Iran’s top adviser network crippled : Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has seen his key military and security advisers eliminated by Israeli airstrikes, severely weakening his inner leadership structure, according to five people familiar with his decision-making process. Those killed include major figures from the Revolutionary Guards—the elite military faction—including commander Hossein Salami, aerospace head Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi. The loss of these trusted lieutenants has significantly reduced the roughly 15–20-strong advisory group that surrounds Khamenei and advises on defence, clerical, and political affairs.

Strategic risks escalate amid growing isolation: Sources warn that this depletion of trusted military counsel heightens the risk of miscalculations in Iran’s defence posture and domestic stability. A regular attendee of Khamenei's advisory meetings described the situation as “extremely dangerous,” underscoring the challenges of making critical decisions without seasoned, loyal military voices. Khamenei—who values counsel despite his famously stubborn grip on power—is now increasingly reliant on less experienced figures like his son, Mojtaba, and other non-military confidants to fill the vacuum.

Power shift toward civilian and familial networks: With the removal of high-ranking Guards leaders, Khamenei has leaned more heavily on a broader network of advisers, including his son Mojtaba, deputy security official Ali Asghar Hejazi, and senior figures such as Mohammad Golpayegani, Ali Akbar Velayati, Kamal Kharazi, and Ali Larijani. Mojtaba Khamenei, in particular, has emerged as a central coordinator among disparate factions, leveraging his deep connections within the Guards. Meanwhile, Israel’s strikes—and related blows to Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” including the deaths of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and the collapse of Assad in Syria—have left Khamenei increasingly isolated within a fracturing regional alliance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

In the weeks following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan repeatedly claimed that it had inflicted significant damage on Indian military infrastructure, including airbases and high-value defense systems. However, a thorough analysis by independent satellite imagery expert Damien Symon suggests these claims are baseless, as many of the images circulated by Pakistani sources were found to be either doctored or misrepresented.

Symon, who closely examined the visuals shared by Islamabad, concluded that Pakistan’s assertions—such as strikes on a Sukhoi fighter jet and an S-400 air defense system—do not match verified satellite data. For instance, one of the most prominent Pakistani claims involved a supposed strike on a Sukhoi-30MKI at the Adampur airbase in Punjab. An image circulated showed what appeared to be a burn mark near a jet. However, Symon verified that the image was taken before the conflict and the aircraft was not a Sukhoi but a MiG-29 undergoing maintenance. The dark patch near the jet was engine soot, not bomb damage.

Similarly, Pakistan alleged damage to an S-400 system at the Bhuj airbase in Gujarat, presenting imagery that showed dark patches on the ground, which were described as missile impact zones. Symon identified these marks as oil stains in a vehicle yard, and the images dated back to before the hostilities began. Another claim about missile damage to an S-400 battery at Adampur was supported by satellite photos that had been digitally edited to include black dots meant to simulate craters. When compared with current, unedited images, no such damage was found.

Another claim involved an image from the Naliya airbase showing what was said to be scorched ground from a bombing raid. Symon determined that the darkened area was actually a cloud shadow on the runway and not damage from an attack. Additionally, a blurry image of Srinagar airport was circulated online as proof of a Pakistani strike. Yet, high-resolution satellite images from various dates showed no visible damage to the civilian apron or nearby areas.

Adding to the false narrative, Pakistan shared imagery from a Chinese satellite company to assert damage at the Adampur airbase. Symon pointed out that the alleged damage was actually a pre-existing mark visible in older satellite captures. Visuals claiming damage near Jammu airport were also debunked, as the images had been digitally manipulated, and subsequent satellite images confirmed that the airport remained unharmed. The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Adampur airbase shortly after Operation Sindoor further highlighted the falsehood of Pakistan’s claims. Photographs from his visit showed no significant damage, directly challenging the narrative put forth by Pakistan.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

For the first time publicly, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged that the Indian armed forces carried out a pre-emptive strike, disrupting Pakistan's planned military retaliation. During the Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, Sharif revealed that Pakistan, led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, had scheduled a counterattack against India on May 10 at 4:30 AM, shortly after morning prayers.

However, before that could happen, India launched a surprise missile offensive on the night of May 9-10 using BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The strike targeted multiple key Pakistani military sites, including the strategically vital Noor Khan airbase in Rawalpindi and the Murid base in Chakwal. Sharif stated that the missiles were launched by Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, marking the first operational deployment of the air-launched, extended-range BrahMos in a live combat situation. The offensive reportedly included around 15 BrahMos missiles and other precision-guided weapons, striking 8 to 11 major military targets across Pakistan.

The strikes were a direct response to the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians and was attributed by India to Pakistan-based terror outfits. Sharif’s admission highlights how India’s swift and precise military operation, named Operation Sindoor, caught Pakistan off guard and derailed its planned offensive.

Beyond conventional military targets, the Indian strikes also hit terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly eliminating high-ranking militants and their families. The damage dealt by India’s precision attacks prompted Pakistan to call for a ceasefire on May 10, following a direct communication from its Director General of Military Operations to his Indian counterpart.

India’s use of BrahMos missiles from Su-30 MKI aircraft marks a major leap in its strategic strike capabilities, showcasing its ability to deliver high-impact blows deep inside hostile territory while minimizing risks to its own forces. Sharif’s candid remarks at a summit attended by allies underline not only the operational success of India’s military strike but also its broader diplomatic and strategic consequences, signaling India’s resolve to act decisively against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the "execution model" to advance a major project aimed at indigenously developing a fifth-generation, deep penetration advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) for the Indian Air Force. India has been working on the ambitious AMCA initiative to create a medium-weight stealth fighter jet designed to strengthen its air power capabilities.

On Tuesday, the Defence Ministry announced that Singh has given the green light to the "Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model." The ministry stated, "In a significant move to boost India’s indigenous defence capabilities and build a strong domestic aerospace industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the AMCA Programme Execution Model."

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will oversee the programme’s execution in collaboration with industry partners. The ministry highlighted that the "execution model" allows both private and public sector companies to compete on an equal footing. Eligible bidders must be Indian companies compliant with national laws and can participate independently, as joint ventures, or as consortia.

The ministry emphasized, "This step is crucial for leveraging indigenous expertise and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, marking a key milestone towards achieving Aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) in the aerospace sector." Last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had granted in-principle approval for the fighter jet project. The initial development budget is estimated to be around Rs 15,000 crore. The Indian Air Force has been advocating for the AMCA to meet its long-term operational needs. India’s confidence in the project grew notably following the successful development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

On May 18, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel would relax its blockade to allow limited food supplies into Gaza, following the military’s declaration of “extensive ground operations” in both the northern and southern regions of the enclave. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest updates from Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

India's military operations chief is set to meet with his Pakistani counterpart to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire. After some initial violations, there were no reports of explosions or projectiles overnight. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest update with insights from Dr. Christopher Snedden, a political scientist and author.
Disclaimer: This Video is taken from CNA.