Flashpoints

North Korean leader convenes military meeting amid tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is meeting with his senior military officials to discuss national defense policies.

Why is Lithuania risking Russia’s wrath over Kaliningrad?

Lithuania imposed a ground transit ban of EU sanctioned Russian goods through its territory that will block half of all goods coming into the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast.

Ukraine

Army vet killed fighting in Ukraine: report

At least one other American citizen has died fighting for Ukraine this year.

Men, morale, munitions: Russia’s Ukraine war faces long slog

As Russia’s initially botched and broad offensive turns its focus to the eastern Donbas region, the war has entered a new and seemingly more enduring phase.

Ukraine

Russian TV shows videos of 2 US vets captured in Ukraine

There has been no official confirmation from the U.S. or Russian government that the Americans were being held.

Marine Pacific commander vows to bolster Japanese defenses against China, Russia

The U.S. Marine presence is focused on the so-called first island chain in the western Pacific.

Ukraine

Ukraine war videos draw a crowd at Eurosatory weapons show

A video showing the military weapons Ukraine is relying on to defend itself against a Russian invasion attracted crowds at the Eurosatory conference.

Ukraine

US veterans missing in Ukraine formed bond over background

The families of two military veterans from Alabama who are missing in Ukraine have joined together to seek information about their whereabouts.

Senior IS leader captured in US-led military raid in Syria

U.S.-led coalition forces captured a senior leader of the extremist Islamic State group in a military operation on Thursday, the coalition said.

Ukraine

NATO ministers discuss boosting eastern front forces

NATO defense ministers are discussing ways to bolster forces and deterrence along the military alliance’s eastern borders to dissuade Russia from planning further aggression.

Ukraine

2 US veterans, a Marine and a soldier, reported missing in Ukraine

The U.S. State Department says it is looking into reports that Russian or Russian-backed separatist forces in Ukraine captured at least two American citizens.

How military spouses are helping Ukrainian refugees

Two Army spouses share the story of their community coming together to make a big impact on this episode of The Spouse Angle.

Ukraine

How Russia telegraphed invasion of Ukraine in space and online

While the discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at Europe’s largest land warfare tradeshow has focused on how militaries fight on the ground, Major Gen. Michel Friedling, the head of France’s Space Command, said Russia’s use of cyber and space weapons sent a critical message.

Ukraine

Russia’s invasion could return focus on armor and artillery, away from AI and robotics

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could force governments with technologically advanced militaries to reevaluate their investments in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence, creating a renaissance for spending on armor and artillery, a panel of military leaders says.

The battle of Donbas could prove decisive in Ukraine war

If Russia prevails in the battle of Donbas, it will mean that Ukraine loses not only land but perhaps the bulk of its most capable military forces.

Ukrainian president calls for preemptive diplomacy at Shangri-La security forum

Speaking during an unprecedented address delivered via video link at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the world must push for diplomatic solutions to support countries that are in need of help.

Seoul: North Korea fires suspected artillery pieces into sea

The suspected artillery launches were the latest in a spate of weapons tests by North Korea this year.

Ukraine: UK man’s family ‘devastated’ by death sentence

A court in the separatist-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic of Ukraine convicted two British fighters and one Moroccan Thursday of seeking the violent overthrow of power, an offense punishable by death.

5 Marines killed in California Osprey crash identified

Five Marines were killed in an MV-22B Osprey mishap on Wednesday at a remote training area in Southern California.

Ukraine

Ukraine pleads for weapons as 100-200 soldiers die a day

Up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers are dying every day in the war with Russia.

5 Marines dead in Southern California Osprey crash

Equipment recovery efforts are underway.

Official: 4 dead, 1 unaccounted for in Marine Osprey crash

The MV-22B Osprey was carrying five Marines when it went down at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during training in a remote area.

Ukraine

As Russians advance in Donbas, invasion success hangs in the balance

The fight for Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts hangs on a knife-edge — and may decide the future of the Donbas for years to come.

US-backed Syrian Kurds to turn to Damascus if Turkey attacks

The YPG, a backbone of the SDF, has led the fight against the militants of the extremist Islamic State group and has been a proven top U.S. ally in Syria.

Top US general: Ukraine will keep getting ‘significant’ support

Milley said Russia’s war on Ukraine undermines the rules established by Allied countries after the end of World War II.