Good morning! It’s Sunday, December 22, and here’s your defense and global affairs update. Let’s wrap up the week with a look at the latest events shaping the world.
US Navy Resumes Osprey Flights, Adds New Gearbox Rules
On Friday, the US Navy lifted the pause on V-22 Osprey flights, but with new restrictions aimed at addressing ongoing safety concerns tied to a key component, the proprotor gearbox.
This gearbox, crucial for transferring engine power to the rotors, has been linked to deadly crashes, including a 2023 accident in Japan that killed eight airmen.
Ospreys with gearboxes exceeding a set flight-hour threshold can resume operations under specific restrictions, while those below the threshold face additional requirements. However, the Navy isn’t sharing the exact details, citing operational security—a move that’s drawn criticism for its lack of transparency.
“The US Navy has resumed flight operations of the CMV-22B Osprey in accordance with NAVAIR fleet bulletin and interim flight clearance for the V-22 Osprey program,” reads a statement from the commander, Naval Air Forces, cited from USNI News. “The Navy has confidence in the analysis by NAVAIR as the Airworthiness Certification Authority for the V-22 program, and Commander, Naval Air Forces will remain in close collaboration with key senior leaders across three services and continue to work to ensure our pilots and aircrew can fly and operate safely.”
This isn’t the first time the Osprey’s mechanical issues have made headlines. Past problems, like hard clutch engagements, led to fatal crashes and temporary fixes, but the root causes often remain unclear.
Lawsuits are piling up against manufacturers, and critics argue that the military’s handling of Osprey safety issues has left both pilots and the public in the dark.
Good morning! It’s Sunday, December 22, and here’s your defense and global affairs update. Let’s wrap up the week with a look at the latest events shaping the world.
US Navy Resumes Osprey Flights, Adds New Gearbox Rules
On Friday, the US Navy lifted the pause on V-22 Osprey flights, but with new restrictions aimed at addressing ongoing safety concerns tied to a key component, the proprotor gearbox.
This gearbox, crucial for transferring engine power to the rotors, has been linked to deadly crashes, including a 2023 accident in Japan that killed eight airmen.
Ospreys with gearboxes exceeding a set flight-hour threshold can resume operations under specific restrictions, while those below the threshold face additional requirements. However, the Navy isn’t sharing the exact details, citing operational security—a move that’s drawn criticism for its lack of transparency.
“The US Navy has resumed flight operations of the CMV-22B Osprey in accordance with NAVAIR fleet bulletin and interim flight clearance for the V-22 Osprey program,” reads a statement from the commander, Naval Air Forces, cited from USNI News. “The Navy has confidence in the analysis by NAVAIR as the Airworthiness Certification Authority for the V-22 program, and Commander, Naval Air Forces will remain in close collaboration with key senior leaders across three services and continue to work to ensure our pilots and aircrew can fly and operate safely.”
This isn’t the first time the Osprey’s mechanical issues have made headlines. Past problems, like hard clutch engagements, led to fatal crashes and temporary fixes, but the root causes often remain unclear.
Lawsuits are piling up against manufacturers, and critics argue that the military’s handling of Osprey safety issues has left both pilots and the public in the dark.
US Approves $5 Billion Arms Deal with Egypt
The United States approved Friday a $5 billion military equipment sale to Egypt, showcasing the country’s role as a key Middle Eastern partner despite ongoing human rights concerns.
The deal includes nearly $4.7 billion for upgrades to Egypt’s M1A1 Abrams tanks, $630 million for Hellfire missiles, and $30 million for precision-guided munitions.
While Egypt has been a vital ally in mediating the Gaza crisis, rights groups remain critical of its human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has pardoned political prisoners but reportedly detained even more.
The Biden administration, despite initial promises to address Egypt’s human rights issues, has continued supporting arms sales to Cairo, which has been a top recipient of US security aid since its 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
Alongside Egypt’s purchase, the US also approved weapons sales to Taiwan, Morocco, and Greece, further highlighting its strategic global defense partnerships.
Chad Ends Military Cooperation, Sends French Troops Packing
France officially started pulling its soldiers out of Chad after the country had ended its longstanding military cooperation with the former colonial power.
On Friday, 120 French troops departed N’Djamena, marking the latest step in the withdrawal process that also saw French fighter jets leave the country earlier this month.
Chad, once a pivotal hub for France’s military presence in Africa, made the decision to terminate its defense pact with Paris on November 28, following a trend in the Sahel region where nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have shifted their alliances toward Russia.
While Chadian leaders have emphasized that the move doesn’t sever diplomatic ties with France entirely, the decision aligns with growing regional skepticism of French military involvement.
Meanwhile, Chad’s leader, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has explored closer relations with Moscow, though concrete agreements have yet to materialize.
Stampedes Kill 13 as Nigerians Rush for Charity Aid
Tragic stampedes at charity events in Nigeria have left at least 13 people dead, including four children, as desperate crowds scrambled for food and clothing.
In Abuja, a Christmas gift distribution by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church turned deadly on Saturday, claiming 10 lives and injuring eight others. Meanwhile, in Okija, southern Nigeria, three more people died in a crush at another charity event before it even began.
These heartbreaking incidents highlight the growing desperation in Africa’s most populous country, where soaring inflation and a worsening cost-of-living crisis have left basic staples out of reach for many.
President Bola Tinubu canceled all official events in Lagos on Saturday to honor the victims, calling for prayers and comfort for the grieving families.
This tragedy comes just days after 32 people died in a similar stampede at an Islamic school in Ibadan. Amnesty International is calling for a thorough investigation into how these events spiraled into disaster.
UN Says Hundreds Killed in Siege of Sudan’s el-Fasher
The siege of El-Fasher, Sudan, has been nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe. Hundreds of civilians have been killed as violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rage on, turning the city into a battleground. What was once a bustling regional hub has been reduced to a war zone, with families caught in the crossfire and basic resources like food, water, and medical aid becoming scarce. Hospitals have been targeted, leaving the wounded with nowhere to go, and the dead are buried hastily, if at all. This is a tragedy playing out in real-time, with the world watching but doing little to intervene.
For the people of El-Fasher, survival has become the only priority. Reports detail scenes of unimaginable suffering—children orphaned, families displaced, and neighborhoods obliterated by shelling. The RSF’s blockade of aid and relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure have drawn widespread condemnation, yet international relief efforts remain insufficient. Sudan’s civil war is no longer confined to political boardrooms or military frontlines; it’s tearing apart communities and laying waste to the lives of ordinary people. The question now is whether the international community will step in to stop the carnage or continue to wring its hands while El-Fasher burns.
Sources: News Agencies, US Navy Press Release
