July 20–26, 2025

Dive into my perspective on this week's global chaos, straight from the Smoke Pit.

July 20–26, 2025
I’m Karl Bullock, the voice behind That Smoke Pit Veteran - a fierce, independent platform for Active Military, Veterans, and anyone who values unfiltered truth. We dive deep into U.S. Military current events, serving up raw, no-nonsense takes with the grit and heart of those who’ve served. Expect bold, unapologetic perspectives that slice through the noise with authenticity and edge. Free from any U.S. Government, Military, or organizational ties, That Smoke Pit Veteran stays true to its mission: delivering hard-hitting content that’s as real as it gets.

July 20: Druze vs. Bedouin in Syria

On July 20 at 11:46 AM EDT, I posted about the ongoing clashes in Syria’s Suwayda countryside between Druze and Bedouin forces. A so-called ceasefire in the city was hanging by a thread, and the fighting’s still kicking up dust. It’s a nasty mix of ethnic tensions and local power struggles. Syria’s a pressure cooker, and this is just one corner of it.

July 21: NATO Surveillance, Pentagon Vulnerabilities, and AUKUS Doubts

July 21 was a busy day—I dropped three posts covering the global chessboard. At 7:03 AM EDT, I called out growing concerns among Australian experts about the AUKUS submarine program’s value as Trump’s tariffs and defense spending demands rattle Pacific allies. Some are pushing Australia to jack up defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and take a harder line against China, but there’s real skepticism about whether the U.S. is still a reliable partner.

By 3:06 PM EDT, I was on NATO’s moves, highlighting Germany and Norway teaming up to boost surveillance of maritime and airborne threats in the northern Atlantic. With Russia flexing over Ukraine, this is about locking down NATO’s northern flank—smart move, but it shows how tense things are getting.

Then, at 3:39 PM EDT, I flagged a big one: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering an urgent review of the Pentagon’s digital systems after spotting a “potential vulnerability” tied to cheap Chinese labor in DoD cloud services. He’s not playing around, demanding China’s involvement be cut out ASAP.

I also posted at 9:08 PM EDT, doubling down on the NATO surveillance story, noting Germany and Norway’s agreement to keep a closer eye on the northern Atlantic. Russia’s shadow looms large, and this is NATO saying, “We’re watching.”

July 22: Epstein Files Stalled and Turkey’s Naval Power-Up

On July 22, I hit two big topics. At 11:22 AM EDT, I shared a New York Times report about Speaker Mike Johnson planning to shut down the House until September to avoid a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. What are they hiding? It’s shady as hell, and I’m not letting it slide under the radar.

Later, at 2:38 PM EDT, I posted about Turkey’s IDEF 2025 expo, where STM announced their first homegrown Fast Attack Craft (FAC). Steel’s already being cut, and this is a huge leap for Turkey’s naval game.

July 23: North Korea’s Missile Moves

On July 23 at 4:04 PM EDT, I dropped a post about construction at North Korea’s Chamjin missile factory near Pyongyang. Satellite imagery shows a mysterious new annex, hinting at upgrades to their rocketry capabilities. It’s got folks nervous about what Kim’s cooking up next.

July 24: China’s Spy Crackdown and European Air Defense

I kept the heat on July 24 with two posts. At 7:45 AM EDT, I posted about China’s spy agency urging public workers to stop sharing state secrets on social media. With U.S.-West relations tanking, Beijing’s doubling down on espionage warnings, pointing fingers at foreign threats. It’s a sign they’re feeling the pressure.

At 8:26 AM EDT, I highlighted Northrop Grumman pushing its Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) for NATO’s European Sky Shield Initiative and ACCS replacement. This system ties together sensors and weapons to counter growing missile threats—crucial as Europe braces for whatever’s coming.

July 25: Thailand-Cambodia Border Heats Up

On July 25 at 5:25 AM EDT, I sounded the alarm on escalating clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, displacing 138,000 people. Thailand’s warning of potential war as tensions spike near the border. I called for urgent resolution and support for civilians caught in the crossfire—a humanitarian mess that’s only getting worse.

The Vibe

This week was a whirlwind of global flashpoints—Syria’s ethnic clashes, NATO’s defensive posturing, North Korea’s shady missile moves, and Thailand’s border crisis. Toss in the Pentagon’s China problem, Turkey’s naval flex, and the Epstein files being buried, and it’s clear the world’s on edge.


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