Mattis reassures Ukraine of U.S. support against Russian aggression, but stops short of promising weapons

Mattis reassures Ukraine of U.S. support against Russian aggression, but stops short of promising weapons

U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis visited Ukraine on Thursday, and used that opportunity to reaffirm that the United States would continue to support the nation against Russian aggression. Mattis first attended the Ukranian Independence Day Parade in Kiev, before attending meetings with his Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak, as well as President Petro […]

United States Uses Russia As a Familiar Foe in Latest War Games

United States Uses Russia As a Familiar Foe in Latest War Games

In their latest war game exercise, US troops in Europe are focusing on more of a Cold War scenario with an old familiar foe, the Russians as their potential enemy. The US military needs to be better prepared for the increasing threats across all phases of warfare, land, sea, air, space and cyber said Air […]

Kabul Suicide Bomber Kills 4 in Attack on a Military Convoy

Kabul Suicide Bomber Kills 4 in Attack on a Military Convoy

A deadly suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan killed at least four people Thursday night, three Afghan civilians and one NATO soldier. The attack took place on a convoy of foreign troops that were traveling between Kabul and the American bases in the country. Besides the four dead, US officials say that up to a dozen […]

U.S. Special Operations Forces join training exercises in Ukraine for the first time

U.S. Special Operations Forces join training exercises in Ukraine for the first time

U.S. Special Operations Forces trained alongside Ukrainian special operators, as well as conventional U.S. and Ukrainian Navy assets, in an 11 day exercise that concluded on Friday.  The operation, dubbed “Sea Breeze 2017,” is an annual event, but has drawn more attention since Russia’s military annexation of Crimea in 2014.  This year also marks the […]

What would happen if the United States totally disengaged from Afghanistan?

What would happen if the United States totally disengaged from Afghanistan?

The United States’ longest war doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon. Sixteen years have passed. Nearly 2,400 U.S. troops have died. More than $700 billion has been spent. But talk of “winning” is scarce. The goal now seems more akin to “not losing.” A resurgent Taliban now controls 40 percent of the country’s […]

Congress approves new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea

Congress approves new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill that will impose fresh sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and will include a provision which removes President Trump’s ability to ease such sanctions in the future. The bill, which still has to be approved by the Senate, has long been sought by lawmakers seeking […]

NATO officials worry Russian drills near European border could be a ‘Trojan horse’

NATO officials worry Russian drills near European border could be a ‘Trojan horse’

The United States and its NATO allies have continually ramped up the military presence along Europe’s Eastern Flank since Russia’s military annexation of Crimea in 2014.  Now, with large-scale Russian military exercises expected to commence in September near the region, defense officials are beginning to voice their concerns about parallels between the planned drills, and […]

US Military surplus: Garage sale for allied militaries

US Military surplus: Garage sale for allied militaries

The slick OH-58 Kiowa will soon be buzzing the Aegean skies. But how can the bankrupt Greek economy afford the purchase, I can hear you asking.  Well, have you ever wondered what happens to old US military equipment? Once retired, US military hardware is often given to friendly countries.  All an interested government has to […]

Is a multi-national European Army the answer to Europe’s security needs?

Is a multi-national European Army the answer to Europe’s security needs?

Did you hear? A Czech and a Romanian brigade will join the German army. No, this isn’t the Fourth Reich coming to get you.  It’s the birth of a common European Army—or at least some believe so. Considered as Germany’s crack unit, the Rapid Forces Division, which is comprised of airborne light infantry, special operations […]

Russia took a jab at NATO on Twitter for close calls in the skies over Eastern Europe

Russia took a jab at NATO on Twitter for close calls in the skies over Eastern Europe

The contentious exchanges between Russian and NATO aircraft above Europe carried over into cyberspace early on Friday. “6 interceptions of @NATO recon planes on our borders last week,” The Russian embassy in the UK tweeted Friday morning. “Transparency, provided for by Open Skies Treaty, not enough?” the tweet concluded. Russian aircraft and their NATO counterparts have had numerous […]

U.S. kicks off ‘analog’ combat drills in Romania as part of Getica Saber ’17

U.S. kicks off ‘analog’ combat drills in Romania as part of Getica Saber ’17

U.S. European Command commenced this year’s Getica Saber exercises in Romania on Monday with artillery and mortar fire.  The exercises anticipated to continue through Saturday will see U.S. and Romanian forces working to “integrate and “synchronize” their defensive capabilities against the possibility of Russian incursion. Paladin mobile artillery launchers and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket […]