Author: Braxton Taylor
After at least a week of publicly threatening to abandon Ukraine, the Trump White House is pushing Kyiv to accept an apparently lopsided, U.S.-brokered peace deal that includes recognition of Russia’s illegal 2014 annexation of Crimea, among other sacrifices—but little to no concessions for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense One’s Patrick Tucker reports. “If [Ukraine] wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Trump wrote incorrectly on social media Wednesday. Indeed, “At least one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, and dozens were detained or assaulted. [Putin’s invasion],…
CZ’s Shadow 2 has earned an enviable reputation in the action-shooting sports. Combining the ergonomic virtues of the CZ-75, the weight of a steel frame and a smooth, tunable trigger feel, it is frequently found in the holsters of those on the winner’s podium. Many of those qualities were passed on to the smaller, lighter Shadow 2 Compact. It has proven to be a good everyday-carry (EDC) piece, but CZ knew that, with a little reworking, the design might achieve (to borrow a phrase) perfection as a carry gun. With that in mind, we arrive at the CZ Shadow 2…
This commentary is published in coordination with the 2025 Global Security Forum, of which Defense One is a media partner.The leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah disbanded their al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group last June—but the schools that serve as the group’s ideological factories remain active. The Indonesian government must take action to prevent JI members who traveled to fight in Syria from using the schools to galvanize the group’s resurgence.JI had long relied on Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, operating under the radar as part of the Indonesian educational system. These radicalized schools steeped young minds in radical beliefs and produced a steady supply…
Few things are more frustrating in turkey hunting than working with a gobbler who refuses to commit. You’ve got the setup, the calls, and the patience, but the tom hangs up just out of range—or worse, ignores you altogether. These are the call-shy gobblers, the birds that have heard it all and refuse to be fooled.You know you hold a grudge against a call-shy gobbler when you go turkey hunting on the morning of your wedding. After spending a week chasing the same gobbler, this was the scene with a good friend and me. Each time we called, he would…
Welcome to MeatEater At MeatEater, we believe a deeper connection to the natural world enriches all our lives. Through honest storytelling, expert advice, top-tier gear, and a commitment to conservation, we help hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts live closer to nature. Read the full article here
Jason sits down with Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes of Initial Ascent to dive into the story behind their hunting pack company. They talk about what inspired them to start the brand, the hands-on prototyping process, and the rigorous testing their packs endured before ever hitting the market. The conversation highlights the innovation that sets their pack system apart, as well as where they’re headed next in the world of high-performance backcountry gear. Read the full article here
In the clearest sign yet that the White House could soon abandon support for Ukraine, President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept a U.S.-brokered peace proposal that includes recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, among other sacrifices—but little to no concessions for Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Zelenskyy could have had peace long ago by giving up Crimea,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That ship has sailed.” Trump’s framing puts him in direct opposition not just to the current Ukrainian government, but to over a decade of international law, diplomatic precedent, and bipartisan U.S. policy.…
This week on the show we’re discussing the surprising arrival of whitetails and mule deer to Alaska, my new sitka blacktail hunting film, and other questions related to Alaska’s changing landscape. Joining me is author, Alaska resident, and blacktail deer hunting aficionado Bjorn Dihle and filmmaker Colin Arisman. Read the full article here
Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez, the garrison commander of Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, was suspended following the circulation on social media of a photograph showing portraits of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth turned to face a wall.The incident, which sparked a wave of right-wing criticism, centered on the base’s chain of command wall display — a common fixture in military buildings designed to show the hierarchy from local commanders to the president.In an undated statement posted to Fort McCoy’s website, the Army confirmed that Baez Ramirez, the first female garrison commander for the base,…
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—The White House has made it clear that it wants to uncomplicate the Pentagon’s labyrinthian acquisition system. But the antiquated process that treats buying quadcopter drones the same as fighter jets is not the only thing that keeps commercial companies from national security work.While the Defense Department must ensure the software it puts on “government systems is secure in the event of various and even more sophisticated attacks,” the potentially yearslong process of getting an authority to operate is “a tremendous barrier in terms of the amount of time and cost it takes,” Liz Young McNally, the Defense…