Tag - defense

 
 

DEFENSE

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stands next to U.S. President Donald Trump as alliance leaders pose for a group photo during a NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 25, 2025
NATO lines up ‘big success’ for Trump with new defense spending target
The new target for NATO member nations could give more ammunition to the U.S. in its calls for Japan to spend more money on defense.
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives for a social dinner at the Huis ten Bosch Royal Palace during a NATO Heads of State and Government summit in The Hague on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 25, 2025
U.K. to reintroduce nuclear weapon-capable aircraft under NATO
The U.K. will purchase 12 nuclear weapon-capable F-35A fighters, expanding the country's deterrence arsenal, which is currently limited to submarine-launched missiles.
A single Type-88 missile is tested off the coast at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Shizunai anti-aircraft firing range in Shinhidaka, Hokkaido, on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2025
Japan conducts first domestic surface-to-ship missile test
Japan called its first surface-to-ship missile test within its territory necessary training given the current "severe security environment."
Members of the Coastal Surveillance Unit participate in a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the Self-Defense Forces' Yonaguni Garrison in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2017.
JAPAN
Jun 25, 2025
Okinawa locals wary as SDF presence grows amid China threat
The SDF buildup has spurred concerns across the political spectrum in Okinawa, and many residents remain deeply worried over its growing presence.
U.S. President Donald Trump sits in his car, "The Beast," as he arrives for a dinner at the Huis ten Bosch Royal Palace during a NATO leaders summit in The Hague on Tuesday.
WORLD
Jun 25, 2025
Strike set back Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, U.S. report says
The findings suggest that President Donald Trump’s statement that Iran’s nuclear facilities were obliterated was overstated.
A team of Ukrainian soldiers ride quad bikes during a training exercise at an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine earlier this month.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 24, 2025
Kyiv's troops adapt as Russia gains edge in drone warfare
Ukrainian soldiers along the front and top brass in Kyiv say Russia has started deploying more drones, and ones that are harder to thwart.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte holds a news conference ahead of a NATO summit, in The Hague on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 24, 2025
NATO’s Indo-Pacific ties risk losing momentum as leaders skip key summit
Analysts say U.S. President Donald Trump’s moves mark a visible shift away from his predecessor's approach to the alliance and the IP4 grouping.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addresses a press conference a day prior to a meeting of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in The Hague on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 24, 2025
Flatterer-in-chief: How NATO's Rutte worked to win over Trump
Diplomats say Rutte is one of only a handful of European leaders Trump willingly picks up the phone to and that the two text each other.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects nuclear warheads at an undisclosed location. Events in Iran are likely to reinforce Pyongyang's belief that nuclear weapons ensure regime survival, with Pakistan and Libya providing lessons on how to get them and why giving them up can be fatal.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 24, 2025
Kim Jong Un’s nuclear lessons should trouble the rest of us
Operation Rising Lion has reaffirmed the belief that nuclear weapons are essential to protect a nation from attack.
In this frame-grab taken from video, missiles and air-defense interceptors are visible over Doha after Iran launched an attack on U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base on Monday.
WORLD
Jun 24, 2025
Trump thanks Iran after attack choreographed to de-escalate
The Qataris knew the missile barrage was coming. So did the Americans. The Iranians had told them.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 23, 2025
Ishiba to skip key NATO summit following Iran strikes
Two other invitees — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung — have also decided not to attend the gathering.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 23, 2025
Japan denies U.S. directly asked it to hike defense spending to 5% of GDP
Tokyo’s top government spokesman also said it was untrue that Japan had postponed a key bilateral security meeting over the issue.
Malaysian military personnel take part in a seven-day training program in Japan focused on the operation and maintenance of drones, which are set to be provided to Malaysia through Japan's official security assistance program.
JAPAN
Jun 23, 2025
Japan aims to double number of military aid recipients this year
Tokyo is looking to add five new countries to its official security assistance (OSA) program, which is intended to help maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
A U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bomber is flanked by four F-22 fighter jets during a flyover of military aircraft down the Hudson River and New York Harbor past New York City in July 2020.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 23, 2025
Decoy stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles: How the U.S. hit Iran
As one group of U.S. B-2 bombers flew west across the Pacific Ocean, more B-2s flew east — literally under the radar — to attack Iranian nuclear sites.
A B-2 stealth bomber flies over the Washington Monument at the National Mall, during Independence Day celebrations in Washington on July 4, 2020.
WORLD / FOCUS
Jun 22, 2025
U.S. B-2 bombers and 'bunker-busters' used in Iran strike
The U.S. Air Force's B-2 stealth bombers were involved in strikes on Iran's nuclear sites on Saturday.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles looks on during a ceremonial reception in New Delhi on June 4.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 22, 2025
Australia says it will base defense spending on country’s needs
Defense Minister Richard Marles will join NATO leaders for meetings in the coming week at the Hague, where he said a conversation on the issue is expected.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo on March 30.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 21, 2025
Japan scraps ‘two-plus-two’ meeting with U.S. over defense spending demand, report says
The talks’ cancellation reportedly came after the U.S. asked Japan to hike its defense budget to 3.5% of gross domestic product.
A model of a next-generation fighter jet that is being developed by Japan, Italy and the U.K. is displayed at the DSEI Japan defense exhibition in Chiba in May.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025
GCAP industry partners launch joint venture for trilateral fighter project
Named Edgewing, the new firm will be responsible for the fighter’s design and development and will remain the design authority for the life of the product.
A helicopter takes off from China's Shandong aircraft carrier in waters south of Okinawa Prefecture in April 2023.
JAPAN
Jun 20, 2025
Chinese aircraft carriers conducted over 1,000 sorties during Pacific training
Japan says the takeoffs and landings highlight the Chinese Navy’s growing ability to operate in distant seas and airspace.
The HMS Spey, a patrol vessel for Britain's Royal Navy, conducted a routine navigation through the Taiwan Strait that was part of a long-planned deployment and took place in full compliance with international law, the Royal Navy said.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 20, 2025
China calls British warship's Taiwan Strait transit an attempt to 'cause trouble'
Britain's Royal Navy said the patrol vessel conducted a routine navigation through the narrow waterway that was in full compliance with international law.

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