Spc. Michael Villagran.
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The Super Bowl may be in the rearview mirror, but another global sporting event is still underway: The Invictus Games. It’s a multi-day competition that brings people together from around the world who all share a passion to conquer any obstacle in their way.
We have your invitation to meet the incredible and unstoppable athletes who make up Team U.S. Straight Arrow News got to speak with five veterans of the armed forces as they prepared for the games.
The Invictus Games: A life-changing event
British Columbia, Canada, is home to nearly six million people, and it’s welcoming a few more visitors this week — a few hundred more.
For nine days, over 500 athletes from over 20 nations are gathering in Canada’s westernmost province to embark on the grueling, heart-pounding, empowering competition.
The first Invictus Games took place in London at the Copper Box Arena, Olympic Park in 2014.
Invictus showcases the skills and determination of wounded, ill and injured veterans, and active-duty service members, as they compete, push boundaries and bond in a life-changing event.
And life-changing is an all-too-familiar term for these competitors, including the 50 athletes representing Team U.S.
Invictus Team U.S.: Retired Marine Corps Sgt. Lydia Figary’s story
Twenty-seven-year-old Pennsylvania native retired Marine Corps Sgt. Lydia Figary entered the military following in her older brother’s footsteps.
“When I was 12 years old, my older brother Samuel joined the Marine Corps. I went to his graduation. Little 12-year-old Lydia was like, ‘That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,’” Figary said. “It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to join the military. My dad was in the military, just a big military family, (also) my grandparents.”
(Courtesy: Lydia Figary)
Figary, a parachute rigger, had been stationed in Okinawa, Japan. She was reveling in the brotherhood and sisterhood of her unit and ready for her next mission when, in July 2022, one moment changed everything.
“My job was jumping, and I had the opportunity to be on a jump package in Texas. And I had just passed freefall school so I could jump on my own. I loved freefall. But I was on a tandem jump,” Figary explained. “It was a night jump. We just had a freak accident. When we came down, it was at night, so we couldn’t see very well. And when we hit the ground, we hit the side of a ditch. So we tumbled forward, and my legs got caught under us, and I had a tib-fib open fracture and [traumatic brain injury].”
Retired Army Spc. Michael Villagran’s story
For retired Army Spc. Michael Villagran, it was craving a change in his life’s path that redirected him to the military.
“It was a bigger sense of purpose, bigger comradery. I’ve always been into sports all my life, so that team aspect is there in the military, and it’s something that I just fell in love with,” Villagran said.
The now 33-year-old loved being part of the airborne infantry, saying it was like a home away from home. But a short time after enlisting, a mission far from his Houston hometown would lead him on yet another path, one that tested his fortitude and spirits.
“Unfortunately, in 2012 when I deployed to Afghanistan, I stepped on an IED on a rooftop, which I ended up going into limb salvage for four years and eventually getting an amputation,” Villagran told Straight Arrow News.
Retired Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Steve Flemming’s story
Fellow Texan 38-year-old Steve Flemming rose to the rank of Master Chief Hospital Corpsman in the Navy and was able to travel the world.
“I served in combat in Afghanistan. I’ve been to most of the countries in the Middle East. I’ve been to more countries in the Middle East than I haven’t,” Flemming said. “I’ve been to Korea and Germany. I’ve been to a couple places in Africa. I’ve been to 42 of the states.
“My last duty assignment was with Marine Corps Forces Central Command. I was working for a two-star general. So all Marine Corps operations in the Middle East fell under our command.”
(Courtesy: Steve Flemming)
Then came his life-changing moment. It, however, was not in combat but in his own body. In January 2018, Flemming was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
“That was hard,” Flemming said. “That was not something I expected, or even really knew. I knew what it was, but it’s not something you’re Googling or learning about. Completely had to turn my world upside down.”
Now in a personal battle with MS, Flemming did not want it to end his military career. So he proved to the Navy that he still had what it took to defend the country.
He pressed on, going on overseas missions, leading others, fueling them to find their greatness, or, as he likes to say, “stoke the fire.”
But in a twist of fate, life was not done giving Flemming battles to fight.
“Come January 2023, I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer,” Flemming said. “That, ultimately, was one too many things for the Navy.”
Retired Army Master Sgt Ivan Morera and Retired Air Force Colonel Jacquelyn Marty are co-captains of Team U.S. They took a moment to strike a pose before talking to the team about bonding during the 2025 Team U.S. Invictus Games training camp. (DoD photo by Corey Wallace )
Retired Air Force Col. Jacqui Marty’s story
It was a friend learning to fly that gave Marty the inspiration, but once at the Air Force Academy, she met her first hurdle — being a woman at a time when, as she described it, “women were a novelty.”
“There were quite a lot of people who did not want us there,” Marty said. “It was tough. I’m not going to lie. When people don’t want you there, it’s difficult. So from a very early age, I became an overachiever.
“Just doing your best isn’t good enough. You have to do even better than your best because otherwise you’re being judged as not being good enough.”
Marty’s military career would see her piloting nine different Air Force aircraft as she flew past any and all barriers in her way up the ranks. But it was on a drive with her then 5-year-old son in 2015 during temporary duty in Texas where her track to being promoted to general took a turn.
“A young woman was texting and driving, doing 70 miles an hour, I was almost stopped, and she rear-ended me,” Marty recalled. “And I don’t remember anything after that point.”
(Courtesy: Jacqui Marty)
“My son was in the backseat,” Marty continued. “He had little wings on his car seat. He was my hero. He was able to tell the first responders our names, where we’re going, unlock my cellphone so they could call my husband. He did fantastic in the moment. I was really proud of him.
“God’s laughing when you’re making plans, right?” Marty said.
Retired Special Operations Command Master Sgt. Ivan Morera’s story
For Morera, after going to college for physical education, he chose to pursue a military career over becoming a wrestling and judo coach.
“My family is somewhat of a military family,” Morera said. “My family immigrated from South America to the United States, and it started with my uncle; he joined the Navy, went to Vietnam. (My) older cousins joined the Navy and Army. My brother was a Marine for 20 years.”
Early on, while in the 7th Special Forces Group, he was deployed to the Middle East as the war on terror got underway.
Around a decade later, Morera, now a senior medical sergeant, was driving in an American convoy during a high-value target mission in Afghanistan. That’s where the Green Beret encountered a Taliban insurgent on a motorcycle.
“The Taliban insurgent came up to me. I could see the imprint of a suicide vest,” Morera said. “So I moved away from him. I let my team sergeant know this is what’s going on. I moved away from him, and he followed me. I came off the road. When I came back on the road, the vehicle was shaking, lost control and the vehicle flipped four times.”
Morera’s hand was crushed between the road and the vehicle.
“I called out to my team sergeant,” Morera continued. “He unbuckled himself, put a tourniquet on me, tried to pull me out, but he realized I still had tissue connected, so he called in my junior medic, who jumped in. He came in and said, ‘Ivan, I have to cut your hand off. We have to get you out of here.’ I was like, ‘OK. Do what you got to do.’”
Overcoming the odds
These American service members attest that an injury — no matter how severe — can only define you if you let it. And despite the pain and the emotional toll, they were not willing to give in.
“At first, it’s hard to find the positive,” Figary said. “At first, it was like everything had been taken from me. I loved my job. I loved packing parachutes, and I loved jumping, but after my accident, it was really hard for me.”
“When I first stepped on the IED, I didn’t know where my life was going to be,” Villagran said. “I still had my leg, but they had to do reconstruction on my ankle and my heel. And just the unknown was scary. The not knowing. The doctors couldn’t tell me what my life was going to be like.”
“Honestly, a good day might be getting out of bed and brushing my teeth,” Marty said. “And going from an extreme overachiever, high-accomplishing individual, to barely able to take care of my basic, personal needs, let alone that of my family, it took me to a really dark place.”
“Man, at first, it was rough,” Morera said. “I was like, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do. How am I going to support my family? What does my family think of me? What does my team think of me? What’s going to happen?’”
Flemming, while battling MS and a rare form of cancer, tried to find a way to take control of his narrative, which is not an easy mountain to climb.
But neither is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
And that is exactly what he did just months after his cancer diagnosis after receiving a call from a friend, a retired general, with an offer of a lifetime.
He’s like ‘I got one seat left. Fully funded. Do you want it?’
Retired Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Steve Flemming
“‘I got one seat left for a fully funded climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.’ He’s like, ‘with 10 other veterans. We’re taking 10 disabled veterans up Kilimanjaro.’” Flemming recalled. “He’s like, ‘I got one seat left. Fully funded. Do you want it?’
“It ended up becoming the thing to break any sort of negative cycle, and it was the thing to regain control of my life on my terms and not let this dictate how things are going to go. So in August of ‘23, I summited Mount Kilimanjaro.”
Steve Flemming summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in August 2023. (Courtesy: Steve Flemming)
What is your Mount Kilimanjaro?
Flemming likes to ask people, “What is your Mount Kilimanjaro?” As in — what motivates you?
It was an analogy echoed by Prince Harry during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver.
Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself.
Prince Harry
“Over the past decade, I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree,” Harry said. “Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself. It was you who pushed through the doubt and despair. You, who summited your own mountain and brought us along with you.
“It was you who kept going even when you didn’t think you had any more to give. We didn’t do that. You did.”
For these Team U.S. competitors, the first mountain was the Warrior Games. That’s the Department of Defense’s adaptive sports competition, and was the catalyst for Prince Harry to create the Invictus Games.
In 2013, Prince Harry attended the Warrior Games.
After the amputation, as soon as Michael Villagran found out about adaptive sports, he took it on head-on — literally, by finding sports such as skeleton.
“As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to be part of this,” Villagran said. “This is something I want to do. And when I first tried out and did my first Warrior Games, I fell in love. To be part of a Team U.S. again, just to represent the Army, to represent your country again. To be able to do it with other disabled veterans like myself.”
“I could not see any good from my accident,” Figary told Straight Arrow News. “It just took it away from me. I didn’t know if I’d ever jump again. Things started to change when I got into adaptive sports. It was like, ‘Wow. I still can do things. I still can compete. I still can push myself.’”
Morera said, “When you’re first injured, when you first got sick, you’re lying in that hospital bed feeling sorry for yourself. But once you’re introduced to adaptive sports, you start to develop this confidence in you that ‘I can do this.’”
Team SOCOM athlete Master Sgt. Ivan Morera surveys the range during the archery competition for the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ray Boyington)
“You can’t keep climbing Kilimanjaro,” Flemming admitted. “I needed something to sink my teeth into. I need something to find what’s next. And adaptive sports came around.”
“Finally in 2018, I went to my first event, and it was life-changing, to be honest,” Marty said. “Not only were the sports therapeutic for me because I tend to be just a little bit competitive. I loved that aspect. It felt I was doing what I was comfortable doing, competing and trying my best at whatever I do, but the network of people was absolutely amazing.”
What is Team U.S. looking forward to the most?
While these competitive athletes hope to win gold during the games, it’s the camaraderie, not only from their fellow Americans, but also from players around the world, that they cherish most about Invictus.
And that camaraderie can motivate the team to reach even higher.
“To meet all these people who have been through similar things or, obviously, way worse, everyone’s story is different,” Figary said. “But we could relate to ‘you can’t give up, you got to keep going’ and the adaptive sports have just played a huge part in that for me.”
(Courtesy: Lydia Figary)
“We’re about to connect globally to people that wanted to serve, and they’re overcoming their thing, whatever it is,” Flemming said. “And they’re there to compete, and I’m really excited to see that and join that energy group and contribute to that. And if anyone sees it, anyone watches, anyone reads this, that’s why I’ve been so open to talk about it; if it helps one or two people, if someone draws from that, then maybe they can do something.”
“It’s not just the athletic events. It’s building friendships with other countries, whether it’s the Brits, the Aussies, the Kiwis, the French, the Italians, the Polish or whoever it might be,” Morera said. “I want to get to know their stories of recovery so I can understand what they’ve been through, and maybe utilize some of what they used for myself as well, and hopefully it can be vice versa where they hear my story and how I’ve adapted, I’ve dealt with certain things, they might be able to use what I’ve done.”
We’re competing, but we’re not competing against these other nations. I feel we’re competing with them, if that makes sense.
Retired Air Force Col. Jacqui Marty
Villagran, who was appointed U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremonies, is participating in the most events out of the team, and he still has the mindset he had during his Warrior Games.
“Who cares about these medals? I’m having such a great time that I’m just happy to be here. If the medal comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, it’s OK. I still had a great time, met some great people, and had a great experience,” Villagran said.
Just days after his SAN interview, Villagran’s excitement and will earned him a silver medal in wheelchair basketball at Invictus.
(U.S. Army photo by Michel Sauret.)
First Invictus Games with adaptive winter sports
This year’s Invictus Games is special, as it’s the first to include adaptive winter sports. And if there’s one particular event Team U.S. is looking forward to the most, it’s skeleton.
“I’m really excited about [skeleton] cause I got a thing for speed,” Morera said.
“I call it my astronaut moment in the sense. I’m from Texas; when else I am going to get the opportunity. I pushed very hard to get a seat in skeleton,” Flemming said.
“In the Army, my job was airborne infantry, so I’m kind of used to that speed, that adrenaline, so to me, skeleton was just hand in hand,” Villagran said.
“I describe it to my son; it’s the most sensory-intense roller coaster ride you have ever experienced,” Marty said.
The new winter sports: Alpine skiing and snowboard, Nordic skiing, biathlon, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
The support of family
Along their journeys, they had the support of their leaders, fellow service members and their families.
“My wife is the rock of our family. She’s probably the strongest person I’ve ever met,” Morera said. “For, you know, to hear my kids say, ‘Dad, you’re my hero.’ What dad doesn’t want to hear that? They mean a lot to me.
“But I will say this. Because of my injury, I’m a better father, a better husband and just a better person in general. Before I was injured, I was very arrogant and cocky. This injury humbled me, and I had to start all over. I had to learn how to do things all over again. It humbled me. I wasn’t as cool as I thought, but I’m going to be a better person because of this.”
Figary is sharing this special time with her parents.
“They are coming to Canada. It’s their first time ever leaving the country. They got their passports for it, and they are really excited,” Figary said. “They’ve been through a lot. My accident. I had to move back home and be taken care of by my mom. She flew out for my surgeries and stuff, so they’re really invested in this, too.”
Villagran is teaching life lessons to his three young girls.
U.S. Army veteran Michael Villagran and his daughters at Mid-Hudson Sporting Clays in August 2021. (U.S. Army photo courtesy: Michael Villagran)
“I’m trying to teach my kids to never give up, always continue going forward no matter what struggles you have,” Villagran said. “No matter what you’re going through mentally, you can break through. Be relentless, nonstop; just keep going after it, and never quit.”
Marty, whose call sign is “Katniss” due to her archery skills, shares her victories with her husband, her youngest son, whose adoption lifted her spirits after her accident, and her oldest son, who just may be next in the family to fly high in the Air Force.
“He wants to be a pilot and wants to do all these things. I think he’s seeing what’s possible even at my age,” Marty said.
(Courtesy: Jacqui Marty)
It was Flemming’s wife who pushed him to defeat one of his toughest physical obstacles.
“My wife was a big push for doing Kilimanjaro. The kids saw that, and I hope they can see that even when things got really hard or bleak, Dad went on and did his thing,” Flemming said.
‘I AM READY’
After facing the unimaginable, these veterans and service members are taking a bold step in their recovery and acceptance of their life-changing moments. They’re choosing to create new life-changing moments, this time on their own terms.
The slogan for this iteration of the Invictus Games is “I Am.” And these Team U.S. warriors are finishing that phrase with one word: “Ready.”
“This is an incredible opportunity that we’re doing the first winter games,” Marty said. “I’m really privileged to take part in them. I think that’s really exciting.”
“We all are going through this same process,” Villagran said. “All of us are these injured veterans, and we’re all going through this same thing, so we can connect on a deeper level than just, ‘Hey, this is the U.S., this is Canada.’ We come together as one.”
“Obviously, winning would be huge. But it’s not the end all be all. It’s about the comradery. It’s about what sports does for healing,” Figary said. “And if I don’t get a medal at Invictus, for me, that’s not my goal; my goal is just building friendships and trying to help people realize this is so important for your healing.”
Just days after her interview with Straight Arrow News, Figary won silver in the women’s novice Alpine snowboarding event.
“Whatever situation you might be in, it doesn’t define who you are. It’s who are you as a person. Your character. Your integrity. Your heart. Who you are that defines you,” Morera said. “You always got to be willing to move forward. Never give up on yourself because there are people in our lives that need us in their life, so we have to continue to move forward not just for ourselves, but for them.”
Master Sgt. Ivan Morera and his family attend his son’s high school graduation in May 2022. (Courtesy: Ivan Morera)
These members of Team U.S. hope their involvement with winter sports will open more doors for injured veterans to reach the Paralympics.
The 2025 Invictus Games’ closing ceremony is on Feb. 16. Musical acts like country star Jelly Roll, rockers Barenaked Ladies, and singer-songwriter duo The War and Treaty will perform.
But after hearing the stories of these American service members, there is no question who the stars truly are at these games.
Ukraine unveiled a top-secret underground facility producing Peklo missiles, a drone-missile hybrid with a range of 700 kilometers. These missiles were used against Russian oil refineries and key targets far from Ukraine.
NATO funding played a significant role in Ukraine’s weapons development, helping revive its domestic arms industry and strengthening its defense capabilities.
Despite U.S. plans for ceasefire negotiations, tensions remain high, and Ukraine is likely to continue developing advanced weaponry to deter future Russian aggression.
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Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled a top-secret underground missile production facility producing scores of Peklo missiles. Peklo is the Ukrainian word for “hell.”
Peklos are a drone-missile hybrid. The munition was unveiled last year, with the first batch delivered in December. Since then, Ukraine has used it against Russian oil refineries and other targets far from the Ukrainian homeland.
What are the Peklo’s capabilities?
Peklos can strike targets up to 700 kilometers away at a speed of 700 kilometers per hour.
In non-metric terms, a Peklo can deliver its payload to a range of about 434 miles — further than the U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles and the U.K.-supplied Storm Shadows.
Ukraine’s minister for strategic industries said the Peklo is also effective against Russian electronic warfare capabilities and jamming. Future iterations of the weapon will feature enhanced warheads and upgraded guidance systems.
NATO’s role in Ukraine’s arsenal
Ukraine’s underground missile facility was revealed during a tour for Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the NATO Military Committee chairman. NATO funding made much of the deep-strike drone development possible.
Ukraine was one of the main weapons manufacturers in the old Soviet Union, and the current war with Russia has reignited the country’s domestic weapons production industry.
Ukraine’s deputy minister of strategic industries expressed gratitude for NATO’s support and emphasized that Ukraine’s defense manufacturing industry has many smart power solutions to offer. He also welcomed further cooperation to build the “arsenal of the free world.”
Ceasefire talks and the future of the war in Ukraine
President Donald Trump announced plans to start ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but those talks have not yet begun. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also noted that it is unlikely a peace deal can be reached that would return Ukraine and Russia to their 2014 borders.
Even if a ceasefire is reached, tensions will remain high. Ukraine will want to ensure that Russia is not in a position to invade again — or at least deter such future actions.
Israel may strike Iran’s nuclear sites within months, Tehran vows to rebuild
U.S. intelligence reports indicate that Israel may launch a preemptive attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities within the next six months, targeting Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites. This move could temporarily delay Iran’s nuclear program, but at the cost of an increase in regional tensions.
Israel may use a long-range missile strike or a direct airstrike, both requiring U.S. support, including aerial refueling, surveillance and intelligence assistance.
A strike could escalate the conflict, with Iran threatening retaliation, and may push Iran closer to weapons-grade uranium enrichment, a red line for both Israel and the United States.
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U.S. intelligence reports indicate that Israel may launch a preemptive attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities within the next six months. The assessment, compiled by the intelligence director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), suggests that Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites are potential targets.
Intelligence analysts warn that such a strike could temporarily delay Iran’s nuclear program, but could also increase tensions in the Middle East, and raise the risk of regional conflict.
What are the possible strike scenarios?
The intelligence assessment outlines two possible attack strategies:
A long-range missile strike: Israeli forces would launch air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) from outside Iranian airspace, targeting key nuclear facilities.
A direct airstrike: Israeli fighter jets would enter Iranian airspace to deploy bunker-busting BLU-109 bombs, a capability enhanced by recently approved U.S. guidance kits.
Both options would likely require U.S. support, including aerial refueling, surveillance and intelligence assistance.
What is the U.S. government’s stance?
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s position that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. While Trump prefers a diplomatic solution, he has stated that negotiations will not last indefinitely.
“He will not permit Iran to get a nuclear weapon,” Hughes told reporters. “While he prefers a peaceful resolution, he will not wait indefinitely if Iran is unwilling to engage in serious negotiations.”
How has Iran responded?
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded to reports of a potential Israeli strike, warning that Israel can destroy nuclear facilities, but Iran’s scientists will rebuild them.
“They are threatening to strike our nuclear facilities — Natanz, or some other place,” Pezeshkian said. “Go ahead and strike if you want. Our young scientists built them, and if you destroy 100 sites, they will build 1,000 more.”
Pezeshkian also criticized U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure, arguing that Washington is demanding surrender, not negotiation.
Has Israel conducted preemptive strikes before?
Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed any imminent military action, but Israeli military leaders have long considered Iran’s nuclear program a direct threat. The country has a history of launching preemptive airstrikes on nuclear sites, including:
However, analysts note that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is significantly more fortified, making a successful attack far more complex and potentially more destabilizing.
Could a strike escalate the conflict?
Iran has warned that any attack on its nuclear program would provoke a military response. Iranian officials have suggested that retaliation could come in the form of:
Missile strikes on Israel.
Increased support for proxy groups, including Hezbollah.
Targeting of U.S. assets in the region.
U.S. intelligence officials caution that an attack could push Iran closer to weapons-grade uranium enrichment, a red line for both Israel and the United States.
How is the Trump administration handling this?
The potential for an Israeli strike has divided Trump’s national security team.
National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio support a strong response against Iran.
Vice President JD Vance and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard advocate for military restraint.
Trump himself has acknowledged that a strike is possible, but in a recent Fox News interview, he said: “Everyone thinks Israel, with our help, will go in and bomb the hell out of them. I would prefer that not happen.”
What happens next?
With tensions rising, global leaders are closely monitoring developments. The intelligence assessment suggests an Israeli strike could set back Iran’s nuclear program by weeks or months, but the long-term consequences remain uncertain.
For now, diplomatic efforts continue, but intelligence analysts say the window for negotiations may be closing.
Trump administration to designate 8 cartels as terrorist organizations: Report
The Trump administration is reportedly designating eight transnational gangs with roots in Latin America and Mexico as foreign terrorist organizations, according to five U.S. officials who spoke with The New York Times. Sources requested anonymity and stated the U.S. State Department would implement the designation.
The White House has already alerted several congressional committees about the designations, and they could come as early as this week.
Sources told The New York Times that President Donald Trump ordered U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make the designations over two weeks with help from other administration officials.
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The Trump administration continues its crackdown on transnational human and drug traffickers, reportedly preparing to designate eight cartels as terrorist organizations. The eight transnational gangs have roots in Latin America and Mexico, according to a New York Times report.
Who knows about the designations?
The officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday, Feb. 12, stated that the U.S. State Department will execute the designation and have already informed several congressional committees of the change. The designations could come as early as this week.
Sources told The New York Times that President Donald Trump ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make the designations over two weeks with help from other administration officials.
What does the designation do?
Reports suggested that the cartels could be classified as foreign terrorist organizations or specially designated global terrorists. This classification enables the U.S. to impose extensive economic sanctions on the groups and individuals linked to them.
Why are the designations coming?
The expanded effort against transnational gangs comes after an executive order by Trump calling for more resources to combat cartels at the southern border.
The order mandated the designation of cartels as terrorist organizations, stating that they represent “a national security threat beyond that posed by traditional organized crime.”
The order explicitly mentions the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran gang MS-13.
The State Department will designate eight criminal organizations, including those listed in the executive order as well as six others. These groups include the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Northeast Cartel, Michoacan Family, United Cartels, and Gulf Clan, which is based in Colombia, according to U.S. officials.
An American official familiar with the list informed The New York Times that the list included the Gulf Clan due to its connections to human smuggling across the Darién Gap that links South and North America.
The identified criminal organizations are also connected to the movement of fentanyl and other drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border.
A U.S. official told the news outlet that the net profits from the global operations of Mexico’s drug cartels could reach as high as $20 billion annually, which is nearly 2% of Mexico’s gross domestic product.
President Trump reveals he called Putin to end war in Ukraine
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social negotiations to end Moscow’s war in Ukraine will begin immediately. Trump’s post came minutes after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone.
The call is the first known time a conversation between the two leaders has taken place since Trump took office on Jan. 20.
Trump also announced plans for Putin to visit the U.S. and said he would visit Russia in a social media post.
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President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12, on Truth Social that negotiations to end Moscow’s war in Ukraine will begin immediately. Trump’s post came minutes after he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone.
The call is the first known time a conversation between the two leaders has taken place since Trump took office on Jan. 20.
“We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s nations,” Trump wrote on the social media platform. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now.”
Trump also wrote, “Millions of people have died in a war that would not have happened if I were president, but it did happen, so it must end. No more lives should be lost.”
Why would a visit to Russia be significant?
If Trump does visit Russia, he would be the first president to do so since Barack Obama in 2013, when he attended the G20 Summit.
How did the Kremlin respond?
The Kremlin confirmed the nearly hour-and-a-half conversation with Trump, as well as plans for the two leaders to meet.
Anduril takes over $22B US Army combat headset contract from Microsoft
The U.S. Army is replacing Microsoft with Anduril Industries to lead the development of its Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) high-tech battlefield headsets. The transition follows years of design challenges, technical setbacks and soldier complaints with Microsoft’s military-adapted HoloLens 2.
Anduril Industries, founded by Oculus VR creator Palmer Luckey, will assume responsibility for IVAS production, hardware updates and software improvements, with Microsoft providing cloud computing services.
The contract, valued at up to $22 billion over 10 years, aims to deliver a battlefield-ready system, overcoming previous setbacks.
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The U.S. Army is shifting its contract for the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) from Microsoft to Anduril Industries after years of setbacks. The decision follows persistent software and hardware challenges, as well as soldier complaints about Microsoft’s adapted HoloLens 2 headsets.
The original contract, valued at up to $22 billion over 10 years, was awarded to Microsoft in 2021. IVAS is designed to provide soldiers with augmented reality displays, integrating real-time battlefield data from drones, vehicles and other defense systems to enhance situational awareness.
However, development delays and performance concerns led the Army to seek new industry input. In late January, the Army issued a request for information on potential alternatives, paving the way for Anduril’s takeover.
What is Anduril’s role in the contract now?
Anduril Industries, founded by Oculus VR creator Palmer Luckey, will assume responsibility for IVAS production, hardware improvements and software enhancements. Microsoft will continue providing cloud services through its Azure platform but Anduril will now oversee the headset’s design, manufacturing and deployment.
Anduril has been expanding its defense capabilities, developing artificial intelligence-driven battlefield technologies, drones and surveillance systems. The company had already collaborated with Microsoft on IVAS by integrating its Lattice software into the system. This contract marks a significant step in Anduril’s growing role in U.S. military technology.
Why did Microsoft’s IVAS headset face challenges?
Microsoft’s military adaptation of the HoloLens 2 headset encountered significant hurdles. Soldiers testing IVAS reported issues such as eye strain, nausea and software malfunctions. Some testers noted that the headsets were bulky and uncomfortable for extended use.
These problems led the Army to delay the program multiple times and adjust its requirements. In 2024, Microsoft announced it would end production of the HoloLens 2 and scale back its mixed-reality efforts, shifting focus to artificial intelligence development.
What’s next for IVAS under Anduril?
The contract transition from Microsoft to Anduril is pending final government approval. If completed, Anduril will be tasked with redesigning IVAS to address previous shortcomings and ensure the technology meets military requirements.
Luckey, Anduril’s founder, has described the contract as a major milestone for the company, emphasizing that providing augmented reality capabilities to the military has been part of Anduril’s long-term vision.
The Army has not provided a timeline for when the next version of IVAS will be fielded.
US forces will not join Ukraine peacekeeping mission: Hegseth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. forces will not be part of a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. During an address to a 57-member pro-Ukraine alliance, he made the remarks.
Hegseth said Ukraine will not be a member of NATO nor have its pre-2014 territory when the war ends.
President Donald Trump also called on NATO members to increase defense spending by 5% of their GDP.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Ukraine Defense Contact Group that U.S. forces will not be part of a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. In his inaugural remarks to the 57 member defense alliance, Hegseth announced the United States’ commitment to ending the war but said Europe must lead the effort.
“We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine, but we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective,” Hegseth told fellow NATO members. “Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering.”
Based on that timeline, Hegseth said it’s unlikely Ukraine will regain Crimea or much of its territory in the southeast contested by Russian-backed separatists even before the current war began.
Ukraine won’t be a NATO member: Hegseth
Hegseth also said Ukraine will not join NATO at the end of the war. Ukraine applied to join the 32-member defense alliance in September 2022.
“The United States does not believe that NATO membership for Ukraine is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement,” Hegseth said “Instead, any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops.”
Hegseth said those troops must be on a non-NATO mission and not covered under Article V, which states an attack against one NATO member is an attack against all.
The priority is to bring Russia to the negotiating table through a pressure campaign that involves cutting off Vladimir Putin’s primary source of funding for his war machine: oil and gas exports.
NATO spending a point of contention for Trump
“Lower energy prices, coupled with more effective enforcement of energy sanctions, will help bring Russia to the table,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth also said Trump is calling on NATO members to increase annual defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
Spending has been a point of contention between Trump and the alliance ever since his first term.
Hegseth applauded nations for increasing their defense investment, like Poland, which now spends 5% of GDP.
‘We hear you’
British Defense Minister John Healey responded to Hegseth’s speech.
Healey said, “We hear you. We hear your commitment to NATO, to Article Five, to a sovereign Ukraine and to your defense partnership with Europe.”
He continued, “We also hear your concerns. On stepping up for Ukraine, we are and we will. On stepping up for European security, we are and we will.”
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group is an alliance of 57 nations committed to Ukraine’s defense through monetary and military donations. It is comprised of all 32 NATO member states and 25 other countries.
Unleashing the power of microdisplays: Weapons and Warfare
This week, Weapons and Warfare hits the road to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Kopin Corporation. This New England-based company stands at the forefront of innovation in the microdisplay industry.
Known for its pioneering advancements in miniature display technologies, Kopin is reshaping how users experience augmented and virtual reality, wearables and other immersive applications.
Host Ryan Robertson delves into the company’s cutting-edge developments, including its proprietary OLED technology and ultra-small displays that promise to redefine visual clarity and performance.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
