I - On Defense Podcast podcast | Listen online for free

Available Episodes

5 of 444

Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Russian Airfields Target Bombers + Russian Missile Strike Targets Ukrainian Training Grounds + Nuclear Watchdog IAEA Reports Iranian Activity at Non-Declared Sites + More
For review:1. The foreign ministers of Arab countries who had planned to visit the West Bank over the weekend condemned on Saturday Israel’s decision to block their trip. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates had been expected to take part alongside Turkey.2. Ukraine's Drone Strikes on Russian Airfields Target Bombers. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the 01 June “Spider Web” drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases. More than 40 aircraft are known to have been hit, including the A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3. 3. Russian Missile Strike Targets Ukrainian Training Grounds. A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian army training area killed at least 12 soldiers and wounded dozens more Sunday, Kyiv said, in a rare admission of its military losses. 4. On Saturday, 31 May, Hamas responded to US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff’s latest proposal with amendments and demands, leading the mediator to blast the stance as one that is “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.” 5. Nuclear Watchdog IAEA Reports Iranian Activity at Non-Declared Sites. Meanwhile, Iran warned Sunday it will retaliate if European powers “exploit” the Report showing it has stepped up production of highly enriched uranium and detailing its past secretive nuclear activities. 6. Speaking at the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Kenya, General Michael E. Langley, head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), told reporters that China is attempting to “replicate every type of thing” the US military does to build and maintain relationships on the continent. 7. Speaking to Bloomberg TV at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (Major General Anil Chauhan) confirmed Pakistan shot down Indian Air Force fighter jets during the clashes in early May. 8. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth used a key address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, to assert that while the US doesn’t seek war with China, it also will not be pushed out of the “critical” Indo-Pacific theater.
--------
20:42
Text of US Envoy Witkoff's Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Proposal + Saudi Arabia Advised Iran to Negotiate with Washington + Russia Prepared to Consider Ceasefire if Europe Halts Military Aid + More
For review:1. Houthi rebels threaten to target Israeli civilian aircraft after latest IDF strike on Sanaa International Airport.2. Israel to block a delegation of Middle Eastern foreign ministers from making a visit to the West Bank. The foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey were slated to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday. 3. In April, Saudi Arabia Advised Iran to Negotiate with Washington. Saudi Arabia dispatched Prince Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, with the warning that it would be better to reach a deal with the US than face the possibility of an Israeli attack if the talks broke down, according to the two Gulf sources. 4. Text of US Envoy Steve Witkoff's Israel - Hamas Ceasefire Proposal.5. Russia Prepared to Consider Ceasefire if Europe Halts Military Aid. Russia is prepared to consider a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, but only if Kyiv stops receiving Western weapons and halts mobilization, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's envoy to the United Nations, said on May 30, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. 6. President Donald Trump has decided to appoint the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Reuters reported on May 30, citing unnamed officials. The leading candidate is reportedly U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, who currently serves as Director for Operations of the Joint Staff. 7. French President Emmanuel Macron gives keynote speech at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. "Giving in to Russia’s demands to annex a significant portion of Ukraine without consequences would deal a blow to American and European credibility that could be felt as far away as the Indo-Pacific." 8. The United States is not ruling out a reduction in forces deployed to S. Korea, two senior American defense officials told reporters traveling with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. There are 28,500 U.S. troops deployed to S. Korea as part of the U.S. long-term commitment to help defend Seoul from any attack from N. Korea.
--------
22:48
US Initiative Begins Aid Distribution in Gaza + Russia Rejects Next Round of Peace Talks to Occur in Vatican; Perhaps Geneva + Sweden Security Assistance to Ukraine Worth $501 Million + US Army to Upgrade M270 MLRS to the A2 Variant + More
For review:1. A senior Israeli official said Monday that a Hostage release and Ceasefire deal with Hamas has been rejected. The proposal- as reported by Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen- called for a ceasefire of about 70 days during which 10 living hostages would be released in two phases, modifying the so-called Witkoff outline, which laid out a shorter ceasefire for the release of about 10 living hostages. 2. US Initiative Begins Aid Distribution in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), stated that roughly 8,000 boxes of food have been distributed in the foundation’s first two days of operation, with each box feeding 5.5 people for 3.5 days, totaling 462,000 meals. 3. Russia Rejects Next Round of Peace Talks to Occur in Vatican; Perhaps Geneva. It remains unclear when another round of talks will be held. The Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday claimed it was still working on its memorandum of terms. 4. Sweden Security Assistance to Ukraine Worth $501 Million. Part of the measure focuses on targeted areas such as drones, naval operations, demining, and digital systems. Sweden is also contributing over $105 million to fast-track ammunition procurement, split between Czech- and Estonian-led initiatives. 5. The British Army intends to adopt a military strategy shifting from reliance on conventional military assets to drones and autonomous systems, The Times reported. The modernized military framework is set to be officially unveiled in the UK’s upcoming Strategic Defense Review 2025. 6. New Zealand to spend $2.4 billion on defense in 2025. New Zealand’s defense spending is scheduled to reach 2% of GDP by 2032/33. 7. US Army to Upgrade M270 MLRS Launchers to the A2 Variant. The A2 variant features an improved fire control system, a new 600-horsepower engine, an armored cab, and a new transmission- plus other system components. Work will take place in Texas and Arkansas, with an estimated completion date of December 30, 2030.
--------
18:28
Russia & Ukraine Complete Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War + IDF Prepares for Ground Offensive in Gaza with 5 Divisions + US Lifts Economics Sanctions on Syria + More
For review:1. Houthis continue missile attacks on Israel. A ballistic missile launched at Israel by the Houthis was successfully intercepted by air defenses, the military said Sunday. It was the third attack in four days, and the fifth since last Sunday.2. IDF Prepares for Ground Offensive in Gaza with 5 Divisions. When the major ground offensive is launched, the Palestinian population will be pushed into three small zones in Gaza. The IDF will then capture the rest of Gaza, clear it of Hamas infrastructure, raze most buildings, and hold it for the foreseeable future. This captured territory will include all of Rafah, Khan Younis, and the towns north of Gaza City.3. US Lifts Economics Sanctions on Syria. US Secretary of State Rubio said the waiver would “facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.”4. Russia & Ukraine Complete Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War. The prisoner exchange took place in three phases carried out over three days and was agreed on during peace talks held in Turkey on May 16.5. US President Trump voiced strong disapproval of Russia’s weekend bombardment of Ukraine, telling reporters that he's "not happy with Putin.”The President's comments followed Russia’s massive air assault on Ukraine over the weekend, during which more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles were launched from Friday to Sunday.6. In a possible retaliatory action, Russia temporarily stopped the Greek oil tanker Green Admire (that departed from Estonia) in its territorial waters on Sunday following the Estonia's Navy’s attempt last week to stop the unflagged and unresponsive Jaguar tanker in the Estonian exclusive economic zone. The vessel Jaguar is suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet.7. Switzerland has received the EU’s approval to join a multinational military cybersecurity project, the EU’s Council announced this week. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Italy and Luxembourg are already members of the project, in addition to Estonia.8. The US House passed a massive funding package (One Big Beautiful Bill), paving the way for Congress to add $150 billion in defense spending aimed at boosting major Trump administration priorities like Golden Dome. The measure now moves to the US Senate.
--------
20:54
Russia & Ukraine Swap 390 Prisoners; More Expected in Coming Days + Updated Info on Strike that Targeted Hamas Leader + USAF Test Launches Minuteman III Missile + More
For review:1. Updated Info on Strike that Targeted Hamas Leader. The strike that targeted and possibly eliminated Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar in Gaza earlier this month was made possible when the terror chief made the rare mistake of moving without a defensive “hostage belt” protecting him, according to a Friday report. 2. Israel will receive a “devastating and decisive response” if it attacks Iran, the IRGC said on Thursday as Tehran vowed to defend its nuclear sites, days after two separate reports suggested Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. 3. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran’s discussions with the United States over its nuclear program were “complicated,” as the fifth round of talks concluded in Rome. Asked about the negotiations, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said “we believe that we are going to succeed” in the talks and in Washington’s push for no enrichment. 4. Russia & Ukraine Swap 390 Prisoners; More Expected in Coming Days. Russia will be ready to hand Ukraine a draft document outlining conditions for a long-term peace agreement once a prisoner exchange is completed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. 5. A former leading Ukrainian official has been shot dead outside an American school in the Spanish capital Madrid, authorities have confirmed. 6. German defense firm Rheinmetall and India’s Reliance Defence announced a “strategic partnership” on ammunition supplies today after officials from both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A future production base in the Watad Industrial Area of Ratnagiri, will become one of the largest in South Asia and hold the capacity to manufacture up to 200,000 artillery shells, 10,000 tons of explosives and 2,000 tons of propellants annually. 7. General Atomics is in talks to sell Saudi Arabia up to 200 MQ-9 unmanned systems, according to a company spokesperson. The discussions are part of the $142 billion in defense deals announced by President Donald Trump during last week’s visit to the Gulf Region.8. USAF Test Launches Minuteman III Missile. Air Force Global Strike Command launched the Minuteman III at 12:01 Pacific time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It flew about 4,200 miles, at a speed of more than 15,000 miles per hour, to a test site at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The missile was randomly selected and came from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.9. Article from Military.com: Summary of Transformative changes to the Army. 10. US Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar early this morning as it headed home following an eight-month deployment. The carrier is westbound in the Atlantic Ocean, a Navy official confirmed to USNI News Friday. 11. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to the Shangri-La Dialogue, the largest defense conference in Asia, where he will deliver a speech on the Pentagon’s approach to the region under the second Trump administration. The 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue event will take place in Singapore on 30 May–1 June.
--------
30:05