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Idrees Ali
A satellite image shows a suspected missile assembly building under construction, visible in the lower central part of the image, at the "February 11" plant near the city of Hamhung in North Korea.
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 26, 2024
Satellite images may show North Korea expanding missile plant, researchers say
The plant in North Korea's second-largest city is the only one known to produce solid-fuel ballistic missiles Ukrainian officials say have been used by Russian forces.
Pete Hegseth, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a Minnesota native, speaks at the Values Voter Summit in Washington in September 2009.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 16, 2024
How Trump's Pentagon pick Hegseth fell out of love with the U.S. military
Hegseth was flagged by a National Guard officer as a possible "insider threat" for having tattoos that suggested potential links to rightwing extremism.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he meets with House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 14, 2024
Trump's team drawing up list of Pentagon officers to fire, sources say
It is unclear if Donald Trump will endorse the firings, although in the past he has railed extensively against defense leaders who have criticized him.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes stage at an election night event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 11, 2024
How a Trump presidency could lead to a purge at the Pentagon
During his campaign for reelection, Donald Trump vowed to purge the military of so-called woke generals. Now the question is how far will he go?
U.S. soldiers are seen during the handover ceremony for Taji military base, from U.S.-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces, in the base north of Baghdad in 2020.
WORLD
Jul 31, 2024
U.S. conducts strike in Iraq amid deepening regional tensions
Iraqi police and medical sources said the strike inside a base south of Baghdad killed four members of a group that contains several Iran-aligned armed militias.
View of the apparent remains of a ballistic missile, as it lies in the desert near the Dead Sea, following a massive missile and drone attack by Iran on Israel, in southern Israel on April 21.
WORLD / Politics
May 22, 2024
After Israel defense, U.S. seeks to entice Gulf allies on missile shield
It's unclear whether Gulf allies have the same confidence the U.S. would rush to their defense, say experts.
The Pentagon initially opposed the long-range missile deployment, fearing the loss of the missiles from the American stockpile would hurt U.S. military readiness.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 25, 2024
The U.S. quietly shipped long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine
Long-range missiles from a $300 million military aid package the U.S. approved on March 12 have already been used twice in Ukraine.
The Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia. Current and former U.S. officials say the Pentagon may have to revisit assumptions about military needs in the Middle East if the crisis deepens.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Apr 20, 2024
U.S. military strategy tested as Iran-Israel warfare comes out of shadows
The tit-for-tat attacks have raised fears of an unpredictable regional war that the United States has sought to prevent.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan Navy chief Tang Hua attend the delivery ceremony of six made-in-Taiwan Tuo Chiang-class corvettes at a port in Yilan, Taiwan, on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 30, 2024
Taiwan's navy chief to visit U.S. next week, sources say
Tang Hua will visit the United States from next week to attend a military ceremony and discuss how to boost bilateral naval cooperation.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday will be leading the monthly meeting known as the Ukraine defense contact group (UDCG) of about 50 allies that have been militarily supporting Ukraine.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 19, 2024
Out of money, Pentagon chief looks to convince allies of commitment to Ukraine
Lack of funding is already having an impact on the ground in Ukraine and Ukrainian forces are having to manage scarce resources, officials say.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 8, 2024
Biden takes on Trump and Republicans in State of the Union speech
The 68-minute speech gave Biden, who is suffering from low approval ratings, a chance to speak directly to millions of Americans about his vision.
A soldier stands in front of the grave sites of fallen soldiers in Kinmen, Taiwan, on Aug. 23, 2023. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered his military to be ready to take Taiwan by 2027, though many analysts see that as an attempt to galvanize his military rather than a timeline for invasion.
ASIA PACIFIC
Feb 1, 2024
How Washington is preparing for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
It is looking at a key vulnerability — military logistics — and is setting up hubs in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure supplies are readily available.
A satellite view of the U.S. military outpost known as Tower 22, in Rukban, Rwaished District, Jordan
WORLD
Jan 29, 2024
Three U.S. troops killed in Jordan drone strike linked to Iran
Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack, the first deadly strike against U.S. forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.
Houthi supporters rally to denounce air strikes launched by the U.S. and Britain, in Sanaa, Yemen on Jan. 12.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 17, 2024
U.S. strikes Houthi missiles as Greek vessel hit in Red Sea
Attacks by the Iran-allied militia on ships in the region since November have affected companies and alarmed major powers.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reno, Nevada, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
Diplomats gird for 'doomsday' as prospect of Trump presidency looms
If he were to win a second term, Trump is likely to install loyalists — meaning his whims and isolationist policies would be easier to enact than before.
General Abdourahmane Tiani, who was declared as the new head of state of Niger by leaders of a coup, arrives to meet with ministers in Niamey, Niger, on July 28.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 11, 2023
U.S. military mission in Niger in focus after coup
U.S. troops have trained Nigerien forces in counterterrorism and operated two military bases, including one that conducts drone missions.
Visitors walk past a military fence at Imjingak peace park in the border city of Paju on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 21, 2023
U.S. worries mount over soldier after silence from North Korea
U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Washington was fully mobilized in trying to contact Pyongyang, including through U.N. communications channels.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 11, 2023
U.S. officials review intel sharing after damaging leak
Investigators are also working to determine what person or group might have had the ability and motivation to release the intelligence reports.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 10, 2023
U.S. searches for source of highly-classified intel leak
Some Western security experts and U.S. officials have said they suspect the source could be someone from the United States.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 16, 2023
U.S. and Russian military chiefs in rare talks after drone downed
Moscow's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, that American drone flights by Crimea's coast 'were provocative in nature.'

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