Alex Plitsas
@alexplitsas
#CNN National Security Analyst | #SOAAorg Board | #AtlanticCouncil Fmr: Bridgewater Associates, Pentagon, IC, U.S. Army, #NorthropGrumman | Iraq & Afghanistan
Regional sources tell me a Houthi attack on Yanbu was expected and Saudi Arabia has green-lit a massive, lengthy operation against the Houthis after coordinating with regional and western allies which will include Saudi air power and Yemeni government forces.
“They’re not going to SURRENDER to an air campaign.” Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Mick Mulroy analyzes whether US airstrikes can force Iran to surrender.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe: Right now, Russia occupies 20% of Ukraine. When I came in as CIA Director 18 months ago, Russia occupied 19% of Ukraine. The pace of their advance has stopped because Ukraine's mastery of drone warfare and asymmetric warfare is such a great equalizer.
After the Saudis bombed Sana'a International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane carrying senior Houthi officials from breaching Riyadh's aerial blockade, the Iranian plane landed in Hodeidah to chants of "Death to America, Death to Israel" by Houthi supporters.
A U.S. Army paratrooper conducts small arms training in the Middle East. This training keeps Soldiers combat ready by improving weapons proficiency and accuracy.
CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper in Beirut to discuss framework agreement between US, Lebanon, and Israel
Hezbollah is a designated terrorist organization and it has continued to attack Israel since October 7th. They were warned not to get involved and chose to do so anyway.
Tonight on #CNNTheStoryIs with host #CNN ’s #Elex_Michaelson discussing the latest on the strikes on Iran and a potential memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran that could bring about an end to the conflict.
Trump appoints Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence after Tulsi Gabbard left his Cabinet. Pulte will additionally keep his current role as head of the Federal Housing and Finance Agency:
1 / Zelensky's letter to President Trump and to Congress asking for urgent supply of Patriot interceptors (see the rest ofbthe letter in the following tweet)
Latest read arrived: ‘Arsenal of Democracy: The Story of American War Production’ by Donald M Nelson, Director of Priorities of the United States Office of Production Management (1941–1942). Chairman of the War Production Board (1942–1944)
According to U.S. officials, Abu Bilal al-Minuki was considered the ISIS organizational and financial mastermind including plotting attacks against the US and interests abroad.
CIA Director Ratcliffe was in Havana today per Cuban government. H/t CBS's Jose Diaz
Russian military death toll since its invasion of Ukraine is 352,000 killed in action according to official registries through the end of 2025👇🏼 Ukraine has been killing ~30,000 a month so likely another 100,000 additional dead Russian soldiers getting close to half a million
Seb Gorka just announced that Trump signed the US Counterterrorism Strategy yesterday. At the James Foley Freedom Awards. Will be released, he said, at 10am tomorrow.
The IDF destroyed a massive Hezbollah tunnel; the force of the explosion caused a small earthquake to be felt along the northern border.
In a matter of days, Al Qaida affiliate in West Africa assassinated the Malian Defense Minister, routed Russian and Malian forces in battle, forcing a withdrawal, and has now declared a siege on Mali’s capital.
US farmers strained as Iran war sends fertilizer costs surging US farmers are grappling with soaring fertilizer and fuel costs as supply disruptions coincide with the peak of the planting season, forcing many to reduce their usage and risk lower yields.
A State Department spokesperson says the Trump administration is aware that American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been detained in Kuwait and that the admin "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans." Broader comments from State here -->
From the personal archives — Cooks from 2/82nd Airborne grilling on a modified 55 gallon oil drum during the 15-18 month surge deployments in Baghdad, Iraq
White House confirms that the next round of talks of US-Iran is to be in Islamabad
Today, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, completed his second trip to the Middle East in the last 15 days. He engaged regional partners in six different countries and visited with U.S. troops.
Regional concern is growing over Bab el-Mandeb, the gateway to the Red Sea. Houthi forces could target this area at Iran's direction.
#BestRanger 🚨 The 75th Ranger Regiment has claimed the title. Sgt. Drew Schorsch and Spc. Caleb Godbold are the winners of the 2026 David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, proving their endurance, skill, and grit over three grueling days of competition. #InfantryWeek