Marine Cpl. Amarillas faces charges for allegedly selling stolen military weapons in Arizona.
Why this matters
This case spotlights security vulnerabilities in military inventory, posing risks to U.S. national security.
A U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, is facing charges for stealing military weapons and ammunition with plans to sell them in Arizona. Cpl. Andrew Paul Amarillas, an ammunition specialist, pleaded not guilty in Phoenix last Thursday to charges of conspiracy to commit theft of government property, embezzlement, and possession and sale of stolen ammunition. He remains in custody pending trial.
Court documents allege that Amarillas, while serving as a technical specialist at the School of Infantry West, stole a Javelin missile system, thousands of rounds of military-grade ammunition, and other weaponry between February 2022 and November 2025.
The investigation also noted a co-conspirator had saved Amarillas’ number under the nickname “Andrew Ammo.” In August, Amarillas allegedly texted a co-conspirator offering two missile launchers for review, court documents reveal. The criminal complaint included photos, one showing a Javelin missile system matching a serial number Amarillas had checked out from the San Diego-area military base.
Israel’s parliament approved a controversial bill allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks in the occupied West Bank. Sixty-two lawmakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, supported the bill, while 48 opposed it. The legislation, spearheaded by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from the far-right party, applies to military courts for West Bank Palestinians, making the death penalty the default for intentional deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism. The bill also provides for life imprisonment in special circumstances.
The measure varies for civilian courts, which try Israeli nationals, including Palestinian citizens and East Jerusalem residents. Under this law, those convicted of killing with the aim of harming Israeli citizens or residents to threaten the state’s existence face death or life imprisonment. Executions are to be conducted by hanging within 90 days of sentencing, with a possible extension of up to 180 days.
Critics argue the law discriminates against Palestinians. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the legislation, citing its conflict with Israel’s Basic Laws against arbitrary discrimination. Opposition lawmaker Ram Ben Barak criticized the bill’s unequal application, arguing it creates a divide between laws for Arabs in the West Bank and the wider Israeli public.
The Palestinian Authority denounced the law, stating it falls within a colonial agenda and lacks jurisdiction over Palestinian territories. Internationally, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy expressed concern that the bill risks undermining Israel’s commitment to democratic principles. Amnesty International had previously called for its rejection, citing discrimination concerns.
The new law reflects broader tensions following increased violence in the region since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
US-Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday reportedly damaged a leading pharmaceutical firm in Iran that produces cancer and anesthetic drugs, Iran’s government stated on X. The pharmaceutical firm is owned by Iran’s Social Security Investment Company, a state-run entity. Israel is prepared for extended confrontations with Iran, according to military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani. Four individuals in southern Dubai were injured due to debris from a missile interception, Emirates officials reported.
State media reported the damage to a Shia mosque in northwest Iran, highlighting cultural losses amid ongoing conflict.
China expressed appreciation for assistance as three of its ships transited the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for energy transportation, amid regional tensions. Pakistani Foreign Minister intends to discuss Iran during an official visit to China.
Indonesia condemned attacks in southern Lebanon, which led to the deaths of two of its peacekeepers. The country emphasized the need for protection under international humanitarian law for peacekeeping personnel. Israel confirms four soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, reports suggest the US is considering extending its military operations and negotiating with Iran, as tensions mount.
Oil prices dropped, but stocks rose following reports indicating potential diplomatic progress between the US and Iran, although firm measures to reduce energy costs remain a global concern.
Spain closed its airspace to U.S. planes participating in military actions in Iran, Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced Monday. This decision aligns with Spain’s earlier refusal to allow the use of its military bases in the conflict. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has characterized the war as illegal and unjust.
Robles emphasized, “Neither the bases are authorized, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorized for any actions related to the war in Iran.” These remarks come amid Spain’s strong opposition to military operations by the U.S. and Israel in Iran, which began over a month ago.
Sánchez has urged for an end to the hostilities, stating, “You cannot respond to one illegality with another, because that’s how humanity’s great disasters begin.” This stance led to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to cut trade ties with Spain after Madrid denied access to the U.S. for its bases at Rota and Morón.
The U.S. had previously made trade threats when Sánchez resisted increasing Spain’s defense spending to the 5% of GDP agreed upon by other NATO members. Instead, Spain proposed 2.1% as sufficient for meeting military commitments.
In 1986, France and Italy restricted the U.S. from using their airspace for actions targeting Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi. Similarly, in 2003, Turkey denied the U.S. the use of its territory for the invasion of Iraq but allowed overflights. NATO has refrained from commenting on Spain’s decision.
The Israeli Air Force released a photo showing F-16I Sufa fighters potentially carrying cluster munitions during strikes on Iran. The specific type of submunition was not identified. The release follows accusations from Iranian officials that the United States used BLU-91/B anti-tank mines, delivered via cluster bombs. This may align with an area denial strategy aimed at limiting missile launches.
In a Hebrew-language post on X, the Israeli Air Force stated, “In parallel, the Air Force struck sites used for storing and launching ballistic missiles,” targeting Tehran weapons production. The operation involved over 150 fighter jets.
The nighttime image shows munitions with features resembling U.S. air-dropped cluster munitions. Reports from Iran alleged U.S. use of BLU-91/B mines, part of the Gator scatterable system, but this has not been confirmed. The mines could be used to hinder access to missile sites.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., placed a hold on the promotions of Marine Lt. Col. Vincent Noble, Col. Thomas Siverts, and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas MacNeil, citing past behavior and judgment that he believes make them unfit for higher roles.
For Noble and MacNeil, Wyden highlighted their connections to controversial war zone incidents. Noble’s platoon, during a 2007 mission in Afghanistan, was involved in an ambush resulting in civilian casualties. Though a military court of inquiry found the platoon acted appropriately, Wyden cited investigations indicating misconduct, including a false report and urging subordinates to lie.
MacNeil was linked to the 2017 case of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, accused of war crimes, including a prisoner’s death. Although acquitted of those charges, Gallagher was convicted for posing with the prisoner’s body—a photo that included MacNeil. Despite testifying against Gallagher, MacNeil faced no disciplinary action due to presidential intervention.
Siverts was scrutinized for appearing on a podcast labeled antisemitic by the Anti-Defamation League. The podcast reportedly included violent rhetoric targeting Hegseth, and while the Defense Department Inspector General declined to investigate, Wyden questioned Siverts’s character and professionalism.
Wyden expressed concern over how these nominations progressed past the Senate Armed Services Committee, emphasizing the need for military promotions to adhere to U.S. armed forces standards.
