The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 20:58

Airstrikes by the U.S. Navy reported now on the Saada and Sanaa Governorates of Northern Yemen.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 20:33

Footage released by the U.S. Navy, showing recent flight operations by F/A-18E/F “Super Hornets” from Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11), Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81), Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) and Strike Fighter Squadron 143 (VFA-143), all attached to Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), who is currently located in the Northern Red Sea.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 19:33

After the Israel Defense Force (IDF) stated that they shot down a Houthi missile outside of Israeli territory, the Houthis have announced that they launched a Palestine 2 “hYpERsoNIc” missile at Israel earlier. According to their release, they were targeting the Nevatim Air Base. The missile never reached the target area.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 18:40

Russian state-owned media has now provided some details from the call between the U.S. and Russian presidents. Details below:
- A 175 for 175 prisoner swap is expected to take place tomorrow March 19, 2025 between Ukraine and Russia.
- The two leaders also talked about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
- President Putin at least tacitly agreed to President Trump’s proposal for a 30-day halt on Russian strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
- Increased Russo-American bilateral cooperation. Pledged to create dedicated working groups to facilitate negotiations.
- Come to an agreement on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. (It should be noted that Russia has been the primary threat to commercial shipping in the Black Sea for the entire conflict)
- A “complete cessation” of military aid to Ukraine was stressed by Russia’s top decision-maker.

Note: This is not from the expected White House readout bug Russian state-owned media citing Russian officials. It may differ from the White House readout’s characterization of the call.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 18:10

After sirens were triggered in Southern Israel due to a missile launch from Yemen, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has now said that one missile from Yemen was intercepted outside of Israeli territory.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 17:58

Red Alerts now across Southern Israel, following the reported launch of a ballistic missile by the Houthis in Yemen.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 17:33

The phone call between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has ended after over two hours, with President Trump expected to issue a statement on their conversation soon.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 17:23

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly address the nation tonight at 8:00pm local time, from the Defense Headquarters at the Kirya in Tel-Aviv.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 16:01

The White House states that U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been speaking over the phone now for an hour, beginning at 10:00am EST.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 15:52

Houthi Foreign Minister Jamal Amer told Reuters during an interview on Monday, that they will not “dial down” attacks against Israeli shipping in the Red Sea in response to appeals from allies like Iran, adding that they are now at war with the United States and that “escalation is likely.” Amer further stated, “(The U.S.) is threatening Iran and hitting Yemen. Now all scenarios are possible. We will do what they will do to us. If they are hitting us from Truman, we will retaliate by hitting Truman,” before also threatening the Gulf States if they allow their bases to be used by the U.S. for strikes against Yemen.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 14:46

Footage showing strikes earlier today by the Israeli Air Force, on a pair of artillery pieces from the previous Assad Regime near Khan Arnabah in Southwestern Syria. The howitzers are said to have posed a threat to the State of Israel.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 13:40

Channels in Gaza are reporting now that Abu Hamza, the Spokesman for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), was killed alongside members of his family in one of the recent waves of airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 10:17

In a joint statement, the defense ministers of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia have announced their collective recommendation that their respective nations withdraw from the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). Citing the “deteriorated” security situation in Eastern Europe, the joint statement voices the defense ministers’ desire to field capabilities that give their respective forces the ability to respond to and defend against threats.

Note: This statement does not announce their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention and instead communicates their desire to do so.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 08:08

Following last night’s wave of airstrikes against Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Force has now announced evacuation orders for any and all Palestinians residing in areas along the border of the Gaza Strip, stating “The IDF has launched a strong offensive against terror organizations. These designated areas are considered dangerous combat zones.” Adding, “For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to known shelters in western Gaza City and in Khan Younis.”

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 04:47

Reuters quoting Iran’s Nournews claims that an American Surveillance Drone, possibly referencing one of the U.S. Navy’s RQ-4C “Triton” Drones which have been carrying out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) off the coast of Iran over the Persian Gulf now for months, was forced to retreat from Iran’s Airspace today after being approached by Iranian F-14A “Tomcats” and Drones. Nournews added a quote from the Iranian Air Force, “Iran’s armed forces remain on high alert, prepared for “full-scale defense and a severe counterattack” against enemy interests in the Middle East.” A RQ-4C was patrolling in the Northern Persian Gulf today off the coast of Bushehr, Iran, though there is nothing to suggest that it was intercepted or forced to withdraw before completing its ISR Mission.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 20:44

Several reports now suggesting an ongoing wave of airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force on military sites in the Homs Governorate of Central Syria.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 19:44

The White House readout of the call today between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald J. Trump doesn’t differ greatly from previous releases from the Kremlin.
Like the releases from the Kremlin, the two biggest points of note here are the tentative plan for a 30-day pause on Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the negotiations surrounding commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

Quick note:
On the proposed 30-day pause to Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure: Its highly unlikely that Russia will move to implement such a pause should Ukraine refuse to mirror the move and pause strikes on Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 18:56

Following an situational assessment tonight, the IDF Homefront Command has announced an easing of restrictions for communities in Southern Israel surrounding the Gaza Strip, moving from “Limited Activity” to “Partial Activity” allowing schools and other education activities if they are near a protected area.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 18:14

Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John G. Roberts has issued a rare statement rebuking calls recently from President Donald J. Trump and his allies to impeach federal judges who have ruled against the Trump Administration, most recently District Judge James E. Boasberg who attempted to prevent the Administration from transferring roughly 200 criminal illegal migrants to prisons in El Salvador. “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” Roberts said in his statement, adding “We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for.”

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 18:04

A readout from the White House detailing the call between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected imminently. According to Russian state media outlets, the call went “very well”.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 17:47

A Mi-28N “Havoc” Two-Seat Anti-Armor Attack Helicopter with the Russian Aerospace Forces crashed earlier today in the Leningrad Oblast of Northwestern Russia, resulting in the death of both pilots. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian Air Force is visually confirmed to have lost at least 13 of its roughly 120 Mi-28s.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 17:27

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has now confirmed the death of its Spokesman, Naji Abu Saif, also known by the alias of Abu Hamza, who was killed in one of the strikes against the Gaza Strip this morning by the Israeli Air Force.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 16:56

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Tel Nof Airbase to the south of Tel-Aviv earlier today, meeting with pilots and ground crew from the 133rd Squadron who participated in last night’s strike operation against the Gaza Strip, dubbed Operation “Strength and Swords.” During his visit, Katz stated, “I congratulate the Air Force and the IDF on the unprecedented counter-terrorism operation last night in Gaza, which was carried out in accordance with the decision that the Prime Minister and I made with the consent of all security officials.

Hamas must understand that the rules of the game have changed and if it does not immediately release all the kidnapped men and women, the gates of hell will open and it will find the entire might of the IDF facing it in the air, at sea and on land, until its complete annihilation.

We will not stop fighting until all the kidnapped are returned home and every threat to the residents of the south is removed.”

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 15:59

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement condemning last night’s resumption of combat operations against the Gaza Strip by Israel.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 15:18

According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) the Houthis are now seizing food stock from a World Food Program (WFP) warehouse in Saada, Yemen. The seizure of goods from this warehouse, which contains over 5,700,000 pounds of aid intended for Yemeni civilians, is the latest in a string of Houthi actions against the WFP and wider UN missions across areas controlled by the group. The Houthis have targeted and diverted WFP aid in the past, and have shown no qualms with illegally detaining WFP and other UN aid workers.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 14:20

Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz this morning at the Headquarters of the IDF, “If the Hamas murderers do not release all our hostages, our blows will only get worse.”

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 11:26

U.S. President Donald J. Trump is expected to have a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin from 4 to 6 p.m. Moscow time (9 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time), according to the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. President Putin is not expected to make a statement after the call.
While President Trump has said that “many elements” of a proposed ceasefire plan have been agreed on, no agreement has been fully agreed upon and implemented yet. The call is expected to push this process forward.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 08:36

Israel has announced that last night’s surprise strike operation by the Israeli Air Force against Hamas terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, has been dubbed “Strength and Sword” by Defense Officials.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 07:59

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has released footage showing Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the Director of Shin Bet Ronen Bar, and Chief of the Israeli Air Force Major General Tomer Bar coordinating and overseeing last night’s wave of airstrikes against the Hamas terrorist group throughout the Gaza Strip, from the IAF’s underground command-and-control center at the Kirya in Tel-Aviv.

The Defender Dome

18 Mar 2025 03:47

The Gaza Ministry of Health claims that the death toll from tonight’s Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have surpassed 200.