The War Zone

A strong offense for the world of defense.

America's 20-Year War In Afghanistan Ends After Last Troops Depart Kabul (Updated)

With the final aircraft departing Hamid Karzai International Airport at 11:59 pm local time, America's longest war has come to an end.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 30, 2021

Al Qaeda Kingpin Resurfaces In Afghanistan Surrounded By Taliban Security

Amin Al Haq's reappearance under Taliban protection highlights concerns about the US government's remote counter-terrorism strategy going forward.

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway Aug 29, 2021

American Drone Strike Hits Suicide Attackers Targeting Kabul Airport (Updated)

Security threats grow as the time left before the US military is scheduled to fully withdraw from Afghanistan is likely measured in hours, not days.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 28, 2021

Bunker Talk: Let's Chat About All The Stories We Did And Didn't Cover This Week

It's been a tough week. Let's talk about it.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 27, 2021

U.S. Executes Revenge Drone Strike On ISIS-K "Planner" In Afghanistan (Updated)

The operation comes just a day after President Biden vowed to make the terror group pay for its heinous suicide bombing at Kabul's Airport.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 27, 2021

Operation Pineapple Express Saw Special Ops Vets Lead The Rescue Of Hundreds Of Afghans

An informal group dubbed Task Force Pineapple has been shepherding Afghans past the Taliban to the safety of Kabul airport for nearly two weeks.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 27, 2021

This Remote Alaskan Lighthouse's Wooden Helipad Belongs In Star Wars

Cape Decision Lighthouse includes a long wooden catwalk and helipad, the latter of which helped save the remote facility from a fire in 1989.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 27, 2021

Pentagon Confirms American Troops Have Been Blowing Equipment Up At Kabul Airport

These controlled detonations help account for reports of additional explosions in Afghanistan's capital after yesterday's deadly terrorist attack.

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway Aug 26, 2021

Japanese Fighters Intercept Three Chinese Drones In As Many Days

It isn't clear if the surge in Chinese drone presence over the East China Sea is indicative of a new trend or prelude to a major naval movement.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 26, 2021

American Troops Confirmed Killed In Kabul Airport Terror Bombing (Updated)

A complex attack on the heart of America's evacuation operation in Kabul has caused the deaths of multiple U.S. servicepeople and even more Afghans.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 26, 2021

Terror Attack Rocks Kabul International Airport (Updated)

Warnings of a potential attack on Kabul airport from ISIS have been growing more urgent for days.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 25, 2021

Navy Halts Plans To Give Its Super Hornets Conformal Fuel Tanks (Updated)

The Navy had long touted conformal fuel tanks as offering vital additional range for its Super Hornets.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 25, 2021

Night Stalker Little Bird Helicopters Flew German Commandos On Kabul Mission: Report

Germany's KSK and the 160th SOAR joined forces to evacuate stranded foreigners deep in Taliban-controlled Kabul.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 25, 2021

Video Purports To Show U.S.-Supplied Black Helicopter Taxiing In Taliban Hands

The Taliban have captured dozens of former Afghan military aircraft, prompting concerns about what the group might do with them.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 24, 2021

These Are The Military's Options For Extending Evacuations In Afghanistan. None Of Them Are Good.

There are no good options and each one has major operational hurdles and glaring pitfalls to overcome.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 24, 2021

Watch The Ex-USS Ingraham Frigate Get Its Back Broken By A Torpedo

While cruise missiles and bombs are very capable, nothing wrecks a ship like a well-placed torpedo shot from a prowling submarine.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 24, 2021

U.S. Prepared To Destroy Equipment It Can't Airlift Out Of Kabul As Withdrawal Deadline Looms (Updated)

With the priority being placed on getting people out of the Talian-controlled country, getting even high-tech weapons out may not be possible in time.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 23, 2021

Check Out This Los Angeles Class Nuclear Submarine Transformed Into A Floating Schoolhouse

The USS San Francisco was already cut up once after impacting a seamount. The submarine was chopped up again to make it into a floating schoolhouse.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 23, 2021

Massive Expansion Underway At Russia's Northernmost Arctic Air Base (Updated)

The Arctic base's runway was expanded last year and now a large apron area is being built to support large-scale deployments.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 23, 2021

Pentagon Dismisses The Idea Of Retaking Bagram Air Base To Support Kabul Evacuations (Updated)

The Taliban say the U.S. must be out by August 31st, but getting everyone out of Afghanistan via Kabul airport by then is becoming quite unrealistic.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 22, 2021

What The Civil Reserve Air Fleet Is And Why It's Been Activated For The Third Time In 70 Years

The fleet can dramatically bolster the Pentagon's own air transport capabilities and that is what it will do for the evacuation of Afghanistan.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 21, 2021

Here's All The Intel You Need On The Ongoing Evacuation Operation In Kabul

The Taliban move to take on the "new Northern Alliance" and the U.S. activates its Civil Reserve Air Fleet to open bottlenecks in the evacuation.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 21, 2021

Bunker Talk: Let's Chat About All The Stories We Did And Didn't Cover This Week

It seems like there is a new development every 20 minutes to talk discuss.

By Joseph Trevithick Aug 20, 2021

Germany Sending Special Ops Helicopters To Kabul To Rescue Evacuees Outside The Airport (Updated)

French and British forces have also been conducting operations outside of Kabul's airport to help get people to safety.

By Tyler Rogoway Aug 20, 2021

Night Stalker Special Ops Helicopters Now In Kabul Could Be Critical To Evacuation (Updated)

The elite unit provides multiple capabilities for this operation, but its ability to supply unrivaled surgical close air support may be most valuable.

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