The Taliban must ensure that Afghanistan does not become a sanctuary for extremists before the United States withdraws troops, the top U.S. general said Wednesday. "I'm not using the 'withdrawal' word right now," Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters ...
U.S. successfully tests medium-range cruise missile after exiting INF treaty
The U.S. Defense Department announced on Monday the test of a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile, just weeks after tearing up the Cold War-era pact with Russia that eliminated such nuclear-capable weapons. The missile was launched on Sunday from the U.S. Navy-controlled San Nicolas Island off ...
With eye on Russia and China, U.S. defense chief visits strategic Mongolia
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper is set to meet senior Mongolian leaders on Thursday in a rare visit to the strategically important nation to deepen ties, as the Pentagon seeks to implement its strategy of focusing on countering China and Russia. On a map, Mongolia, ...
A Turkish attack on Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria would spark a "big war" if U.S. efforts fail to block Ankara's plans, a top Kurdish official told Reuters on Wednesday. Badran Jia Kurd also said most forces would have to deploy to the border with ...
Pentagon chief Mark Esper urges Japan to help protect shipping in Persian Gulf
Washington has been struggling to secure support for its efforts to counter Iranian activities in the sea lane, through which much of the world’s oil passes.
Trump aide John Bolton links future Asia missile deployment to protecting allies including Japan
U.S. national security adviser John Bolton on Tuesday linked the deployment of intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) in Asia to protecting America's allies in the region — including Japan — despite Chinese warnings it would take retaliatory countermeasures. Bolton said that any U.S. deployment of the ...
New U.S. defense chief insists he wasn't told to review $10 billion JEDI cloud-computing contract
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he heard questions from people in the White House about a Pentagon cloud-computing contract valued at as much as $10 billion, but wasn't directed to order the review that's under way. President Donald Trump stunned technology companies, the Defense Department ...
Defense chief Takeshi Iwaya to meet new U.S. counterpart Mark Esper in Japan on Wednesday
Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Friday he will hold his first face-to-face talks with U.S. counterpart Mark Esper next week in Japan. Iwaya told a news conference that during the meeting next Wednesday he wants to discuss ways to strengthen defense cooperation with the new ...
U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to be the next defense chief has said that new military bases are needed "throughout the Indo-Pacific region" while also urging the fielding of "new capabilities" amid the threat to U.S. and allied forces from powerful Chinese missiles. "China has ...
In a move likely to concern Japan and other Asian allies, Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan stepped down Tuesday before his formal nomination ever went to the Senate, citing a "painful" family situation that would hurt his children and reopen "wounds we have ...
