Flashpoints

The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 2, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China.

China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky

The massive white orb that drifted across U.S. airspace and was shot down by the military triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blown up on social media.

75 minutes ago

US downs Chinese balloon, a flashpoint in US-China tensions

Biden said he wanted the balloon downed on Wednesday, but was advised the best time for the operation would be when it was over water.

18 hours ago

Pentagon & Congress

US pledges longer-range ‘small-diameter bomb’ for Ukraine

The U.S. announced Friday it will send Ukraine the Boeing-made ground-launched small-diameter bomb, a weapon that can double its strike range.

An aerial view of an apartment building hit by a Russian rocket in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

US to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest policy reversal

The U.S. will provide ground-launched small diameter bombs as part of a $2.17 billion aid package the U.S. is expected to announce Friday.

3 days ago

In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, center, F-22 fighter jets and South Korean Air Force F-35 fighter jets, bottom, fly over South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2023.

North Korea warns of ‘toughest reaction’ to allies’ drills

North Korea for decades has described the United States’ combined military exercises with South Korea as rehearsals for a potential invasion.

4 days ago

Taiwanese Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi along a runway during a drill at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Taiwan activates defenses in response to China incursions

Taiwan's Defense Ministry says 20 Chinese aircraft crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait that has been an unofficial buffer zone between the sides.

4 days ago

A boy stands on a destroyed Russian tank displayed in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2023.

Ukraine pushes for Western fighter jets after tank deals

Ukraine has won support from Baltic nations and Poland for its weekslong quest to obtain Western fighter jets.

5 days ago

Ukrainian soldiers prepare a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer to fire at Russian positions in Kherson region, Ukraine, Jan. 9, 2023.

How to fix a howitzer: US offers help line to Ukraine troops

A group of U.S. and allied troops and contractors is using phones and tablets to provide maintenance advice to Ukrainian troops on the battlefield.

7 days ago

Abdul Wasi Safi smiles after a news conference Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Houston.

Afghan soldier seeking US asylum hopes for ‘American dream’

Abdul Wasi Safi, who fled Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. forces, was freed this week after spending months in immigration detention.

7 days ago

Feds drop charges against Afghan soldier seeking asylum in US

After months of publicity and a bipartisan congressional effort to request a pardon from the president, Abdul Wasi Safi could be set free.

12 days ago

In reversal, US poised to approve Abrams tanks for Ukraine

However, it could take months or years for their delivery.

12 days ago

Sami-ullah Safi holds photographs of his brother, Abdul Wasi Safi, as he talks about his brother's journey to the U.S. during an interview Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Houston.

Afghan soldier seeking asylum in US remains jailed after border arrest

Abdul Wasi Safi, a former officer in the Afghan National Security Forces, was arrested at the U.S. southern border after fleeing the Taliban.

2 weeks ago

Former Navy SEAL, listed as a deserter, dies fighting in Ukraine

Daniel W. Swift was reportedly involved in an operation in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, when he was killed.

2 weeks ago

Treasury designates Wagner Group a transnational criminal organization

The U.S. believes the Russian private military company has 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, including 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts.

2 weeks ago

Ukraine’s allies fail to reach breakthrough on sending new tanks

Defense leaders gathered at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to rally support for Ukraine could not reach an agreement on the provision of new Western tanks.

2 weeks ago

A destroyed Russian tank covered by snow stands in a forest in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Austin meets new German defense minister over Ukraine tank support

All eyes are on a Jan. 20 meeting of Ukraine donor countries in Germany, where the question of Kyiv's support with main battle tanks tops agenda.

2 weeks ago

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, an Army Tactical Missile System or ATACMS, missile is fired during a joint military drill between U.S. and South Korea at an undisclosed location in South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

US still holds back long-range ATACMS missiles from Ukraine

The long-range weapons are seen by the Pentagon as needless for the conflict, and possibly escalatory – at least for now.

2 weeks ago

The West doubles down on aiding Ukraine with heavy weapons

Plans to send yet heavier equipment designed to win maneuver battles are expected to come to a head.

3 weeks ago

In this image provided by the U.S. Army, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley meets with U.S. Army leaders responsible for the collective training of Ukrainians at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

US, Ukraine top military chiefs meet in person for first time

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met Tuesday with Ukraine’s chief military officer at an undisclosed location in Poland.

3 weeks ago

Emergency workers clear the rubble after a Russian rocket hit a multistory building leaving many people under debris in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Ukraine building suffers deadliest civilian attack in months

Rescue workers in Ukraine are scrambling to pull survivors from an apartment building hit by a Russian missile in the southeastern city of Dnipro.

3 weeks ago

The latest news from Military Times about global conflict, terrorism and U.S. military affairs

The massive white orb that drifted across U.S. airspace and was shot down by the military triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blown up on social media.

Biden said he wanted the balloon downed on Wednesday, but was advised the best time for the operation would be when it was over water.

The U.S. announced Friday it will send Ukraine the Boeing-made ground-launched small-diameter bomb, a weapon that can double its strike range.

The U.S. will provide ground-launched small diameter bombs as part of a $2.17 billion aid package the U.S. is expected to announce Friday.

North Korea for decades has described the United States’ combined military exercises with South Korea as rehearsals for a potential invasion.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry says 20 Chinese aircraft crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait that has been an unofficial buffer zone between the sides.

Ukraine has won support from Baltic nations and Poland for its weekslong quest to obtain Western fighter jets.

A group of U.S. and allied troops and contractors is using phones and tablets to provide maintenance advice to Ukrainian troops on the battlefield.

Abdul Wasi Safi, who fled Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. forces, was freed this week after spending months in immigration detention.

After months of publicity and a bipartisan congressional effort to request a pardon from the president, Abdul Wasi Safi could be set free.

However, it could take months or years for their delivery.

Abdul Wasi Safi, a former officer in the Afghan National Security Forces, was arrested at the U.S. southern border after fleeing the Taliban.

Daniel W. Swift was reportedly involved in an operation in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, when he was killed.

The U.S. believes the Russian private military company has 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, including 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts.

Defense leaders gathered at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to rally support for Ukraine could not reach an agreement on the provision of new Western tanks.

All eyes are on a Jan. 20 meeting of Ukraine donor countries in Germany, where the question of Kyiv's support with main battle tanks tops agenda.

The long-range weapons are seen by the Pentagon as needless for the conflict, and possibly escalatory – at least for now.

Plans to send yet heavier equipment designed to win maneuver battles are expected to come to a head.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met Tuesday with Ukraine’s chief military officer at an undisclosed location in Poland.

Rescue workers in Ukraine are scrambling to pull survivors from an apartment building hit by a Russian missile in the southeastern city of Dnipro.