Ukraine Launches Counter Offensive In South
Backed by NATO military alliance weapons and perhaps international forces, Ukrainian troops began a counter-offensive in the south, several sources said.
NATO
Dutch Commando Shot Dead In US, Two Others Injured
One of three Dutch commandos, who were in the U.S. for training, has died after he and the others were shot outside a hotel in the U.S. city of Indianapolis while off duty, the Dutch defense ministry confirmed Monday.
Serbia Threatens To Enter Kosovo Amid Balkans War Fears
Europe faced a potential new war in the Balkans as Serbia’s president threatened to move into neighboring Kosovo if the NATO military alliance failed to “do their job.”
Biden Signs U.S. Ratification Document On NATO Membership For Sweden, Finland
U.S. President Joe Biden has signed ratification documents endorsing bids by Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
Judge rules transgender surgeries must be covered by Medicaid
A federal judge ruled this week that the state of West Virginia must allow transgender patients covered by Medicaid to receive gender transforming surgeries, reasoning that individuals with a gender dysphoria diagnosis must be treated the same as those suffering from other medical conditions.
US Condemns China Missile Launches, Orders Aircraft Carrier Group Toward Taiwan
The White House condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) launch of 11 ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan Thursday. The administration also said that it would move an aircraft carrier strike group into the region to defend its partners and allies.
US Senate gives overwhelming approval to Finland/Sweden NATO applications
The US Senate on Wednesday voted 95-1 in overwhelming approval of the applications by Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Axios reports. NATO was established in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, Canada, Italy, and France, to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
Senate votes to let Sweden, Finland join NATO
The Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to accept the application of Sweden and Finland to join NATO amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Putin: NATO Expansion, US Oceans Policy Are Top Threats to Russia’s Security
NATO exercises near Russian territory, and a U.S. policy of seeking “to dominate the world’s oceans” are among the greatest threats to Russia’s national security, according to a new naval doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
Afghanistan Taliban “Decimates” Women’s Rights
Global advocacy group Amnesty International (AI) says Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban has “decimated” the rights of women and girls since taking over the country.
As NATO Grows, China and Russia Seek to Bring Iran, Saudi Arabia Into Fold
In the East, however, security and economy-focused blocs led by Beijing and Moscow are looking to take on new members of their own, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, two influential Middle Eastern rivals whose interest in shoring up cooperation on this new front could have a significant impact on global geopolitical balance.
Russia tests U.S. air defenses in midst of Ukraine war
Two Russian maritime patrol aircraft tested the U.S. and Canadian air defense zone two weeks ago in a show of force in the midst of Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine and nuclear saber-rattling, the commander of the Northern Command said Friday.
Nato and EU sound alarm over risk of Ukraine weapons smuggling
Nato and EU states are pushing for better tracking of weapons supplied to Ukraine in response to fears that criminal groups are smuggling them out of the country and on to Europe’s black market.
Japan’s Ex-PM Shinzo Abe Dies After Being Shot
Japan plunged into mourning and political turmoil Friday as its former prime minister and longest-serving leader, Shinzo Abe, died after being shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election.
Democratic Senators introduce to bill to “crack down” on pro life crisis pregnancy centers
Following the US Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade, a group of Democratic senators has introduced a bill that would utilize financial penalties and lawsuits to “crackdown” on pro-life crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) it claims “mislead women about reproductive healthcare,” Christian Headlines reports.
U.S. to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Biden Administration Throws Support Behind Potential F-16 Sale to Turkey
The Biden administration threw its support on Wednesday behind the potential sale of U.S. F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, a day after Ankara lifted a veto of NATO membership for Finland and Sweden.
NATO Says Russia Is ‘Most Direct Threat,’ Offers Finland, Sweden Membership
The world moved back to the Cold War on Wednesday, with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg saying Moscow’s war in Ukraine presents the “biggest challenge” in the alliance’s history.
Russia Facing Expanded NATO As Finland, Sweden Join (Worthy News Analysis)
Russian President Vladimir Putin woke up Wednesday with a nearly expanded NATO at Russia’s borders after Turkey lifted its objections for Finland and Sweden to join the defense bloc.
NATO expansion on course as Turkey OKs bids for Sweden, Finland
Turkey on Tuesday dropped its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, seemingly clearing the way for the two nations to enter the trans-Atlantic alliance and delivering a major boost to Western solidarity amid the Russia-Ukraine war.