American Brig. Gen. Doug Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, warns of the growing threat from China’s military.

By 2027, the PLA is projected to outnumber U.S. forces:
• Modern Fighter Jets: 12 to 1, including a 5 to 3 advantage in fifth-generation aircraft.
• Maritime Patrol Planes: 3 to 1.
• Bombers: 225 manned bombers, unmatched in the region.
• Naval Assets: 3 to 1 in carriers, 6 to 1 in advanced submarines, and 9 to 1 in multi-role combat ships.

Calling this imbalance a “risk” and “uncertainty,” Wickert highlighted the critical role of Edwards AFB in testing advanced technologies like the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, which will replace aging fleets.

“Today is not the day to start World War III,” he said, referencing the B-21.

Source: The Aviationist

Mobilization in Ukraine: Ukrainian man narrowly escapes military recruitment officials in Odesa.

China’s trade surplus hits almost $1 Trillion as Trump’s return looms.

The trade surplus of $992 billion eclipses the prior record of $838 billion set in 2022.

Source: Bloomberg

French Navy personnel accidentally leaked classified details about the schedules of nuclear-armed submarines via the fitness app Strava.

Public data from workout logs revealed routines at the Île Longue military base in Brest and the patrol schedules of the submarines.

Many personnel used real names and kept their profiles publicly accessible.

Source: Le Monde

Vladimir Saldo, Russian-installed governor of the part of Kherson region under Moscow's control:

Kherson region is ready to welcome refugees from California if they oppose the Kyiv regime and haven’t aided the Ukrainian Army.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan:

There is a distinct possibility we can get the Gaza deal done this week before president Biden ends his term.

NEW: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, and Denmark called for revising Syria’s sanctions system, stressing human rights and minority protections as conditions for easing further sanctions.

Source: Reuters

Israeli hospitals and ministries have received instructions to prepare to receive released hostages in the coming days.

Source: Al Jazeera

5 more IDF soldiers have been killed by Palestinian fighters in Gaza.

Head of the Turkish Intelligence (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin, held a phone call today with officials from the Hamas Political Bureau to discuss the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations.

During the discussion, the progress made in the negotiations and the current status were reviewed, and an agreement was reached to resume efforts toward achieving a ceasefire.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:

Current 2% defense spending target is not enough to stay safe in the coming years. Allies will have to spend much more than 2%. Security is not free.

Rutte:

EU countries will have to spend up to 10% of their GDP on military and build their own nuclear capabilities if they want to create a "European NATO".

BIG: Regional sources claim that Israel and Hamas are "very close" to reaching a ceasefire agreement, which could be announced "within hours".

NEW: A ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Hamas and Israel appears imminent.

The proposed six-week ceasefire includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for around 1,000 Palestinian hostages, including minors and those with health issues.

Discussions also cover 48 Palestinians re-arrested after a 2011 exchange and 22 serving life sentences, who may face exile.

Key sticking points remain, such as the scope of the ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza.

Key points of imminent Hamas-Israel hostage & ceasefire deal:

— 33 hostages to be released; most believed to be alive. Defined as a humanitarian effort.
— Initial ceasefire to last 42 days.
— Israel remains uncommitted to ending the war; negotiations on next steps begin on the 16th.
— IDF to stay in buffer zones, not fully withdrawing from Gaza.
— Gaza civilians can return north, with mechanisms to prevent Palestinian fighters and weapons from re-entering.
— Security arrangements planned for the Philadelphia axis.

Pilots of the new Syrian army flying over Latakia with helicopters.

Missile attacks reported in the Russian city of Bryansk, with some sources claiming that Ukraine launched ATACMS missiles on Russia.

Biden:

The US is winning, America is stronger now than 4 years ago, our alliances are much stronger. We are in a position of strength while our opponents are in a state of weakness.

Biden:

Putin thought he would invade Kiev within days, but I was the one who went there. We have mobilized 50 countries to stand by Ukraine.

Governor of the Bryansk region claims that Russian air defense destroyed all Ukrainian missiles and no casualties were reported.

Biden:

Iran is weaker than it has been in decades.