Interview

The Eurofile podcast hosts a live discussion on Europe’s hardening economic approach to China, as European capitals grow increasingly worried that Chinese exports threaten the continent’s industrial future. The conversation covers Paris and Berlin aligning on the need to push back against Chinese industrial overcapacity, and a preliminary EU-China agreement to moderate Chinese electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle exports to the bloc.

Host Max Bergmann is joined by Ilaria Mazzocco and Tobias Gehrke to examine whether Europe can protect its industrial base without triggering a broader trade confrontation, and what a tougher European stance means for transatlantic economic cooperation.

Sources: CSIS (YouTube)

Secretary Hegseth has appointed Dakota Meyer as his Senior Advisor for the Barracks Task Force. Meyer will represent the Secretary’s office at installations across the country, engaging directly with warfighters, identifying what’s broken, and ensuring the Department fixes its barracks.

Sources: DoD News (YouTube)

Last weekend, the Houthis conducted their deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia for over a decade. Amb. Michael Ratney and CSIS senior fellow Allison Minor join Will to discuss how the situation developed, whether Saudi Arabia is more likely to escalate its military campaign or seek a deal with the Houthis, and what role the United States will play.

Sources: CSIS (YouTube)

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, led by Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau, flew over Huntington Beach, California, as part of the 2026 Pacific Airshow’s 10th anniversary and America’s 250th Anniversary celebration.

The clip breaks down three elements of the flight: how thrust vectoring lets the F-22 stop mid-air, why the Heritage Flight with a P-38 Lightning is difficult, and why the F-22 is never sold to other countries.

Sources: Defense News (YouTube)

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth administered the oath of enlistment to recruits during a Send Me Tour stop at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on Oct. 17, 2026.

Sources: DoD News (YouTube)

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke to ROTC cadets and military recruits during a Send Me Tour stop at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on Oct. 17, 2026.

Sources: DoD News (YouTube)

Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator (UFDS), an FPV drone simulator built in Ukraine from real military drone training experience, has trained more than 7,000 Ukrainian military drone pilots. The simulator evolved alongside frontline operations, incorporating feedback from active combat FPV pilots and instructors.

The public Starter Edition on Steam offers realistic flight physics, structured training, different drone platforms and combat-inspired scenarios. A dedicated Military Edition adds expanded drone platforms, tactical scenarios, fiber-optic FPV training, interceptors and mission customization.

Scenarios include a mission developed with Ukraine’s K2 unit, a defense-of-Kyiv scenario for interceptor pilots, and a reconstruction of Operation Spiderweb created with feedback from Specia.

Sources: Task & Purpose (YouTube)

In the second part of his conversation with Henry Foy, the Financial Times’ Brussels bureau chief, Max turns to the city’s distinctive media landscape. Foy draws on his experience covering European politics and policy to describe what makes reporting from Brussels unique, how national media and EU coverage converge, and what it reveals about both the city and the European Union itself.

Sources: CSIS (YouTube)

Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator (UFDS), an FPV drone simulator developed in Ukraine from real military drone training experience, has trained more than 7,000 Ukrainian military drone pilots. The simulator evolved alongside frontline drone operations, incorporating feedback from active combat FPV pilots and instructors.

The public Starter Edition on Steam offers realistic flight physics, structured training, different drone platforms, and combat-inspired scenarios without risking real equipment. It also includes racing and multiplayer modes. A dedicated Military Edition for specialized organizations includes expanded drone platforms, tactical scenarios, fiber-optic FPV training, interceptors, and mission customization.

Scenarios include a mission developed with Ukraine’s K2 unit, a defense-of-Kyiv scenario for interceptor pilots, and a reconstruction of Operation Spiderweb created with feedback from Special Forces.

Sources: Task & Purpose (YouTube)

This week’s Freedom250 segment highlights three pivotal moments in American military history: George Washington’s victory at Yorktown, the Battle of Cedar Creek, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Sources: DoD News (YouTube)