Flashpoints

Pentagon denies DC request for National Guard migrant help

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declined to provide Guard personnel and the use of the D.C. Armory to assist with the reception of migrants into the city.

China halts climate, military ties over Pelosi Taiwan visit

China on Friday said it is canceling or suspending dialogue with the United States on a range of issues from climate change to military relations and anti-drug efforts.

China conducts ‘precision missile strikes’ in Taiwan Strait for military exercise

China says it conducted "precision missile strikes" in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday as part of military exercises.

A look at the ‘knife bomb’ that may have killed al-Qaida leader

U.S. officials haven't publicly said what weapon was used, but experts said a likely option was the highly secretive Hellfire R9X — know by various nicknames, like the “knife bomb."

US, Indonesian soldiers hold drills on Sumatra amid China concerns

More than 5,000 soldiers from the U.S., Indonesia, Australia, Japan and Singapore were participating in this year’s exercises, making them the largest since the drills were established in 2009.

US House Speaker Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, defying Beijing

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said early Wednesday that China had sent 21 planes flying toward Taiwan, 18 of them fighter jets.

NATO fortifies Eastern Europe’s defenses under new ‘air shielding’ mission

Stronger air and missile defenses will remain in place in Eastern Europe for the long run, a NATO official said last month.

Taliban under scrutiny as US kills al-Qaida leader in Kabul

“The Taliban were aware of his presence in Kabul, and if they were not aware of it, they need to explain their position,” said one Pakistani intelligence official

Killing of al-Qaida leader is long-sought ‘justice,’ Biden says

President Joe Biden announced that al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul.

China

China conducts military exercise opposite Taiwan

China said it was conducting military exercises Saturday off its coast opposite Taiwan.

Ukraine

American veterans captured in Ukraine sent to prison, family says

Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh are believed to be the first Americans captured while fighting against Russian forces.

Kim threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea.

Ukraine

US military to treat wounded Ukrainian troops at Landstuhl hospital

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center can take up to 18 Ukrainian troops at a time under recently approved Pentagon guidance.

Ukraine

US rocket system enables Ukraine to strike key supply bridge

Ukrainian forces used U.S.-supplied HIMARS multiple rocket launchers to target the bridge,

US military making plans in case Pelosi travels to Taiwan

U.S. officials say they have little fear that China would attack Nancy Pelosi’s plane if she flies to Taiwan.

China’s growing influence in US ‘neighborhood’ worries SOUTHCOM boss

This isn’t the first time SOUTHCOM has voiced concerns over China’s presence in the neighborhood.

Ukraine

2 Americans, including a veteran, killed while fighting in Ukraine

They were killed in a Russian ambush in the Donbas region alongside two other foreign fighters, according to a Ukrainian commander.

Taiwan holds drills amid Pelosi visit concern, China tension

There was no direct link between China's threats and Taiwan's civil defense drills.

China

China more aggressive, dangerous to US and its allies, Milley says

The Chinese military has become significantly more aggressive and dangerous over the past five years, Gen. Mark Milley said during a trip to the Indo-Pacific.

Ukraine

Inside the multinational logistics cell coordinating military aid for Ukraine

Since early March, a cohort of American service members and a rotating crew of multinational partners have set up shop in U.S. European Command headquarters to ensure equipment gets from the donor nation to Ukraine’s doorstep.

US to send more HIMARS precision rocket systems to Ukraine in latest package

The U.S. will send four more high mobility artillery rocket systems to Ukraine in its next military aid package to strengthen Kyiv in what’s become a grinding artillery duel.

Remains of World War 2 Marine to be buried in Nashville

Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. William R. Ragsdale, 23, was wounded in action in Saipan, 1944.

Ukraine

Iranian envoy responds to US claim it’s selling drones to Russia

Earlier in the war, Iran was criticized in the West for not condemning Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

US destroyer sails past Chinese-held South China Sea islands

China’s Southern Theater Command tracked the vessel’s movements and ordered it to leave the area.

UK soldiers killed dozens of Afghan detainees, report says

A BBC investigation alleged British special forces killed dozens of detainees in suspicious circumstances during counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan.