Asia Pacific Jan 25, 2020
China a '21st century surveillance state,' U.S. defense chief says
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday that China's Communist Party had created a surveillance state that uses artificial intelligence to repress Muslim minorities and pro-democracy demonstrators. China has faced an outcry from activists, scholars, foreign governments and U.N. rights experts over what they ...
World / Politics Jan 14, 2020
'Doesn't really matter' if there was an imminent threat from Qassem Soleimani, Trump says
President Donald Trump on Monday morning defended his decision to kill Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, contending Soleimani posed an impending threat to the United States but also saying that was not important, given the military leader's history. "The Fake News Media and their Democrat Partners ...
World / Social Issues Jan 13, 2020
Trump warns Iran not to kill protesters, says door is still open to talks
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran Sunday against killing protesters who have risen up over the regime's downing of a civilian airliner as his defense secretary left the door open to talks with Tehran without preconditions. Trump's salvo came as Iran's Islamic regime faced a ...
National / Politics Jan 11, 2020
Japan Defense Minister Kono to meet Esper and inspect Hawaii missile-defense system
Defense Minister Taro Kono said Friday he will visit Washington this coming week for a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Mark Esper, to discuss the situation in the Middle East and other regional affairs. During the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Kono is also expected to ...
World Jan 8, 2020
'I like to obey the law': Trump backs off threat to bomb Iran's cultural sites
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed away from his earlier insistence that he has the right to order the bombing of Iran's cultural treasures during a war. Facing strong criticism that such attacks would be a war crime, Trump said he was "OK" with ...
World Jan 8, 2020
U.S. ready to finish any war started with Iran: Pentagon chief
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday the United States wants to de-escalate tensions with Iran, but the country is ready to finish any war that could be started. "We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to ...
Asia Pacific / Politics Jan 3, 2020
U.S. defense secretary urges North Korea to negotiate on denuclearization
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday said the United States still sees a political agreement on denuclearization as the best path forward on North Korea, but that American forces remained prepared to fight if necessary. "We would urge restraint by Kim Jong Un," Esper ...
World Jan 3, 2020
Elite Iraqi troops deployed to secure the U.S. Embassy Thursday, a day after a pro-Iran mob laid siege to it in dramatic scenes that overshadowed months of anti-government grassroots protests. The unprecedented attack on the American mission in Baghdad — in which intruders threw rocks, ...
World Jan 3, 2020
U.S. sees signs Iran or its allies may be planning attacks: Pentagon chief
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday that there were indications Iran or the forces it backs may be planning additional attacks and said it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives. "There are some indications ...
World Dec 31, 2019
Iraq condemns U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed militia as unacceptable and dangerous
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Monday condemned U.S. airstrikes on bases of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, a move that could plunge Iraq further into the heart of a proxy conflict between the United States and Iran. The U.S. military carried out airstrikes on Sunday ...
World Nov 21, 2019
Pentagon denies report U.S. mulls pulling up to 4,000 troops from South Korea
The United States has denied a South Korean news report that it is considering withdrawing up to 4,000 troops from South Korea if Seoul does not pay more for maintaining the 28,500-strong U.S. contingent deterring North Korean aggression. South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported Thursday ...