DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ North Korean factories making arms for Russia are ‘operating at full capacity,’ South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea’s munitions factories are “operating at full capacity” to produce weapons and shells for Russia, according to South Korea’s defense minister, as Moscow’s devastating war in Ukraine grinds into a third year. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a munitions factory at an undisclosed location on January 10, 2024. CNN has reached out to South Korea’s defense ministry for comment on the US’ estimate but has not yet received a response. The White House confirmed last month that Russia has been firing North Korean missiles at Ukrainian cities. The US and its allies are also concerned about the technology North Korea is seeking from Russia in return for weaponry.

Persons: Korean Defense Minister Shin Won, sik, Kim Jong Un, ” Shin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Avdiivka, Zelensky, Joe Biden’s, Vladimir Putin Organizations: South Korea CNN, South, Korean Defense Minister, KCNA, Reuters, US State Department, CNN, Ukraine, Kyiv, West, North, Intelligence, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, White House, Korean Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Russia, South, Ukraine, Korea, Washington, Pyongyang, North, Russian, North Korea, Avdiivka, Moscow, Russia’s

☆ Pentagon Review Faults No One for Failure to Disclose Austin’s Illness
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Few expected the Pentagon’s internal review of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III’s failure to tell President Biden and other senior leaders that he was in the hospital to amount to much. And indeed, it did not. The unclassified version of the review was released on Monday. The review instead retreats behind paragraphs of heavy legalese that do little to disguise the lack of accountability. It is a strange document, with recommendations signed by Mr. Austin himself.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III’s, Biden, Austin, Walter Reed Organizations: Defense Department, White, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Mr Locations: Bethesda, Md

☆ Concern grows within Biden administration as Houthis continue attacks despite US strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“They continue to surprise us,” said one senior defense official, referring to the Houthis. Officials also believe Iran instructed the groups to back off the attacks following the US strikes. The issue is becoming more acute, especially given the notable increase in Houthi attacks over the last two days. At the same time, the Houthis also crave international legitimacy, officials said, and want to be recognized as the official Yemeni government. Still, there are no signs yet that Iran is actively withholding support from the Houthis, officials said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, “, Sabrina Singh, ”, —, Marc Miguez, Israel, Privately, Matthew Miller, Singh, ” Singh Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Central Command, Carrier Strike, Yemeni, Saudi, State Department, US, Prosperity Locations: Iran, Yemen, Gulf, Aden, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Baghdad, Gaza, Israel, Red, Oman, Bahrain

☆ Report: North Korean missile fired by Russia against Ukraine contained US and European components
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A North Korean ballistic missile fired last month by the Russian military in Ukraine contained hundreds of components that trace back to companies in the US and Europe, according to a new report. Last year, as CNN previously reported, CAR determined that 82% of components inside Iranian-made attack drones fired by Russia inside Ukraine were made by US companies. Courtesy Conflict Armament ResearchThe research also shows that North Korea was able to produce the missile and ship it over to Russia quickly. More evidence of Russia, North Korea tiesThe White House confirmed last month that Russia has been firing North Korean missiles at Ukrainian cities. North Korea has also likely provided Russia with “millions of artillery rounds” over the last year, according to a report published last week by the Pentagon’s inspector general.

Persons: Biden, North Korea —, ”, Korea “, Kim Jong Un, John Kirby Organizations: CNN, Research, National Security Council, North, Congress, White House, Korean, Intelligence, CAR, North Korean, United Nations Security, “, National Security Locations: Korean, Russian, Ukraine, Europe, North Korea, Iran, Russia, Kharkiv, United States, Asia, US, China, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, American, Korea, Washington, Pyongyang

The 30-day review was submitted to Austin on Thursday. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said portions of the review are classified but the department will release what it can of the review. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesIt took another four days before the reason for his hospitalization was disclosed. The review was directed on Jan. 8, by Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, and was done by Jennifer Walsh, the Pentagon's director of administration and management. She said it must examine the existing process for when a secretary transfers decision-making authorities and who should be notified, and make recommendations for improvement.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Pat Ryder, Austin, Ryder, Joe Biden, Kathleen Hicks, Kelly Magsamen, Jennifer Walsh, Magsamen Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Austin, National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff Locations: Maj

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon believes it has identified the mechanical failure that led to a fatal crash of an Osprey aircraft in Japan and the grounding of the fleet for two months, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press. The Air Force investigation is continuing into the Nov. 29 Air Force special operations command CV-22 crash, which killed eight service members. The crash led to a rare grounding on Dec. 6 of about 400 Osprey aircraft across the three services. Both the Air Force and Marine Corps have been running the Osprey's engines; the Marines have been conducting ground movements to keep the aircraft working. While the current Osprey standdown is one of the largest military aircraft groundings in terms of affecting three services’ flight operations, it’s not the longest.

Persons: Chris Engdahl, ” Engdahl, Engdahl, Alyssa Myers, it’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Osprey, Associated Press, Safety Council, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Naval Safety Command, The Air Force, Ospreys, Marines, Safety, Congress Locations: Japan, U.S

☆ Drone Strike Kills 3 U.S. Soldiers in Jordan, White House Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Vivek Shankar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The attack happened at a small outpost in northeast Jordan called Tower 22 near the Syria border where the troops were based. Other details were not immediately available from the Pentagon’s Central Command, which issued an initial bare-bones statement on Sunday. In 2016, the American military turned Al Tanf into a small base. The Rukban refugee camp, with some 8,000 residents, is near both Al Tanf and Tower 22. Troops at Al Tanf have come under fire before from Iran-backed militias.

Persons: Biden, —, Mr, Al, Al Tanf, Syria’s, Alissa J, Rubin Organizations: U.S, Pentagon’s, Command, Resistance, Hezbollah, United, Operations, Pentagon, Navy, Sunday, American, Troops, The Defense Department, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base Locations: Jordan, Iran, Gaza, Syria, Israel, Iraq, ”, Iranian, Lebanese, Yemen, Aden, United States, Azraq, Al Tanf, Islamic State, Red, U.S, Baghdad, Damascus, Tehran, Lebanon, Al, Al Asad Air

☆ Opinion: The actual hidden truth about UFOs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —A former Pentagon official — driven, he says, by his duty to the truth — goes public with an explosive allegation. Facing a scrum of TV cameras and members of Congress, this official claims that the US government has been keeping crashed alien spaceships under wraps for decades. Crashed alien spacecraft and dead extraterrestrials, right there in the Congressional Record. Because, for decades, UFO true believers have been telling us there’s a US government conspiracy to hide evidence of aliens. But — if you believe Kirkpatrick — the more mundane truth is that these stories are being pumped up by a group of UFO true believers in and around government.

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, Erik German, “, CNN —, David Grusch, he’d, Grusch, must’ve, Sean Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick, Tom Williams, ” Kirkpatrick, Naval Intelligence Scott Bray, Kevin Dietsch, It’s, you’ve, Harry Reid, Robert Bigelow, ’ ”, Sen, Chip Somodevilla, Reid, Bigelow, ” Reid, “ I’m, who’d Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Pentagon, Air Force, SPAN, US Department of Defense, Defense, National Security, Foreign Affairs, Naval Intelligence, Intelligence, Capitol, Roswell Army Air Field, Army, Newspapers, Roswell, US Air Force, NASA Voyager, Walker, Roswell AAF, Reuters, Nevada Democrat, Bigelow Aerospace, US Defense Intelligence Agency, New York Times Locations: New America, Roswell, New Mexico, Florida, Nevada, Washington ,

☆ Defense secretary expected to return to Pentagon Monday after nearly a month away
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to return to the Pentagon Monday after nearly a month away and host NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, according to a defense official. Doctors at the hospital released a statement saying he is recovering well and is expected to make a full recovery. Republicans have been highly critical of how the Pentagon handled Austin’s illness and the House Armed Services Committee has called on the defense secretary to testify next month about the failure to notify key government leaders. From the hospital, Austin authorized the first round of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and spoke daily with senior Pentagon officials. Asked if Austin would take questions from the media upon his return to the Pentagon, press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder demurred.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Jens Stoltenberg, Austin, ”, Joe Biden, Biden, Jeff Zients, Zients, Austin’s, Kelly Magsamen, Pat Ryder demurred, Ryder, Betsy Klein Organizations: CNN —, Pentagon, NATO, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Walter Reed Medical, Republicans, House Armed, White, The Associated Press, CNN, White House, Defense Department, Ukraine Defense Contact Locations: New, Yemen, Ukraine

☆ U.S. Strikes 3 Sites in Iraq Linked to Militias Blamed for Base Attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The United States on Tuesday carried out military strikes against three facilities in western Iraq associated with Iran-linked militias that American officials say attacked a major base in Iraq on Saturday, according to the Pentagon’s Central Command, injuring at least four U.S. service members. “These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said in a statement. The attack against Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on Saturday was the latest and the most serious of about 151 such rocket and missile strikes directed at U.S. troops based in Iraq and Syria since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza started. Al Asad Air Base, in Iraq’s western desert, is now primarily used by Iraqi forces but still has a U.S. contingent. At least 83 U.S. personnel have suffered injuries in the attacks by militias in Syria and Iraq, including traumatic brain injuries.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, Biden, Austin, Biden “ Organizations: Pentagon’s, Command, Central Command, U.S, ”, Al Asad, Al Asad Air Base, Pentagon, Houthi Locations: States, Iraq, Iran, Iraq’s, Syria, Iranian, Al Asad Air, Gaza, United States, Britain, Yemen, Al, U.S, Kurdish Syrian, Islamic State

☆ US and UK carry out additional strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The US and UK carried out additional strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday, marking the eighth round of attacks by the US military on the rebels’ infrastructure in just over 10 days, two defense officials told CNN. The US has now struck Houthi targets in Yemen eight times since January 11, the majority of which the US military has carried out unilaterally. The first wave of strikes, in which the US and UK hit approximately 30 sites across Houthi-controlled Yemen, marked the beginning of Operation Poseidon Archer, one official said. The US also carried out all of its strikes on Houthi targets last week unilaterally, in contrast to the coalition of countries that supported the first round of joint US and UK strikes on the Houthis on January 11. “We’re not looking for a conflict with the Houthis, we’re not looking for a conflict in the region,” he added.

Persons: Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Archer, Sabrina Singh, Biden, Singh, ”, Abdul Malek al, Houthi, CENTCOM, Erik Kurilla, John Kirby, “ I’m, “, we’re Organizations: CNN, British, UK, US, Pentagon, US Navy, Central Command, Navy, US Naval, . National Security Locations: Yemen, Red, Houthi, Israel, Gaza, America, Somalia

The United States carried out a new military strike against Houthi ballistic missiles in Yemen on Tuesday, the U.S. military said, but the latest salvo against the Iran-backed group left the White House grappling with how to stop a battle-hardened foe from disrupting shipping lanes critical for global trade. The Houthis damaged a U.S.-owned commercial ship on Monday after attempting to hit an American warship the day before. President Biden could order another blitz of strikes against Houthi air defenses, weapons depots, and facilities for launching and producing an array of missiles and drone, but analysts say that would risk widening the war even more. Or he could settle for more limited tit-for-tat exchanges, like Tuesday’s strike, but that would not necessarily resolve the threat to commercial ships, analysts say. Mr. Kirby defended the strikes last Thursday and Friday that American and British attack planes and warships carried out against more than 60 targets using some 150 precision-guided bombs and missiles.

Persons: Biden, “, John F, Kirby Organizations: Houthi, U.S, White, Pentagon’s, Command, American, Kirby, National Security Council Locations: States, Yemen, Iran, U.S, American, Gaza, British

Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced Tuesday he would end his hold on most military promotions under pressure from fellow Republicans 10 months into a standoff sparked by the Pentagon’s abortion policy. “I’m releasing everybody,” Tuberville said, adding that he still has a hold on some four-star generals. But senators on both sides of the aisle have grown agitated in recent months over his tactic, which they say threatens military readiness and unfairly punishes service members. Tuberville appeared to be eyeing a handful of face-saving off-ramps in recent days to justify the end to his protest. Gen. Pat Ryder said after Tuberville’s announcement that the Defense Department is “encouraged” by the news but will continue to urge Tuberville to lift all of the holds.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, ” Tuberville, ”, servicewomen, Mitch McConnell, “ we’re, Tuberville, Chuck Schumer, “, ” Schumer, discombobulation, Brig, Pat Ryder Organizations: Alabama Republican, GOP, Pentagon, Tuberville’s, Defense Department

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to bring a $106 billion White House supplemental funding package, which includes aid for Ukraine and Israel, among other things, to the floor as soon as this week. But its passage hangs in the balance as Senate Republicans have pledged to block the package unless a deal is reached on border security. “There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment,” White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young wrote. Meanwhile, House Republican leadership appears to be eyeing a floor vote, which could come as soon as this week, to formally authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. “We’re being stonewalled by the White House,” Johnson told Fox News on Saturday.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, ”, Shalanda Young, “, –, Mike Johnson, it’s, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden’s, they’ve, Biden, ” Johnson, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, servicewomen Organizations: White, Republicans, Office of Management, Russia, Senate, Democrats, Republican, Fox News, IRS, Tuberville’s, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Israel, U.S, ”

Senate Republicans anticipate that a resolution is near to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s holds on Pentagon promotions, 10 months into the standoff that has spurred frustrations throughout the chamber. “You just get the feeling that Sen. Tuberville is about to find an off-ramp,” Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Service Committee, told reporters on Wednesday. And another alternative would involve Tuberville continuing his protest of the policy while some lower-level promotions are allowed to move forward. It remained unclear which path forward Tuberville would agree to to end his hold. But Senate Republicans broadly appeared eager to get things moving once again.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville’s, Tuberville, ” Sen, Roger Wicker, servicewomen, ”, Markwayne Mullin, Chuck Schumer, Mike Rounds, ” Rounds, Republicans don’t Organizations: Pentagon, Republican, Senate Armed Service Committee, GOP, Republican Party, Alabama Republican, Oklahoma Republican, Armed Services Committee, “, ”, Republicans, Tuberville’s, South Dakota Republican

They sometimes break barriers and celebrate milestones, like Jabeen becoming the first female Muslim military chaplain a few years ago. In the film and in interviews, they provide a window into the struggles and victories of Muslim chaplains and service members in one of the most American of institutions. “These voices from both sides of the aisle start piling on upon Muslim service members,” Lantigua said. Now is the time for us to go work.’”Not long ago, being a Muslim military chaplain was uncharted territory. Then and now, he said, the presence of Muslim military chaplains helps chip away at misunderstandings, fears and bias.

Persons: Saleha, Jabeen, “ You’re, Major Rafael Lantigua Jr, Lantigua, ” Lantigua, “ We’re, ”, Khallid Shabazz, Islam, who’s, Abu, “, you’ve, Shareda Hosein, David Washburn, ” Jabeen, Muhammad’s, ’ ”, she’s, —, ‘, ’, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, Muhammad, ” Muhammad, Islam — Organizations: PBS, Army, Muslim Army, ., Pentagon, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: U.S, Iraq, Lantigua, “, Afghanistan, Texas, Kuwait, Dominican Republic, African American, United States, India, Gaza, Israel

Many countries are working on them — and neither China, Russia, Iran, India or Pakistan have signed a U.S.-initiated pledge to use military AI responsibly. Another AI project at Space Force analyzes radar data to detect imminent adversary missile launches, he said. One urgent challenge, says Jane Pinelis, chief AI engineer at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Lab and former chief of AI assurance in Martell’s office, is recruiting and retaining the talent needed to test AI tech. Testing and evaluation standards are also immature, a recent National Academy of Sciences report on Air Force AI highlighted. Might that mean the U.S. one day fielding under duress autonomous weapons that don’t fully pass muster?

Persons: —, Replicator —, Kathleen Hicks, ”, Gregory Allen, we’ve, Missy Cummings, George Mason, Lisa Costa, Wallace ‘ Rhet ’ Turnbull, Tom Siebel, Matt Visser, Palantir, Jack Shanahan, Maven, Mark Milley, Christian Brose, Paul Scharre, ” Anduril, Nathan Michael, Michael, Shanahan, Craig Martell, Martell, Jane Pinelis, “ Organizations: U.S ., Russia, Air Force, China, Pentagon, Department of Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Navy, ” U.S . Space Force, Space Force, Space Systems Command, Blackhawk, ., U.S . Missile Defense Agency, Defense Counterintelligence, Security Agency, Third Infantry Division, NATO, Maven, National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, U.S . Special Operations, ISIS, Command, Control, Chiefs, Armed Services Committee, U.S, Marines, Special Forces, Industry, BAT, Marine Expeditionary, Pentagon AI, LinkedIn, Johns Hopkins, Lab, National Academy of Sciences Locations: Md, Ukraine, U.S, China, Russia, Iran, India, Pakistan, ” U.S, Silicon Valley

☆ Is the U.S. Ready for War?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Andy Kessler | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Wonder Land: For Hamas in Israel and Putin in Ukraine, killing the innocent is now part of the plan. Hamas terrorists used motorcycles and paragliders. Israeli soldiers use sophisticated Iron Dome antimissile systems and, to close off tunnels, “sponge bombs” that work like spray foam sealant from Home Depot . Is the U.S. ready for that kind of war? Current wars have exposed the Pentagon’s “brittleness and lack of resiliency, and that’s in part going back to the drawdown during the Clinton era.”

Persons: Putin, Mark Kelly Ukraine’s, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton —, “, ”, Clinton Organizations: Zuma, Home, Arkansas, 101st Airborne Division, Armed Services Committee, Defense Department Locations: Israel, Ukraine, U.S, Iraq

☆ The US government won’t quit Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Condemning Elon Musk is easy. On Friday, the White House joined the uproar over Musk’s endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory on X. On Monday, the White House announced it would be joining X rival Threads, which is owned by Meta, as backlash to Musk intensifies. Musk faced backlash a year ago when he had complained about the cost of that service. The White House bragged early this year that after months of negotiations, Tesla would open up part of its charging network to non-Tesla EVs.

Persons: Elon, Andrew Bates, Bates, Musk, ”, David Sanger, Eric Lipton, ” John Kirby, ” Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Kristin Fisher, Pat Ryder, Lloyd Austin, He’s, CNN’s Chris Isidore, Tesla Organizations: CNN, NASA, Pentagon, Twitter, White House, Warner Bros, Meta, New York Times, White, SpaceX, National Security, House, Reliant, SpaceX The, Starlink, ” Locations: Ukraine

☆ U.S. Carries Out Another Round of Airstrikes on Iran-Linked Targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The strikes came just four days after American warplanes hit a munitions warehouse in eastern Syria. Pentagon and other Biden administration officials rejected that criticism on Sunday, saying that the American airstrikes have been in self-defense, and in proportion to the attacks by Iran-backed militias. Unlike the two previous sets of strikes, the Pentagon did not make senior officials available after Sunday’s military response to discuss details. Pentagon officials said they were still analyzing the strikes and did not know if anyone on the ground was hurt or killed. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, mostly to help local forces fight remnants of the Islamic State.

Persons: Abu Kamal, Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Dana Stroul Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Pentagon, American, Syria . Air Force, U.S, ”, United Locations: States, Syria, Iraq, Abu, Mayadin, Iran, United States, Asia, U.S, Germany, Islamic State, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Persian

Iran-backed militias have packed even larger loads of explosives — more than 80 pounds — onto drones launched at American bases, U.S. officials said. “The president has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”“The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities,” he added. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria, mostly to help local forces fight remnants of the Islamic State. The Biden administration also uses a “deconfliction” line with Russia to try to manage escalation in Iraq and Syria, two officials said. Russia has troops in Syria, and American officials say they expect that telling Russia before a strike in Syria is the same as telling Iran, as Russian officials often inform Tehran of what is coming.

Persons: ratcheting, Biden, Lloyd J, Austin III, ”, Antony J, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mr, Khamenei, ” Christine S Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, American, Air Force, Pentagon, U.S, Quds Force, ”, Palestinian, Biden, Sunday, United, Military, Pentagon’s Central Command, National Counterterrorism Center Locations: United States, Syria, Iraq, U.S, Iran, I.R.G.C, Yemen, Israel, Islamic State, Russia, Tehran, Lebanon, Persian, Gaza, Tehran , U.S

☆ Top Biden administration officials head to Asia to show China remains a top priority amid Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The Biden administration’s senior-most national security officials are traveling this week to the Indo-Pacific, signaling that the administration’s China strategy remains a priority as it grapples with an increasingly volatile Middle East. Blinken and Austin will both travel to India for a 2+2 Dialogue with their counterparts. Meanwhile, talks between US and Chinese officials stalled until this summer when Blinken met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Asked by CNN on Monday if Austin would be meeting with any PRC officials during his travel, Pentagon spokesman Brig. The senior officials’ travel also comes as the White House is preparing for a meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in San Francisco.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, CQ Brown, Brown, Austin, Blinken, —, Nancy Pelosi’s, Ely Ratner, John Aquilino, “, ”, Li Shangfu, Pat Ryder, Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, ” Kritenbrink, Blinken —, Israel —, ’, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, “ It’s, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden administration’s, Defense, Joint Chiefs, Staff, West Bank, Security, Relations, US Air Force, US, East, Military, Pacific Command, ASEAN Defense, China’s, CNN, Pentagon, East Asian, Pacific Affairs, State Department, Hamas, Israel Locations: China, East, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Chinese, South China, Beijing, Pacific, Iranian, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, San Francisco

☆ Exclusive: Chinese jet fired flares close to submarine-hunting helicopter in South China Sea, Canadian Navy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The first incident was over international waters outside of 34 miles from the Paracel Island chain in the northern part of the South China Sea. The warship was operating in international waters 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of the Paracels at the time. The Canadian helicopter was searching for a previously detected submarine when the incidents occurred, officers aboard the Ottawa said. The Paracels, called the Xisha Islands by China, are in the northern part of the South China Sea, east of Da Nang, Vietnam, and south of China’s Hainan Island. On Tuesday, a PLA fighter jet came within 10 feet of a US Air Force B-52 bomber flying over the South China Sea, the US military said.

Persons: ”, Rob Millen, Millen, Andrew Vaughan, “, It’s, Noble, Rafael Peralta, Hoon, Li Shangfu, ” Li, Li, Iain Huddleston, Huddleston, Ely Ratner, ” Ratner Organizations: HMCS, HMCS Ottawa CNN, Canadian, Royal Canadian Navy, Sikorsky Cyclone, People’s Liberation Army Navy, CNN, Sikorsky CH, Cyclone, The Canadian Press, New, US Navy, PLA, Navy, U.S . Air Force, ., US Air Force, 1st Air Division, Radio Canada, Canada’s Defense Ministry, Ministry, US, East, South China Locations: HMCS Ottawa, South, Ottawa, Canada, South China, HMCS Montreal, Halifax, China, Da Nang, Vietnam, China’s Hainan, The Hague, United States, New Zealand, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, Canadian, Montreal, Singapore, “, U.S, Chinese, East

☆ Senators Plot to Unblock Military Promotions as Tuberville Draws G.O.P. Ire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Karoun Demirjian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senate Democrats are trying a novel strategy to break Senator Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of senior military promotions, as pressure builds among his fellow Republicans and Defense Department officials to end his monthslong hold in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion access policies. Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said on Wednesday that he would seek to temporarily go around the chamber’s rules to allow confirmation of almost all military nominees as a bloc. A vote could take place as soon as next week. That would restore what had been routine practice in the Senate before Mr. Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, in February held up a package of officer promotions over a Pentagon policy offering time off and travel reimbursement to service members seeking abortions or fertility care. While it is not clear that Mr. Schumer will have the support for his maneuver, he announced he would attempt it amid mounting frustration among Republicans and at the Defense Department about Mr. Tuberville’s nine-month blockade.

Persons: Tommy Tuberville’s, Chuck Schumer, Tuberville, Schumer, Tuberville’s Organizations: Republicans, Defense Department, Alabama Republican, Mr Locations: New York, Alabama

Leading Senate Democrats are teasing a new path forward to bypass one senator’s blockade of military promotions, leaning on GOP frustrations that bubbled to the surface this week and culminated in a dramatic confrontation from members of the senator’s own party. A group of Republican senators took to the Senate floor late Wednesday to attempt to circumvent a dispute in which Sen. Tommy Tuberville has single-handedly held up more than 300 military promotions over a Pentagon abortion travel policy. The stunning scene comes nine months into the blockade and as Democrats – and more recently fellow Republicans – have grown anxious to move the military promotions forward. It would require the support of all Democrats and independents and at least nine Republicans. But they suggested that Tuberville should take his issue to the courts, rather than holding up the chamber and setting a dangerous precedent.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, –, Tuberville, Chuck Schumer, “, ” Schumer, Jack Reed, Kyrsten, Richard Blumenthal, servicewomen, ” Sen, Joni Ernst, I’m, Ernst, ”, Schumer, …, Biden, Mitt, Blumenthal, Joe Manchin, ” Manchin Organizations: Republicans, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Democratic, GOP, Pentagon, Tuberville, United States Senate, DOD, Iowa Republican, Utah Republican Locations: Alabama, Rhode Island, Arizona, Richard Blumenthal of, Israel, Mitt Romney, Utah, West Virginia

Search resuls for: "Pentagon’s"

25 mentions found