National Nov 30, 2020
U.S. military in Okinawa reports single-day record 72 new COVID-19 cases
by Jesse Johnson
The marines said there were no indications that those infected had spread the disease to the larger population surrounding the bases.
Asia Pacific Nov 24, 2020
Taiwan's leader launches production of domestically made sub
Taiwan's president inaugurated the production of domestically made submarines Tuesday in the southern city of Kaohsiung, in a step forward for the island's defense strategy at a time of elevated tensions with China. "This submarine is an important part of allowing our navy to develop ...
National Nov 21, 2020
Japan had plans to sail MSDF ship near Chinese-held islet in South China Sea
Tokyo eyed equivalent of a U.S. "freedom of navigation operation" near man-made islands, but fears of seriously harming bilateral ties nixed plans.
World / Politics Nov 21, 2020
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet Taliban negotiators in Qatar
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will Saturday meet negotiators from the Taliban and Afghan government amid signs of progress in their talks as the United States speeds up its withdrawal. The State Department said late Friday that Pompeo will meet separately with the Afghan ...
National Nov 18, 2020
Suga and U.S. Marines chief oppose China's actions in Indo-Pacific
The two sides shared strong concerns about Beijing's unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas by force and coercive measures.
World Nov 18, 2020
U.S. Aegis warship successfully intercepts mock ICBM in first-of-its-kind test
by Jesse Johnson
The test could give the incoming U.S. administration a potent new weapon for defending against North Korean long-range missiles.
World / Politics Nov 18, 2020
Biden speaks with world leaders and national security experts
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden said Tuesday he would work to rebuild international institutions he said were damaged during Donald Trump’s presidency and that his message to world leaders is that "America is back.” Biden met Tuesday with defense and intelligence experts, many of whom worked ...
World Nov 17, 2020
Trump sought options for attacking Iran to stop its growing nuclear program
by Eric Schmitt, Maggie Haberman, David E. Sanger, Lara Jakes and Helene Cooper
The president was dissuaded from moving ahead with a strike by advisers who warned that it could escalate into a broader conflict in his last weeks in office.
Commentary / Japan Nov 16, 2020
Remembering the Okinawa rape incident that changed Japan-U.S. military relations
by Robert D. Eldridge
It was twenty-five years ago nearly to the day, following the tragic early September 1995 rape of an Okinawan school girl in Kin Village, Okinawa Prefecture, by three U.S. servicemen — two Marines and a Navy medic — that the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Command ...
World / Politics Nov 15, 2020
Biden likely to break barriers and pick woman to lead Pentagon
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to take a historic step and select a woman to head the Pentagon for the first time, shattering one of the few remaining barriers to women in the department and the presidential Cabinet. Michele Flournoy, a politically moderate Pentagon veteran, ...
National / Politics Nov 14, 2020
Japanese and U.S. defense chiefs confirm Senkakus fall under security pact
Confirmation comes after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden also assured Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga that Washington will help defend the uninhabited islands.
Asia Pacific Nov 13, 2020
Taiwan Defense Ministry, Pentagon deny U.S. Marines' presence for training
by Jesse Johnson
Taiwan's Defense Ministry and U.S. Defense Department have denied reports of U.S. Marines visiting the island to train Taiwanese forces. The confirmation would have been the first public acknowledgment in 40-plus years of such a move. Responding to media reports about the Marines’ presence, Taiwan’s Defense ...