Houthis push to seize key strategic mountains overlooking Bab el-Mandeb Ansar Allah has launched fresh assaults on pro-Saudi forces across the mountains of Lahj’s Al-Madaribah wa Ra’as Al-Arah district, seeking to capture three interconnected heights overlooking the strait’s inland approaches. On September 29, clashes intensified around Al-Aghbara Mountain as the Houthis sought to sever key supply routes linking Saudi-backed positions in Lahj and Taiz, Arab News reports. Hostilities around Kahboub Mountain are also continuing. Control of the area could allow Ansar Allah to consolidate its gains along the Red Sea coast and threaten roads leading toward Aden, where the Saudi-backed Yemeni administration is based. Kahboub has emerged as a key Houthi target since the group solidified control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on September 10. The mountain commands the strait, the coastal city of Dhubab and Perim Island. Jabal Naman is another strategically vital mountain on the Lahj-Taiz border that the Houthis are seeking to seize and hold. Ansar Allah is also reinforcing its military in apparent preparation for another major offensive on Taiz, a pro-Saudi officer told the publication, describing the Houthi buildup – including tanks, other military equipment and missiles – as “massive.”

US says France can't use America's GMLRS missiles with domestic MLRS The United States has refused to allow #France to use American GMLRS missiles with its Thundart and Foudre high-precision multiple launch rocket systems (#MLRS), the Euractiv portal said. According to the portal, a US official said that #Washington has not authorized the integration of its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (#GMLRS) rockets into the French systems, raising questions about interoperability. The publication notes that, based on the experience of the conflict in Ukraine, in particular the widespread use of American #HIMARS systems, the French are now considering the creation of two new missile systems: Foudre, which Turgis Gaillard intends to produce, and Thundart are the joint brainchild of MBDA and Safran companies. Both are scheduled to go into production in 2027. French developers have so far said these systems will be compatible with American GMLRS missiles, which would relieve the French of the task of ensuring the production of significant amounts of ammunition for these systems.

Trump to determine next steps on NATO, but US disillusioned about allies — Pentagon chief US President Donald #Trump will make the decision on the United States’ further steps regarding NATO, but Washington has now learned a great deal about its allies in the alliance, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated at a press conference. "As far as #NATO is concerned, that's a decision that will be left to the [US] President [Donald Trump]," he said, answering a question about whether the US remains committed to the North Atlantic Alliance’s principle of collective defense. "But I'll just say a lot has been laid bare. A lot has been shown to the world about what our allies would be willing to do for the United States of America when we undertake an effort of this scope on behalf of the free world." Hegseth emphasized that US territory is out of reach of Iranian missiles, but the territory of US "allies and others" is within their reach. "And yet, when we ask for additional assistance or simple access [to military facilities of allied countries], basic overflight [over the territory of other countries], we get questions or roadblocks or hesitations," he lamented. The Washington administration has previously harshly criticized NATO allies for what the US side believes is insufficient support in the military operation against Iran.

Iran's Missile Capabilities Exceed Intel Estimates

Aviano, Sigonella, Souda Bay, Ramstein core #NATO bases now potentially within range of Iranian Missiles. Even eastern flank positions like Rukla and Orzysz could be affected at extended range. What really matters now is scale: how many missiles Iran has, and how long it can sustain launches. The U.S. has used the bases at Sigonella and Souda Bay to launch reconnaissance missions on Iran with MQ-4C Triton drones.

For over 20 years, Unit #8200 tracked Khamenei's daily routine, hacked Tehran traffic cameras, and used AI to sift intercepted calls. They knew he went underground at night when he expected attacks. So they struck at 9:40 a.m. on a Saturday morning while he was above ground with his family. Blue Sparrow missiles launched from F-15s exited the atmosphere before crashing down, bypassing air defenses entirely. #Khamenei and six top officials were dead before Iran even knew the war had started.

Overnight on Thursday Dec 4th, at around 7:30pm, the French Navy opened fire on a swarm of five drones spotted flying over the Île Longue Strategic Submarine Base in Finistère on the coast of Brittany, which houses France’s fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines operating as a part of the Force de dissuasion under the Strategic Ocean Force. Whether any of the drones were actually shot down is currently unknown...

The Economist foresees war, pestilence and economic collapse in 2026 The British news magazine known for its enigmatic and terrifying ‘The World Ahead’ covers has released its predictions for the coming year. 👉 Its 2026-themed cover features tanks firing, missiles launching and drones attacking, trade wars, a US arms buildup, and a Zelensky caricature with binoculars standing beside what look like Vikings with vases in a boat sailing on top of a big fish. Around them are syringes and pills, a brain connected to a videogame controller, humanoid robots, melting ice cubes, trade war ‘shots across the bow’ and crossed swords against the backdrop of a chart indicating an economic collapse. 🔴 The cover may be significant. Past ‘World Ahead’ issues predicted things like the coronavirus (2019 cover featuring a pangolin, initially cited as an intermediary host of COVID-19), Trump’s lost Presidential Election (2020), mass vaccinations and massive global wildfires (2021), and the US-China battle for critical minerals (2024).

France orders ASMPA-R nuclear-capable missile for its navy France has commissioned the upgraded ASMPA-R missile for its naval nuclear deterrent forces, the French Defense Ministry announced. 👉 The second test launch of that medium-range air-to-surface missile took place on Thursday from a Rafale aircraft. France also plans to develop a fourth-generation nuclear missile (ASN4G) and an M51.4 ballistic missile by 2035, the ministry said.

US to carry out test launch of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile The United States will carry out a test launch of the #Minuteman III intercontinental #ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, according to a statement on the facility’s website. "An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is scheduled between 11:01 p.m. to 5:01 a.m. Pacific Time, November 4, from north Vandenberg," the statement reads. According to the document, "this test is routine and was scheduled years in advance," while "the purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system." The first Minuteman III ICBMs of the Minuteman #missile family were developed in the late 1960s and have been in US service since the 1970s. The missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Last week, US President Donad Trump instructed the Pentagon to immediately launch nuclear weapons tests, alleging that Russia and China continued to test their arsenals. Later, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright specified that the trials would not involve actual detonations but rather the testing of the components necessary for a nuclear blast.