Mali's junta chief Gen. Assimi Goita has taken on the defense minister's duties, signaling a consolidation of power as he remains the head of the ruling military government and attends the funeral of former defense minister Sadio Camara in Bamako.
Mali’s defense minister Gen. Sadio Camara died from wounds after a weekend attack by al-Qaida–linked militants and Tuareg rebels who seized several towns, including Kidal, in a rare coordinated push with JNIM; a three-day curfew was imposed and at least 16 people were wounded, with no official death toll for attackers reported.
Ukraine’s new defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, told parliament that about 200,000 soldiers are AWOL and roughly 2 million are wanted for draft dodging, underscoring a deep manpower strain as Kyiv defends against a larger foe. Zelensky signaled broader mobilization reforms, while Fedorov—the youngest to hold the post—pledges to leverage drones and technology from dozens of domestic firms to strengthen Ukraine’s military.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has proposed Mykhailo Fedorov, the current Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, to become the new Minister of Defense, citing his effective work on digitalization and defense tech initiatives, while confirming the continuation of current Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal in a different role.
Israel plans to maintain its military presence in Syrian territory, according to the country's defense minister, highlighting ongoing regional security concerns.
South Korea is embroiled in a political crisis following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law, which has led to calls for his impeachment. The martial law commander, Park An-su, testified that he was unaware of the details and did not write the martial law notice. Vice Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho, now acting defence minister, expressed opposition to the martial law and learned about it from the news. The former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly proposed the martial law, has resigned. The opposition is pushing for Yoon's impeachment, but his ruling party opposes it.
A former defense minister has accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, raising serious allegations about the conduct of Israeli military operations in the region.
Israel's former Defense Minister, recently dismissed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to eroded trust, shared his perspective on Israel's objectives in Gaza after meeting with families of Israeli hostages. His comments come amid ongoing tensions following a Hamas attack last year, which continues to influence the conflict in the region.
Israel's new Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has declared that there will be no cease-fire in Lebanon until Israel's war objectives are met, contradicting earlier statements by the Foreign Minister about progress towards a settlement with Hezbollah. This comes amid ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and cross-border attacks with Hezbollah. Katz emphasized the need to continue military actions to weaken Hezbollah and achieve Israel's goals, which include disarming Hezbollah and ensuring the safe return of northern Israelis displaced by the conflict.
Israel's new Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced that the country has defeated Hezbollah following the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike. Katz emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure to solidify this victory and expressed hope for Lebanon to normalize relations with Israel. The announcement follows the recent replacement of former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant amid ongoing conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Israel's Knesset experienced significant turmoil following the appointment of Israel Katz as the new Defense Minister and Gideon Sa'ar as Foreign Minister, after Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed Yoav Gallant. The opposition protested by leaving the plenum, leading to a session filled with heated exchanges. Katz's appointment sparked widespread protests and social media backlash, with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction. Despite the controversy, the appointments were approved with 58 votes, as opposition members abstained from voting.
Protests erupted in Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The move has sparked widespread public outcry and demonstrations, reflecting deepening political tensions in the country.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Israel Katz as the new defense minister, replacing Yoav Gallant. Katz, a hardline ally of Netanyahu, is expected to align closely with the Prime Minister's policies, particularly in the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Known for his antagonistic stance towards Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority, Katz has held various ministerial roles since 2003 and is seen as supportive of Israel's far-right settlers. His appointment signals a potential shift towards more aggressive military and political strategies in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after ongoing disputes over military and political issues, including the handling of hostages in Gaza and ultra-Orthodox military service. The firing has sparked protests in Israel, with demonstrators blocking highways and opposition leaders criticizing the move as politically motivated. Gallant's dismissal comes amid Israel's conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and has raised concerns about the stability of Netanyahu's coalition government.