Category Archives: China

Officials: U.S.-Japan Iron Fist Amphib Exercise ‘Extremely Important’ as China’s Navy Expands

January 21, 2020 7:15 PM

U.S. Marines with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers with Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2020 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on Jan. 17, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Sailors and Marines kicked off an annual bilateral Iron Fist exercise with Japanese soldiers on Friday that’s designed to help Japan’s fledgling amphibious force become ready to operate. Read More →

USS Shiloh Transits Taiwan Strait a Week After Presidential Election

By: Ben Werner

January 17, 2020 2:08 PM

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG-67) patrols the waters South of Japan on May 22, 2017. US Navy photo.

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG-67) transited the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, less than a week after voters on the island reelected a leader opposed to closer ties between Taipei and Beijing.

Rep. Gallagher: U.S. Needs More Agile Forces in the Pacific

By: John Grady

January 15, 2020 7:02 PM

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit load gear onto a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) during simulated Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations at Ie Shima Training Facility, March 13, 2019. Marine Corps photo

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. should absorb lessons from the recent ballistic missile strikes against troops in Iraq and Kenya and put a new emphasis on fielding mobile and dispersed forces, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and former Marine said on Wednesday.

China Expected to Pressure Taiwan After Recent Presidential Election

By: John Grady

January 14, 2020 9:36 PM

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

A previous version of this post identified the incorrect author.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Expect Beijing to probe Taiwan’s air, sea and cyber defenses and ratchet up diplomatic and economic pressure, but an all-out invasion is unlikely following President Tsai Ing-wen’s easy re-election victory this weekend, a panel of experts agreed Monday.

Report to Congress on U.S. Strategic Nuclear Weapons

January 10, 2020 10:08 AM

The following is the Jan. 3, 2020 Congressional Research Service report, U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues. Read More →

Trump Calls on NATO to ‘Become More Involved’ in Middle East

By: Sam LaGrone

January 8, 2020 9:13 PM

President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence, senior White House advisors and senior military personnel, delivers remarks during a national televised address Wednesday on Jan. 8, 2020. White House Photo

President Donald Trump called on NATO “to become much more involved in the Middle East process,” during Wednesday remarks at the White House. Read More →

Coast Guard: Excessive Fishing Becoming ‘Instrument of National Power’ In Oceania, Pacific

By: John Grady

January 7, 2020 4:03 PM

The 83-foot commercial fishing vessel, Lady Kristie, the Coast Guard interdicted in early 2019. Coast Guard Photo

The nations in Southeastern Asia facing an existential threat from illegal fishing are the ones least able to protect themselves from it, the senior Coast Guard officer in charge of operations said on Tuesday. Read More →

Report to Congress on U.S.-China Competition in the South, East China Seas

January 2, 2020 7:56 AM

The following is the Dec. 20, 2019 Congressional Research Service report, U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More →