Flashpoints

Russia moves more troops westward amid Ukraine tensions

Russia is sending troops from the country’s far east to Belarus for major war games, officials said Tuesday.

7 hours ago

US condemns deadly Houthi drone attack on UAE oil facility near Al-Dhafra

The attack took place a short distance from Al-Dhafra Air Base, a military installation that hosts U.S. and French forces.

30 hours ago

Russia denies US claim it seeks ‘false flag’ pretext to invade Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the U.S. claim about a "false flag" pretext for invasion as “total disinformation.”

N. Korea fires short-range missiles in 4th launch this year

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to its allies.

2 days ago

Russia prepping ‘false flag’ pretext for Ukraine invasion: Pentagon

Russia is also laying the groundwork through a social media disinformation campaign by framing Ukraine as an aggressor, U.S. officials say.

4 days ago

Russia demands US, NATO response next week on Ukraine

Russia demands that that NATO not expand nor deploy forces to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations.

5 days ago

N. Korea fires missiles in response to US sanctions

Hours after berating the Biden administration over sanctions, North Korea fired a new round of missiles.

5 days ago

Did the military prepare to shoot down a North Korean missile from the West Coast?

Although officials have yet to confirm a correlation, a North Korean missile launch coincided with parts of the West Coast grounding flights and clearing air space.

5 days ago

The U.S. Embassy is seen from across the Tigris River in Baghdad, Iraq Jan. 3, 2020.

Multiple rockets target US Embassy in Baghdad

At least four rockets targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Thursday, two Iraqi security officials said.

5 days ago

No Ukraine breakthrough, but NATO and Russia eye more talks

The decisions came at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, the first of its kind in over two years.

6 days ago

Rat who detected land mines in Cambodia dies in retirement

Magawa detected more than 100 land mines and other explosives during his five-year career before retiring last year.

7 days ago

NATO, Russia in high-level talks as Ukraine tensions simmer

The talks come during a U.S.-led effort to prevent preparations for what Washington believes could be a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

7 days ago

North Korea claims successful test of hypersonic missile

Tuesday's launch was North Korea’s second test of its purported hypersonic missile in a week.

7 days ago

Kremlin says Russia-US talks on Ukraine offer little optimism

The negotiations were held amid soaring tensions over a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine's border that has stoked fears of a possible invasion.

7 days ago

US announces $308 million in aid for Afghans as crisis grows after withdrawal

Afghanistan's long-troubled economy has been in a tailspin since the U.S. withdrawal.

8 days ago

Neighbors say North Korea launched second missile in a week

This month’s launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021.

8 days ago

In Russia talks, US floats deal to limit missiles and war games

U.S. officials have raised the possibility of limiting missile deployments in Eastern Europe and the size and scope of its military exercises

8 days ago

US, Russia meet for talks amid tensions over Ukraine

No major breakthrough is expected.

9 days ago

South Korea disputes North’s claim of hypersonic missile test

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it believes North Korea hasn’t acquired the technologies needed to launch a hypersonic weapon.

9 days ago

US hones warnings, offers to Russia over Ukraine

The comments came as senior U.S. and Russian officials prepare to meet in Switzerland on Monday amid heightened tensions over Ukraine.

9 days ago

Blinken warns Russia ahead of talks on Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Friday that the west is ready to respond “forcefully” if Russia steps up its aggression.

11 days ago

4 reservists died of COVID-19 complications in a single week

The military reported 72 deaths overall in 2021.

11 days ago

US, Japan agree to two defense pacts amid China worries

The U.S. and Japan are close to signing a new five-year pact for Japan to support U.S. military forces in the country and a new agreement to research and develop new defense technologies.

11 days ago

North Korea says it has tested hypersonic missile, launched from Russian-made vehicle

It’s the second known test-flight of a hypersonic missile since North Korea first tested such a weapon last September.

13 days ago

US, Germany say Russia poses ‘urgent’ challenge to stability

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sought to present a unified front on Russia after a meeting in Washington.

13 days ago

Security forces airmen step up anti-drone training after recent attacks in Iraq, Syria

CENTCOM's commander said last year that threats from small drones are “the most concerning tactical development" since the rise of the improvised explosive device.

13 days ago

US F-16s head to Poland to strengthen NATO air policing mission

With rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, NATO's air policing efforts may become more necessary than ever.

13 days ago

Katyusha rocket hits military base at Baghdad airport

No damage or casualties were reported from the attack, the third in as many days.

13 days ago

Flashpoints

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

Russia is sending troops from the country’s far east to Belarus for major war games, officials said Tuesday.

The attack took place a short distance from Al-Dhafra Air Base, a military installation that hosts U.S. and French forces.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the U.S. claim about a "false flag" pretext for invasion as “total disinformation.”

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the missiles did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to its allies.

Russia is also laying the groundwork through a social media disinformation campaign by framing Ukraine as an aggressor, U.S. officials say.

Russia demands that that NATO not expand nor deploy forces to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations.

Hours after berating the Biden administration over sanctions, North Korea fired a new round of missiles.

Although officials have yet to confirm a correlation, a North Korean missile launch coincided with parts of the West Coast grounding flights and clearing air space.

At least four rockets targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Thursday, two Iraqi security officials said.

The decisions came at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, the first of its kind in over two years.

Magawa detected more than 100 land mines and other explosives during his five-year career before retiring last year.

The talks come during a U.S.-led effort to prevent preparations for what Washington believes could be a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Tuesday's launch was North Korea’s second test of its purported hypersonic missile in a week.

The negotiations were held amid soaring tensions over a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine's border that has stoked fears of a possible invasion.

Afghanistan's long-troubled economy has been in a tailspin since the U.S. withdrawal.

This month’s launches follow a series of weapons tests in 2021.

U.S. officials have raised the possibility of limiting missile deployments in Eastern Europe and the size and scope of its military exercises

No major breakthrough is expected.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it believes North Korea hasn’t acquired the technologies needed to launch a hypersonic weapon.

The comments came as senior U.S. and Russian officials prepare to meet in Switzerland on Monday amid heightened tensions over Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Friday that the west is ready to respond “forcefully” if Russia steps up its aggression.

The military reported 72 deaths overall in 2021.

The U.S. and Japan are close to signing a new five-year pact for Japan to support U.S. military forces in the country and a new agreement to research and develop new defense technologies.

It’s the second known test-flight of a hypersonic missile since North Korea first tested such a weapon last September.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sought to present a unified front on Russia after a meeting in Washington.

CENTCOM's commander said last year that threats from small drones are “the most concerning tactical development" since the rise of the improvised explosive device.

With rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, NATO's air policing efforts may become more necessary than ever.

No damage or casualties were reported from the attack, the third in as many days.