Almost ten months after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Wednesday that Russia's "special military operation" is a "long process" and signaled he has no plans to give up the Ukrainian territory Russia has captured. "As for the duration...
Japan to Increase Military Budget By 56% Over Five Years
Japan is planning a massive boost in military spending that will increase its defense budget by 56% over the next five years to $318 billion. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered his ministers to raise the spending levels on Monday in the latest sign that...
Report: Ukraine Asks NATO For Leftover Afghanistan Funds
NATO is considering using a $3.4 billion fund that was meant to support the now-defunct US-backed Afghan government to provide more aid for Ukraine, POLITICO reported on Wednesday. Known as the Afghan National Army Trust Fund, the money was donated by individual NATO...
Turkey Sets Deadline for SDF Withdrawal from Northern Syria
Turkey has set a deadline for the withdrawal of the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from areas of northern Syria near the Turkish border, a Turkish source told Al Jazeera. Both the US and Russia are trying to avert a Turkish invasion of northern...
US to Increase Military Presence in Australia in Buildup Aimed at China
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that the US will increase its military presence in Australia in a buildup aimed at China. In a joint press conference with Australia's defense minister and foreign minister, Austin said that the US will increase its...
Congress Unveils $858 Billion NDAA
Congress on Tuesday night unveiled the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), worth $858 billion, $45 billion more than what President Biden requested for the military spending bill. The House is expected to vote on the legislation this week, and it could be...
Poland Changes Course, Will Accept German Patriot Missiles
On Tuesday, Poland's defense minister said that the country would accept a German offer to deploy a Patriot air defense missile system on Polish territory, changing course after Warsaw rejected the idea. Germany made the offer after a Ukrainian air defense missile...
Hungary Blocks EU Aid for Ukraine
Hungary on Tuesday blocked a massive EU aid package for Ukraine worth 18 billion euros ($18.9 billion), angering other members of the bloc. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Budapest is not against sending aid to Ukraine but objects to how the EU wants...
Bernie Sanders to Bring Yemen War Powers Resolution to the Senate Floor
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told The Intercept on Monday that he could bring a Yemen War Powers Resolution to the floor of the Senate for a vote "hopefully next week." The resolution would end US support for the brutal Saudi-led war and blockade on Yemen. According to...
Sen. Hawley Tells Blinken to Prioritize Arming Taiwan Over Ukraine
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) on Tuesday sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to prioritize arming Taiwan over Ukraine. Hawley is a China hawk and wants the US to start giving Taiwan billions in military aid each year. He has...