Global Tensions Mount Amid Calls for Geopolitical Rethink

Cummings Aerospace showcased its latest loitering munition, the Hellhound, at SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Designed primarily with a 3D-printed structure, this drone boasts a turbojet engine that enables speeds exceeding 375 mph and a range of approximately 40 kilometers. CEO Sheila Cummings noted that the Hellhound can deliver both surveillance and strike capabilities, merging the functions of missiles and drones into a single, lightweight system that weighs less than 11 kilograms. Earlier this year, the Hellhound successfully completed flight tests and is currently being considered in the US Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Striking Ordnance (LASSO) program, which aims to enhance infantry brigades’ weapon systems. The company emphasizes modularity and affordability in its design, allowing for interchangeable components and rapid production. Key input from soldiers led to the integration of straps for easier transportation. The Hellhound's unique design and capabilities could play a significant role in contemporary warfare, particularly in contexts demonstrated by the Ukraine conflict.

On May 13, 2025, the United States and Saudi Arabia announced the signing of agreements worth $600 billion, including a landmark $142 billion defense pact, during President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom. The deals, which encompass critical minerals and energy security, were revealed in Riyadh, marking Trump's first overseas trip of his second term. The White House described the defense agreement as “the largest defense sales agreement in history,” promising substantial military supplies and support from U.S. firms. This includes advancements in air and missile defense, maritime security, and extensive training for Saudi Armed Forces, according to a fact sheet released by the administration. During the meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump expressed hopes to expand Saudi investments in the U.S. to $1 trillion. While the agreement boosts U.S.-Saudi ties, it remains unclear if it will involve the long-sought F-35 fighter jets, which Saudi Arabia currently cannot procure. Previous efforts to formalize a defense cooperation agreement under the previous administration faced setbacks due to regional tensions, notably the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

A New Jersey couple, Treva Edwards, 60, and Christine Edwards, 63, have been charged with forcing church members into slave labor and sexual exploitation for nearly a decade, according to federal prosecutors. The couple allegedly operated their scheme from 2011 until 2020 at their Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost church in Orange, where they isolated vulnerable individuals, monitoring their activities under the guise of religious obedience. Prosecutors claim that the Edwards manipulated victims into believing that noncompliance would incur divine punishment. They forced attendees to perform strenuous work in return for minimal food and sleep, and Treva Edwards is also accused of sexually assaulting a woman, resulting in her pregnancy and subsequent abortion. The U.S. Attorney's Office reported that the couple pocketed profits from the labor of their victims while imposing strict daily regimens of work and prayer. Both were charged in a federal indictment, with Treva facing additional counts of forced labor and sex trafficking. They could face sentences ranging from 20 years to life, emphasizing the federal commitment to combating human trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.