I - On Defense Podcast - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Warning Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ + Israel Strikes Houthis; Destroys Presidential Palace in Sanaa + Russia & Ukraine Exchange 146 Prisoners of War + More Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Warning Shots Fired Across Korean DMZ.

2. Israel Strikes Houthis; Destroys Presidential Palace in Sanaa.

3. Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight Saturday and into Sunday- as the IDF increased its troop presence in northern Gaza as part of an offensive aimed at bolstering the army’s control in the area.

4. Report: Possible security deal between Israel and Syria.

The report said the two sides would agree to the demilitarization of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights; the prevention of the restoration of the Syrian military; the barring of entry of any weapons into Syria that would threaten Israel; and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to the Jabal al-Druze region of Syria- in exchange of the rehabilitation of Syria.

5. Russia & Ukraine Exchange 146 Prisoners of War.

6. Russia accused Ukraine Sunday of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plants had caught fire "due to military activity," but hadn't received independent confirmation.

7. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of two new air defense missiles, state media said Sunday.

8. South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has signed an export agreement with Vietnam for its K9 self-propelled howitzers. Under the $250-million government-to-government deal, Hanwha will supply 20 K9s to Vietnam.

Israeli Defense Minister: If Hamas Does Not Capitulate - Gaza City Will Become Rafah + Iranian Naval Exercise in Gulf of Oman & Indian Ocean + Armor Not Dead: Israel to Increase Production of Combat Vehicle Fleet + More Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

1. Iranian Naval Exercise in Gulf of Oman & Indian Ocean.

2. The Houthis in Yemen take responsibility for carrying out today’s ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel.

3. A Hezbollah weapon depot in southern Lebanon’s Deir Kifa was targeted in an Israeli strike, the IDF says. The military says the site was a violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

4. Israeli Defense Minister: If Hamas Does Not Capitulate- Gaza City Will Become Rafah.

5. Israel has approved a $1.5 billion initiative to accelerate the production of main battle tanks and armored support vehicles as part of a five-year pathway to enhance its ground capabilities.

6. Ukraine Foreign Intelligence Report: Iran is interested in receiving assistance from Belarus to restore its air defense and electronic warfare systems.

7. US Army Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML).

8. Goodbye Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process.

President Trump: US Air Power Could Be Part of Ukraine Security Guarantee + Israeli PM to IDF: Shorten Timeline for Seizing Gaza City + Israel to Call up 60k Reservists to Support Gaza City Campaign + More Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Israeli PM to IDF: Shorten Timeline for Seizing Gaza City.

2. Israel to Call up 60k Reservists to Support Gaza City Campaign

The forces included 12 brigade-level teams, each of which has infantry, armored, artillery, and combat engineering forces, along with combat support. In addition, the Gaza Division’s northern and southern brigades — normally tasked with the border — are set to participate in the offensive, bringing the total number of brigades to 14.

3. Russia says it must be part of international talks on Ukraine’s security

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov dismisses European diplomacy as ‘clumsy effort to sway President Trump.'

4. President Trump: US Air Power Could Be Part of Ukraine Security Guarantee.

5. NATO Defense Chiefs meet to discuss Ukraine security guarantees.

6. The foreign ministers of the Nordic nations (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) and Canada release joint statement of support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity.

7. Industry competitors line up for next phase of Army’s Common Tactical Truck program.

In 2023, the Army awarded agreements to American Rheinmetall, Mack Defense, Navistar Defense and Oshkosh Defense to develop load handling and off-road tractor & on-road line haul prototypes.

8. Breaking Defense Opinion Piece.

China’s carriers cruised past the Second Island Chain. What now?

(Brent Sadler & Allen Zhang)

Brent Sadler is a Senior Research Fellow for Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology in the Allison Center for National Security.

Allen Zhang is a Research Assistant in the Asian Studies Center.

President Trump Hosts Ukraine President - European Leaders at White House + Hamas Agrees to Latest Hostage & Ceasefire Proposal; Israel Weighing Options + US Navy Fields Coyote Interceptors on Destroyer + More Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

1. President Trump Hosts Ukraine President - European Leaders at White House.

Hopes of a breakthrough (in Peace) rose after President Trump said he had spoken by phone with Russian counterpart Putin -- following a "very good" meeting with the Europeans and the Ukrainian president at the White House.

European Leaders who attended:

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission
U.K Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Finnish President Alexander Stubb
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
French President Emmanuel Macron

2. Hamas Agrees to Latest Hostage & Ceasefire Proposal; Israel Weighing Options.

The proposal agreed to on Monday by Hamas would see the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners during a 60-day truce.

3. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar decided on Monday to revoke the residency visas of Australia’s representatives to the Palestinian Authority, hours after Canberra barred an Israeli lawmaker from entering the country.

4. Israeli plans to close France’s consulate in Jerusalem would provoke a “strong response” from Paris, a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

5. The Army is finalizing the requirements and funding for taking over development of an air defense, hypervelocity cannon (from the Strategic Capabilities Office). The Army will call the effort-- the Cannon-Based Air Defense initiative-- a 155mm self-propelled artillery system with Hypervelocity Projectiles.

6. US Navy Fields Coyote Interceptors on Destroyer.

The counter-drone system was spotted on the aft superstructure of the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) during a drill in the Ionian Sea.

7. USAF Chief of Staff General David Allvin- will retire this November after two years as the service’s highest-ranking uniformed officer.

President Trump to Meet with Ukraine President in Washington on Monday + Hezbollah Chief Threatens Lebanese Government Over Seizure of Arms + Australia and Philippines Conduct Combined Military Exercise + More Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Hamas negotiators in Cairo this week signaled a willingness to come down from demands they made last month that led to the collapse of hostage talks in Doha.

Arab mediators passed along the development to Israel, but Jerusalem responded that it is not interested in another partial ceasefire.

2. The IDF on Friday said it destroyed dozens of “terror targets” in its new offensive on Zeitoun on the outskirts of Gaza City. In addition, the IDF said Friday that seven kilometers (4.3 miles) worth of Hamas tunnels in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun were sealed with concrete.

3. Hezbollah Chief Threatens Lebanese Government Over Seizure of Arms.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem claimed that there would be “no life in Lebanon” should its weapons be taken by force.

4. US President Trump early Saturday ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after his inconclusive summit with Russian counterpart President Putin, saying a direct peace agreement would end the war.

5. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

6. Australia and Philippines Conduct Combined Military Exercise. Military officials said defense forces from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Indonesia will join as observers.

Still A Go: President Trump to Meet Russian President in Alaska Friday + IDF CoS Approved Gaza City Take Over Plan + Switzerland Committed to Procure F-35As + More Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Mossad Chief to Qatar. Mossad Director David Barnea was in Doha on Thursday to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani. The Mossad Director conveyed to the Prime Minister that Israel was not bluffing with its plan to conquer Gaza, and intends to do so unless there’s progress in the talks to free the hostages.

2. IDF CoS Approved Gaza City Take Over Plan.

3. During a meeting in Beirut with Ali Larijani (secretary of Iran’s top security body), Lebanon' President Joseph Aoun warned against foreign interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs, saying the country was open to cooperation with Iran but only within the bounds of national sovereignty and mutual respect.

4. Turkey and Syria inked a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday after meetings between their foreign and defense ministers and intelligence chiefs.

Under the accord, Turkey will provide weapons and logistical tools to Syria- and potentially could train the Syrian army in using such equipment if needed.

5. Still A Go: President Trump to Meet Russian President in Alaska Friday.

The top-level Russian delegation will include President Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and President Putin's longtime friend and investment envoy- Kirill Dmitriev.

6. Switzerland Committed to Procure F-35As.

7. The United States is disputing China’s claim that it chased away an American warship conducting a freedom of navigation operation near Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday.

8. South Korea aims to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US, a role Washington has assumed from around the time of the Korean War.

S. Korean President Lee Jae-Myung signaled a firm commitment to achieving this goal as a key part of his administration’s foreign and security policy under a five-year policy roadmap, the Korea Times reported.

Israel - Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Negotiations Could Restart This Week + President Trump to Meet with Russian President Without Ukraine + Japan & Philippine Defense Agreement + New US CENTCOM Commander + More Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Australia will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday.

2. Israel - Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire Negotiations Could Restart This Week.

Israel may send negotiators to Doha this week for meetings on a comprehensive agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.

3. New US CENTCOM Commander.

Incoming Commander US Navy Admiral Brad Copper replaced US Army General Michael Kurilla.

4. President Trump to Meet with Russian President Without Ukraine.

5. Azerbaijan has warned that it could lift its arms embargo on Kyiv- if Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine linked to the South Caucasus country.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Azerbaijan has refrained from transferring weapons to either side.

6. Finland has planned a live-firing event to assess the potential of laser-guided artillery munitions. The demonstration event is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

7. Japan & Philippine Defense Agreement starts next month. The agreement will permit troops from both countries to train within their respective territorial waters, territories, and air spaces.

8. A China Coast Guard vessel and People’s Liberation Army Navy ship crashed into each other in the South China Sea on Monday while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.

IDF Plan for Gaza City Complete Next Week + Europeans Push for Ukraine Attendance at Alaska Summit + España Decides Against F-35 Procurement + Canada to Achieve 2% GDP Defense Spending This Year + More Aug 10, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Israeli PM explains why recognition of Palestinian Statehood will not bring peace to region.

2. IDF Plan for Gaza City Complete Next Week.

3. Iranian nuclear scientists have been sent into hiding after dozens were killed by Israel during its 12-day offensive against Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programs in June.

4. Iran has arrested 20 people it alleges are operatives of Israel’s Mossad spy agency in recent months.

5. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the deputy head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog was set to arrive in Tehran.

“Our talks with the agency tomorrow will focus on a new cooperation framework… Until we reach an agreement on a new framework, cooperation will not begin,” Mr. Araghchi told reporters.

6. Iran threatened on Saturday to block a corridor planned in the Caucasus under a regional deal sponsored by US President Donald Trump.

The proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) would run across southern Armenia, giving Azerbaijan a direct route to Turkey.

It was not immediately clear how Iran, which borders the area, would block it.

7. Europeans Push for Ukraine Attendance at Alaska Summit.

8. España Decides Against F-35 Procurement.

9. Canada to Achieve 2% GDP Defense Spending This Year.

President Trump to Meet with Russian President in Alaska (15 Aug) + President Trump Oversees Azerbaijan & Armenia Peace Agreement + Israeli Cabinet Decision: IDF to Take Over Gaza City Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Israeli Cabinet Decision: IDF to Take Over Gaza City.

2. President Trump to Meet with Russian President in Alaska (15 Aug).

3. President Trump Oversees Azerbaijan & Armenia Peace Agreement.

Gaza Occupation Plan to Israeli Cabinet Thursday + Lebanese Cabinet Tasks Army to Control Arms (Disarm Hezbollah) + US Army Deploys LRHW to Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre + More Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

For review:

1. Kadena AB in Japan to inspect all F-15E Eagles after fighter landed w/o landing gear wheel.

2. Gaza Occupation Plan to Israeli Cabinet Thursday.

According to report, in the plan’s first phase, Israel will issue an evacuation notice to the residents of Gaza City to allow time for the establishment of civilian infrastructure in central Gaza, including hospitals and camps for evacuees.

Israel would then launch a military offensive in the second phase.

3. Lebanese Cabinet Tasks Army to Control Arms (Disarm Hezbollah).

4. President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, an unnamed White House official said Wednesday.

5. Russia and China wrapped up their joint exercise – Maritime / Joint Sea 2025 by on Aug. 5, 2025- following several days of drills.

6. US Army Deploys LRHW to Australian Exercise Talisman Sabre.

7. US Army is planning to grow its air and missile defense force by 30%, according to the Commander of the service’s Space and Missile Defense Command.

Adding:

- 3 x Patriot Battalions

- 5 x Indirect Fire Protection Capability Battalions (inside MDTFs)

- 7 x counter UAS Batteries

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

I – On Defense Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected