Arete 11.26.25

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

MILIARY / NATIONAL SECURITY

Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program, Considering New Small Surface Combatants, USNI News
Navy kills four ships in Constellation-class frigate program in ‘strategic shift’, Breaking Defense
Half of Americans approve of Democrats’ message on ‘illegal orders’: Poll, Defense News
Hegseth: ‘Seditious Six’ video was ‘politically-motivated influence operation’, Defense News
Pentagon threatens to court-martial senator who told troops they can refuse ‘illegal orders’, Task & Purpose
US Army Revamps Direct Commissioning Program to Accelerate Recruitment of Applicants with Specialized Skills, Soldier Systems
Research Review: Ranger School Attrition and Predictors of Success, Mountain Tactical Institute
F-35 stealth fighters spearheaded strikes deep inside Iran and were the last ones out, Midnight Hammer commanders say, Business InsiderMost Americans oppose military action in Venezuela: Poll, Defense News
USS Abraham Lincoln Quietly Deploys from San Diego, USNI
How the Army’s most tech-forward units are practicing for war, Defense One
Mexico Deploys 600 Soldiers to Chihuahua in Wake of Massacre, Real Clear Design
U.S. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Explained as Unit Operates in Caribbean Near Venezuela, World Defense News
Drones Aren’t Antithetical to Maneuver Warfare—They’re the Key to Unleashing its Effectiveness, Modern War Institute
Naval Academy Commandant fired just six months into role, Task & Purpose
Israel Military Commanders Punished Over Hamas Attack Mistakes, NY Times
Army Considering Fort Benning as Site for New Nuclear Power Program, military.com
The Future of Drones in the US Army: Learning from Germany’s Successful—and France’s Failed—Tank Integration in the Interwar Years, Modern War Institute
The time to move ICBMs from the Air Force to the Army is now, Breaking Defense
NATO’s Hill allies are kicking into gear, Morning Defense
About those Venezuela back channels…, Morning Defense
Long-range NATO spy drone monitors Russian border, UK Defense Journal
Germany Is Not Ready To Lead NATO Forces in Europe, UnHerd
We watched NATO’s new drone-killer with nearly 2,000 combat victories go to work. Here’s what it can and can’t do., Business Insider
DoD Planning For Troops in Caribbean Through 2028, The Intercept
Right To Repair Carries More Risk Than Reward for Our Warfighters, Real Clear Defense
Space Force Faulted for Failing To Build Weapons, Washington Times
Designating Venezuelan Cartel as Terrorist Org Brings ‘New Options’, Real Clear Defense
Invading Venezuela Would Betray “America First”, National Interest
U.S. Marines Are Eyeing an Outpost Just 70 Miles from Taiwan, Real Clear Defense
Sons of Liberty Gun Works Awarded USSOCOM Contract for MK1 Rifle, Soldier Systems

FIRST RESPONDER / HOMELAND SECURITY / WILDLAND FIRE

2. How Latinos see their group’s situation in the U.S., Pew Research Center
Video: Man attacks Wash. SRO who stopped to help at crash, tries to grab her gun, Police News
California wildfires would be worsened under Cal Fire’s plan, court rules, Wildfire Today
ICE Offers Up to $280 Million to Immigrant-Tracking ‘Bounty Hunter’ Firms, Wired
Why Do Fresno (CA) Firefighters Rank so High in City Overtime Pay? Here’s What We Know, Firefighter Nation
Why the U.S. Coast Guard Needs Its Own Secretary, The National Interest
Texas FFs push for 24/72 shift schedule after survey shows 86% public support, FireRescue1
Pa. fire captain dies after water rescue training, FireRescue1
How Industrial-Scale Crypto Laundering Sustains Mexico’s Synthetic Drug Trade, Insight Crime
Deep Dive: $31.5 Million Verdict in Illinois LODD Case, Fire Law Blog
3 former N.C. firefighters indicted for sabotaging fire department safety, operations information, FireRescue1
Ohio officer acquitted of murder charges in shooting death of woman driving car toward him, Police1

MOUNTAIN

Another Major North American Ski Resort Delays Opening, Powder
Caloric Deficit and Nutrition in High-Altitude Mountaineering, Mountain Tactical Institute
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY, Delays Opening Day Amid Warm Weather and Limited Snowfall, SnowBrains
At 13 Ounces, Active Midlayer Offers Surprising Warmth: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody Review, GearJunkie
Breckenridge Collision Case Could Redefine Ski Resort Liability in Colorado, SnowBrains
Limited-Edition Ski Gear You’ll Want to Grab Before It’s Gone, Outside
Is the ‘World’s Lightest Rooftop Tent’ Just a Ground Tent for Your Roof?, GearJunkie
Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Files for Unionization, Citing Dangers of Job, Wealth Inequality, GearJunkie
2026 Winter Gear Guide: The Award-Winning Skis, Boards, Boots, and Outerwear, Outside
The Backcountry Skier’s Guide to Insulating Jackets: Real Warmth, No Fluff, BC Ski Site

FITNESS / NUTRITION / HEALTH

The New Rules of Training Intensity, Outside
Smoking Cannabis May Help People Drink Less Alcohol, Study Finds, Healthline
Is it Cold, Flu or Covid? What to Know About Symptoms and Testing., NY Times
Nutrition Research Keeps Warfighters Ready, Lethal in Extreme Cold, DOD Press ReleaseBrain has five ‘eras’, scientists say – with adult mode not starting until early 30s, The GuardianMalaysia to Ban Children Under 16 From Social Media, Echoing Australia, NY Times
Men’s Health 2025 Fitness Awards, Men’s Health
The 21 Best Fitness Gifts of 2025, Outside
We Whipped Up This List of the 37 Best Deals on Kitchen Appliances and Tools This Black Friday, Wirecutter
Study Finds Mental Health Benefit to One-Week Social Media Break, NY Times
Best Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals 2025: Top sales out early, ZDNET
Vitamin E and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence Science Direct
I Tried ‘Man Cereal’—and Asked Dietitians for Their Thoughts. Things Got Ugly., Men’s Health
Testosterone Pills Are Here. Why Are Guys Still Injecting?, Men’s Health
Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 Training Program: Complete Guide to the Proven Strength Training System, Muscle & Fitness
New Research Shows GLP-1 Drugs May Reduce Alcohol and Substance Cravings, Muscle & Fitness
Why Your Metabolism Isn’t Slowing After 30—What’s Really Going On, Muscle & Fitness
It’s Time to Rethink Catch-and-Release Trout Fishing — or Get Much Better at It, Outdoor Life