Russia threatens US interests in Arctic with military buildup
As ice thaws in the Arctic, Russia is building up a military presence unseen since the end of the Cold War, as revealed by recent reports and confirmed by the Pentagon on Monday.
Pentagon
Pentagon unveils policies reversing Trump’s transgender ban
The Pentagon on Wednesday unveiled rules reversing Trump administration policies that largely barred transgender individuals from serving in the military, following through on an executive order President Biden signed shortly after taking office.
North Korea fired missiles after US military exercises with South Korea
North Korea fired off short-range missiles over the weekend after it denounced the U.S. for moving forward with joint military exercises with South Korea, Fox News has confirmed.
‘Three Warfares’: U.S. pummeled by covert disinformation war waged by Russia, China
China and Russia are engaged in sophisticated information warfare against the United States, spreading false narratives to undermine social cohesion and sow division, senior Pentagon intelligence officials disclosed Tuesday.
Pentagon Approves Extending Guard Deployment at Capitol
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has formally approved an extension of the National Guard deployment at the U.S. Capitol for about two more months as possible threats of violence remain, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
U.S. deploys B-52 bombers to Middle East in warning to Iran
The U.S. military on Sunday delivered a pair of clear warnings to Iran, with the Air Force dispatching two B-52H “Stratofortress” bombers to the Middle East while Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed to “hold people accountable for their acts” if Americans are targeted.
Airbase hosting U.S. troops targeted in rocket attack
American civilian contractor, who has not been named, died of a ‘cardiac episode’ Wednesday after a barrage of rockets hit an Iraqi airbase hosting US troops, the Washington Times reports. At least 10 rockets were reportedly fired on the Ain al-Asad military airbase at 7.20 local time; no US troops were injured.
Up to 13,000 unaccompanied children expected at US border in May
Following record numbers of unaccompanied children arriving at the US border in February, Health and Human Services officials are reportedly expecting these arrival numbers to surge to as many as 13,000 in May, Fox News reports. Customs and Border Protection officers reportedly informed the Biden administration of the expected surge during a telephone meeting attended by senior officials from HHS, Homeland Security, and the State Department on Thursday.
US strikes Iran-backed fighters in Syria, in 1st military action under Biden
The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops.
U.S. Commander Says Military Seeks ‘Fallback’ Saudi Bases Amid Tensions With Iran
The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East says the U.S. military is looking for so-called “fallback” bases in Saudi Arabia to protect forces in the event of raised tensions with Iran.
One-third of the military refusing COVID-19 vaccinations
Thousands of U.S. soldiers and sailors are refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and at this point there’s not much more frustrated military commanders can do about it.
US B-52 bomber flies over Gulf again in message to Iran
A US B-52 heavy bomber flew over the Persian Gulf, the US military said on Wednesday, in the sixth such flight since November 2020 — and the third this year.
House Sends Impeachment Article Against Trump Amid Tight Security
Donald J. Trump’s political fate was in the hands of Republican senators Monday as the House sent an article of impeachment against the former U.S. President.
B-21 Raider stealth bomber expected to take first flight next year
The US Air Force has announced that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber currently under construction is expected to take its first flight in mid-2022, UPI reported Wednesday. A second plane is also already being built.
Pentagon Activates 6,200 National Guard Members
The Defense Department has formally activated roughly 6,200 members of the National Guard from six northeastern states to help support the Capitol Police and other law enforcement in Washington in the wake of the deadly riot Wednesday that rocked the U.S. Capitol.
US Aircraft Carrier to remain in Persian Gulf because of “recent threats” by Iran
The Pentagon announced Sunday that the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz will stay in the Persian Gulf because of “recent threats” by Iran, the Times of Israel reported. The announcement came after reports that the vessel would be returning to the US after having patrolled the Gulf since the end of November.
Biden says Trump Pentagon endangering public by stalling transition
US President-elect Joe Biden said Monday that Donald Trump’s appointees at the Pentagon were stalling on the transition, and warned that the United States faces security risks as a result.
Pentagon chief Miller visits Afghanistan amid troop drawdown
Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan Tuesday, meeting with Afghan officials and American troops as the U.S. continues a major drawdown from the country during President Trump’s final weeks in office.
Army warns: U.S. homeland bases at risk of ‘deliberate and direct attacks’
U.S. Army bases face the real risk of “deliberate and direct attacks” from enemies and must implement new strategies to strengthen their defenses, the Army warned Monday in a major new report that painted an alarming picture of the threats that confront military installations at home.
Pentagon weighs cutting most of its support to CIA’s counterterrorism missions
In a surprising move, the Pentagon has told the Central Intelligence Agency that it is weighing an end to the majority of the military support it provides to the agency’s counterterrorism missions, according to a former senior administration intelligence official.