Flashpoints

Abdul Wasi Safi talks about the dental treatments he received after a clinic appointment, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Houston.

Afghan soldier who helped the US weathers uncertainty in asylum bid

A former Afghan intelligence officer who fled the Taliban after sharing information with American soldiers is now in Texas, where his future is uncertain.

19 hours ago

Military service key factor in 3 decades of extremist attacks

One-quarter of all extremism-driven mass casualty attacks and plots from 1990 through 2022 were devised by perpetrators with military backgrounds.

22 hours ago

Your Air Force

NATO prepares unprecedented air exercise in show of force to Russia

Germany is preparing to host the biggest air deployment exercise in NATO's history, intended to impress allies and potential adversaries such as Russia.

Afghan refugees Azita Jawady and her husband Hamid Sadra at their home in Austin on May 17.

A frayed refugee system creates obstacles for Afghans in Texas

The refugee system in Texas and nationally is still recovering from major cuts. The latest casualty is Texas’ largest resettlement agency.

2 days ago

Ukraine dam collapse triggers emergency as Moscow and Kyiv trade blame

The dam collapse has triggered floods, endangering Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and threatening drinking water supplies.

2 days ago

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the guided-missile destroyer Chung-Hoon observes a Chinese navy ship conduct what it called an "unsafe” Chinese maneuver in the Taiwan Strait, Saturday, June 3, 2023.

US releases video showing close-call with Chinese destroyer

The United States military has released video of what it called an “unsafe” Chinese maneuver in the Taiwan Strait.

3 days ago

US defense secretary discusses upgrading India ties to counter China

The U.S. Defense Secretary discussed upgrading partnership with India as both countries grapple with China’s economic rise and rising belligerence.

3 days ago

Russia claims Ukraine is attacking; Kyiv calls that disinformation

Kyiv authorities didn’t confirm the attacks Monday and suggested the claims that major battles are underway were a Russian misinformation ruse.

3 days ago

What are disinformation and extremism? And why should troops be aware?

An overview of disinformation and extremism and the debate surrounding their spread among military and veteran communities.

3 days ago

A Ukrainian soldier covers his ears while firing a mortar at Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, May 29, 2023.

Ukraine keeps up pressure in Bakhmut after Russian victory declaration

Russian forces declared victory in the eastern city last month, but Ukrainian defenders aren’t retreating.

4 days ago

China’s defense minister defends country’s response to ‘provocation’

Li questioned why foreign jets and naval vessels were operating so close to China and said foreign militaries should “mind your own business.”

4 days ago

Milley: tanks, F-16s coming, but not in time for Ukraine offensive

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley says Ukrainian forces are training on Abrams tanks and US is working on agreements to train them on F-16s.

6 days ago

Blinken says no Ukraine cease-fire without Russia’s withdrawal

In a speech in Finland, Blinken said a cease-fire without Russia’s withdrawal would simply “freeze current lines in place.”

6 days ago

China Ukraine envoy urges allies to ‘stop sending weapons’ to Kyiv

China Ukraine envoy's appeal comes as Washington and its European allies are ramping up supplies of missiles, tanks and other weapons to Ukrainian forces.

6 days ago

White House wants to engage Russia on nuclear arms control post-treaty

The Biden administration is ready to talk to Russia without conditions about a future nuclear arms control framework.

6 days ago

China responds to US complaint over aircraft intercept

The U.S. military said a Chinese J-16 fighter jet pilot flew in front of the nose of the RC-135 conducting routine operations in international airspace.

8 days ago

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's rocket launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

North Korea says attempt to launch first spy satellite ends in failure

North Korea said its attempt to put the country’s first spy satellite into orbit has failed.

9 days ago

Pallets of 155 mm shells ultimately bound for Ukraine are loaded by the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

New US aid package for Ukraine will total about $300 million

U.S. officials say a military aid package for Ukraine that is expected to be announced this week will include additional munitions for drones.

9 days ago

Video shows Chinese fighter jet flying close to US aircraft

The U.S. military says a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.

9 days ago

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

A former Afghan intelligence officer who fled the Taliban after sharing information with American soldiers is now in Texas, where his future is uncertain.

One-quarter of all extremism-driven mass casualty attacks and plots from 1990 through 2022 were devised by perpetrators with military backgrounds.

Germany is preparing to host the biggest air deployment exercise in NATO's history, intended to impress allies and potential adversaries such as Russia.

The refugee system in Texas and nationally is still recovering from major cuts. The latest casualty is Texas’ largest resettlement agency.

The dam collapse has triggered floods, endangering Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and threatening drinking water supplies.

The United States military has released video of what it called an “unsafe” Chinese maneuver in the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. Defense Secretary discussed upgrading partnership with India as both countries grapple with China’s economic rise and rising belligerence.

Kyiv authorities didn’t confirm the attacks Monday and suggested the claims that major battles are underway were a Russian misinformation ruse.

An overview of disinformation and extremism and the debate surrounding their spread among military and veteran communities.

Russian forces declared victory in the eastern city last month, but Ukrainian defenders aren’t retreating.

Li questioned why foreign jets and naval vessels were operating so close to China and said foreign militaries should “mind your own business.”

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley says Ukrainian forces are training on Abrams tanks and US is working on agreements to train them on F-16s.

In a speech in Finland, Blinken said a cease-fire without Russia’s withdrawal would simply “freeze current lines in place.”

China Ukraine envoy's appeal comes as Washington and its European allies are ramping up supplies of missiles, tanks and other weapons to Ukrainian forces.

The Biden administration is ready to talk to Russia without conditions about a future nuclear arms control framework.

The U.S. military said a Chinese J-16 fighter jet pilot flew in front of the nose of the RC-135 conducting routine operations in international airspace.

North Korea said its attempt to put the country’s first spy satellite into orbit has failed.

U.S. officials say a military aid package for Ukraine that is expected to be announced this week will include additional munitions for drones.

The U.S. military says a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.