Tillerson accuses Iran of ‘alarming provocations’ as U.S. reviews policy

Tillerson accuses Iran of ‘alarming provocations’ as U.S. reviews policy

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday accused Iran of ‘alarming ongoing provocations’ to destabilize countries in the Middle East as the Trump administration launched a review of its policy toward Tehran. Tillerson told reporters the review, which he announced on Tuesday, would not only look at Tehran’s compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal […]

A youth revolt in France boosts the far right

A youth revolt in France boosts the far right

Songbirds flitted among the redbud trees. The wind tickled yellow flowers in fields of rapeseed. The medieval church clock clanged on the hour. Otherwise all was still in this one-boulangerie town in the French countryside when Marine Le Pen strode to the lectern and, with the unwavering force of a freight train, vowed to save […]

USS Carl Vinson isn’t anywhere near North Korea: Incompetence or political theater?

USS Carl Vinson isn’t anywhere near North Korea: Incompetence or political theater?

A week ago, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group was being diverted from its scheduled operations in Australia to head directly for the Korean peninsula amid ever-increasing tension surrounding Kim Jong Un’s nuclear weapons program. Reports substantiating his claim came in from the Pentagon, and […]

Pence stresses ‘era of strategic patience’ over as he visits Korean DMZ

Pence stresses ‘era of strategic patience’ over as he visits Korean DMZ

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence stared across the demilitarized border between North and South Korea on Monday, a day after North Korea’s failed missile launch, reiterating that the U.S. “era of strategic patience” with Pyongyang was over. Pence is on the first stop of a four-nation Asia tour intended to show America’s allies, and remind […]

Trigger a conflict and be prepared to pay the price, China’s foreign minister warns

Trigger a conflict and be prepared to pay the price, China’s foreign minister warns

In his toughest assessment yet of the escalating North Korean ­nuclear crisis, Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Friday that a conflict could erupt “at any moment” – and whoever provoked it would pay the price. Analysts said Wang’s warning reflected the danger of an imminent threat. “Tensions have risen … and one has the […]

Trump congratulates commanders of Navy ships responsible for Syria strike

Trump congratulates commanders of Navy ships responsible for Syria strike

On Saturday, President Trump congratulated the commanders of the two Navy vessels tasked with launching 59 Tomahawk missiles at an Assad-controlled air base in Syria last week.  He then followed his telephone conversations up on Twitter, extending his praise into the digital sphere. “Congratulations to our great military men and women for representing the United […]

Mattis and CENTCOM commander weigh in on Syria strike

Mattis and CENTCOM commander weigh in on Syria strike

Secretary of Defense James Mattis, accompanied by Army General Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, appeared before the press at the Pentagon on Tuesday to address questions that persist regarding the April 6th missile strike against the Syrian airfield reportedly responsible for a chemical attack carried out against civilians earlier in that week. […]

Western push at U.N. to boost backing for Syria gas attack inquiry

Western push at U.N. to boost backing for Syria gas attack inquiry

The U.N. Security Council could vote as early as Wednesday on a push by the United States, Britain and France to bolster support for international inquiries into a deadly toxic gas attack in Syria, diplomats said, a move Russia had deemed unacceptable and unwarranted. The three countries have proposed a revised draft resolution, diplomats said, […]

North Korea postures for military action, Assad issues statement in their support

North Korea postures for military action, Assad issues statement in their support

In the minds of many, President Trump’s decision to use a Tomahawk missile strike against Assad’s Syrian regime last week was not only meant as a message to Assad about his use of chemical weapons, but as a message to all world leaders that the United States would take decisive action if provoked – and […]

G7 ministers look to persuade Russia to abandon Syria’s Assad

G7 ministers look to persuade Russia to abandon Syria’s Assad

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major industrialized nations met in Italy on Monday, looking to put pressure on Russia to break its ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In a shift in Washington’s strategy, U.S. missiles hit a Syrian air base last week in retaliation for what the United States and its […]