Latest news with #MilitaryLeadership
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Hegseth replaces Naval Academy superintendent, first woman to hold post
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will replace the first woman to lead the U.S. Naval Academy, defense officials said, with the Trump administration expected to nominate a Marine Corps general to oversee the institution for the first time in its nearly 180-year history. Vice Adm. Yvette Davids has led the Naval Academy since January 2024, and was about 18 months into serving in a job that typically rotates about every three to four years. Her expected replacement is Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, who oversees personnel issues for his service as deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Virginia, defense officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the impending move.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine kills one of the highest-ranking Russian officers of the conflict
The deputy chief of the Russian Navy has been killed by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region, Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky region in Russia's far east, said Thursday. Guards Maj. Gen. Mikhail Gudkov, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy who also led a brigade that fought in Ukraine, was killed in the Russian border region that saw a successful Ukrainian incursion last year. He is one of Russia's highest-ranking officers to have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Kozhemyako previously handed Gudkov awards for bravery and said the two had spoken a lot over the years in a statement announcing the death. He described Gudkov as a 'strong-willed warrior' who had 'died while performing his duty as an officer together with his fellow soldiers.' Kozhemyako did not provide any further details on the circumstances of Gudkov's death. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed Gudkov's death on Thursday, saying he was killed in combat in the Kursk region. There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine. Gudkov was appointed as the deputy chief of the Russian Navy for coastal and ground forces by President Vladimir Putin in March. Putin said at the time: 'Since the minister and the Chief of the General Staff believe that your experience needs to be replicated in other units, I have decided to transfer you to a position - to increase your level of responsibility.' The Ukrainian military had previously accused Gudkov and other members of his former 155th brigade of committing war crimes in Ukraine, including the killing of civilians in the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Gostomel in the early months of Russia's war. Separately, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has said the 155th brigade was involved in executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russia has consistently denied committing war crimes in Ukraine, despite evidence gathered by the Ukrainians and international investigators.
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Ukraine kills one of the highest-ranking Russian officers of the conflict
By Anna Chernova, Svitlana Vlasova and Ivana Kottasová , CNN The death was confirmed by Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky region. Photo: AFP / Kim Won Jin The deputy chief of the Russian Navy has been killed by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region, Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky region in Russia's far east, said on Thursday (ukraine time). Guards Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy who also led a brigade that fought in Ukraine, was killed in the Russian border region that saw a successful Ukrainian incursion last year. He is one of Russia's highest-ranking officers to have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Kozhemyako previously handed Gudkov awards for bravery and said the two had spoken a lot over the years in a statement announcing the death. He described Gudkov as a "strong-willed warrior" who had "died while performing his duty as an officer together with his fellow soldiers". Kozhemyako did not provide any further details on the circumstances of Gudkov's death. Russia's Ministry of Defence confirmed Gudkov's death on Thursday, saying he was killed in combat in the Kursk region. There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine. Gudkov was appointed as the deputy chief of the Russian Navy for coastal and ground forces by President Vladimir Putin in March. Putin said at the time: "Since the minister and the Chief of the General Staff believe that your experience needs to be replicated in other units, I have decided to transfer you to a position - to increase your level of responsibility." The Ukrainian military had previously accused Gudkov and other members of his former 155th brigade of committing war crimes in Ukraine, including the killing of civilians in the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Gostomel in the early months of Russia's war. Separately, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has said the 155th brigade was involved in executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russia has consistently denied committing war crimes in Ukraine, despite evidence gathered by the Ukrainians and international investigators. -CNN
CNN
03-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Ukraine kills one of the highest-ranking Russian officers of the conflict
The deputy chief of the Russian Navy has been killed by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk region, Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky region in Russia's far east, said Thursday. Guards Maj. Gen. Mikhail Gudkov, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy who also led a brigade that fought in Ukraine, was killed in the Russian border region that saw a successful Ukrainian incursion last year. He is one of Russia's highest-ranking officers to have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Kozhemyako previously handed Gudkov awards for bravery and said the two had spoken a lot over the years in a statement announcing the death. He described Gudkov as a 'strong-willed warrior' who had 'died while performing his duty as an officer together with his fellow soldiers.' Kozhemyako did not provide any further details on the circumstances of Gudkov's death. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed Gudkov's death on Thursday, saying he was killed in combat in the Kursk region. There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine. Gudkov was appointed as the deputy chief of the Russian Navy for coastal and ground forces by President Vladimir Putin in March. Putin said at the time: 'Since the minister and the Chief of the General Staff believe that your experience needs to be replicated in other units, I have decided to transfer you to a position - to increase your level of responsibility.' The Ukrainian military had previously accused Gudkov and other members of his former 155th brigade of committing war crimes in Ukraine, including the killing of civilians in the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Gostomel in the early months of Russia's war. Separately, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has said the 155th brigade was involved in executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russia has consistently denied committing war crimes in Ukraine, despite evidence gathered by the Ukrainians and international investigators.
CNA
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Commentary: Israel-Iran conflict exposes frailties of Tehran's regime
SINGAPORE: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has not only set back Iran's nuclear ambitions, it has also exposed the frailties of the regime that has governed the country for 46 years. Since the Islamic revolution in 1979 that overthrew the much-despised monarchy, the regime has exercised complete domination over religion, security and society. Externally, it built proxy regimes and militias to expand its influence which were seen as threats not just by Israel but also Iran's Arab neighbours. This profile of Iran as a powerful state with a formidable military and militias now lays shattered. First, Israel decimated Iranian proxies in the Middle East in response to the 7 Oct, 2023 terror attack. Over the last two weeks, it has bombed Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure and killed its military leadership with impunity. What Israel started was finished by the United States when it bombed the most secure of Iran's nuclear sites, rendering them unusable – for now. The exact damage to Iran's nuclear programme will only be clear in time. But the conflict has shown that Iran's defences are weak and its ability to respond for an extended period of time is limited. It also shows Iran is not as formidable a regional power that it is perceived to be. It appears more like neighbouring Iraq under Saddam Hussein - more bark than bite. Iran also has limited support from traditional allies Russia and China. The former is embroiled in a war with Ukraine and the latter's interests in the Middle East are economic and energy, not security. Even if the two provide Iran material support, it will be quite limited. CAN THE REGIME SURVIVE? For now, the immediate focus of the international community is ensuring a sustainable ceasefire. No one wants a protracted war, though it is almost certain that the US will continue to maintain strong deterrence in the region. A ceasefire also ensures that the Straits of Hormuz remains open, reducing the risks of supply disruptions and volatile prices. This is good for Singapore and the wider region, including China which is one of Iran's biggest energy importers. When negotiations resume, Iran's immediate asks will be less about its nuclear programme and more about ensuring Isreal is reigned in. In the background, however, ensuring the regime's survival will be paramount. Regime change was not a stated goal when Israel launched its attacks, but it may well be an unintended consequence. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled Iran since the death of leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. In the 36 years, the conservative Khamenei has consolidated power through the control of clerics who exercise authority over Iranian society and function as gatekeepers with veto over who contests elections. He has also used domestic security apparatus to silence critics and crush revolts, such as the 2022 protests against mandatory hijab rules for Iranian women. Under Khamenei's rule and numerous international sanctions, Iran's economy has also suffered. Despite controlling one of the world's largest oil and gas reserves, Iran suffers from mass unemployment and inflation. Added to that is rampant corruption by the clerics, military and the government. Together, these factors have significantly reduced the support that the regime once enjoyed after the revolution in 1979. Also not gone unnoticed - especially by Iranian youth - are changes in the region. United Arab Emirates and Qatar are now prosperous, globally integrated countries that were once far behind Iran. The rapid changes in regional rival Saudi Arabia, which has replaced exporting Wahhabism with attracting billions in international capital to transform the kingdom, makes Iran appear even more outdated and regressive. REFORM OR STATUS QUO Change will come; just how is yet unclear. One scenario is for the West to force Iran to democratise, the West's many failed "national building" experiments notwithstanding. A group of Iranian dissidents are lobbying for this option, including the descendent of the last Shah of Iran. However, no Iranian, no matter how opposed they are to the regime, will welcome a group that's seen in the pocket of the West and Israel. A more realistic option is to engineer or encourage a change in leadership while preserving the Islamic republic. The 86-year-old Khamenei is said to be in ill health and has no designated successor. While his appointment is for life and he was only appointed because his predecessor died, Khamenei can step aside on health grounds. Reuters recently reported that plans to name a replacement have accelerated. Khamenei would want a like-minded replacement such as his 56-year-old son Mojtaba or another hardline cleric with the backing of the military. But it is also possible that the three-member committee vetting candidates may exercise pragmatism – for the regime's survival – and propose a more liberal alternative, thus strengthening the hands of the reformists who have long advocated change. One such option is Ruhollah Khomeini's grandson Hassan, who is reportedly close to the reformers.
