U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has released a video message honoring gay and lesbian service members, as the Pentagon marks gay pride month for the first time. Nine months ago the U.S. military formally ended its “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that allowed gays to serve only if they did not reveal their sexual orientation. […]
US Defense Secretary Pays Tribute to Gays in Military
US to Boost Military Capacity in South Korea
The top commander of U.S. forces in South Korea is seeking more attack helicopters, intelligence aircraft, and a strengthened missile defense system as part of what he says is an effort to enhance “war-fighting capabilities.” General James Thurman said at a forum in Seoul Tuesday that he is confident the Defense Department will meet his […]
China Papers Warn of ‘Rift’ Following US Shift toward Asia
Chinese state media on Tuesday warned that Washington’s planned military shift towards the Asia-Pacific threatens to create rifts between the two countries and may upset regional stability. The warnings come days after Defense Secretary Leon Panetta outlined a plan to transfer the majority of U.S. warships to the region by the end of the decade […]
US General Says He Misspoke in North Korea Comments
The commander of U.S. special forces in South Korea says he misspoke at a conference last week when he appeared to suggest that U.S. military commandos were parachuting into North Korea. Army Brigadier General Neil Tolley said in a statement Wednesday that his comments “should have been clearer.” But he denied that U.S. special forces […]
US Denies Sending Commandos to Spy in North Korea
U.S. military officials are rejecting a report that U.S. military commandos have been parachuting into North Korea to gather intelligence on Pyongyang’s underground military installations. The Tokyo-based political journal The Diplomat carried a report on Monday alleging that a senior U.S. special operations commander revealed the purported commando program at a conference in Florida last […]
US Denies Sending Commandos to Spy on North Korea
U.S. military officials are rejecting a report suggesting that U.S. military commandos have been parachuting into North Korea to gather intelligence on Pyongyang’s underground military installations. The Diplomat, a Tokyo-based political journal, on Monday carried a report alleging that a senior U.S. special operations commander revealed the supposed commando program at a conference in Florida […]
Fake Chinese Parts Widespread in US Military Equipment: Senate Report
A U.S. Senate investigation has found that counterfeit Chinese electronic parts used in U.S. military equipment are compromising the safety of American troops and posing a national security risk. A year-long investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee found over 1,800 cases of fake electronic components in everything from cargo aircraft to night vision goggles. […]
HRW Accuses Egypt’s Military of Torture
An international human rights group has accused Egypt’s military of beating and torturing protesters arrested during a huge rally near the Defense Ministry in Cairo earlier this month. The New York-based Human Rights Watch said Saturday soldiers fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of demonstrators demanding an immediate end to military rule and […]
Pentagon Accuses China of Cyber-Spying to Expand its Economy and Military
The Pentagon accused China Friday of using cyber-espionage to improve its economy and expand its military. In an annual report to Congress, the Department of Defense said, “Chinese actors are the world’s most active and persistent perpetrators of economic espionage.” The report went on to say that Chinese spying would continue to pose a growing […]
Obama Attacks Colleges Targeting Veterans’ Benefits
U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an executive order to help protect active-duty troops and veterans from fraudulent and misleading college recruiting practices that target their federal education benefits. The president signed the order Friday after he and first lady Michelle Obama spoke to troops at Fort Stewart army post in the southern state of […]