iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Really not great that every major faction and state from Cairo to Mogadishu is aligned to one of two regional power blocs that appear to inching towards a regional conflict with each other that will set East Africa aflame.

inmydefense.substack.com

The Other Cold War In The Middle East

The Saudi-UAE conflict and its impacts

04011

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The People's Liberation Army/Ukrainian Ground Forces/French Army/Syrian Arab Army listening to SecDef talk about testosterone testing

2538

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"Sir, you're going to have to give them a normal donut order"

JD Vance making a weird face as he pretends to be a normal person

000

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Donnie's gonna talk about the concepts of an investment plan in Iowa? That's the big announcement???

static.klipy.com

spongebob patchy that's it?

Alt: spongebob patchy that's it?

010

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

What's crazier than a #Ukrainian Army Corps asking #OSINT accounts to help keep an operation hidden? The Russian culture of lying within their military aiding in that effort. Read more in this week's article on Operation #Vivaldi and how the Russians were caught with their pants down.

inmydefense.substack.com

Silence Is Golden

Keeping a battle hidden

010

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Obviously, I have no proof that anyone is behind these explosions at all, they could be accidents, it is just a theory on my part. However, this is the 3rd such explosion in Syria in a month. And it is occurring at the same time that Israel is accusing Damascus of building up militarily.

130

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't think we as Americans have really processed the fact that when we keep saying/doing this shit, the rest of the world is just going to hear this every time our government speaks.

Member of the Silence from Doctor Who saying "You should kill us all on sight"

030

Reposted by In My Defense

👻 Jack Djinn Wail 🧞 @jacktindale.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Absolutely lost my shit at this co-op mode for Hearts of Iron, which you play as the Army, Navy, Emperor, and Government. All have their own win conditions aside the Government, which lost the game automatically in 1925. docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.com

True Imperial Japan Experience

True Imperial Japan Experience A Hearts of Iron 4 Game This is a counteroperative roleplaying game. The resolution system is a game of multiplayer Hearts of Iron 4 and a number of discord chats. Requi...

361152301

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's never really covered in English (which is depressing), but the #Sudanese Civil War and Second #Darfur Genocide are truly horrible humanitarian crises. The fact that the #UAE and #China enable it through arms is even worse.

inmydefense.substack.com

Arming A Genocide

The UAE and China’s involvement in the Sudanese Civil War

024

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Well fortunately it's a good thing East Africa hasn't been turned into a massive powder keg of rivaling power blocs that might negatively react to this. Hang on, I'm being handed a note...

inmydefense.substack.com

The Other Cold War In The Middle East

The Saudi-UAE conflict and its impacts

071

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Honestly, there's maybe a few dozen sources that post in English that actually understand what's happening on the battlefield in Ukraine. Three of them are in this video, and they do a fantastic job talking about the ongoing evolution of warfare. H/t @kriegsforscher.bsky.social, Rob Lee, and Perun

youtube.com

Restoring Manoeuvre in Ukraine? - The Technology, Tactics, and Tests (with Rob & Dmytro)

YouTube video by Perun

020

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

As the #Iran War continues to be the Schrodinger's cat of conflicts, it's important to remember that there's another fight ongoing in the Middle East: the #Saudi-UAE Cold War, which currently risks setting East Africa aflame with a web of alliances and grudges. Read more below.

inmydefense.substack.com

The Other Cold War In The Middle East

The Saudi-UAE conflict and its impacts

021

Reposted by In My Defense

Casus Belli: Ukraine 2014 | 🔱⚒️🌅 @doctoradmiral.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

NEW | In a new Casus Belli mini-documentary, I will help guide you through unique footage of the first engagement in the historic Battle of Ilovaisk. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5f2...

youtube.com

BATTLE OF ILOVAISK BEGINS | 7th of August, 2014 | Footage-based Documentary

YouTube video by Casus Belli: Ukraine 2014

04213

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Just to rant on this a bit more, this is one of *several* instances where Trump has gotten us to the brink of war for no reason: North Korea 2017, Iran 2020, Greenland 2026. Plus the actual combat operations against Venezuela and Iran, along with the boat murders. And they're all forgotten already.

041

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

There's one easy question that undermines every "the USSR wasn't an imperialist power!" argument: What were the borders the Soviets wanted in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and how much do they align with the borders of the Russian Empire? Hint: it's almost identical

0223

Reposted by In My Defense

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Welp, that one wasn't hard to see coming.

011

Reposted by In My Defense

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Oh God, they're going to rename CVN-81 aren't they...

191

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Ya know, at some point we're going to have to address the fact that Israel is willing to directly attack US interests. Also, anyone who considers the current Syrian Air Force a threat to Israel is high on something.

Post from Charles Lister on August 17th, 2026

NEW - reports tonight that #Israel fighter jets just launched 4 strikes on the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in NW #Syria.

The base is run by #Syria’s fledgling Air Force, which operates 2 old #Assad era Su-22s; several L-39 trainer aircraft, & a number of old helicopters.

Post from Fared Al Mahlool on August 14th, 2026

BIG — Israel reportedly asked U.S. President Donald Trump for approval to launch an airstrike targeting sites in Syria, but he rejected the request.

According to the channel, the move reflects growing coordination and closer ties between the Trump administration and both the Turkish president and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.

040

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Something that doesn't get talked about enough with nuclear proliferation is that acquiring nukes desperately needs to come with a very good early warning system. Leaders of nuclear powers need as much time as possible to decide if they are actually under an attack that requires a nuclear response.

210

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

While #Ukraine is currently fighting Russia with new equipment and has hundreds of thousands of brave men and women in its ranks, it's important to remember the state that Ukraine's military was in at the beginning, back in 2014. Read Part 1 of how an unprepared force went through its trial by fire.

inmydefense.substack.com

Fighting With The Army You Have - Part I

Crimea and Paper Forces

041

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The post in the screenshot is insane for a million reasons, but there are very specifically *two* words for "Russian" in the Russian language because they don't treat their minorities as citizens equal to ethnic Russians.

031

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Related, I would bet most European countries bordering Russia have a better understanding of how to counter drone strikes (FPV interceptors, fortifications, decoys, etc) than the US.

020

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I'm just saying, allowing two major regional conflicts to continue because no one wanted to do what was required to stop them (defeat Russia and stop Israel) has led to the collapse of three major global arteries for crude exports, accounting for ~25% of global exports.

141

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

My first real introduction to Russian culture was in 2014-15, and a lot of it was through LiveLeak. I have never considered it particularly impressive.

030

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

I'm begging Europe to get it's act together quicker (they are kinda trying) because us Americans lost our minds (and won't meaningfully find them for far too long) and the Russians will be back, because the Russians *always come back.* And that's not even touching the looming crisis in the Sahel.

130

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

As #Russia stumbles on the battlefield, #Ukraine is gaining the initiative in the strategic air war. In doing so, Ukraine's drones and missiles have recently targeted Russia's most important cities. This week, I wrote about those strikes and what they mean going forward.

inmydefense.substack.com

As Per Our Last Drone Raid

Ukrainian strikes against Moscow and St. Petersburg, and what they tell us

000

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

European leaders going forward when Donnie tries to make demands of them:

From Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies: Castro asking "and why is he here? HE LOST!"

041

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

This is how we wind up with the Ukrainian Baltic Drone Squadron that totally isn't operating from Denmark. And personally, I am not opposed to that.

171

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

This has been a small fixation of mine for some time now. The Lukashenko regime has tied itself to Moscow, and that will likely turn out to be a poor choice as Russia fails in Ukraine. And now #Ukraine has a lot of reasons to see Lukashenko gone. And plenty of tools to aid in that goal.

inmydefense.substack.com

The Next Battle in Eastern Europe

What the Russo-Ukrainian War means for the future of Belarus

000

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Thinking back to what I said two months ago and staring at the fact that none of the necessary actions to resolve this have been taken.

inmydefense.substack.com

Opening the Strait of Hormuz

What does it actually entail?

010

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

If only this could have been foreseen! Like someone saying over a month ago how Hezbollah's fiber optic drone tactics would rapidly advance and pose a serious threat. *Grumbles about knowing the obvious outcome*

"It is worth noting, however, that while this knowledge gap may exist, it is unlikely to last long. With the constant posting of footage in Ukraine and the exchange of lessons learned, that gap will steadily close. And as the conflict continues, those pilots will gain their own knowledge and develop their own operating procedures. This sort of development is hardly limited to fiber optic drones, but rather it exists across all weapon systems and combatants."

130

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Welp, called it. Not that it was particularly hard to do, but still.

US arms sales to Taiwan have been paused due to the war with Iran, acting Secretary of the Navy Cao says

062

Reposted by In My Defense

Headquarters @headquartersnews.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

"For some reason"

19491153

Reposted by In My Defense

Democrats @democrats.org · 30/04/2026

BREAKING: Republicans caved to Democrats, finally passing a bill to end the DHS shutdown without additional funding for ICE. Democrats have been clear since the start: No blank check for ICE. This bill now heads to Trump's desk.

321140295

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

It hasn't gotten much attention outside some geopolitics and counterterrorism circles, but the situation in Mali has gone from bad to worse over the weekend. Read more at the link below. @saladinaldronni.bsky.social Thanks for providing English summaries of events, few others do!

inmydefense.substack.com

The Sahel is Still Burning

What just happened in Mali?

040

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Look, it's Axios, so I expect nothing less, but ffs guys do you know what the Cold War was??? This is an active war! We bombed their capital repeatedly! We're just not shooting at each other at the moment!

Axios title: "The Iran conflict is the new Cold War"

021

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

As the fighting in #Ukraine continues to rage, it is important to understand how Ukraine is waging its war of survival, and what strategies it is using to ensure victory. This week, I discuss the very successful, if underreported, Ukrainian campaigns that are being fought along the southern front.

inmydefense.substack.com

Strategic Warfare On A Budget

How Ukraine has fought Russia in the Black Sea and Caucasus

010

Reposted by In My Defense

QalaatAlMudiq @qalaatalmudiq.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

#Syria: this morning, an operation launched by the Security forces led to the arrest of one of the Regime's most wanted criminals. Amjad Youssef, the main perpetrator of Tadamon massacre (#Damaccus, April 2013), has been captured. Operation occurred in his home village in the Ghab (NW. #Hama).

15013

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The Nurgle Loyalists in the American government remains an incredibly depressing sub-plot to all of this.

Tweet from Secretary of Defense Hegseth: The War Department is once again restoring freedom to our Joint Force.

We are discarding the mandatory flu vaccine requirement, effective immediately.

081

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Listening to the self-proclaimed communist in the Discord channel slip up while drunk and keep talking about the "Jews" running all the world's pedophile rings:

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit and tie is sitting in front of a window and saying nope . don 't like that .

Alt: Michael Scott saying "Nope. Don't like that"

140

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

While Shaheds, Geran-2s, and FP-1s fly around the world, I felt it was a good time to write about what these systems are and what they can do. And also what it means for the future.

inmydefense.substack.com

The LR-OWA Era

The Rise of Long-Range One-Way Attack Drones

040

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

The comparison of counter drone operations in Ukraine and the Middle East is rather telling. From the other place. @rebel44cz.bsky.social

Two posts regarding drone attacks over the past 24 hours. Almost 1000 drones were launched against Ukraine, most of which were intercepted, while British forces in the Middle East dealt with a record high of 14.

020

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Thinking about the guy who told me that "words that imply invasion and annexation are just words" and that "it's a ridiculous conclusion to think the US was serious about seizing Greenland".

170

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Watching the Euro and Asian reaction to us begging for help in opening the Strait of Hormuz, this post seems incredibly relevant.

010

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

So the Indians just watched us blow her up without a second thought in their backyard after she participated in naval exercises with them. I don't think they're going to take that well. I know we don't care about diplomatic relations anymore, but we're torpedoing more than just a frigate here.

010

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

@saladinaldronni.bsky.social @miyhnea.bsky.social What are the odds the PKK and other Kurds who left Syria after the SDF collapse for Iraq turn up in Iran if there is an uprising? It'll certainly cause problems with the Turks if they do, but I don't think this admin knows/cares about that.

100

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Seriously, can you name a single time anyone started a war with the *intention* of it becoming a long, drawn out one? No, of course not! Everyone thinks they can do a short, decisive war that ends in their victory!

150

In My Defense @inmydefense.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Watching a bunch of my fellow citizens going back to the "Canada is our Brother (inferior) nation" like the Russians do to the Ukrainians or worse again is depressing.

030