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
——————————-
MILITARY / NATIONAL SECURITY
New British Challenger 3 tank fires main gun in trials, UK Defence Journal
‘New level of brutality’: Iran doctors put death toll in suppressed uprising at over 16,500, Times of Israel
Why Trump will get Greenland, Unheard
Everything veterans need to know about negotiating their first civilian salary offer, We the Mighty
The Brotherhood, Turkey, and the Future of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy, Small Wars Journal
The threat against Greenland shows that we need to stop appeasing Trump,Al Jazeera
How America Can Stop Getting Played by China, Foreign Affairs
US troops fully depart al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, Task & Purpose
Why Is DC Blanketed in Ads for the Defense Industry?, Real Clear Defense
Minnesota Guardsmen told to wear reflective vests to distinguish them from ‘other agencies’, Task & Purpose
7 US troops were hurt in the covert Venezuela raid. Here’s what we know about their condition., Business Insider
Denmark bolsters Greenland forces ‘in close collaboration with NATO allies’, Breaking Defense
US strike in Syria kills al Qaeda leader tied to deaths of Iowa National Guard troops, Defense News
The Trump Doctrine, Real Clear Defense
Hegseth’s fight against Kelly moves into untested legal waters, Defense News
Starlink’s War-Time Expansion Is Imperialism Disguised As Humanitarian Effort, Forbes
How Venezuela Becomes a Quagmire, Foreign Affairs
Mercenarism Reborn: Drone Operators, Coders, and the Post-Ukraine Market for Force, MWI
Why Trump’s Venezuela Adventurism is a Strategic Disaster, Real Clear Defense
Russia Targets NATO Frontline States, Real Clear Defense
The Quiet War With China, Real Clear Defense
China May Not Be a Superpower, Real Clear Defense
US Warns Of ‘Military Activities’ Over Mexico, Central America, AFD
Japan Aims To Be Indispensable to Trump. Australia Should Follow, The Strategist
Army Corps of Engineers commander fired amid political dispute over lake properties, Task & Purpose
The $1.5T Budget Is the Carrot. The E.O. Is the Stick.,Real Clear Defense
Europe United, Europe Alone, Foreign Policy
The Next Generation of the FN SCAR: The Legend. Reborn., Soldier Systems
Mexico Delivers 37 People with Drug Cartel Drug Ties to US, Wall Street Journal
FIRST RESPONDER / HOMELAND SECURITY / WILDLAND FIRE
Coast Guard Establishes Rapid Prototyping Office, Defense Daily
U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, Foreign Policy
‘ICE List’ doxxing site alleges DHS whistleblower leaked identities of 4,500 agents, Police1
Del. trooper’s killing at DMV was ‘deliberate and targeted attack’ on police, investigators say, Police1
Ore. firefighters rescue man pinned between concrete wall, quarry stone, FireRescue1
Dozens dead and hundreds of homes destroyed amid Chile wildfire outbreak, Wildfire Today
The US Wildland Fire Service has officially launched. Congress decided not to fund it, Colorado Public Radio
Trust under pressure: How police can respond to false ICE activity rumors, Police1
SEVERAL FDNY FIREFIGHTERS SUFFER BURNS AT 3RD ALARM FIRE IN QUEENS, FFCC
NJ Firefighters Rescue Teens Stranded by Thin Ice on Hackensack River, FireFighterNation
SCOTUS sides with Montana LEOs on warrant requirements during emergencies, Police1
Interior’s new Fire Service could siphon off thousands of BLM staff, E&E News
‘Zinke should be scared’: Democrat Sam Forstag, smokejumper and union leader, touts working class, Bozeman Daily Chronicle
DOJ investigating whether Minn. governor, Minneapolis mayor impeded federal law enforcement, sources allege, Police1
Video shows pursuit, fatal OIS of former Calif. deputy accused of stabbing 11-year-old son to death, Police1
MOUNTAIN / OUTSIDE
The Ultimate Guide to New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’, GearJunkie
Idaho Judge Advances Poaching Case Against YouTuber Ryan Lampers, GearJunkie
WGFD Cuts to Budget, Eastmans’
Top 10 Bowhunting Items of SHOT 2026, NRA
Bode Miller Announces Return of Embattled ‘Peak Ski’ Brand, GearJunkie
Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Ends Its Effort to Form a Union, Gear Patrol
‘It’s unforgiving’: California park officials grapple with recent deaths on Mount Baldy, The Guardian
Which Ski Pass Offers The Best Value? (Poll), Powder
6mm ARC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor: Which Is Best for the Job?, Outdoor Life
Colorado Is On Track For Its Worst Snowpack on Record, SnowBrains
Orphans Preferred: How My Silent Game of Free Soloing Ended, Climbing
What It Takes To Qualify For The Olympics: Peak Performance Goes Behind The Scenes With Athletes, Snow Industry News
Trekking Solo to the North and South Poles with Preet Chandi, REI
‘Crux’ is a ferocious, poetic look at two teens drawn to danger, Washington Post
Before Taipei 101, Alex Honnold makes quadruple solo link up in Red Rocks , Gripped
6.5 Creedmoor vs .30-06: Is One of These Popular Big Game Cartridges Inherently Better?, Outdoor Life
No knees? No excuses. Double amputee claims seven-summit record, Gripped
Patagonia Announces ‘Human Powered: The Patagonia Snow Tour’, Snow Industry News
Jackson Hole, WY, Pro Skier Dies in Backcountry Accident in Hakuba Valley, Japan, SnowBrains
Why the Future of Telemark Skiing May Hinge on One Piece of Gear, Powder
At Yosemite National Park, Rangers Are Scarce and Visitors Have Gone Wild, NY Times
GEAR
People Still Aren’t Into Buying Cars Online, GearLatest
Armada Launches New AntiMatter Freeride Ski Collection, Blister
The 16 Best EVs Coming in 2026, GearLatest
Arc’teryx PRO to Showcase Full Line and New Innovations at SHOT Show 2026, Soldier Systems
Hyundai Builds Its First Camper Van, GearJunkie
SPYRT Worldwide Unveils A 3-Liter Ukrainian Spirit Limited Howitzer Edition Vodka Made From Refurbished Powder Charge Tubes, Soldier Systems
The 90s Called, They Want Their Sunglasses Back, Outside
1971 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER ICON FJ40,Bless This Stuff
THE GERMANS, Bless This Stuff
Pedals to Paddles: Alpacka Launches First Sea Kayak Packraft, GearJunkie
REI’s Beginning of the Year Sale Is Here, And It’s Loaded With Editor Favorites, Outside
This Fly Rod Costs $1,600 — Is It Worth It?, GearJunkie
The New Standard for Aggressive Telemark: Scarpa TX Comp Boot Review, GearJunkie
Atomic & Salomon Announce New 16-DIN Shift2 Hybrid Ski Binding, Blister
Freeride World Tour Kits: How Skiers Gear Up & Train to Shred With the Best, GearJunkie
Stellantis Cancels Plug-In Hybrids, Effective Immediately: No Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, or Alfa Romeo Model Year 2026 PHEV Vehicles, GearJunkie
Small, Simple, and Shockingly Capable: REI Co-op Flash 18 Daypack Review, GearJunkie
Review: Why Blizzard’s New Canvas 108 Feels Like a Brand Reset, Powder
Precious Few Crampons Are Worth Their Salt. These Are Our 6 Favorite Pairs., Climbing
New Rifles of SHOT Show 2026, Outdoor Life
Superfeet Unveils Work Insoles Engineered For Industrial & Trade Professionals, Snow Industry News
Garmin Zero C2 Chronograph Released, Archery Talk
FITNESS / NUTRITION
What Is VO2 Max? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Longevity Metric (2026), Gear Latest
The Science – and Politics – of ‘Functional Beverages’ w/ Fabric founder, Tom Eddleston (Ep. 97), GearJunkie
No Link Between Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Autism, a Study Finds, NY Times
Study reveals how rapidly weight comes back after quitting obesity medications, Fox News
If You Can Do This Many Pushups After 55, Your Arm Strength Is Elite, Eat This Not That
Fix the Bottom of Your Squat: 5 Mobility Drills for More Depth & Power, Muscle & Fitness
5 Workouts to Level Up Your Fitness, NY Times
We’re Losing the Human Touch in Food, Brownstone Institute
Age-Related Weight Gain May Start Earlier Than Menopause, Experts Say, Healthline
How Effective Is TRT?, Generation Iron
The Complete Guide to Healthy Aging: What to Do In Your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and Beyond, Outside
Superfoods Don’t Drive Longevity. These Evidence-Backed Basics Do., Outside
Trump Finally Fixed the Food Pyramid, TownHall
Is Whole Milk Healthier for Kids?, NY Times
For Men, How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?, NY Times