Senate confirms Esper as new Secretary of Defense in 90-8 vote

The Senate confirmed former Army Lt. Col. Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense Tuesday, making him the first permanent Pentagon boss since James Mattis resigned last December. Esper, who served 10 years on active duty and 11 years in the National Guard and Army … Read More

Russian Warships Are Probably Lurking Near Syria In Case Putin Orders Cruise Missile Strikes

posted in: News, Russia

Unless the Russian navy is hunting for the Red October in the eastern Mediterranean, it is likely that so many Russian ships have remained there since the end of Moscow’s latest naval exercise there primarily to support Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Pentagon … Read More

How Japan Might Lose Out in the Korea Talks

President Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at the White House on June 7. Japan could be left vulnerable depending on the substance of Mr. Trump’s meeting with North Korea about denuclearization.CreditAndrew Harnik/Associated Press TOKYO — Even if … Read More

US B-52s fly by contested islands amid rising tensions with China

posted in: News, United States

Two US B-52 bombers flew within the vicinity of the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea Monday, according to a US defense official. The flyovers came a day after Secretary of Defense James Mattis called Beijing out over … Read More

U. S. and Russia military came ‘close’ to fighting each other in Syria, Assad says

posted in: Middle East, News

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the U.S. and Russia have nearly come to blows over their separate military campaigns in his country, where Moscow supports the government and Washington works outside of it. The U.S. has struck Syrian government targets in … Read More

How Trump caught his White House and the world by surprise

posted in: News, United States

(CNN)When White House aides arrived at work Thursday, they were prepared for a market-shaking event that would prompt jitters among US allies and cause heartburn among establishment thinkers, even Republicans. They weren’t prepared for two such events. President Donald Trump … Read More

Trump Confounded by Turkey’s Invasion of Syria: Fight ISIS or Back NATO Ally?

posted in: Middle East, News

Turkish offensive against Syrian-Kurdish forces in Afrin leaves U.S. in a bind: “They were ‘our guys’ in Syria, and now they are under attack and the U.S. doesn’t seem to have any real solutions” Turkish troops advance near the Syria … Read More

World War 3: North Korea rejects diplomacy until it can ‘STRIKE US EAST COAST’

posted in: Far East, News

GETTY The hermit kingdom has recklessly brushed aside US negotiations The hermit kingdom has recklessly brushed aside negotiations until the country can “counter” the US’ military might. A North Korean official said: “Before we can engage in diplomacy with the … Read More