Latest news with #TheWarZone
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
What North Korea's New Russian Weapons Tech Means for South Korea
It's not just Ukraine that is now facing the low, buzzing hum of Iranian-designed explosive drones. It is the U.S.'s key allies in Asia, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has declared. "This must be addressed now—not when thousands of upgraded Shahed drones and ballistic missiles begin to threaten Seoul and Tokyo," the Ukrainian leader said on June 10. Shahed drones, a brainchild of Tehran, have borne down on Ukrainian air defenses since the early months of the full-scale war Russia launched in February 2022. While slow-moving, the uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as Geran drones, are difficult for Ukraine's strained air defenses to detect. They're known for their low and distinctive buzzing sound that signals they're closing in on a target, ferrying along warheads that can shatter or explode. The scale of attacks on Ukraine varies, but Kyiv said Moscow launched 479 UAVs, including Shaheds, at the country in one night earlier this month. Russia has now agreed to help North Korea set up sites on the divided peninsula to manufacture Shahed drones, said Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Kyiv's GUR military intelligence agency. "It will for sure bring changes in the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea," the intelligence chief told The War Zone outlet. Experts agree. "This is gravely concerning," William Alberque, a visiting fellow at the Henry L. Stimson and a former director of NATO's Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation Center, previously said. Drones aren't the only thing North Korea is getting from Russia. Becoming embroiled in the Ukraine war—and turning into the only country outside the two warring nations to commit troops to the front line—has bought North Korea an economic and military hand-up from Russia, observers say. Western intelligence suggests North Korea is receiving help with its advanced missiles, space and nuclear programs from Russia, on top of Ukraine's assessment of new drone factories. Russia and North Korea announced a mutual defense pact in June 2024, which was inked in November. While South Korea is not yet prepared for this new threat from its northern neighbor, it won't be long before Seoul gets there, analysts say. North Korea has contributed three major things to Russia's war effort against Ukraine: Troops, ammunition and missiles. Pyongyang sent roughly 11,000 of its troops to Russia's western Kursk region late last year to help push Ukrainian forces that controlled a chunk of territory over the border back to Ukrainian soil. U.K. military intelligence assessed this month that the North Korean forces were replenished with some limited reinforcements, but that more than 6,000 of the soldiers had been killed or injured. Assessments of how well the troops performed varied wildly. Some reports suggested the soldiers were little more than "cannon fodder" and ill-prepared for drone-heavy combat, while others described the fighters hailing from a heavily militarized society as disciplined, in good shape and adept with weapons. Either way, Pyongyang is learning in a way Seoul is not. "The South Korean military's relative lack of combat experience has to be mentioned, especially given that North Korean forces are now gaining meaningful experience fighting a well-equipped conventional enemy in Ukraine," said Jacob Parakilas, research leader for defense strategy, policy and capabilities at the European branch of the Rand think tank. The combat experience and the technological expertise North Korea is thought to be accruing "pose a new challenge to South Korea," added Ramon Pacheco Pardo, professor of international relations at King's College London. This will "accelerate North Korea's development of its own military capabilities, and even though South Korea is already working on its own preparedness against them, it lacks the battlefield experience that the North Korea army is gaining," he told Newsweek. Missiles North Korea has supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, keeping up the stockpiles to fire on Ukraine. Ukraine's air force frequently reports the use of North Korea's KN-23, also known as Hwasong-11, short-range ballistic missiles, in overnight strikes. Ukrainian officials had described the earlier iterations of the KN-23 as deeply unreliable and unable to strike its targets consistently. But the Hwasong-11 of mid-2025 is an "absolutely different missile," and much more accurate, Budanov said. The KN-23 is similar to Russia's SS-26 ballistic missile, "so it makes sense that Russia is able to rapidly fix shortcomings in North Korea's designs," Alberque told Newsweek. SS-26 is the NATO moniker for Moscow's Iskander-M mobile short-range ballistic missile system. North Korea's improved designs are "concerning," he added, despite South Korea's strong web of air defenses. Air defenses can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers of incoming threats if there are more targets to intercept than interceptor missiles in launchers. Some of North Korea's factories, mainly those producing weapons and ammunition, are operating at "full capacity," South Korea's then-defense minister, Shin Won-sik, said in February 2024. "If the North Korean missiles that make it through are more accurate and capable, it's a fairly substantial problem for the South," Alberque said. Drones The Ukraine war has been a crucible for drone advancement. "The longer this war continues on our territory, the more warfare technologies evolve, and the greater the threat will be to everyone," Zelensky said earlier this month. "As of today, North Korea likely has [the] advantage, and that advantage will grow exponentially over the next year," Alberque added. Pyongyang has already sent drones over the border and into South Korea's airspace. Seoul established a drone-focused command in September 2023, not long after five drones made it into the South's territory in late 2022. South Korea's military later said one of the drones had made it into a no-fly zone around the presidential office in the capital. "I do not believe that South Korea is ready right now, but they are taking some steps, including creating structures and working with industry, and they do have time to study and prepare; however, not too much time," Alberque said. "South Korea has a lot of work to do." Experts say Seoul should be paying close attention to how drones have been used in Ukraine, as well as in the Middle East. Any information funneled from Ukraine can feed into South Korea's defenses, Alberque added. Pyongyang has adopted an increasingly belligerent tone toward South Korea, sharply departing from the long-held policy of reunification with the south and doubling down on anti-Washington rhetoric. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, put the country's industry on a war footing, pumping out weapons as Pyongyang committed to building a large, modern military. South Korea has very capable forces in its own right, supported by a defense industry that is rapidly making a name for itself. It's got a very clearly defined purpose, too. "The South Korean armed forces have one primary mission and focus, which is maintaining the ability to win a war with the North," said Parakilas. Analysts say there are some areas where South Korea has the upper hand. "South Korea still has a technological advantage over North Korea plus the support of its ally, the U.S., which Russia cannot match in terms of technological development," said Pacheco Pardo. How the U.S. slots in has a significant impact on how South Korea would fight the North, said Alberque. "Whether or not they have the full support of the American military makes a pretty substantial difference to planning," he added. Another of South Korea's strengths is its navy. Seoul's capabilities outweigh Pyongyang's, Parakilas said, adding North Korea won't be able to pull any real naval experience from the land war in Ukraine. "Of the capabilities that Moscow seems to be helping Pyongyang with, the surface fleet is probably the least worrisome," said Parakilas. In May, North Korea tried to launch a new destroyer at its northeastern Chongjin port—an ill-fated attempt state media reported ended in a "serious accident." The 5,000-ton warship was damaged "due to inexperienced command and operational carelessness," state media reported. It was an unusually candid public assessment for a country seeking to exude military strength. Kim, who was present for the bungled launch, irately denounced the incident as "criminal." At least four North Korean officials were arrested. North Korea said in mid-June the formerly capsized ship had been successfully relaunched. Related Articles US Stages Air Combat Drills With Allies Amid North Korea ThreatUS Ally Reveals Chinese Military Activity Near American BaseDonald Trump Issues Next Trade Deal Update After ChinaUS Ally Seeks China's Help in Dealing With North Korea 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Meet SOCOM, the special US forces that may enter Iran to take care of 'loose nukes'
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks whether to launch military action against Iran , according to reports. "Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiations with Iran in the near future — which may or may not materialize — I will make my decision on whether or not to go forward within the next two weeks," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday, quoting Trump. According to The War Zone (TWZ), U.S. ground operations could be initiated if Iran attempts to disperse components of its nuclear program or if the Iranian government collapses, potentially leaving behind unsecured nuclear material — or so-called "loose nukes." To address such high-stakes contingencies, the United States reportedly relies on a specialized force: the U.S. Special Operations Command ( SOCOM ), formed in 2016 to deal with unconventional threats, including those involving weapons of mass destruction. Notably, earlier Leavitt warned that Iran is just "a couple of weeks" away from being able to produce an atomic bomb. Live Events Currently, Iran is believed to be enriching uranium to 60% — well above the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal, although still below the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material. Meanwhile, Iran's powerful Guardian Council has threatened a 'harsh response' if "the criminal American government and its stupid president" take any action against the Islamic Republic. What is SOCOM? According to the U.S. government, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) "oversees the special operations capabilities of the various military branches, coordinates their training, strategy, interoperability, and operations." It is also the lead agency for Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) missions. SOCOM has emerged as the U.S.'s primary counterterrorism force over the last two decades. Even prior to the 9/11 attacks, the command was active in tracking and confronting violent extremist groups globally. It has conducted operations against narco-trafficking cartels in Central and South America, transnational criminal networks in the Balkans, the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan, as well as ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Strait of Hormuz: Iran threatens 33-km wide key oil lifeline for the world
Image: Wikipedia Commons. The world runs on oil, and much of it flows through Hormuz. As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, a narrow waterway in West Asia has once again emerged as the epicentre of global anxiety. The Strait of Hormuz, only 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, is arguably the world's most critical oil route. With Iranian leaders renewing threats to block the passage, its strategic importance is drawing urgent attention, particularly from energy-dependent nations like India. Earlier this month, following Israeli airstrikes on Iran's military and energy infrastructure, several Iranian lawmakers suggested closing the Strait. According to Euronews, senior commander Sardar Esmail Kowsari of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who is also a member of parliament, confirmed the option was 'under consideration.''Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy, and the military response was only part of our overall response,' he said. Also Read: 'Battle begins, no mercy': Iran's warning to US & Israel after Trump demands Khamenei's surrender Tehran has made similar threats in the past without acting on them. But the renewed rhetoric, coming amid a worsening armed conflict, lends the matter an air of heightened urgency. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, forming a narrow maritime corridor between Iran and Oman. It serves as the primary export route for crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from energy powerhouses like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran itself. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 'the Strait is the exit route from the Gulf for around 25% of the world's oil supply, including from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq and Iran, and most of the world's spare production capacity.'The IEA also warned: 'Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the key Strait of Hormuz if attacked. Closure of the Strait, even for a limited period, would have a major impact on global oil and gas markets.'Although global oil supply is expected to be adequate through 2030 if no major disruptions occur, with demand forecast to hit 105.5 million barrels per day (bpd) by then, the threat of closure could still rattle US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that over 20 million barrels of oil, roughly 20% of global daily supply, passed through the Strait in 2022. It also accounted for about 25% of global LNG exports, mostly from Strait of Hormuz is just around 20 nautical miles across Iran at its narrowest point and a significant portion of it falls within Iran's national waters, which also overlaps with those of Oman to the south, according to The War Zone (TWZ).The strategic waterway is also a high-traffic zone: more than 3,000 commercial vessels use it monthly, as per one of the largest beneficiaries of Hormuz's open shipping lanes, has much at stake. According to the EIA, 82% of the crude and condensate exports transiting Hormuz in 2022 were destined for Asia, with India, China, Japan and South Korea accounting for 67% of the total flows in 2022 and the first half of imports around 90% of its crude oil, and over 40% of those imports come from Middle Eastern nations whose exports pass through Hormuz. Also Read: Iran is no pushover: Israel is learning the hard way Even a limited disruption could threaten India's refinery operations, retail fuel pricing, and broader economic stability. 'Shipping costs would go up even if supplies aren't rerouted, through higher insurance premiums. And higher crude prices will directly affect oil companies,' Nitin Tiwari, analyst at PhillipCapital, told to the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), India's crude import dependency (on a petroleum, oil, and lubricants, POL, basis) reached a record 90% in April 2025, up from 88.5% and 88.6% in April 2024 and 2023, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently reassured the public that India is well-stocked. 'India's total oil reserves stand at around 74 days, IOCL inventory is for 40–42 days, the government's special purpose vehicle, Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd, holds reserves for over 9 days, and the rest is maintained by BPCL and HPCL,' he the concern persists. In 2019, when attacks on tankers in Hormuz raised alarm, India deployed its Navy to escort oil tankers and engaged diplomatically with Tehran under the Hormuz Peace prices have already begun to react. Oil prices jumped 7% late last week after Israel targeted Iranian military and nuclear facilities. On Tuesday, US benchmark crude rose 87 cents to $72.64 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 87 cents to $74.10. Prior to the recent tensions, prices were hovering around $65–70 per barrel.A note from IFA Global on June 16 warned: 'The Israel-Iran conflict seems to be getting worse. There is a risk of a supply-side shock in crude as the conflict intensifies. Key shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab El-Mandeb could get impacted.'Not likely to close, but serious risks remainDespite the threats, most analysts believe Iran is unlikely to close the Strait entirely. Even during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, oil continued to flow despite attacks on tankers. Iran, too, relies heavily on the Strait for its own economic the risk of escalation and unintended consequences is real. Over 3,000 ships pass through the Strait monthly, carrying not just oil and gas but critical goods and materials that feed global supply chains. Also Read: How close is World War 3 amidst Israel Iran war? A closure would also harm Iran's key ally, China, which is its largest oil customer. 'China does not want the price of oil to rise,' Ellen Wald, president of Transversal Consulting, told CNBC. 'So they're going to bring the full weight of their economic power to bear on Iran.'Since the imposition of US sanctions in 2019, Iran has leaned heavily on China to keep its oil sector afloat. Any supply disruption could add $5–$10 per barrel to global crude prices, say experts. Iran produces nearly 3% of total global oil to the IEA, even short-term disruptions could 'create substantial supply delays and raise shipping costs,' fuelling inflation Strait of Hormuz is more than a strategic bottleneck, it is a linchpin of the global energy economy. For India, its uninterrupted operation is vital not just to fuel supply, but also to keep inflation in check, industry humming, and GDP targets on a full closure remains unlikely, even the threat is enough to rattle global markets. And for India, dependent on predictable energy flows, that alone is cause for deep concern.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
As Israel-Iran war escalates, US moves refuelling tankers to Europe to support operations
Amid spiralling war in West Asia, the US Air Force has moved dozens of refuelling tankers to Europe to support potential operations against Iran. Here are various scenarios that these tankers could be used in the Israel-Iran war. read more The undated photograph shows US Air Force's KC-135 aerial refuelling tanker along with two fighter planes. (Photo: US Air Force) As the war between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, the US Air Force has moved dozens of refuelling tankers to Europe. The movement of US Air Force's KC-135R and KC-46A tankers was first reported on Sunday by open-source investigators observing aviation tracking platforms. They reported as many as 28 tankers flying eastward across the Atlantic Ocean. At the time, their destination and purpose were not known. Reuters has now reported that the US military has moved a 'large number' of tankers to Europe to provide US President Donald Trump with options for any active involvement in the Israel-Iran war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the news agency did not give a number, it said that a flight tracking website showed that at least 31 tankers left the United States eastward. More from World Israeli strike cuts live Iranian broadcast mid-air 4 reasons why US moved tankers eastward Veteran defence journalist Tyler Rogoway noted in an article for The War Zone that there are four reasons why the US Air Force moved tankers eastward. Firstly, the Trump administration could be preparing to provide Israel with aerial refuelling support. Such a move would mark a significant escalation as that would mean direct US facilitation of Israeli attacks inside Iran. For long-range missions for longer periods, Israel would require as such US support as Israel just has seven ageing tankers for aerial refuelling, according to Rogoway, the Editor-in-Chief of The War Zone. Such refuelling would allow Israeli planes to roam inside Iran for much longer to find and destroy targets — more so as Israel has established air superiority. So far, as Israeli warplanes are limited by range, they are believed to be largely using standoff weapons — the kind of weapons that you fire without coming within the range of the target nation's air defences or near its airspace. This is critical to hit underground nuclear sites as using 'heaviest bunker-busters to bear on targets will require Israeli aircraft to be in close proximity to them, in particular', according to Rogoway. Secondly, the Trump administration could be joining Israel in attacks on Iran. In this case, these tankers would be required to refuel both US and Israeli aircraft in the air. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thirdly, the Trump administration could be laying the groundwork to deal with the possibility of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the strait would hamper world trade as nearly a fifth of the world's oil and gas transits through the waterway. In this case, the US forces would most likely be joined by Arab forces in a widespread operation that would require the suppression and destruction of Iranian air defences along the coast, finding and destroying Iranian anti-ship missiles, hitting Iranian gunboats, and neutralising Iranian missiles and drones. All of these missions would require substantial aerial refuelling. Fourthly, and lastly, the Trump administration could be building an air bridge between the United States and Middle East. Rogoway said that this was the most likely intention behind the movement of tankers. The air bridge refers to an air corridor for continuous and sustained airlift of aircraft, troops, equipment, fuel, personnel, and other things over long distance — between the United States and Middle East in this case. For such an air bridge, the deployment of refuelling tankers is a must so that aircraft, whether transporters or fighters, could operate smoothly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The air bridge would involve moving many types of aircraft, and especially fighters, and deploying tankers would enable aircraft like B-2 bombers to operate inside Iran, noted Rogoway. 'American B-2s are the only known conventional assets that have the potential capability of badly disabling or destroying Iran's deepest underground components of its nuclear program. We have constantly highlighted this scenario for many years. Pre-positioning a tanker bridge spanning the Atlantic to the Middle East would be needed to support those heavily-laden B-2 operations,' noted Rogoway.
India.com
13-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
B-2 bombers, fighter jets, ground troops... this is how US, Israel going to attack Iran, preparing for....
B-2 bombers, fighter jets, ground troops... this is how US, Israel going to attack Iran, preparing for… The possibility of a serious war between Iran and Israel has become real in early Friday when the Israeli Air Force conducted deadly airstrikes on Tehran. Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have also come to a standstill. America has also confirmed that Israel is fully prepared to attack the Middle East country. Tel Aviv targeted Iran's nuclear bases but it is also a fact that such military operations can cause huge damage directly or indirectly. As per a report by The War Zone, both countries adopted a stubborn attitude during their talks. U.S. Army General Michael 'Eric' Kurilla told the U.S. Congress, 'I have provided a wide range of options to President Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.' He said that America is ready to attack Iran. Iran has also vowed for revenge. Notably, Donald Trump was pressuring the Israeli PM not to attack while the nuclear talks were going on but as per Politico, Trump is facing heavy pressure from a group of domestic political allies to accept and/or join Israeli attacks on Iran. Israel's Attack On Iran Is Certain According to a report by TWZ, the IDF has made all the preparation. Israel's Haaretz newspaper said that plans are moving forward, while the country's Channel 12 said that more active preparations are now underway, including the deployment of ammunition. Iran Can Launch A Dangerous Counterattack Iran has warned a major retaliatory response to any attack on its nuclear facilities, potentially targeting not only Israel but also the United States. International anxieties are rising due to increasing regional tensions, exacerbated by groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah, and the possibility of Iran accelerating its nuclear program. This worry is echoed by the IAEA Director General. Iran's ties with China and Russia increase the likelihood of major powers becoming involved, potentially triggering a large-scale war. The current focus is less on whether a major conflict will occur, and more on how quickly it might happen, given the lack of diplomatic progress.
