National security

Israel hits back at Iran: How domestic politics is determining Israeli actions

Retrieved on: 
星期五, 四月 19, 2024
Knesset, Hamas, Pressure, Quds Force, Benjamin Netanyahu, Politics, Hezbollah, National Unity, Ambiguity, Axis of Resistance, National security, Axis, Soil, Government, Human, Violence

Notably, Israel’s strike against Iran appears to have been more symbolic than substantive.

Key Points: 
  • Notably, Israel’s strike against Iran appears to have been more symbolic than substantive.
  • Nevertheless, the overnight Israeli strike is the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries.

Reputations at stake

  • To do otherwise would have damaged the Iranian government’s reputation among both its allies and its citizens.
  • But the form that Iranian retaliation took is a key indication of Iran’s intentions.
  • Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system and U.S. military bases in the region made the likely impact of Iran’s attack minimal.

The proxy dilemma

  • Since the Iranian Revolution, Iran, through the Quds Force and its predecessors, has actively courted several proxy groups in the Middle East to increase its strategic influence.
  • Hezbollah came into existence in response to Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon in the 1980s, and received extensive support from Iran.
  • While these proxy groups have increased Iran’s political influence and strategic options in the Middle East, they can simultaneously be a burden for the country’s leadership because they aren’t under Iran’s complete control.
  • For Iran, this presents a strategic dilemma.

A coalition of many

  • The 2022 elections returned a fractured Knesset, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was only able to form a coalition government that included several far-right parties.
  • The small size of his majority meant that far-right partners were able to demand concessions to support his government.
  • The government’s inability to negotiate a release for the remaining hostages held by Hamas remains a festering wound in Israeli politics.
  • National Unity’s leader, Benny Gantz, formed a war cabinet with Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to direct the war effort.

Netanyahu’s hand forced?

  • The smaller far-right parties in Netanyahu’s coalition that are outside the war cabinet, however, likely forced the prime minister’s hand.
  • National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the ultra-nationalist Otzma Yehudit party, has stated that Israel needs to “go crazy” in its response.

What’s next?

  • It eliminated a leader of the Quds Force, and Iran’s retaliation did not manage to breach the defences of Israel or its allies.
  • Now, the world waits to see if Israel’s latest strike against Iran leads to a broader regional escalation.


James Horncastle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

5E Advanced Materials Commences Commercial Production At 5E Boron Americas Complex

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星期二, 四月 2, 2024
Lithium, Advanced Materials, Boron, Critical infrastructure, National security, PLS, Research, ASX, Lithium carbonate, NDAA, Primary energy, Government, Fiscal, 5E, Economics, Mining

HESPERIA, Calif., April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: FEAM) (ASX: 5EA) (“5E” or the “Company”), a boron and lithium company with U.S. government Critical Infrastructure designation for its 5E Boron Americas Complex, today announced the Company’s operations team has successfully commissioned the facility and has launched full commercial operations.

Key Points: 
  • HESPERIA, Calif., April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: FEAM) (ASX: 5EA) (“5E” or the “Company”), a boron and lithium company with U.S. government Critical Infrastructure designation for its 5E Boron Americas Complex, today announced the Company’s operations team has successfully commissioned the facility and has launched full commercial operations.
  • 5E Boron Americas Complex is fully commissioned and has now transitioned to operational status.
  • Susan Brennan, Chief Executive Officer at 5E Advanced Materials, stated, “I am proud to announce that 5E has achieved the most significant milestone in our Company’s history, as we have recently commenced commercial production of boric acid at the 5E Boron America’s Complex.
  • 5E Advanced Materials will continue to keep its various stakeholders informed as commercial production progresses in April and as operations advance.

Fairbanks Morse Defense Reshaping U.S. Shipbuilding Supply Chain with Strategic Acquisitions

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星期一, 四月 8, 2024
Defense, Government Technology, Public Policy, Government, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Other Defense, Machinery, Machine Tools, Metalworking & Metallurgy, Other Transport, Other Manufacturing, Steel, Maritime, Engineering, Transport, Chemicals, Plastics, Other Technology, Automotive Manufacturing, Software, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Hardware, Electronic Design Automation, Technology, White House, Federal Government, Retail, CHIPS, National security, CHIPS and Science Act, Acquisition, Naval Supply Systems Command, Ship, Shipbuilding

Fairbanks Morse Defense is taking steps to bolster the domestic shipbuilding supply chain with acquisitions that ensure a continuous supply of critical components and equipment are available for maritime defense .

Key Points: 
  • Fairbanks Morse Defense is taking steps to bolster the domestic shipbuilding supply chain with acquisitions that ensure a continuous supply of critical components and equipment are available for maritime defense .
  • “ Revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry requires us to adopt a new approach, but we can’t do that if we don’t have control over our national defense supply chain ,” said Fairbanks Morse Defense CEO George Whittier.
  • U.S. shipbuilding has declined since the 1980s when Federal policies supporting a robust American shipbuilding industry were abandoned.
  • Of the six U.S. companies manufacturing large medium-speed diesel engines before 1980, Fairbanks Morse Defense is the only remaining domestic producer.

New Concepts to Align Transmission Expansion For National Defense

Retrieved on: 
星期二, 四月 9, 2024
Electricity, CSL, Entrepreneurship, National security, Multimedia, ADC, Public utility

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) and Converge Strategies, LLC (CSL) released a new publication, "Transmission Expansion For National Defense (TREND)," at the 2024 Defense Communities National Summit. This publication will support conversations, innovation, and opportunities to enhance the U.S. transmission system's national defense capabilities.

Key Points: 
  • Released by The Association of Defense Communities and Converge Strategies, LLC
    WASHINGTON, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) and Converge Strategies, LLC (CSL) released a new publication, " Transmission Expansion For National Defense (TREND) ," at the 2024 Defense Communities National Summit.
  • Transmission Expansion For National Defense shares concepts to align transmission grid investment with national defense.
  • "Transmission Expansion For National Defense (TREND)" presents concepts for aligning transmission grid investment with national defense, encouraging conversation between the electricity industry and the national security enterprise on expanding our nation's transmission system.
  • At a high level, the three concepts in TREND are: accelerating transmission expansion, strengthening the grid for critical defense facilities, and empowering DoD as a transmission proponent.

TMC Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

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星期一, 三月 25, 2024
Letter, The Metals Company, Exercise, UNCLOS, Environmental issues, Domestic, International Seabed Authority, Breakthrough, The Hidden Gem, Council, Memorandum of understanding, Representative, Legislation, ISA, Mining Code, Seabed, Manganese, Hand, Senate, State, CCZ, Hidden, National security, Research, LTIP, House, Louisiana House of Representatives, Pentagon, Engineering, Government, TMC, National Defense Authorization Act, EDT, Nickel, Sea, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Ecosystem, Data, Collection, Total

NEW YORK, March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or “the Company”), an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, today provided a corporate update and fourth quarter and full year financial results for the period ending December 31, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (“TMC” or “the Company”), an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, today provided a corporate update and fourth quarter and full year financial results for the period ending December 31, 2023.
  • Meanwhile, two new applications for deep-sea mineral exploration have recently been submitted to the ISA by the government of India.
  • Exploration and evaluation expenses during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 were $26.7 million compared to $81.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • We will hold a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EDT to provide an update on recent corporate developments, fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results and upcoming milestones.

CCC, U.S. Army sign agreement for ramp-up in ammunition production

Retrieved on: 
星期一, 三月 25, 2024
National security, UCA, Partnership, DFARS, DND, General Dynamics, CCC, Arms industry

The agreement will help address the growing requirements to meet the U.S. and allied commitments to Ukraine and strengthens the resiliency of the integrated Canada-U.S. defence supply chain.

Key Points: 
  • The agreement will help address the growing requirements to meet the U.S. and allied commitments to Ukraine and strengthens the resiliency of the integrated Canada-U.S. defence supply chain.
  • Ukraine’s war effort depends heavily on 155mm artillery rounds supplied by Canada, the United States, and other allies.
  • This agreement underscores the profound interdependence of the US-Canada supply chain and highlights bilateral collaboration aimed at enhancing industrial capacity within the ammunition industry.
  • Under the Canada-U.S. Defence Production Sharing Agreement and DFARS 225.870, CCC acts as the designated contracting authority for U.S. DoD procurements from Canada.

TMC Applauds ~350 Former U.S. Political and Military Leaders Urging Senate to Ratify Law of the Sea for Deep-Sea Mine Sites "Each Containing a Trillion Dollars in Value"

Retrieved on: 
星期四, 三月 14, 2024
ISA, Congress, Letter, Manganese, University, UNCLOS, Assistant, Manufacturing, TMC, National security, Committee, Copper, Metal, Nickel, Council, OPC, Foreign, Aircraft, Defense, Government, Cobalt, Policy, State, United Nations Convention, Mining

UNCLOS ratification remains a legislative uncertainty for the U.S., but the country can still potentially process and refine nodules through allied countries and contractors, and TMC’s offshore exploration and onshore processing campaigns have involved a wide array of American companies and universities.

Key Points: 
  • UNCLOS ratification remains a legislative uncertainty for the U.S., but the country can still potentially process and refine nodules through allied countries and contractors, and TMC’s offshore exploration and onshore processing campaigns have involved a wide array of American companies and universities.
  • The letter , which follows this week’s introduction of the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act (RUSRA) in Congress, was signed by around 189 American ambassadors, 73 generals, 50 admirals, four directors of national intelligence and scores of other distinguished supporters.
  • Although the U.S. has yet to ratify UNCLOS — a legislative step that would enable it to access the vast, untapped critical minerals found in seafloor nodules in international waters — it can still process and refine critical minerals extracted from polymetallic nodules collected in international waters.
  • In December 2023, President Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, through which the House Armed Services Committee directed the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy to submit a report to the Committee to assess “the processing of seabed resources of polymetallic nodules domestically.”

Revive Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update

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星期二, 三月 12, 2024
DRDC, Neuroprotection, Tremor, Diazepam, Chronic pain, COVID, Soman, National security, Survival, NAC, Seizure, Partnership, Nervous system, VX, COVID-19, Nerve agent, Patient, Brain, Heart rate, Research, Diarrhea, Endocytosis, RVV, Death, Doctor of Philosophy, Health Canada, Trial of the century, Cough, Traumatic brain injury, CDC, Harvard University, Fever, Sarin, Bleeding, Safety, Chemical warfare, Saliva, Therapy, Disorder, Blurred vision, FDA, Economics, Nerve, Hospital, Pharmaceutical industry

TORONTO, March 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revive Therapeutics Ltd. (“Revive” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: RVVTF) (CSE: RVV) (FRANKFURT:31R), a specialty life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for medical needs and rare disorders, announced today a corporate update on the research, clinical and regulatory initiatives with Bucillamine and its long COVID diagnostic product.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, March 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revive Therapeutics Ltd. (“Revive” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: RVVTF) (CSE: RVV) (FRANKFURT:31R), a specialty life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for medical needs and rare disorders, announced today a corporate update on the research, clinical and regulatory initiatives with Bucillamine and its long COVID diagnostic product.
  • Exposure to nerve agents can cause tightness of the chest, excessive salivation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, blurred vision, tremors, and death.
  • In addition, Revive may evaluate the potential of its proposed long COVID diagnostic product as a companion to Bucillamine.
  • The Company, under its wholly-owned subsidiary Revive Diagnostics Inc., is advancing the product development of a potential blood biomarker diagnostic that characterizes long COVID.

Former Army Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV Joins USAA To Lead Military Affairs

Retrieved on: 
星期四, 三月 28, 2024
Professional Services, Defense, Insurance, Military, Finance, Banking, Veterans, Purple Heart, Head, Veteran, Legion, State, National security, USAA, Life, Combat, Johnny, Valor, Distinguished service medal, Army, Multimedia, 1st Cavalry, Family, Bronze Star Medal, Management

USAA has welcomed retired Army Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV as senior vice president and head of the company’s Military Affairs team.

Key Points: 
  • USAA has welcomed retired Army Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV as senior vice president and head of the company’s Military Affairs team.
  • His family has had continuous membership in USAA for five generations and he has been a member himself for 36 years.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328715585/en/
    Former Army Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV has joined USAA to lead Military Affairs.
  • In his role at USAA, Johnny will oversee the Military Affairs team’s strategic direction and contribute to and influence the company’s growth and operations.

Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness Veronica B. Daigle Joins Red Cell Partners as President of its National Security Practice

Retrieved on: 
星期三, 三月 20, 2024
Technology, Other Defense, Homeland Security, Security, Other Technology, Professional Services, Public Policy, Government, White House, Federal Government, Defense, Other Professional Services, Veronica, Fordham University, Woman, Assistant, Philosophy, Federation, Red, Defence Medal, Boeing, Management, Private sector, George Mason University, Red Cell, Ecosystem, Employment, National security, Partner, Leadership Council, Family

Red Cell Partners, an incubation firm that builds and invests in technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in national security, cyber, and healthcare, today announced that Veronica B. Daigle, the former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, has joined the firm as Partner and National Security Practice President.

Key Points: 
  • Red Cell Partners, an incubation firm that builds and invests in technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in national security, cyber, and healthcare, today announced that Veronica B. Daigle, the former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, has joined the firm as Partner and National Security Practice President.
  • In her role, Daigle will oversee Red Cell’s national security strategy across incubation and investment verticals.
  • She will recruit and partner with entrepreneurs to create technology-enabled solutions for known or emergent market gaps with a focus on maximizing America’s defense capabilities.
  • “Coming from a family with strong ties to the military, I’ve always had a deep interest in national security,” Daigle said.