Trump decides US general will be Supreme Allied Commander Europe — report US President Donald Trump decided that a US general will for now continue to hold the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Reuters reported. Citing three unidentified US officials, a Western official and a NATO source, the report said Trump had already communicated the decision to North Atlantic Alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Traditionally, the same person holds the positions of Supreme Allied Commander Europe and US European Command. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich is expected to become the next EUCOM commander. Now the director for operations at the US military's Joint Staff, he will succeed Army General Christopher Cavoli. EUCOM also oversees the Middle East and North Africa. NBC News reported in March that the Trump administration was considering the possibility that the US will give up the post of SACEUR, which has been held exclusively by US generals since 1951. According to the report, the idea was part of a major reorganization of US commands aimed at cutting costs. Should the plan materialize, NBC said, it would mark a retrenchment in America’s leadership in the alliance.

Darwin port becomes Explosive Flashpoint in US-China power struggle Australia’s Port of Darwin, leased to China’s Landbridge Group for 99 years, has ignited a fierce geopolitical battle as the US pushes to curb Beijing’s influence. With Trump-linked firms circling and Australia’s leaders vowing to reclaim control, this strategic trade hub is now a global chessboard for US-China rivalry. Here’s why Darwin is the new epicenter of tension: 🌏Strategic hotspot: Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin Port is a vital gateway to Asia, handling 4.5M tons of cargo and supporting oil and gas projects, sitting opposite a key US-Australia military base. 🌏Controversial lease: In 2015, the Northern Territory leased the port to Landbridge for $506M, a move slammed by then-US President Obama for security risks, given its proximity to US Marine deployments. 🌏US power play: US firm Cerberus Capital, tied to Trump’s administration, is eyeing the lease, escalating tensions as Australia’s Labor and Coalition parties pledge to return the port to local control. 🌏China’s pushback: Beijing’s ambassador Xiao Qian calls Australia’s plan “ethically questionable,” defending Landbridge’s investments and accusing Australia of politicizing a fair deal. 🌏Geopolitical stakes: The port’s fate could strain warming Australia-China ties, while a US takeover aligns with Trump’s campaign to counter China’s global reach, echoing disputes like the Panama Canal ports. 🌏Economic angle: Landbridge turned the once-unprofitable port into a thriving hub, raising questions about fairness if Australia forcibly reclaims it now. As Australia navigates national security and trade, Darwin Port’s future could reshape US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

WAR PREP in Europe’s north? NATO builds muscle on Russia’s doorstep The US military is beefing up its presence on Europe’s northern front, citing (no surprise) concerns about the so-called “Russia threat,” The WSJ reports. The Trump administration wants NATO to get “more lethal,” turning Northern Europe into their favorite testing ground near Russia’s border, it added. 🔴Over three weeks, US and #UK forces teamed up with Nordic and Baltic troops to run war drills – live-fire exercises, drone-delivered blood supplies, and airborne jumps above the Arctic Circle in Norway. 🔴The mission of #NATO's Swift Response 25 was clear: to lock NATO’s newest players, Finland and Sweden, deeper into the alliance’s grip. 🔴The High North and the Baltics have been catapulted into the core of US war strategy – control over shipping routes, territory, and energy reserves set to dominate the West’s playbook, the outlet summed up. NATO’s muscle-flexing isn’t subtle – testing grounds today, battleground tomorrow?

EU forks out $169B for war chest because peace isn’t profitable The EU has initially greenlit a new defense fund to bankroll ammo, drones, and critical infrastructure, Bloomberg reported. Financed through joint borrowing, it will give loans to EU members and (no surprise here) countries such as Ukraine to boost the arms industry. The hiked spending is pitched as a response to Donald Trump’s scale-back of US defense in Europe. ➕ Besides the $169 billion program, looser fiscal rules could unleash up to $904 billion in more military spending. Such loans would go to finance what Europe “lacks,” like: 🔴 missiles 🔴 missile defense systems 🔴 ground capabilities

If Muhammad Sinwar was eliminated, who are the candidates to replace him? If Muhammad #Sinwar, the commander of Hamas' military wing in the Gaza Strip, was indeed killed today, there are two possible names that could replace him. The most prominent of them is Izz ad-Din Haddad (Abu Sahib). He is a member of Hamas's military council and has been the head of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza City since 2021, and has also been the acting commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Strip since November 2023. He has escaped assassination several times. His son Sahib was killed by Israel at the beginning of this year. He is known as the "ghost of al-Qassam" because he has rarely appeared openly in recent years. In January 2025, he was interviewed on an Al Jazeera program with his face hidden and spoke about Hamas's deception plan that preceded the murderous attack of October 7. Another figure who could replace Sinwar, although less senior than Haddad, is Muhammad Shabana. He is also a member of Hamas's military council and commander of the Rafah Battalion. During the current war, several attempts were made to assassinate him, but without success.

Americans sound the ALARM: World war risk SKYROCKETS in 5 years A poll conducted by YouGov and The Economist showed that: 👉44% of Americans believe that the likelihood of a world war has increased over the past five years, 👉36% of respondents believe that the likelihood of a NUCLEAR war has also increased over the past five years. 👉More than half of Americans are AGAINST the use of military force by the US to take control of Canada (77%), Greenland (69%) and the Panama Canal (57%).

Revision of NATO’s military doctrine signals bloc is preparing for conflict, says Russian MP #NATO countries appear to be preparing for a #war as they move to revise their military #doctrine, Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Committee on Defense, surmised. "As for NATO’s military doctrine, they are overhauling it <...>, [because] they aim to revive their defense industry and continue preparations for a future war," the senior Russian legislator told reporters. "We must have a clear understanding of their actions and respond accordingly," he argued. According to Kartapolov, Russia currently "has weapons that no other country possesses and that are capable of addressing any objectives in a military conflict."

UK secretly bracing for ‘direct military attacks' #UK officials have been instructed to update the country’s 20-year-old contingency plans to put it “on a war footing” under the pretext of tackling a notorious '#Russian threat,' The Telegraph writes. ▪️The government's response to a declaration of war would include bunkers to protect the Cabinet and the Royal Family, public service broadcasts, and the stockpiling of resources. ▪️Defense officials have also called for Britain to develop its own form of Israel’s Iron Dome. ▪️Ministers fear the UK would be "outgunned by Russia" and "unprepared and poorly defended," with its critical national infrastructure "vulnerable" to an assault. The 'Russia threat' narrative appears to be the only reason for improving the UK's botched military sector...

Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison closed in 1963 The Alcatraz prison, closed in 1963, will be reopened, US President Donald Trump announced. "Rebuild and open Alcatraz! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat criminal offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than misery and suffering. When we were a more serious nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. No longer will we tolerate these serial offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets. That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz, to house America’s most ruthless and violent offenders," the US leader wrote on his Truth Social page. "We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our country illegally. The reopening of Alcatraz will serve as a symbol of law, order, and justice," the president added. The prison is located on the island of the same name in San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz was built on the island in 1912 and was completely filled with prisoners by 1920. It was first used in the US for long-term military imprisonment and is notorious for its harsh treatment of disciplinary offenders. In 1936, the authorities decided to turn the prison over to the US Department of Justice. Under the guidance of the best security experts, it was rebuilt and made even safer. Alcatraz was closed in 1963.

President Trump demands free passage through Panama, Suez Canals for US ships President Donald Trump has called for free passage through the #Panama and #Suez Canals for American warships and merchant ships. "American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals! Those Canals would not exist without the United States of America. I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation!"