U.S. President Donald Trump signed three executive orders in June 2025 to defend the U.S. against malicious drones and bolster supersonic flights in the country. AFP/GETTY IMAGES REUTERS United States President Donald Trump in early June signed executive orders to bolster U.S. defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said. In the three executive orders, Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators — a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries — and reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese drone companies as well as advance testing of…
The Watch
The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely intercepted a vessel in the Caribbean Sea in May 2025, confiscating a $13.7 million shipment of cocaine. A U.S. Coast Guard law-enforcement detachment embedded on the Gravely boarded the vessel and executed the bust. The operation was the latest success in a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) effort to stem illegal trafficking in the southern approaches to the United States. The Gravely and P-8 Poseidon U.S Navy planes spotted the vessel on May 25 and quickly apprehended it. On board, Coast Guardsmen found 19 bales of cocaine weighing more than 400 kilograms, according to multiple…
The Dutch government identified a Russian hacking ring named Laundry Bear as being responsible for cyberattacks on the Dutch police, NATO and several European countries in late May 2025. AFP/GETTY IMAGES REUTERS A previously unknown Russian hacking group was behind attacks last year on the networks of the Dutch police, NATO and several European countries, Dutch intelligence agencies said in late May 2025. The group, nicknamed Laundry Bear by the security agencies, most likely was supported by the Russian state, the Dutch General Intelligence Agency and Military Agency said in a joint letter to Parliament on May 27. “The cyberattacks…
The Canadian warship HMCS William Hall seized more than 1,300 kilograms in the Caribbean Sea in May 2025 with the help of a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment. ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY The Watch Staff A Canadian warship carrying an embedded United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) carried out two major drug seizures while on patrol in the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation CARIBBE in late May 2025. The seizure of more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine in two interdictions on May 29 and May 31 is the most recent example of Canada’s commitment to disrupt the…
U.S. Army Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division operate ground-based radar in Texas near the border in May 2025. The radar platoon monitored illegal migration and drug smuggling to assist Customs and Border Protection agents to secure the Mexico-U.S. border. U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND United States Soldiers are tracking unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and illegal migration near the southern border, countering attempts by Mexican cartels that were recently designated by the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations (FTO). A contingent of 10th Mountain Division Soldiers recently began operations to detect low-flying aerial threats and monitor migration patterns with ground-based radars, according to…
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, bangs a gavel to signify the start of a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels on June 5. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Most United States allies at NATO endorse a goal to invest 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense and are ready to ramp up security spending even more, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in June 2025. “There’s broad support,” Rutte told reporters after chairing a meeting of NATO defense ministers at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters. “We are really close,” he said on June 4.…
Bermuda’s governor and high-ranking Royal Bermuda Regiment officers met with counterparts in Jamaica’s Defence Force in May 2025 to share best practices for defense. ROYAL BERMUDA REGIMENT THE WATCH STAFF Bermuda’s governor and high-ranking officers in the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) met with their counterparts in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in May 2025 to share best practices and explore closer collaboration between the militaries. Gov. Andrew Murdoch, who also serves as the RBR’s commander-in-chief, led the Bermuda delegation, which met with JDF Chief of Defence Staff Vice Adm. Antonette Wemyss-Gorman and other officials during the annual Rum Runner Exercise,…
Odd John Resser, emergency planning officer, walks in an underground shelter previously used by a youth club in Kongsberg, Norway. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS In 1944, Norwegian resistance fighters in the town of Kongsberg blew up a cannon factory for occupying Nazi German forces during World War II. More than 80 years later, the municipality once again could be a target for sabotage and is preparing for war. Local authorities have dusted off Cold War-era bomb shelters, installed a new satellite communications system and are working with the military on plans to help a deployment of Western forces…
U.S. Army paratroopers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and multinational medical teams tested drones to transport blood as part of Swift Response 2025 at Camp Adrian Rohn near Pabradė, Lithuania, on May 15, 2025. ELENA BALADELLI/U.S. ARMY THE WATCH STAFF In combat, seconds count, and a pint of blood can mean the difference between life and death. With that in mind, the United States Army has begun testing drones to deliver blood supplies to the battlefield. At Swift Response 2025, a multinational exercise held by NATO allies and partners in the High North and Baltic region, medics with the U.S. Army’s…
The four new SAFE BOATS purchased by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force will bolster the Caribbean nation’s ability to monitor its waters and increases the RBDF’s domain awareness. ROYAL BAHAMAS DEFENCE FORCE THE WATCH STAFF The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) commissioned four new SAFE boats on May 30 at the RBDF Harbour Patrol Unit. The commissioning ceremony marked the culmination of a strategic defense procurement program that began in January 2024. The new vessels, which can reach speeds of 40 knots, are aimed at strengthening border security and territorial defense, enhancing maritime surveillance, and improving response capabilities during natural…