The following is the July 18, 2023, U.K. Ministry of Defence white paper, Defence’s response to a more contested and volatile world. Read More
Category Archives: Foreign Forces
Russia Lays Mines in Black Sea to Block Ukrainian Ports, NSC Says
Former Coast Guard cutters transit the Bosporus into the Black Sea in 2019. Photo by Yörük Işık used with permission
Russia has laid sea mines in the Black Sea that could interfere with Ukrainian grain exports, the White House announced Wednesday.
USS Kentucky Make Port Call in South Korea, First SSBN Visit in 40 Years
Sailors heave a line to bring the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) into port in Busan. US Navy Photo
Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) arrived in Busan, South Korea, the first visit by a U.S. submarine in four decades, U.S. Strategic Command announced Tuesday. Read More
U.S., Philippines Forces Training in Tandem As Countries’ Alliance Expands
Marine Corps Sgt. Samuel Whitty, a radio operator with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, showcases 3d MLR’s communication assets to Philippine Marines with Battalion Landing Team 10 during Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Naval Base Camilo Osias, July 15, 2023. US Marin Corps Photo
U.S. forces are back in the Philippines for another round of joint exercises with their Filipino counterparts as Washington and Manilla expand cooperation. Read More
Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Makes Port Call to Bali; Russians, Chinese Start Naval Drills
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), anchors in Bali, Indonesia, for a scheduled port visit, July 16, 2023. US Navy Photo
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) made a port call to Bali, Indonesia, Sunday for a port visit following routine operations in the Indian Ocean. Read More
Russia Withdraws From Turkey-U.N. Brokered Grain Deal
Wheat fields in midsummer in Ukraine, Oblast Lviv in 2012. Raimond Spekking Photo
Russia pulled out of a United Nations-Turkey brokered agreement that allowed both Russia and Ukraine to export grain and foodstuffs, officials said on Monday.
Japan Releases Fighter Scramble Data Against Chinese Aircraft
Chinese H-6 and Russian T-95 bombers flying near Japan. JSDF Photo
Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) fighters conducted 238 scrambles in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, according to data released Friday by the Joint Staff Office of Japan’s Ministry of Defense. Read More
Cavoli: NATO Increased Ready Troops By 700 Percent
The NATO flag flies aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in support of Neptune Strike 2022 on Jan. 29, 2022. US Navy Photo
NATO’s new force model has already given its top commander a 700 percent increase in fully ready troops, Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli said this week on the first day of the alliance conference in Vilnius, Lithuania. Read More
U.N., U.S. and Japan Lodge Protests After North Korean ICBM Launch, Russian Ships Near Japan
North Korean ICBM. KCNA Photo
North Korea launched an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Wednesday morning that landed in the Sea of Japan, drawing criticisms from the U.S. and the United Nations. Read More
Chinese Military Aircraft, Ships Make Provocative Passes Near Taiwan
Taiwan Ministry of Defense Image
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Nearly two dozen People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft flew over the median line in the Taiwan Strait or into the island’s air defense identification zone on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said. Read More
