Something extraordinary happened on Friday, but you likely didnt see it in the headlines.In Washington, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) quietly approved a $2.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan. On the surface, it was just another financial deal. But beneath the surface, this vote tied together three of the most pressing foreign policy theaters in the world: India-Pakistan, Ukraine-Russia, and U.S.-China.INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE'S EFFORT TO PULL INDIA, PAKISTAN BACK FROM THE BRINK OF WARAnd the common thread?President Trumps return to "Art of the Deal" diplomacy.The $2.3 billion IMF package included a $1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and $1.3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). But many experts were surprised this vote even happened, let alone passed.Just last year, Pakistans IMF bailout was contingent on its assistance in rearming NATO during the Ukraine war. The Biden administration leaned heavily on Pakistan to support weapons transfers, using routes like the Nur Khan Airbase to send munitions to Europe.This time around, the vote looked shaky. The Trump administration has made it clear it wants to end the war in Ukraineand all wars that bleed U.S. taxpayers without clear gain. Meanwhile, India was lobbying both the IMF and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to block funding to Pakistan, citing terrorism financing concerns.And then came the vote.India abstained. So did China and Russia. The "yes" votes came from the United States and the United Kingdom.If youre wondering why the U.S.under Trumps second termwould back a loan to a terror-linked state in the middle of a war, heres the answer: because the deal was far bigger than Pakistan.Lets unpack what likely happened.A Strategic Concession from India?Indias abstention puzzled many. It had taken a strong stand against the IMF loan, arguing that it violated basic principles of counter-terror financing. For India to let it slide signaled something else was in play.Trumps first major diplomatic focus post-inauguration was reworking Americas global trade deals, and India was high on the list. The president had long called India the "tariff king," and negotiations had been underway to reduce agricultural and industrial tariffs. In fact, Vice President JD Vance had been dispatched to New Delhinot a low-level envoy.There were signs a deal was close. But the momentum was disrupted by a major terrorist attack in Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan-based groups. The India-U.S. trade deal went into a holding pattern.Now, Indias IMF abstention appears less like inaction and more like a trade-off: a quiet concession, in return for favorable terms in the broader trade agreement with the U.S.Pakistans Clock Was TickingPakistan, for its part, was running on empty. It reportedly had only four days of ammunition left and faced near-total economic collapse. Though some NATO members had sent emergency aid, the U.S. itself has been moving to reduce entanglements with NATO and phase out military support in Ukraine.But heres where it gets more interesting.The United States has long had an internal debate over Pakistan. During the Cold War and the war on terror, some intelligence factions saw Pakistan as a necessary partnereven when it meant funding terror groups like the Mujahideen. In more recent years, others have shifted toward India as the natural counterweight to China.This division within U.S. security circles matters, because it means that the fight over Pakistan is both internal and external.And yet, the Trump administration pushed the vote through.Why?One likely condition: a ceasefire in the India-Pakistan conflict.But there may have been another conditionone that had Chinas fingerprints all over it.Why Did China Sit Out?If theres one country that stands to gain from Pakistans financial boost, its China.Pakistan is deeply indebted to China through Belt and Road infrastructure deals. And more to the point, most of its military imports come from Chinese manufacturers. Any fresh IMF cash would likely end up buying Chinese weapons.So why did China abstain from voting on Pakistans loan?Simple: Because Trump likely barred it.Sources close to the matter suggest that strict terms were placed on the loanstipulating that IMF funds cannot be spent on Chinese or Russian weapons systems, only American ones. That alone would have removed Chinas incentive to back the package.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONAdd to that the increasing chatter over Chinese versus Western arms systems in the India-Pakistan conflictand Chinas abstention begins to make a lot of sense.One Vote. Three Wins.By pushing this IMF package forward under strict conditions, the Trump administration appears to have pulled off a remarkable maneuver:All in one vote.There were no headlines. No press briefings. No declarations of success.But thats often how real power operates.Critics may scoff at the idea that Trump is capable of high-level diplomacy. But for those tracking the architecture of global influencethis vote was not noise. It was signal.It was a reminder that American power, when wielded with strategic clarity, doesnt need to announce itself loudly.It just needs to move the board. Quietly. Completely. Effectively.And if you were watching this one closely, you saw just that.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM TANVI RATNA

Pope Leo XIV held his first "Regina Caeli" prayer at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday.The newly elected holy father delivered the message just hours after visiting the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis."I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new Ministry that the Church has given me, to carry forward this mission as Successor of Peter," the pope said.He also delivered a message to young Catholics regarding vocations, saying, "Do not be afraid! Welcome the Church's invitation and that of Christ the Lord!"INCLUSIVE TONE OF NEW POPE ISN'T SITTING WELL WITH SOME IN THE AMERICA FIRST MOVEMENT"May the Virgin Mary, whose entire life was a response to the Lords call, always accompany us in following Jesus," he said.Pope Leo also appealed for "no more war" during his address to those gathered in St. Peter's Square. He also called for an "authentic and lasting" peace in Ukraine as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages being held by Hamas.The pope went on to say he was grateful for the ceasefire declared between India and Pakistan, adding that he is praying for God to grant the world the "miracle of peace."POPE LEO XIV, VILLANOVA GRAD, INTRODUCES HIMSELF ADORNED IN SYMBOLISM, PROVERBIAL RELIGIOUS DEVOTION"No more war!" the pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which killed some 60 million people.FIRST AMERICAN ELECTED PONTIFF, GET TO KNOW POPE LEO XIVIn his first official remarks as pope on Saturday, Leo delivered a powerful message to the College of Cardinals, warning that artificial intelligence (AI) presents serious new risks to human dignity. He called on the Catholic Church to step up and respond to these challenges with moral clarity and bold action.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPA former missionary and head of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, speaks English, Spanish and Italian and was widely seen as a unifying choice after the death of Pope Francis. His decision to take the name "Leo" connects his mission with Pope Leo XIIIs focus on social justice.Reuters contributed to this report.

The U.S. Marine Corps established an attack drone team earlier this year to respond to the rapid development of armed first-person view(FPV) drone technology and tactics, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of modern warfare and how future battles could be fought.The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) will be based at the Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.The FPV drones used will offer squad-level lethality at a range of up to 20 kilometers, nearly 12.5 miles, for under $5,000, compared to more expensive weapons systems with less capability,according to a press release from the service."MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF [Fleet Marine Force], enhancing small-unit lethality and providing organic capabilities that warfighters currently lack," said Maj. Alejandro Tavizon, the headquarters company commander at Weapons Training Battalion and officer in charge of MCADT."By leveraging emerging technologies and refining drone employment tactics, we are ensuring that Marines remain agile, adaptive, and lethal in the modern battlespace."Brett Velicovich, an Army veteran with extensive drone experience, told Fox News Digital that the creation of MCADT has been long overdue as the United States enters a drone arms race with adversaries like China, Russia and Iran."For a while now, we haven't had the needed technology, the needed expertise in low-cost, highly scalable, lethal drone technology that, frankly, is going to be the next part of every piece of the next war that we fight," he said.Velicovich argued that the United States is far behind other countries, especially China, when it comes to the production of drone technology, and needs to start looking at drones not just as surveillance assets, but as a form of ammunition.He pointed to Russias war in Ukraine and the large-scale advancements in domestic drone production that have allowed Ukrainian forces to strike multi-million-dollar enemy tanks and vehicles with drones that cost a few hundred dollars.Ukrainian Defense Minister RustemUmerov announced in December that Ukraine manufactured over 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024, including reconnaissance, kamikaze and long-range deep-strike drones. Domestically produced drones accounted for 96.2% of all unmanned aerial vehicles used by Ukrainian forces during the year."You have companies and manufacturing plants in Ukraine building 100,000 drones per month. One manufacturing plant is building 100,000 of these things per month. That's real scale. That's where we need to be," Velicovich told Fox News Digital.The WSJ, citing one Department of Defense estimate, reported that theU.S. has the capacity to build up to 100,000 drones a year.US, EUROPEAN ALLIES DEMAND ACTION TO END RUSSIA'S USE OF IRANIAN DRONES IN UKRAINEThe number is far below what the United States adversaries, such as Russia and China, produce in a year, raising national security concerns.Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission in late April, said that almost all of the countrys defense enterprises had met their orders in full last year, highlighting Moscows efforts to ramp up its war machine."Over 1.5 million drones of various types were delivered, with about 4,000 so-called FPV drones equipped with virtual reality control systems supplied to the frontlines daily," Putin said,according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. "I know well, just as many of you here do, that these weapons are still in short supply. We need more of them."Chinese technology company DJI is also making significant inroads in drone production, in both U.S. and Asian markets.It touts itself as the world's leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial drones.Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the non-partisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that the Shenzhen-based company dominates the global drone market, controlling more than 70% of the worldwide market share."Thats alarming, because DJI drones are essentiallydata collectors for Beijing giving China potential access to sensitive infrastructure imagery, flight patterns, and more. Its not just a market-share problem its a national security threat," he said.AI-POWERED ATTACK DRONES TAKE FLIGHTSingleton added that the U.S. doesnt need to match China drone for drone, but it needs a production floor thats sustainable, somewhere around a minimum of 250,000 drones per year."We are absolutely in a drone arms race with China and losing isnt an option. Success will depend on scaling production, protecting sensitive supply chains, and turbocharging innovation," he said. "It's not just about building drones its about fielding smarter, cheaper and more resilient swarms faster than Beijing."The U.S. National Drone Association will host the Military Drone Crucible Championship in Florida later this summer, where the Marines and the Armys 75th Ranger Regiment will compete to demonstrate their drone skills and tactics in modern combat.

A photo of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tackling her other big job went viral Thursday.Just before Mother's Day, Leavitt was photographed feeding her nine-month-old son Nicholas Robert Riccio, nicknamed "Niko," while typing at her desk. The photo was captured by Margo Martin, special assistant to the president and communications advisor, and posted on her official White House account.Martin was impressed by Leavitt juggling the two tasks, a rare glimpse of the press secretary behind-the-scenes when she is not at the podium fielding questions from reporters.WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT PRAYS BEFORE FACING REPORTERS"Walked in to @PressSec typing with one hand, and feeding her son with the other. Super Mom!" Martin posted on X. It had more than 9 million views on X as of Friday afternoon.Leavitt is married to 59-year-old Nicholas Riccio, a successful real estate developer. The couple got married in January, just days before President Donald Trumps inauguration. They got engaged in December during the Christmas holiday in 2023.Their son, Niko, was born on July 10, 2024.According to The Sun, Leavitt has been open about her work-life balance as a mother of a newborn baby.The Sun reported in February that Leavitt shared in her Instagram story a picture of her baby with the caption: "Work at white house, baby bedtime routine, & then @seanhannity at 9pm."Leavitt, 27, is the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history.She started her career in the White House as an intern during President Donald Trump's first term before later joining the staff as an assistant press secretary under former White House press secretary, and now Fox News co-host, Kayleigh McEnany.Leavitt did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for further comment.

The family of Sam Lilley, a pilot killed in the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., earlier this year, is speaking out and hoping to turn grief into action."We [want to] make sure that no other family has to go through the loss that our family and the other 66 families have gone through," said Tim Lilley, Sams father and a pilot himself.The January crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Since the incident, the Lilley family has called for changes to air safety protocols, particularly regarding military and commercial flight coordination near the Pentagon.Tim Lilley argues long-standing problems at Reagan National, from outdated systems to risky procedures, contributed to the tragedy.TWO PLANES DO 'GO-AROUNDS' TO AVOID MILITARY HELICOPTER NEAR REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT"It only takes a minute to look at the procedure going out of the Pentagon and know you should not have a helicopter circling east of the Pentagon while there's aircraft, commercial aircraft, on approach to runway 19 at broader Reagan," he said.DUFFY BLASTS BIDEN, BUTTIGIEG FOR IGNORING REPORT ABOUT FAILING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM: 'DID NOTHING!'He recalled previous conversations with his son about the complexity of flying into the area."Sam and I talked quite a bit about the flights into DCA and Ronald Reagan International and the challenges that come with that," he said.Their concerns echo broader issues facing the aviation industry. A New York Times report after the crash highlighted understaffing at the Reagan control tower, and a lawsuit claims the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) improperly discarded qualified air traffic controller applicants based on race.Tim Lilley also expressed concern about outdated air traffic control technology."The system just can't keep up with what's going on. This thing was designed decades and decades ago," he said.BLACK HAWK PILOT FAILED TO HEED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IN MOMENTS BEFORE PLANE COLLISION OVER DC: REPORTDespite the tragedy, the Lilleys are hopeful about efforts underway to fix whats broken. They credit Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for moving quickly after the crash.FAA INCREASING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFF, SUPERVISORS AT RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT"Secretary Duffy, he gets it," Tim said. "We met with him just a few days after the accident. Everything that we asked for, hes taking action on. I asked him to do this at the speed of business and not the speed of government, and he's really coming through."The Department of Transportation unveiled a sweeping three-year framework to modernize the nations air traffic control system. The proposal released Thursday includes upgraded radar, new telecommunications networks, and six new air traffic control centers nationwide.Sams family expressed gratitude for the administrations support."I just really [want to] thank President Trump for his leadership in putting forth this program," said Tim, who stressed that aviation safety is not a partisan issue."Every family deserves to know that their loved one is on a commercial aircraft that's [going to] get there safely," Tim said. "This goes both sides of the aisle. We're just looking for support from everybody. I think all Americans deserve safe skies."Even as changes begin, the Lilley family says their advocacy is just beginning."We are in this for the long haul," said Sams stepmother, Sheri Lilley. "Tim and I are adamant that we want to make the name Sam Lilley synonymous with aviation safety."

Looking for a last-minute Mother's Day gift?Sons and daughters can show their mom some love with a quick-and-easy chicken dish that celebrity chef Robert Irvine says can be prepared in minutes.In an interview with Fox News Digital, Irvine shared his recipe for seared herb chicken paillard with toasted coriander Greek yogurt and spring harvest salad. (See the video at the top of this article.)ARE ROTISSERIE CHICKENS REALLY HEALTHY? WHAT TO KNOWAlthough it's suitable for any occasion, the dish is particularly helpful for anyone pressed for time.That's because the meal can be made in less than three minutes.Irvine also revealed four practical cooking tips that will help make your Mother's Day meal a success.Chicken paillard is pounded flat and grilled or sauted quickly.CHICKEN THIGHS VS. CHICKEN BREASTS: WHICH ARE 'BETTER' FOR YOU? FOOD EXPERTS WEIGH IN"Paillard just means a flat piece of meat," Irvine told Fox News Digital.He used chicken breast for his dish. "But you can do this with the thighs, which have much more flavor because the dark meat contains more natural fat," Irvine said. "The white meat doesn't."When it comes to flattening the chicken, Irvine recommends using the smooth end of a meat pounder."And all we're doing is breaking the protein apart, so it cooks faster."EATING CHICKEN LINKED TO HIGHER MORTALITY RATES, OBSERVATIONAL STUDY SUGGESTSFish can also be substituted for chicken."We could use salmon the very same way. We could use cod," Irvine said.One of the herbs used to bolster the chicken's flavor is rosemary."Now, people think that when I use the rosemary, which is literally taken off the stick here, that this is the flavor," Irvine said, holding the stem."It is slightly. But this, the twig, is much more intense in flavor."He incorporates the twig into the dish, using the back of a knife to bring out the aroma.ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST FOOD TOURS IS HELD IN THIS SURPRISING SOUTHERN TOWN"I'm going to drop that in when I cook."Irvine then removes it before serving."I'm never going to eat this because it's too hot," he said. "But it's a great flavor."Instead of a traditional olive oil, Irvine prefers to use a grapeseed oil."The reason I use grapeseed oil is because I don't want a bitter, peppery aftertaste," he told Fox News Digital."I've already got arugula. That's the pepperiness."For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyleGrapeseed oil reaches a higher temperature than olive oil, "sears the chicken nicely" and "doesn't get absorbed into the chicken like an olive oil would," he said."Olive oil's really only for finishing."While the chicken is cooking, there is no need to move the pan, Irvine said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"If I shake the pan, the protein moves," he said. "It will never get golden brown."Put down the spatula, Irvine said, and "let it do its thing.""It will tell you when it's ready to turn over because the edges will turn golden brown."

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.This week's quiz highlights May marvels, hamburger history, lyrical legends and more.Can you get all 8 questions right?For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyleTo try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.Also, to take our latest News Quiz published every Friday click here.

Something extraordinary happened on Friday, but you likely didnt see it in the headlines.In Washington, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) quietly approved a $2.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan. On the surface, it was just another financial deal. But beneath the surface, this vote tied together three of the most pressing foreign policy theaters in the world: India-Pakistan, Ukraine-Russia, and U.S.-China.INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE'S EFFORT TO PULL INDIA, PAKISTAN BACK FROM THE BRINK OF WARAnd the common thread?President Trumps return to "Art of the Deal" diplomacy.The $2.3 billion IMF package included a $1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and $1.3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). But many experts were surprised this vote even happened, let alone passed.Just last year, Pakistans IMF bailout was contingent on its assistance in rearming NATO during the Ukraine war. The Biden administration leaned heavily on Pakistan to support weapons transfers, using routes like the Nur Khan Airbase to send munitions to Europe.This time around, the vote looked shaky. The Trump administration has made it clear it wants to end the war in Ukraineand all wars that bleed U.S. taxpayers without clear gain. Meanwhile, India was lobbying both the IMF and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to block funding to Pakistan, citing terrorism financing concerns.And then came the vote.India abstained. So did China and Russia. The "yes" votes came from the United States and the United Kingdom.If youre wondering why the U.S.under Trumps second termwould back a loan to a terror-linked state in the middle of a war, heres the answer: because the deal was far bigger than Pakistan.Lets unpack what likely happened.A Strategic Concession from India?Indias abstention puzzled many. It had taken a strong stand against the IMF loan, arguing that it violated basic principles of counter-terror financing. For India to let it slide signaled something else was in play.Trumps first major diplomatic focus post-inauguration was reworking Americas global trade deals, and India was high on the list. The president had long called India the "tariff king," and negotiations had been underway to reduce agricultural and industrial tariffs. In fact, Vice President JD Vance had been dispatched to New Delhinot a low-level envoy.There were signs a deal was close. But the momentum was disrupted by a major terrorist attack in Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan-based groups. The India-U.S. trade deal went into a holding pattern.Now, Indias IMF abstention appears less like inaction and more like a trade-off: a quiet concession, in return for favorable terms in the broader trade agreement with the U.S.Pakistans Clock Was TickingPakistan, for its part, was running on empty. It reportedly had only four days of ammunition left and faced near-total economic collapse. Though some NATO members had sent emergency aid, the U.S. itself has been moving to reduce entanglements with NATO and phase out military support in Ukraine.But heres where it gets more interesting.The United States has long had an internal debate over Pakistan. During the Cold War and the war on terror, some intelligence factions saw Pakistan as a necessary partnereven when it meant funding terror groups like the Mujahideen. In more recent years, others have shifted toward India as the natural counterweight to China.This division within U.S. security circles matters, because it means that the fight over Pakistan is both internal and external.And yet, the Trump administration pushed the vote through.Why?One likely condition: a ceasefire in the India-Pakistan conflict.But there may have been another conditionone that had Chinas fingerprints all over it.Why Did China Sit Out?If theres one country that stands to gain from Pakistans financial boost, its China.Pakistan is deeply indebted to China through Belt and Road infrastructure deals. And more to the point, most of its military imports come from Chinese manufacturers. Any fresh IMF cash would likely end up buying Chinese weapons.So why did China abstain from voting on Pakistans loan?Simple: Because Trump likely barred it.Sources close to the matter suggest that strict terms were placed on the loanstipulating that IMF funds cannot be spent on Chinese or Russian weapons systems, only American ones. That alone would have removed Chinas incentive to back the package.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONAdd to that the increasing chatter over Chinese versus Western arms systems in the India-Pakistan conflictand Chinas abstention begins to make a lot of sense.One Vote. Three Wins.By pushing this IMF package forward under strict conditions, the Trump administration appears to have pulled off a remarkable maneuver:All in one vote.There were no headlines. No press briefings. No declarations of success.But thats often how real power operates.Critics may scoff at the idea that Trump is capable of high-level diplomacy. But for those tracking the architecture of global influencethis vote was not noise. It was signal.It was a reminder that American power, when wielded with strategic clarity, doesnt need to announce itself loudly.It just needs to move the board. Quietly. Completely. Effectively.And if you were watching this one closely, you saw just that.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM TANVI RATNA

Pope Leo XIV held his first "Regina Caeli" prayer at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday.The newly elected holy father delivered the message just hours after visiting the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis."I wanted so much to come here in these first days of the new Ministry that the Church has given me, to carry forward this mission as Successor of Peter," the pope said.He also delivered a message to young Catholics regarding vocations, saying, "Do not be afraid! Welcome the Church's invitation and that of Christ the Lord!"INCLUSIVE TONE OF NEW POPE ISN'T SITTING WELL WITH SOME IN THE AMERICA FIRST MOVEMENT"May the Virgin Mary, whose entire life was a response to the Lords call, always accompany us in following Jesus," he said.Pope Leo also appealed for "no more war" during his address to those gathered in St. Peter's Square. He also called for an "authentic and lasting" peace in Ukraine as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages being held by Hamas.The pope went on to say he was grateful for the ceasefire declared between India and Pakistan, adding that he is praying for God to grant the world the "miracle of peace."POPE LEO XIV, VILLANOVA GRAD, INTRODUCES HIMSELF ADORNED IN SYMBOLISM, PROVERBIAL RELIGIOUS DEVOTION"No more war!" the pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which killed some 60 million people.FIRST AMERICAN ELECTED PONTIFF, GET TO KNOW POPE LEO XIVIn his first official remarks as pope on Saturday, Leo delivered a powerful message to the College of Cardinals, warning that artificial intelligence (AI) presents serious new risks to human dignity. He called on the Catholic Church to step up and respond to these challenges with moral clarity and bold action.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPA former missionary and head of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, speaks English, Spanish and Italian and was widely seen as a unifying choice after the death of Pope Francis. His decision to take the name "Leo" connects his mission with Pope Leo XIIIs focus on social justice.Reuters contributed to this report.

The U.S. Marine Corps established an attack drone team earlier this year to respond to the rapid development of armed first-person view(FPV) drone technology and tactics, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of modern warfare and how future battles could be fought.The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) will be based at the Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.The FPV drones used will offer squad-level lethality at a range of up to 20 kilometers, nearly 12.5 miles, for under $5,000, compared to more expensive weapons systems with less capability,according to a press release from the service."MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF [Fleet Marine Force], enhancing small-unit lethality and providing organic capabilities that warfighters currently lack," said Maj. Alejandro Tavizon, the headquarters company commander at Weapons Training Battalion and officer in charge of MCADT."By leveraging emerging technologies and refining drone employment tactics, we are ensuring that Marines remain agile, adaptive, and lethal in the modern battlespace."Brett Velicovich, an Army veteran with extensive drone experience, told Fox News Digital that the creation of MCADT has been long overdue as the United States enters a drone arms race with adversaries like China, Russia and Iran."For a while now, we haven't had the needed technology, the needed expertise in low-cost, highly scalable, lethal drone technology that, frankly, is going to be the next part of every piece of the next war that we fight," he said.Velicovich argued that the United States is far behind other countries, especially China, when it comes to the production of drone technology, and needs to start looking at drones not just as surveillance assets, but as a form of ammunition.He pointed to Russias war in Ukraine and the large-scale advancements in domestic drone production that have allowed Ukrainian forces to strike multi-million-dollar enemy tanks and vehicles with drones that cost a few hundred dollars.Ukrainian Defense Minister RustemUmerov announced in December that Ukraine manufactured over 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024, including reconnaissance, kamikaze and long-range deep-strike drones. Domestically produced drones accounted for 96.2% of all unmanned aerial vehicles used by Ukrainian forces during the year."You have companies and manufacturing plants in Ukraine building 100,000 drones per month. One manufacturing plant is building 100,000 of these things per month. That's real scale. That's where we need to be," Velicovich told Fox News Digital.The WSJ, citing one Department of Defense estimate, reported that theU.S. has the capacity to build up to 100,000 drones a year.US, EUROPEAN ALLIES DEMAND ACTION TO END RUSSIA'S USE OF IRANIAN DRONES IN UKRAINEThe number is far below what the United States adversaries, such as Russia and China, produce in a year, raising national security concerns.Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission in late April, said that almost all of the countrys defense enterprises had met their orders in full last year, highlighting Moscows efforts to ramp up its war machine."Over 1.5 million drones of various types were delivered, with about 4,000 so-called FPV drones equipped with virtual reality control systems supplied to the frontlines daily," Putin said,according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. "I know well, just as many of you here do, that these weapons are still in short supply. We need more of them."Chinese technology company DJI is also making significant inroads in drone production, in both U.S. and Asian markets.It touts itself as the world's leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial drones.Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the non-partisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that the Shenzhen-based company dominates the global drone market, controlling more than 70% of the worldwide market share."Thats alarming, because DJI drones are essentiallydata collectors for Beijing giving China potential access to sensitive infrastructure imagery, flight patterns, and more. Its not just a market-share problem its a national security threat," he said.AI-POWERED ATTACK DRONES TAKE FLIGHTSingleton added that the U.S. doesnt need to match China drone for drone, but it needs a production floor thats sustainable, somewhere around a minimum of 250,000 drones per year."We are absolutely in a drone arms race with China and losing isnt an option. Success will depend on scaling production, protecting sensitive supply chains, and turbocharging innovation," he said. "It's not just about building drones its about fielding smarter, cheaper and more resilient swarms faster than Beijing."The U.S. National Drone Association will host the Military Drone Crucible Championship in Florida later this summer, where the Marines and the Armys 75th Ranger Regiment will compete to demonstrate their drone skills and tactics in modern combat.