// IN TODAY’S EDITION
Russia's Africa Corps releases rare combat footage from a deadly Mali clash, the U.S. weighs seizing troops' phones in the Mideast over Iran targeting risks, and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia strike Iran-backed militias in Iraq as Tehran fires missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan, while a cyberattack disrupts water utilities across 30-plus Minnesota communities, Iran is set to receive Chinese shoulder-fired missiles via Pakistan, and collaborative combat drones fly their first real-world exercise at Creech Air Force Base.
— First-person combat footage released by Russia's Africa Corps showing a firefight with JNIM militants in the Niono area of central Mali on July 26, 2026. (Credit: Russia's Africa Corps)
// 01 AFRICA CORPS · COUNTERINSURGENCY
Russia's Africa Corps Releases Rare Video of a Deadly Clash With al-Qaeda in Mali
Russia's Africa Corps released point-of-view combat footage of a firefight with al-Qaeda-linked JNIM militants in central Mali, claiming 11 fighters killed and weapons seized. The release is unusual, breaking a stretch in which most battlefield imagery came from militants, as Africa Corps props up Mali's junta amid the surging insurgency.
// 02 CENTCOM · OPSEC
U.S. Mulls Seizing Troops' Phones in Mideast, Saying Posts Help Iran Targeting
The U.S. military is considering restricting cellphone use among Mideast troops after CENTCOM warned social media posts could help Iran assess damage and plan attacks. Reuters reported service members in Jordan were told phones could be confiscated, after a soldier's post showed troops sheltering during Iran's July 17 base attack.
// 03 CENTCOM · IRAQ
U.S., Saudi Strike Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq; Iran Fires Missiles at U.S. Base in Jordan
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed militias in Iraq Tuesday, hitting "multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites," CENTCOM said, after drone attacks on Saudi energy sites and U.S. forces. Iran responded Wednesday with a missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and CENTCOM's Jordan headquarters; all missiles were intercepted.
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CONFLICT SUMMARIES
[01]
01
Iran is expected to receive up to 400 Chinese shoulder-fired air-defense missiles within weeks as it rebuilds defenses damaged in the war, Reuters reported. The $60 million to $70 million weapons shipment would reportedly pass through Pakistan before reaching Iran. China called the report “groundless,” while Pakistan described it as “false.” Read
02
Israel charged a former member of a secret military unit with spying for Iran. Authorities accused him of contacting an Iranian intelligence agent and attempting to provide information to benefit the enemy, though no details were released about the intelligence shared. The suspect’s identity and the unit where he served were not disclosed. Read
03
The Pentagon has launched a review of U.S. military force posture in Europe to assess its troop presence and basing strategy. The review aims to align U.S. posture with current defense strategies and encourage NATO allies to take greater responsibility for Europe’s defense. Recommendations are expected within six months. Read
SECURITY SUMMARIES
[02]
01
The Federal Communications Commission banned new imports of Chinese-made humanoid robots, robot dogs, vacuums, and power inverters over security concerns. Officials warned that these devices could be used for surveillance or cyberattack. Existing devices in U.S. homes are not affected. Read
02
OpenAI’s AI agent that breached Hugging Face also targeted four other publicly available services, including cloud computing company Modal Labs. Modal Labs said the incident resulted from a customer’s exposed code, not a vulnerability in its own systems. OpenAI previously said the attack involved its GPT-5.6 Sol model and an unnamed model. Read
03
A coordinated cyberattack disrupted water and wastewater utilities in more than 30 Minnesota communities over two days. Officials are still investigating who was behind the attack, but experts warned it may be linked to Iranian hacking groups, including CyberAv3ngers, which have previously targeted internet-connected critical infrastructure. Read
TECHNOLOGY SUMMARIES
[03]
01
The U.S. Marine Corps received the final MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft on Tuesday, nearly 20 years after the platform reached Initial Operational Capability. The milestone shifts the program’s focus from production to fleet sustainment, maintenance, and modernization efforts expected to continue through the mid-2050s. Read
02
Singapore launched the second of six new warships designed to serve as motherships for drones. Developed by ST Engineering, the 8,000-ton vessel can operate and control aerial, surface, and underwater unmanned systems. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028. Read
03
Unmanned fighter aircraft designed to operate alongside human pilots have moved beyond controlled testing, taking part in their first real-world combat exercise during an Agile Combat Employment drill at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, last week, the U.S. Air Force said. Read
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Be part of the conversation.
➤ Anthropic and OpenAI are now pulling in more money than the world's biggest fast-food chains combined. Together the two AI firms are running at about $120 billion a year, with Anthropic alone projected to top Starbucks and McDonald's put together.
➤ A spacecraft sent to save NASA's aging Swift telescope is in trouble itself, spinning after two of three steering wheels failed. It is now burning the fuel meant to boost Swift's orbit just to stop the tumble, leaving the rescue mission in doubt.
➤ The Army deactivated the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, a unit with a 160-year lineage dating back to the Buffalo Soldiers, during a final formation at Fort Irwin, California, on July 28. The move comes as the Army reshapes its force around emerging capabilities such as drones, electronic warfare, and other advanced battlefield technologies.
// ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
On July 30th, 1945, a Japanese submarine torpedoed the USS Indianapolis in the Pacific, days after it delivered parts for the first atomic bomb. About 880 sailors died, many in shark-filled waters, in the U.S. Navy's worst single-ship loss of life at sea.
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