Arete 12.26.24

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy

Invictus Games – Feb 8-16, 2025, Vancouver Canada 
Army Veteran Sentenced to Probation for Milestone Conviction in Oath Keepers Sedition Plot, military.com
Pentagon Reveals 2,000 US Troops Are in Syria – More than Double What Was Previously Reported, miitary.com
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit to Have Confederate Name Restored to Ranger Memorial at Fort Moore, miitary.com
Milei’s first year ends with optimism. Can Argentina’s momentum continue in 2025?, Atlantic Council
Europe needs a coalition of the resolute, Atlantic Council
It’s (still) more expensive to rotate military forces overseas than base them there, Atlantic Council
Navy Wasted Almost $2 Billion On Cruiser Modernization Work With Mismanagement, GAO Finds, Defense Daily
In defense of the military’s unfunded priority lists, Defense One
Georgia Shows Why U.S. Policy in Eurasia Is Dangerously Outdated, Foreign Policy
Analysis: Assad’s collapse in Syria was a strategic surprise to Israel, Intelnews.org
Taiwan has a plan for Trump’s inauguration, Morning Defense
‘Warfare’: A Real-Time Iraq War Combat Film from a Navy SEAL and the Director of ‘Civil War’, military.com
Rare Corruption Case Against 4-Star Admiral Runs Headlong into Mistress Testimony Issues, Pentagon Culture, military.com
Mauritius Wants to Rethink a Deal with the UK over Remote Islands Housing a Key US Base, military.com
Nigel Farage claims there is ‘deep disquiet’ within Team Trump over UK’s ‘surrender’ of Chagos Islands to Mauritius as ministers grilled over deal, Daily Mail
Is a Putin Ally in Belarus Making a Cautious Overture to the West?, NY Times
Viktor Orban names two scenarios for conflict in Ukraine to end, Pravda Report
How a tiff over tariffs exposed the Canadian government’s fragility, Vox
Unprepared North Korean troops had a rough start against Ukraine, but could learn to adapt, RAND
Matt Pottinger on America’s Strategic Imperatives, Small Wars Journal
While Navy Pushes DEI, 37% of Attack Subs Are out of Order, Front Page
Trump Threatens to Take Control of Panama Canal, Greenland, Wall Street Journal
Why Trump wants to buy Greenland, Washington Post
Trump’s second-term foreign policy approach is coming into focus, Semafor
Software-driven smart munitions reshape tactical drone operations, Space War
More than 4,500 US troops are spending Christmas in Iraq and Syria, according to Pentagon figures, Task & Purpose
Poland Strives to Become Europe’s Largest Military Force with Krab and K9A1 Acquisitions, World Defense News
Breaking News: Philippines to Acquire US Typhon Land-Based Missile System Amid Rising Tensions with China., World Defense News
Russia Expands Strategic Nuclear Arsenal with Avangard Hypersonic Missile Deployment., World Defense News
How to Succeed in Deterring an Invasion of Taiwan Without Really Trying (Hard), RAND
U.S. Slow to React to Pervasive Chinese Hacking: Experts, Homeland Security Newswire
Tactical Concealment LLC x Sniper Dynamics Introduce Arctic Warfare System, Soldier Systems Daily
Scrubland Special Reconnaissance Patrol Pack, Soldier Systems Daily
RTS Tactical – Uniform Vest Carrier, Soldier Systems
Finland-Estonia power cable hit in latsest Baltic Sea Incident, The Guardian
US Army Marksmanship Unit Prepares Soldiers with New Weapons System, Soldier Systems
RTS Tactical – Athletic Vest Carrier, Soldier Systems
Why China is building a Starlink system of its own, Economist

First Responder / Law Enforcement / Wildland Fire/ Homeland Security, Wilderness Professional

New York Governor to Deploy 250 More National Guard Troops in Subways, military.com
DHS Approves Start Of Construction For First Polar Security Cutter, Defense Daily
Olaf Scholz booed as he visits Magdeburg after Christmas market attack, Pravda Report
Supreme Court Unanimous Ruling May Pave Way for Mass Deportation, Homeland Security Newswire
DHS has power to revoke visas for sham marriages, Supreme Court rules, Washington Times
Ten things officers need to know about emergency driving, APBM
Apple AirTag outsmarts thieves in $500,000 jewelry heist,APBM
Five Dead, More Than 200 Injured in Attack on Christmas Market in Germany, Fire Engineering
N.M. driver faces 2 life sentences in deaths of police officer, retired firefighter, FR1
Firefighters forced to withdraw due to fireconditions at Conn. blaze, FR1
BEHIND THE SCENES: DISPATCHING WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FFCC
A comparative analysis of wildfire initial attack containment objectives and modelling strategies in Ontario, Canada, International Journal of Wildand Fire
San Diego Firefighters Claim City Violated the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights, Fire Law Blog
December Wildfires Are Now a Thing, Wired
Can Body-Worn Cameras Help Reduce Violence Against Ambulance Staff?, RAND
Nuclear Power Plants Report Massive Uptick In Drone Sightings, The War Zone
New York City Has Lost Control of Crime, The Atlantic

Mountain / Outside

Health/Fitness/Nutrition

Best Running Shoes (2024): Asics, Hoka, Nike, On Running, Gear Latest
9 Best Standing Desks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed, Gear Latest
The Best Leg Exercise to Improve at Running and Rucking, military.com
I Tried the Tesla of Induction Stoves. It Could Be the Future., Wirecutter
Why Taking a Long Training Break Is Good For You, Outside
Fitness buffs are talking about VO2 max — what is it and why does it matter?, The Manual
What is vodka made from? Why it’s more than just a flavorless mixer, The Manual
Segway’s ZT3 Pro e-scooter is the perfect backcountry sidekick for overlanders, The Manual
Is single-set training enough to build muscle and strength? Researchers find out, The Manual
7 high-protein meal prep ideas for building muscle, The Manual
The Best Instant Noodles, Wirecutter
Why Shopping at Your Local Running Store Matters, Outside
Is foam rolling better than other pre-workout warm-ups? Researchers find out, The Manual
The New Rules of Fitness, Outside
When It’s Time to Replace Your Running Shoes, Outside
Silent Retreats: A Journey Into Male Solitude, Men’s Health
This Many Coffees Per Day Could Extend Your Healthy Years, Study Finds, Men’s Journal
Research Finds Vaccines Are Not Behind the Rise in Autism. So What Is?, NY Times
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wants to Ban Drug Ads on TV. It Wouldn’t Be Easy., NY Times
TrainingPeaks Staff Picks: Must-Have Training Tools & Gear for 2025, Training Peaks
Are Humans Moral Blank Slates at Birth?, Real Clear Science
How did Turkey become the world capital of hair transplants?, Vox

Interesting

Where everyone will be vacationing in 2025, according to Airbnb, The Manual
What to binge before 2025: The best TV shows of 2024, The Manual
How Downtempo Music is Shaping Wellness and Personal Freedom, Men’s Health
Best TV Episodes of 2024 – The New York Times, NY Times
20 Big Cats Die From Bird Flu at a Washington Sanctuary, NY Times
Does DEI Paradigm Do More Harm Than Good?, Habits of a Free Mind
Can Lego remain the world’s coolest toymaker?, Economist
Nissan and Honda officially announce plans to merge, Engadget
The people who deliver your Amazon packages are striking. Here’s why., Vox
Just how frothy is America’s stockmarket?, Economist
The Best Used Cars And SUVs You Can Buy For $10,000 Or Less, According To Consumer Reports, Jalopnik
Bitcoin is up by 138% this year. It is a nonsense-free rally, Economist
The Hysterical Crypto Bubble Somehow Became Respectable, The Atlantic
2024 Toyota Prius Is Hybrid Perfection, Jalopnik
Lexus’ Copper Crest Is The Most Beautiful Color On Sale Today, And Nobody Cares, Jalopnik
The Walmart Effect, The Atlantic
The 20 Best Podcasts of 2024, The Atlantic
Are Young Men Really Becoming More Sexist?, The Atlantic