Chinese defection rumors coincide with Communists’ loyalty drive

Rumors about the defection of a high-ranking Chinese intelligence official to the United States circulated recently at the same time that the ruling Chinese Communist Party staged an unusual loyalty campaign to bolster ideological purity within the ranks of the 93 million-member ruling party.

War with China would pose “significant challenge” for America, says Chairman of Joint Chiefs

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress Wednesday that, while the US military currently remains stronger in every way than the Chinese military, it would be a “significant challenge” for America to sustain a war with China, the Washington Times reports. Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley gave his assessment while testifying at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on the 2022 defense budget of $753 billion.

Scores killed in Ethiopian airstrike on Tigray market

At least 64 people have been killed and 180 injured in an Ethiopian airstrike on a market in the war-torn Tigray region, according to local health officers, doctors, local residents and witnesses.

Year’s final supermoon rises Thursday

Summer is officially underway in the Northern Hemisphere, and the new season will kick off with a full moon unlike any other until next June.

Gantz: Raisi election shows Iran is becoming more extremist

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that the Iranian election last week of ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as the country’s president shows that Iran is headed toward “greater extremism” Israel News reports.

Russia deploys warships, submarines off the coast of Hawaii

In a massive display of power, Russia has deployed a fleet of warships, submarines, and support vessels to a pacific location just 35 nautical miles off the coast of Hawaii, the UK Daily Mail reported Tuesday. Flanked by fighter jets as it carried out military exercises, the Russian fleet completed practice maneuvers for sinking an aircraft carrier.

Navy warship challenges China with Taiwan Strait voyage

A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer sailed through the disputed Taiwan Strait on Tuesday in the latest show of force aimed at keeping the status of the 100-mile waterway as international waters and challenge claims by China.

Russia Blames Lack Of Vaccinations On Rising In COVID-19 Cases

Russia’s government has blamed a surge in COVID-19 cases on reluctance among Russians to have vaccinations amid concerns about side effects. Critics also point out that it usually takes years to develop vaccines, while Russia was the first country to announce a coronavirus jab.

US to continue talks on rejoining Iran deal, although says Raisi election was unfair

The United States has said it will continue indirect talks with Iran on rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal, despite asserting that the June 18 election of ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s new president had not been a free and fair process, the Times of Israel reports. Raisi is viewed as an ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

War Weary Armenia Vote in Early Poll After Peace Deal

Armenians began voting Sunday in early parliamentary elections amid mounting tensions over their country’s military defeat in fighting against Azerbaijan over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia’s acting prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, hopes the elections will restore trust in him.

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