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Defense & Security Intelligence

2026-01-18 18:32 UTC
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45 articles

Military Quote of the Day By Alexander the Great: ‘I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army…’
Alexander III of Macedon (Alexander the Great) became renowned through his education, audacity, and tactical prowess. Born in 356 BC and tutored by Aristotle, he took the throne at 20 after Philip II'...
This city shaped a classic Christmas carol. Now Russia has destroyed it.
Kyiv, Ukraine, birthplace of a renowned Christmas carol with political undertones from the early 20th century, continues to send messages amid current destruction by Russian forces....
Army Quote of the Day by General Douglas MacArthur: ‘In war, there is no substitute for victory.’
General Douglas MacArthur's 1951 farewell address to Congress included his famous quote, ‘In war, there is no substitute for victory.’ This declaration came after his controversial dismissal by Presid...
Nazi Origins: Germany Recalls Past Experience and Threatens Russia
The article discusses Germany's historical memory of Nazi times and its current military stance against Russia. It highlights how Germany is drawing parallels between the aggressive policies of 1930s ...
The Trump Administration’s Uses, and Abuses, of History
An analysis reflecting on how the Trump administration utilized and misrepresented historical contexts, both positively and negatively, during its tenure in 2025....
Chinese archaeologists discover well-preserved section of 2,200-year-old 4-lane highway
Chinese archaeologists have discovered a well-preserved section of the ancient Qin Straight Road in Shaanxi province, northwest China. The highway, dating back to over 2,200 years ago and spanning nea...
China’s PLA Daily accuses Japan of showing ‘no respect for history’
The official Chinese military newspaper, PLA Daily, has criticized Japan for disregarding its wartime atrocities and distorting historical records of World War II aggression. The commentary warns that...
US Parties Blame Each Other for Rewriting History Five Years After Capitol Riot
Five years after the January 6th attack on the US Capitol, Republican and Democratic parties continue to accuse each other of distorting or misrepresenting historical facts regarding the event. The on...
Military Quote of the Day By Otto von Bismarck: ‘People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before…’
Otto von Bismarck's quote highlights his cynical view of human nature during and after specific activities. He suggests that post-hunt brags are harmless exaggerations but wartime narratives turn into...
Military Quote of the Day by General Douglas MacArthur: ‘A General Is Just As Good or Just As Bad As the Troops Under His Command Make Him’
Douglas MacArthur's legacy includes brilliance and controversy marked by significant contributions to military history. From his early career at West Point through combat roles in World War I, the Phi...
Bookshelf: A new history of Vietnam’s American War
Pierre Asselin's book 'Vietnam's American War: A New History' offers an expanded perspective on the Vietnam War, examining its enduring social and political impacts on both Vietnam and the United Stat...
Amid historical tensions with Japan, Hong Kong must engage for the future
The author describes attending a memorial service for victims of the Nanking massacre at Hong Kong government offices in Admiralty, highlighting the historical tensions between China and Japan stemmin...
Military Quote of the Day By Winston Churchill: ‘The story of the human race is war…’
Winston Churchill's quote 'The story of the human race is war' reflects his view that conflict is an inherent and recurring aspect of history. He saw 'peace' as a brief interval between wars, particul...
Thucydides Has A Strong Back
This article title seems to reference Thucydides' historical perspectives and resilience. It suggests an analysis or discussion on the relevance of Thucydides' writings, particularly 'The History of t...
Next year is America’s 250th birthday. Meet the person behind the celebration.
Rosie Rios, former U.S. Treasurer and current leader of the America 250 Commission, is organizing a significant, bipartisan effort to commemorate the nation's founding in its 250th anniversary year....
Defending the Creation
The article reflects on the achievements of past generations who rebuilt a world after disasters and encourages the current generation to support projects like those happening in Ukraine....
The Importance of the Battle of the Sambre
The article discusses the significance of Julius Caesar's battle against the Nervii tribe near the Sambre River in 57 BCE. Despite initial tactical disadvantages and chaos, Caesar's disciplined leader...
Did a bowl of millet help end a migrant crisis in China 1,500 years ago?
The article explores how human migration has shaped societies throughout history and poses the question of how disparate groups become unified. It focuses on modern-day China where over 90% identify a...
Military Quote of the Day By Napoleon: ‘Victory is not always winning the battle…but rising every time you fall’
Napoleon's quote emphasizes that victory is not just about winning battles but also about resilience and recovery from setbacks. The inherent unpredictability in war, like logistical failures or panic...
The storied ship that almost sank — with the Unknown Soldier on it
During severe weather conditions, the USS Olympia, carrying the Unknown Soldier and his Marine escort, had to endure a storm which threatened to sink the ship....
During ‘White Australia,’ Japanese migrants gained from baseball
In 1919, Japanese migrants in Sydney presented a silver cup to the New South Wales Baseball Association to express gratitude for friendly relations since joining the association's Nippon (Baseball) Cl...
U.S. History Quote of the Day by ‘Abraham Lincoln’: ‘Nations do not die from invasion; they die from internal rottenness…’
A quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, stating that nations perish due to internal flaws rather than external invasions, is discussed. The article examines whether this misattributed sentiment aligns ...
Japan Times 1926: Premier Kato is dead; victim to influenza after short illness
A historical document details the death of Japanese Premier Kato from influenza after a brief illness, marking him as part of a new generation in politics....
The Most Anticipated Books of the Year
A compilation highlighting the most anticipated books for the year across foreign affairs, history, and political science genres....
Be a potato: the lesson of the resilient staple resonates as 2026 approaches
The potato, domesticated nearly 10,000 years ago in Peru and significant in human history due to its high nutritional yield per unit of land, is expected to be present on dinner tables worldwide durin...
UFO Over Washington DC 1952 - What Happened and Has the Mystery Been Solved?
This article discusses the UFO sightings over Washington D.C. in 1952, questioning whether any significant progress has been made in understanding or resolving the mystery behind these events....
India's navy sails back to the future with historic voyage
India's navy introduces an unusual addition to its fleet: a wooden ship inspired by fifth-century designs. This vessel is set to embark on its maiden voyage across the Indian Ocean, aiming not for mar...
Exhibition traces China’s long links with Kenya, from Admiral Zheng He to belt and road
An exhibition highlights China's historical connection with Kenya through Admiral Zheng He's expeditions over six centuries ago before the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. The Ming fleet, with more ...
Fringe view of China’s history sparks official rebuke after going viral online
A controversial historical perspective known as the '1644 historical viewpoint' has gone viral in China, leading to sharp online debates over national suffering and history. This fringe literary inter...
Reflections on the Revolution: An Introduction
Roger Kimball from The New Criterion explores and analyzes George Washington's 1796 farewell address....
January 9, 1969: Scientists Claim Lack of UFO Evidence
On January 9, 1969, scientists concluded there was insufficient evidence supporting the existence of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). This statement likely followed a period of increased public int...
The enduring charm of Japan's oldest Edo Period amusement park
Asakusa Hanayashiki amusement park in Tokyo emphasizes its historical significance and retro charm over modern attractions. It highlights the traditional character of its existing rides and experience...
How the Continental Army became the lords of Spanktown
Spanktown, named after an early settler's public chastisement of his wife, was significant during the Forage Wars as a site where the Continental Army exerted control....
Military Quote of the Day by Abraham Lincoln or Star Trek: ‘There’s No Honorable Way to Kill, No Gentle Way to Destroy…’
A quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln—'There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war, except its ending'—originates not from the historical president b...
Berlin: Archaeologists on a treasure hunt in the capital
Archaeological findings from medieval times are being discovered at the heart of Berlin, leading to the establishment of PETRI Berlin Museum aimed at preserving these historical artifacts....
Little Manila time capsules in Stockton, California, tell stories
In 2005, Antonio Somera discovered several mysterious containers while cleaning the basement of the Daguhoy Lodge in Stockton, California. Among the items were more than a dozen steamer trunks that ha...
Quote of the Day by Benjamin Franklin: ‘Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature…’
Benjamin Franklin’s quote emphasizes that money does not bring happiness, stemming from his own life experiences and philosophical views on virtue over riches. Born into poverty in Boston, Franklin be...
South Dakota-Class: 35,600 Ton Super Battleship Has A Message for the U.S. Navy
The South Dakota-class battleships were commissioned with FY1939 funding and designed as improvements over the North Carolina model to meet treaty requirements while maximizing firepower, underwater d...
Perfume's multicultural journey: From antiquity to TikTok
The article explores perfume's rich historical roots which span multiple regions including Mesopotamia, India, Egypt, and Europe. Despite often being marketed through a Eurocentric viewpoint, the piec...
History Based Leadership Program for High Schoolers
Monique Tapie from RCDefense writes about the decline of history and critical thinking in public school curriculums over recent decades, suggesting this trend has lowered educational standards....
China Santa Claus: how Qing dynasty military figure ‘cutified’ into ‘Father Christmas’
A video circulating on Chinese social media shows an actor portraying Oboi, a feared military commander from the Qing dynasty, as Santa Claus at a tourist resort in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. The ...
Edo Japan’s bloody legacy of Christian revolt
By 1600 AD, the southern Japanese island of Kyushu had become predominantly Christian due to missionary efforts. This set the stage for significant religious conflict during the Edo period (1603-1867)...
A Raucous Reckoning With Brazil’s Dictatorship
The film 'The Secret Agent', which has been nominated for an Oscar, explores unaddressed aspects of Brazil's military dictatorship era. The movie delves into the secretive and controversial elements o...
The 2025 War on the Rocks Holiday Reading List
A holiday reading list compiled by War on the Rocks featuring multiple mini biographies of warrior queens throughout history such as Boadicea and Zenobia, authored by Antonia Fraser. The book explores...
Why Chinese ‘ask rice’ divination ritual involves using 1,080 round grains
Chinese rice divination, also known as mun mai in southern China, is an ancient practice dating back to the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). It involves using 1,080 grains of rice and reflects beliefs t...