Kevin Stewart

The quest to prevent COVID cases is Public Health's Afghanistan. Ends the same way, humiliation and tears.

@RickInNovi @krajncb @Cmdr_catfish @Osinttechnical This is bullshit.

**Yes, there is substantial evidence that the Patriot missile defense system (MIM-104) has been used against Iranian drones**, particularly the low-cost Shahed-series one-way attack UAVs (often costing ~$20,000–$50,000 each). This includes both the ongoing 2026 U.S.-Iran conflict and prior incidents involving Iranian-supplied or Iranian-backed drones. ### In the 2026 U.S.-Iran Conflict (Ongoing Since Late February 2026) U.S. forces and Gulf allies (including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others) have repeatedly fired Patriot interceptors against swarms of Iranian Shahed drones launched in retaliation for U.S./Israeli strikes on Iran. Key points from multiple reports: - Hundreds to thousands of Patriot missiles have been expended across the Middle East specifically to counter Iranian drones and missiles. - Interception success rates have been reported as high as **over 90%** in some cases (e.g., by UAE officials), though the system is often criticized for the poor cost-exchange ratio (a ~$4 million Patriot missile vs. a cheap drone). - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and allied statements confirm Patriot batteries (alongside THAAD and naval systems) as part of the integrated air/missile defense network defending bases and infrastructure in Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere. - Examples include interceptions over the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, with some footage and official announcements showing or describing Patriot launches against incoming Shahed drones. This usage has strained U.S. and allied stockpiles, leading to discussions about shifting to cheaper alternatives (e.g., Ukrainian-developed interceptor drones or guns/helicopters) and even diverting Patriots from Europe. ### Historical Precedents - **Saudi Arabia vs. Houthi/Iranian drones** (2010s–2020s, ongoing into 2026): Saudi Patriot systems have intercepted dozens of Iranian-supplied or Iranian-designed drones (including Shahed variants) launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi defense ministry statements and footage have documented successful intercepts of Iranian drones over Riyadh and eastern regions. - **Ukraine vs. Russian Shahed drones**: Ukraine has used U.S.-supplied Patriot systems to down Iranian-designed Shahed-136/Geran-2 drones employed by Russia. While not "direct" Iranian launches, these are the same Iranian-origin platforms now being used against U.S./Gulf targets. ### Caveats and Context Not every engagement succeeds—there have been documented cases of Patriots failing to intercept certain Iranian ballistic missiles or drones (e.g., footage from UAE and Qatar showing multiple misses). Critics note that Patriots are overkill for low-tech drones, prompting a shift toward cheaper counter-drone tools. Israel has Patriot batteries but has primarily relied on Iron Dome, Arrow, and David's Sling (plus allied aircraft) against Iranian threats, not Patriots for the bulk of drone intercepts. In short, **yes—Patriot systems have been actively and successfully used against Iranian drones** in multiple conflicts, with the most extensive recent evidence coming from the current Middle East operations. Official statements, media reporting, and open-source analysis all corroborate this. For the latest specifics, U.S. CENTCOM or Gulf defense ministries periodically release updates on intercepts.

Remarkable footage of an American CRAM downing an incoming Iranian attack drone at close range over Baghdad this week

An airport in rural Spain has become a parking lot for stranded aircraft in Europe due to the Middle East conflict as drones and missile launches by US, Israel and Iran have forced countries to close their airspace and reroute flights

@DearS_o_n Dude I met my wife at work

NEVER have sex with your co-workers. Not at work, not outside work. Neverrrrrrrrrrrr, everrrrrrrrrrrrrr at all.

Big shout out to the activists at Elliott Management that convinced Southwest Airlines management to stop hedging fuel costs.

Coder here. Agree.

No one has more experience or deeper expertise on drone warfare than Ukraine. US should immediately take up Zelensky's offer.

Americans realizing Trump has done exactly the opposite of everything he promised them before getting elected

Translation: Trump is about to bail out of his Great Iran Debacle and let everyone else pick up the pieces of the chaos he left behind.

We are enthusiastically willing to pay TSA workers today, and we will keep trying, but the sticking point is that Republicans want to attach ICE funding to it. We are not in agreement about ICE, but I don’t think workers and travelers should have to wait for an ICE deal.

@MCCCANM Unfortunately …

Are we still debating the F-35 vs the Gripen, or have we stopped that conversation yet?

This is the only thing you need to know. Democrats want to open TSA. Republicans are refusing because they want to attach ICE funding. That’s why there are long lines. ICE.

I get crap from my football-crazy followers whenever I say this, but this sort of thing says terrible things about our priorities as a society. Children should go to school, every day, and we should remember that the NFL is totally unimportant in the scheme of things.

@anonskrub @krajncb @Cmdr_catfish @RickInNovi @Osinttechnical Bullshit

@stewak2 @krajncb @Cmdr_catfish @RickInNovi @Osinttechnical The entirety of the Gulf States doing so in the first week of the operation.

@anonskrub @krajncb @Cmdr_catfish @RickInNovi @Osinttechnical Evidence anyone ever fired a Patriot at a Shahed?

@stewak2 @krajncb @Cmdr_catfish @RickInNovi @Osinttechnical the Gulf States seem to disagree

As an aside, it’s telling that public concern about TSA wait times focuses on the inconvenience it causes travelers. Concentrating a bunch of people outside the sterile area of an airport is a huge security problem. It shows how people don’t take airport security seriously.

@henrycobb @SteveDaly15 ending in utter destruction of the attacker…

Trump's Pearl Harbor reference is obvious: Unprovoked attack that started a war over oil and ended with the nation's leader being tried as a war criminal.

@krajncb @Cmdr_catfish @RickInNovi @Osinttechnical A Patriot was never going to be used against a Shahed

@Cmdr_catfish @RickInNovi @Osinttechnical yes, we are, so it seems all other lines failed or doesn't eve exist

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Seven times. That's how many times Democrats have tried to fund TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard. And every single time, Republicans have refused. They would rather protect ICE's lawlessness than protect our communities. How despicable.

Admiral Yamamoto, seen here realizing he’d totally forgot to tell Trump he was going to attack Pearl Harbor.

@dilanesper @ajlamesa Not yet. Wait a few months…

Yep.