Arete is a hand-picked weekly list of the most thought-provoking articles, essays, and links I come across—curated for mountain and tactical athletes. Not always the newest, but always worth your time. It’s what I’d forward to a sharp teammate or training partner. — Rob Shaul, Founder, Mountain Tactical Institute
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MILITARY
Europe Is Selling Ukraine a Pipe Dream, Foreign Policy
MBS tells Trump he wants to join Abraham Accords, but path to Palestinian state crucial, The Times of Israel
Veteran Whose Resume Went Viral Shares Story with Jimmy Fallon, Jonas Brothers, military.com
Top US Admiral Says He’s Watching China’s Rapid Naval Buildup Closely, Military.com
The pilot of an F-22 just controlled a drone wingman in flight, Defense One
A Grand Bargain With Venezuela, Foreign Affairs
US revives jungle warfare training in Panama amid regional tensions, Defense News
The US designated more terrorist groups in 2025 than in the last 10 years combined, Task & Purpose
Coast Guard spots Russian ship 15 miles off Hawaii, Defense News
UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break, Defense News
More than half of Americans oppose Caribbean strikes: Poll, Defense News
Vietnam DUSTOFF Pilot Who Saved 3,000 Earned Gold Medal Honor for MEDEVAC Crews, military.com
China Hatches Plan to Keep U.S. Military From Getting Its Rare-Earth Magnets, Wall Street Journal
DOJ argues US military personnel cannot be prosecuted for drug boat strikes, Defense News
The US military’s plan to revive old bases in Latin America, Task & Purpose
The Top US Military Contractors Cashing In on Caribbean Operations, RespState
Poland Identifies Ukrainians Linked to Railway Sabotage Toward Ukraine,Pravda Report
Russian Strike Hits Turkish LNG Tanker in Odesa, Euronews
Russia’s veterans are bringing violence home, Unheard
German Defense Minister Warns NATO–Russia War Could Erupt Before 2029, Pravda Report
Trump Says He Would Be ‘OK’ Launching Strikes in Mexico, NBC News
How Drones Ended Trench Warfare, Politico
New Army-led task force plans to stand up digital marketplace for counter-drone tech, Breaking Defense
Naval Academy custom football uniform honors ‘Original 6 Frigates’, Task & Purpose
America’s invasion of Mexico, Unherd
Navy SEALs want to start a 10-day school to learn drone warfare, Task & Purpose
From Relic to Relevance: Why Obsolete Weapons Still Win Modern Wars, Modern War Institute
Why Are China’s Generals So Quiet as Xi Purges Them?, Foreign Policy
Marines got into a shootout with suspected gang members in Haiti, Task & Purpose
Two Marines Implicated in Notorious Killing of Iraqi Family, BBC
Trump Revives the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, Real Clear Defense
Rethinking China, Rethinking China
China Is Going to the Moon by 2030. Here’s What’s Known About the Mission—and Why It Matters, RAND
America Shouldn’t Pivot to Asia, The Interpreter
The Cheney Effect, Foreign Affairs
A Marine collapsed during a PT test. His family and former leadership say his death was preventable., Task & Purpose
FIRST RESPONDER | HOMELAND SECURITY | WILDLAND FIRE
Denver Fire Trucks Forced to Dodge Crumbling Bridges Increasing Response Times, Fire Engineering
Worker Killed, Two Rescued After Trench Collapse at MA Construction Site, Fire Engineering
Military Veteran and Advocacy Group Challenge Boston’s Hiring Practices, Fire Law Blog
Lawsuit Contends Boston Fire Department Is Sidelining Veterans to Meet Mayor’s Diversity Hiring Goals, Fire Engineering
Judge dismisses federal lawsuit against a N.Y. city’s sanctuary policies. Police1
Iowa police chief calls rifle left on cruiser roof a ‘serious mistake’, Police1
La. officer serving warrant fatally shot by suspect firing through closed door, Police1
‘Unprotected searches’ scrutinized after Honolulu fire killed rookie firefighter, FireRescue1
Coast Guard looks for another boot camp location as recruitment booms, Task & Purpose
FBI Director Kash Patel waived polygraph tests for deputy, senior staff, Defense One
A Taco Shop Raid Splits an Ohio Town in Red America, Wall Street Journal
The future of patrol is here, American Police Beat Magazine
Five Takeaways From New Investigation of the Deadly CA Fireworks Blast, Fire Engineering
Iowa city appoints 20-year-old fire chief, favoring experience over seniority, FireRescue1
LODD REPORT OF FIREFIGHTER BRICE TROSSBACH, FireFigherCloseCalls
Texas trooper relieved from game day duty after video shows him bumping, pointing at S.C. players, Police1
Baltimore officer indicted on attempted murder charge after bystander’s video of pursuit goes viral, Police1
4 officers shot in rural Kan. responding to domestic violence call, Police1
An ‘iron dome’ to suppress wildfires, Wildfire Today
MOUNTAIN
Meet the Diehard Stewards of Colorado’s Iconic Berthoud Pass, Powder
Tech Talk: Splitboards, Backcountry Magazine
12 Unreal Ski Areas For Tree Skiing, Unofficial Networks
73-Year-Old Climber’s Strength Will Shock You, Gripped
Skier Captures The Chaos Of A European Lift Line, Unoffiicial Networks
Is Telemark’s Unconventional Streak Coming to an End?, Powder
The Fisherman With a Ski Tuning Service in His Van, SnowBrains
Skiing Down Mount Everest Does Not Look Like Fun, Outside
Best Running Socks (2025): Compression, Merino Wool, Toe Socks, GearLatest
The Best of Backcountry’s Holiday Gift Guides, Outside
Incredible Deals on Artsy Vans: Escape Campervans’ Going-Out-of-Business Sale, GearJunkie
Under The Cuff or Over The Cuff Gloves: Which Should You Be Using?, Unofficial Networks
Jackson Hole Skier Nails World Record Speed Descent of Central Couloir, Powder
Colby Stevenson Is Team USA’s Most Versatile Skier—He’s Going for Broke at Milan Cortina 2026, Powder
Comparing North America’s Highest Peaks, Denali vs. Mount St. Elias—Goliaths of the North, SnowBrains
Black Mountain vs. Town of Jackson: Legal Battle Escalates Over Alpine Cabin Liquor License, Snow Industry News
Tim Emmett, 51, Climbs His First 5.14d with Era Vella, Gripped
Old-School Advice for Still-Hunting Whitetail Deer, Outdoor Life
The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Collection, Black Diamond
Missouri Bowhunter Tags 180-Class Buck That He Nicknamed ‘Texas Red’, Outdoor Life
15 Incredible Early Black Friday Deals from Cabela’s, Outdoor Life
Elk Can’t See in the Dark (and Other Elk Hunting Tips and Tricks), NRA
All 8,000 Meter Peaks Ranked From The Cheapest to The Most Expensive, Unofficial Networks
Split Skis: How a Tool for the Polish Military Has Turned into the Next Big Thing for Travel Skiing, SnowBrains
The Ultimate Ikon Pass Odyssey: How to Spend a Year Skiing Across 5 Continents. SnowBrains
FITNESS | HEALTH | NUTRITION
The Case for Eating Dinner Earlier, Especially in Winter, Real Clear Science
Will Energy Gels Help Your Workout?, NY Times
3 High-Protein, High-Fibre Meals to Build Muscle and Stay Full, Men’s Health
Strength as a Predictor of Aerobic Power in Competitive Cyclists: National Team Insights, International Journal of Sports Insights
When You Should Eat After a Workout for Better Results, According to Research, Men’s Journal
The Ultimate Deadlift Checklist: Perfect Form, Injury Prevention & Setup Tips, Muscle & Fitness
How to Make Your Best Even Better, From the Man Who Trained Jordan and Kobe, Men’s Health
A dietitian shares how the ’80/20 rule’ helps her eat enough protein, fiber — and pastries, Business Insider
Is Full-Fat Dairy Healthier?, NY Times
If Exercise Is Better Than a Drug, We Should Test It Like One, Outside
Nike Metcon 10 Review: Slimmed-Down CrossFit Shoe Offers High-End Stability, GearJunkie
Gifts for Gym Bros: Best Workout Gear and Gym Essentials (2025), GearLatest
The Weight-Loss Craze Is About to Mint a Trillion-Dollar Company, Wall Street Journal
Almost half of Americans fear they can’t afford health care: Poll, Senator
How Do Americans View Childhood Vaccines, Vaccine Research and Policy?, Pew
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