Travis
@someforeignfield.bsky.social
USAID, refugee resettlement, and humanitarian assistance veteran.
Missile and tank weirdo, posts stuff about missiles, the Middle East, and why it matters at https://substack.com/@someforeignfield
Missile and tank weirdo, posts stuff about missiles, the Middle East, and why it matters at https://substack.com/@someforeignfield
Pinned
Travis
@someforeignfield.bsky.social
· Dec 18
The Myth of Israeli Military Independence (Part 3)
The Bottom Line
someforeignfield.substack.com
The US military has been actively participating in the war Israel has unleashed across the Middle East since day 1. And, due to the US military's extensive capabilities, it acts as a force multiplier that enables Israel's offensive actions to be far more destructive than if Israel was acting alone.
New photos show the Chinese military attache to Iran presenting Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, Commander of the Iranian Air Force, with a model of a Chengdu J-20 (👀👀) 5th Gen air superiority fighter jet, during events commemorating Air Force Day.
February 11, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Reposted by Travis
Collection of interesting items on potential Iran war:
Israeli media claiming Iran producing 100s of ballistic missiles per month in underground missiles facilities. This would mean they were primarily liquid fueled missiles, as the solid-fuel production is done above-ground as it is more dangerous
Israeli media claiming Iran producing 100s of ballistic missiles per month in underground missiles facilities. This would mean they were primarily liquid fueled missiles, as the solid-fuel production is done above-ground as it is more dangerous
Israel fears a deal that could worsen the Iran threat, leaving missile and nuclear risks intact
Opinion: The prime minister’s hurried trip to Washington aims to push Donald Trump to limit concessions to Iran and avoid a prolonged negotiation that could strengthen Tehran’s missile and nuclear cap...
www.ynetnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Collection of interesting items on potential Iran war:
Israeli media claiming Iran producing 100s of ballistic missiles per month in underground missiles facilities. This would mean they were primarily liquid fueled missiles, as the solid-fuel production is done above-ground as it is more dangerous
Israeli media claiming Iran producing 100s of ballistic missiles per month in underground missiles facilities. This would mean they were primarily liquid fueled missiles, as the solid-fuel production is done above-ground as it is more dangerous
Damn they straight up skipped Vienna this time!
February 11, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Damn they straight up skipped Vienna this time!
Reposted by Travis
It's military attache day, I suppose. Iraqi MOD posting about a meeting between Iraqi MoD Legal Dpt and the Korean military attache. Iraq has been on a spree of buying Korean weapons, most prominently the T-50IQ light trainer/attack aircraft, and expressed interest in a large purchase of K-2 tanks.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
It's military attache day, I suppose. Iraqi MOD posting about a meeting between Iraqi MoD Legal Dpt and the Korean military attache. Iraq has been on a spree of buying Korean weapons, most prominently the T-50IQ light trainer/attack aircraft, and expressed interest in a large purchase of K-2 tanks.
The point I should make is that Israel didn't need to use special, controlled, or illegal weapons to commit genocide in Gaza. They primarily used very basic, standard weapons with little oversight or control. *All* weapons to Israel must be stopped, because *all* weapons are used to commit genocide.
A harrowing article, but unfortunately muddies the waters a little bit talking about thermobaric weapons - none of the weapons listed are thermobaric, and all use a standard high explosive mix. Which still causes the horrifying effects detailed, but there's nothing special or unusual about them.
February 10, 2026 at 6:58 PM
The point I should make is that Israel didn't need to use special, controlled, or illegal weapons to commit genocide in Gaza. They primarily used very basic, standard weapons with little oversight or control. *All* weapons to Israel must be stopped, because *all* weapons are used to commit genocide.
Israel likely used thermobaric weapons, but not widely and wouldn't need to use them frequently. Standard high explosive bombs (like the ones described) are more than capable of causing the type of damage that Israel wanted to cause against the targets struck
February 10, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Israel likely used thermobaric weapons, but not widely and wouldn't need to use them frequently. Standard high explosive bombs (like the ones described) are more than capable of causing the type of damage that Israel wanted to cause against the targets struck
In practice, I don't think a thermobaric weapon would cause uniquely/visibly more destructive or horrific damage to people, as it's basically just a slightly different way to cause an explosion. Thermobaric weapons have more limited use cases than HE and as such aren't widely used
February 10, 2026 at 6:51 PM
In practice, I don't think a thermobaric weapon would cause uniquely/visibly more destructive or horrific damage to people, as it's basically just a slightly different way to cause an explosion. Thermobaric weapons have more limited use cases than HE and as such aren't widely used
The ones listed all use standard high explosive mixes to cause the intended destructive effect. A thermobaric weapon is separate, and itself different from old school incendiary weapons like napalm. "Thermal" isn't really a term commonly used at least in English to describe a type of bomb
February 10, 2026 at 6:51 PM
The ones listed all use standard high explosive mixes to cause the intended destructive effect. A thermobaric weapon is separate, and itself different from old school incendiary weapons like napalm. "Thermal" isn't really a term commonly used at least in English to describe a type of bomb
I think "lie" may be the wrong word, as I almost never see mainstream journalism get this sort of thing right, but absolutely agree that it would be more productive to hammer home that all military support, even the boring stuff, is used for genocide
February 10, 2026 at 6:39 PM
I think "lie" may be the wrong word, as I almost never see mainstream journalism get this sort of thing right, but absolutely agree that it would be more productive to hammer home that all military support, even the boring stuff, is used for genocide
A harrowing article, but unfortunately muddies the waters a little bit talking about thermobaric weapons - none of the weapons listed are thermobaric, and all use a standard high explosive mix. Which still causes the horrifying effects detailed, but there's nothing special or unusual about them.
February 10, 2026 at 6:23 PM
A harrowing article, but unfortunately muddies the waters a little bit talking about thermobaric weapons - none of the weapons listed are thermobaric, and all use a standard high explosive mix. Which still causes the horrifying effects detailed, but there's nothing special or unusual about them.
Elephant in the room of air sovereignty is, of course, Israel/US desire to use Iraqi airspace to attack Iran. Iraq would rather this not happen, but is unable to prevent it and thus tacitly allows it out of a desire to not invite American sanctions and Israeli bombs.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Elephant in the room of air sovereignty is, of course, Israel/US desire to use Iraqi airspace to attack Iran. Iraq would rather this not happen, but is unable to prevent it and thus tacitly allows it out of a desire to not invite American sanctions and Israeli bombs.
Iraq has been struggling to achieve territorial sovereignty basically its entire existence, esp. since 2003, but acquiring an effective and diverse air force (given political unreliability of past defense partners) would, finally, give them them some ability to enforce their air sovereignty.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Iraq has been struggling to achieve territorial sovereignty basically its entire existence, esp. since 2003, but acquiring an effective and diverse air force (given political unreliability of past defense partners) would, finally, give them them some ability to enforce their air sovereignty.
These 3 jets are also the best selling jets of the last few years, as various countries attempt to modernize their air power as affordably (not that the Rafale is cheap) as possible. For example, Azerbaijan has just received delivery of dozens of JF-17s, and is allegedly ordering quite a few more.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
These 3 jets are also the best selling jets of the last few years, as various countries attempt to modernize their air power as affordably (not that the Rafale is cheap) as possible. For example, Azerbaijan has just received delivery of dozens of JF-17s, and is allegedly ordering quite a few more.
Iraq has been working to purchase French Rafale multirole fighters, which would become the likely backbone of their air-superiority force, as well as Chinese/Pakistani JF-17 Blk. III light fighters. With the Rafale, T-50, and JF-17, Iraq would hedge their bets across the international arms market.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Iraq has been working to purchase French Rafale multirole fighters, which would become the likely backbone of their air-superiority force, as well as Chinese/Pakistani JF-17 Blk. III light fighters. With the Rafale, T-50, and JF-17, Iraq would hedge their bets across the international arms market.
The K-2 tank is the main affordable tank option on the market other than the Chinese VT-4. Given the general high price and political unreliability of US weapons in recent years, and inability of the Germans to deliver the Leopard quickly, a lot of European countries have been bulk-ordering K-2s.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The K-2 tank is the main affordable tank option on the market other than the Chinese VT-4. Given the general high price and political unreliability of US weapons in recent years, and inability of the Germans to deliver the Leopard quickly, a lot of European countries have been bulk-ordering K-2s.
The South Korean T-50 light fighter/trainer jet still relies on a lot of American-made parts, so still requires US export approval, but can be integrated with European missiles like Meteor and ASRAAM, expanding the range of options available to the Iraqi military.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The South Korean T-50 light fighter/trainer jet still relies on a lot of American-made parts, so still requires US export approval, but can be integrated with European missiles like Meteor and ASRAAM, expanding the range of options available to the Iraqi military.
On the ground, ancient US M1 Abrams tanks have formed the main backbone of the Iraqi armored forces, but their high maintenance cost (and reliance on expensive American contractors) resulted in the purchase of Russian T-90 tanks, but with the Ukraine war delivery of more of those is unlikely.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
On the ground, ancient US M1 Abrams tanks have formed the main backbone of the Iraqi armored forces, but their high maintenance cost (and reliance on expensive American contractors) resulted in the purchase of Russian T-90 tanks, but with the Ukraine war delivery of more of those is unlikely.
For example, the Iraqi Air Force has the American F-16 as its primary fixed-wing multirole jet aircraft. The US delayed full delivery of these for *years* and also has not allowed sale of advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, which would allow Iraq to use the jets for air sovereignty missions
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
For example, the Iraqi Air Force has the American F-16 as its primary fixed-wing multirole jet aircraft. The US delayed full delivery of these for *years* and also has not allowed sale of advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, which would allow Iraq to use the jets for air sovereignty missions
Iraq's military is a hodgepodge of ancient Soviet/Warsaw Pact gear, a legacy of Saddam's era, obsolete American stuff, and some newer "other" (mostly Russian). They've been trying to extricate themselves from American arms, as the US basically refuses to actually deliver on stuff Iraq has paid for.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Iraq's military is a hodgepodge of ancient Soviet/Warsaw Pact gear, a legacy of Saddam's era, obsolete American stuff, and some newer "other" (mostly Russian). They've been trying to extricate themselves from American arms, as the US basically refuses to actually deliver on stuff Iraq has paid for.
It's military attache day, I suppose. Iraqi MOD posting about a meeting between Iraqi MoD Legal Dpt and the Korean military attache. Iraq has been on a spree of buying Korean weapons, most prominently the T-50IQ light trainer/attack aircraft, and expressed interest in a large purchase of K-2 tanks.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
It's military attache day, I suppose. Iraqi MOD posting about a meeting between Iraqi MoD Legal Dpt and the Korean military attache. Iraq has been on a spree of buying Korean weapons, most prominently the T-50IQ light trainer/attack aircraft, and expressed interest in a large purchase of K-2 tanks.
China has not indicated it has any desire to export the J-20, which remains its premier air superiority fighter. I doubt Iran would be the first country to receive it, unless there's a lot we don't know going on behind the scenes.
But a J-10CE purchase wouldn't be off the table.
But a J-10CE purchase wouldn't be off the table.
February 10, 2026 at 5:07 PM
China has not indicated it has any desire to export the J-20, which remains its premier air superiority fighter. I doubt Iran would be the first country to receive it, unless there's a lot we don't know going on behind the scenes.
But a J-10CE purchase wouldn't be off the table.
But a J-10CE purchase wouldn't be off the table.
New photos show the Chinese military attache to Iran presenting Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, Commander of the Iranian Air Force, with a model of a Chengdu J-20 (👀👀) 5th Gen air superiority fighter jet, during events commemorating Air Force Day.
February 10, 2026 at 4:54 PM
New photos show the Chinese military attache to Iran presenting Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, Commander of the Iranian Air Force, with a model of a Chengdu J-20 (👀👀) 5th Gen air superiority fighter jet, during events commemorating Air Force Day.
Quick test for the People on Here: who is on CNN weekly as an Expert Knower: the squirrel profile or Brett McGurk
February 10, 2026 at 6:45 AM
Quick test for the People on Here: who is on CNN weekly as an Expert Knower: the squirrel profile or Brett McGurk
Algeria basically invented 21st century gerontocracy so unsurprising that they too are Brandonized
February 10, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Algeria basically invented 21st century gerontocracy so unsurprising that they too are Brandonized
America first*
*But the United Arab Emirates firster
*But the United Arab Emirates firster
February 10, 2026 at 3:30 AM
America first*
*But the United Arab Emirates firster
*But the United Arab Emirates firster