Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

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Aircraft lessors appeal Russian order blocking $69 million in lease payments

A group of aircraft lessors has appealed a Russian order that blocks $69 million in lease payments, asking the court to overturn the measure and restore contractual cashflows. The challenge highlights growing legal and operational headwinds for lessors with assets and rents tied to Russian operators.

2025-12-11T06:11:05.164988-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

Russia’s 2021 ASAT Test Created ~1,500 Trackable Fragments and Forced ISS Shelter — A Warning on Orbital Safety

2025-12-11T01:24:09.676058-08:00

challenges.fr

US B-52s and Japanese fighters conduct joint patrols over Sea of Japan as China increases air activity

2025-12-10T22:57:26.110613-08:00

AeroTime

Crash likely ends service of Russia’s last airworthy An‑22 heavy transport

2025-12-09T03:03:43.638191-08:00

Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News Timeline

Reuters

Ivory Coast seeks US ISR basing in north, explores satellites to monitor al‑Qaeda‑linked militants Ivory Coast has requested that the United States base ISR aircraft in its northern region to monitor and target al‑Qaeda‑linked militants moving south from the Sahel. Abidjan and Washington have agreed on regional security requirements and are finalising timing while considering additional satellite intelligence for border monitoring.

2025-12-11T08:10:41.151205-08:00

Ivory Coast seeks US ISR basing in north, explores satellites to monitor al‑Qaeda‑linked militants

ch-aviation

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Aircraft lessors appeal Russian order blocking $69 million in lease payments A group of aircraft lessors has appealed a Russian order that blocks $69 million in lease payments, asking the court to overturn the measure and restore contractual cashflows. The challenge highlights growing legal and operational headwinds for lessors with assets and rents tied to Russian operators.

2025-12-11T06:11:05.164988-08:00

Aircraft lessors appeal Russian order blocking $69 million in lease payments

SpaceNews.com

U.S. lunar strategy needs a Plan B — and fast With the U.S. locked into an accelerated Moon-return agenda, analysts argue an urgent 'Plan B' is essential because schedule slippage, technical risk and intensifying great‑power competition could derail current architectures. Establishing redundancy now protects scientific objectives, national interest and long‑term cislunar posture.

2025-12-11T06:04:53.729775-08:00

U.S. lunar strategy needs a Plan B — and fast

Aviation Week

AVIC's 16‑ton Jiu Tian (Nine Heavens) drone mothership completes maiden flight AVIC's large uncrewed aerial system Jiu Tian — also called Nine Heavens or Jetank — completed its maiden flight on December 11 in Shaanxi. The 16‑ton 'drone carrier' is reported to carry swarms of attack drones internally and up to ~1,000 kg of bombs or missiles on external hardpoints.

2025-12-11T02:26:46.147226-08:00

AVIC's 16‑ton Jiu Tian (Nine Heavens) drone mothership completes maiden flight

SpaceWatch Global

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Russia’s 2021 ASAT Test Created ~1,500 Trackable Fragments and Forced ISS Shelter — A Warning on Orbital Safety In 2021 a Russian anti‑satellite test destroyed one of its own satellites, producing roughly 1,500 trackable debris fragments. Within hours, crew aboard the International Space Station sheltered — a clear demonstration that deliberate on‑orbit attacks create immediate crew‑safety risks and long‑term collision hazards.

2025-12-11T01:24:09.676058-08:00

Russia’s 2021 ASAT Test Created ~1,500 Trackable Fragments and Forced ISS Shelter — A Warning on Orbital Safety

Wall Street Journal

US B-52s and Japanese fighters conduct joint patrols over Sea of Japan as China increases air activity U.S. strategic bombers, including B-52s, conducted joint flights with Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters over the Sea of Japan, demonstrating allied readiness after recent China–Russia air patrols. The drills coincided with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington's arrival in Yokosuka amid heightened regional activity.

2025-12-10T23:42:00.098467-08:00

US B-52s and Japanese fighters conduct joint patrols over Sea of Japan as China increases air activity

FlightGlobal

Netherlands crew demonstrates F-35A weapons loading on USAF jet at Ramstein Dutch maintainers successfully demonstrated weapons-loading procedures on a US Air Force F-35A during an exercise at Ramstein Air Base, highlighting growing operational interoperability among European F-35 operators. The event validated cross-national munitions handling and sustainment practices under allied basing conditions.

2025-12-10T23:29:49.804508-08:00

Netherlands crew demonstrates F-35A weapons loading on USAF jet at Ramstein

Wall Street Journal

U.S. forces seize 'Skipper' tanker off Venezuela in helicopter rappel after AIS‑spoofing detection The U.S. Coast Guard and special operations forces disabled and seized the oil tanker Skipper off Venezuela’s coast — described by authorities as a central node in an illicit “ghost fleet” moving sanctioned crude — after detecting AIS spoofing. The operation featured armed helicopter rappels and prompted a presidential order for a major regional military buildup.

2025-12-10T21:54:40.833553-08:00

U.S. forces seize 'Skipper' tanker off Venezuela in helicopter rappel after AIS‑spoofing detection

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