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Bloomberg • Hayley Warren, Jonathan Tirone, Rachel Lavin, Raeedah Wahid

Chinese commercial satellite imagery reveals U.S. military buildup near Iran, undermining claims of an 'easy' U.S. victory

A Chinese commercial space company has released high‑resolution satellite imagery showing detailed U.S. force deployments across the Middle East near Iran. The images highlight complex targets, rugged terrain and dispersed assets, challenging narratives of a quick U.S. victory and raising intelligence and operational transparency questions.

2026-02-26T00:07:20.423548-08:00

AeroTime

DJI sues FCC to overturn 'Covered List' restrictions on U.S. authorizations, imports and sales

2026-02-26T11:54:54.838428-08:00

The War Zone

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation

2026-02-26T11:35:54.265124-08:00

Wall Street Journal

F-16 Near-Miss in Operation Rough Rider Underscores Risks to U.S. Air Operations Against Houthis

2026-02-26T10:13:52.838976-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

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DJI sues FCC to overturn 'Covered List' restrictions on U.S. authorizations, imports and sales DJI has filed suit in U.S. federal court seeking to overturn an FCC order that placed the company’s drones on the agency's 'Covered List,' a move that halts new authorizations, imports and U.S. sales. The legal challenge directly contests the regulatory basis for the restrictions.

2026-02-26T11:54:54.838428-08:00

DJI sues FCC to overturn 'Covered List' restrictions on U.S. authorizations, imports and sales

The War Zone

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Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation The head of Space Force Combat Forces warned the U.S. “can’t run away from a bully forever,” signaling a more offensive posture in response to China’s rapidly expanding spy-satellite fleet. The remark underscores a shift toward contesting adversary capabilities in orbit and preparing for more assertive space operations and doctrine.

2026-02-26T11:35:54.265124-08:00

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation

Wall Street Journal

F-16 Near-Miss in Operation Rough Rider Underscores Risks to U.S. Air Operations Against Houthis An F-16 near-miss during Operation Rough Rider — the U.S. strike campaign targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen — highlights the operational hazards of employing airpower against a small, dispersed adversary and raises immediate questions about survivability, tactics and force protection for regional air operations.

2026-02-26T10:13:52.838976-08:00

F-16 Near-Miss in Operation Rough Rider Underscores Risks to U.S. Air Operations Against Houthis

AeroTime

Suspected Russian drone approaches French carrier Charles de Gaulle in Malmö; Sweden jams device 13 km out A suspected Russian unmanned aerial vehicle approached the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while it was docked in Malmö, Sweden during a February 24 visit; Swedish forces used electronic jamming to disrupt the drone about 13 km from the ship, and officials said a Russian naval vessel was nearby.

2026-02-26T05:30:43.612039-08:00

Suspected Russian drone approaches French carrier Charles de Gaulle in Malmö; Sweden jams device 13 km out

ch-aviation

UN conducts test flight to Khartoum after three‑year suspension The United Nations operated a test flight to Khartoum — its first since a three‑year suspension — stepping up efforts to evaluate whether regular air operations to the Sudanese capital can resume. The mission assesses airport access, ground handling and logistics needed to restore UN movements.

2026-02-26T04:14:37.963989-08:00

UN conducts test flight to Khartoum after three‑year suspension

Bloomberg

Chinese commercial satellite imagery reveals U.S. military buildup near Iran, undermining claims of an 'easy' U.S. victory A Chinese commercial space company has released high‑resolution satellite imagery showing detailed U.S. force deployments across the Middle East near Iran. The images highlight complex targets, rugged terrain and dispersed assets, challenging narratives of a quick U.S. victory and raising intelligence and operational transparency questions.

2026-02-26T00:07:20.423548-08:00

Chinese commercial satellite imagery reveals U.S. military buildup near Iran, undermining claims of an 'easy' U.S. victory

Bloomberg

Moscow's Missile Shield Could Blunt European SLBMs, Pressuring NATO Toward Hypersonic Response A new report warns Russia's layered anti-missile defences around Moscow may be sufficient to blunt an attack by European submarine-launched ballistic missiles, increasing pressure on European governments and NATO to accelerate development and procurement of hypersonic strike capabilities amid doubts about US reliability.

2026-02-26T00:07:20.330098-08:00

Moscow's Missile Shield Could Blunt European SLBMs, Pressuring NATO Toward Hypersonic Response

defence-blog.com

USAF awards Top Aces $33.2M contract to train Argentine F-16 instructor pilots The U.S. Air Force awarded Top Aces Corp. a $33.2 million contract (valued at $33,193,783) to provide F-16 instructor-pilot training for the Argentine Air Force, supporting Argentina's recent F‑16 reintroduction and building instructor capacity under the Peace Condor program, the service announced.

2026-02-26T00:07:19.181084-08:00

USAF awards Top Aces $33.2M contract to train Argentine F-16 instructor pilots

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Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

Chinese commercial satellite imagery reveals U.S. military buildup near Iran, undermining claims of an 'easy' U.S. victory

DJI sues FCC to overturn 'Covered List' restrictions on U.S. authorizations, imports and sales

Space Force signals tougher posture as China builds out reconnaissance constellation

F-16 Near-Miss in Operation Rough Rider Underscores Risks to U.S. Air Operations Against Houthis

News Timeline