The United States will make full use of its military capabilities, “including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense,” to defend its allies Japan and South Korea, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said as she warned North Korea against escalating its provocations. Sherman said North Korea’s repeated firings of ballistic missiles and artillery in recent weeks were provocative military actions. North Korea has described them as practice runs for the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
Russia has notified the U.S. that its annual nuclear has begun and that it will include launches of nuclear capable missiles starting Oct. 26, according to two U.S. officials. The annual exercise has been described by U.S. officials as "routine" around this time of year but nevertheless will take place against heightened Russian rhetoric about using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
As the Space Force expands and defines the roles of its different commands, one of its top priorities will be intelligence gathering in space. In a service so new no one has had time to wear the shine off their buttons, Space Operations Command will take a major role in the business of spying, satellites, and satellite imagery.
“An all-volunteer military has defended the U.S. for nearly 50 years. America’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Guardians stand shoulder to shoulder with allies and partners to defeat tyranny, prevent war and defend the freedom that allows democracy and prosperity to thrive. As the U.S. refocuses on rising challenges from China and Russia, the armed forces are confronting a generational recruiting shortfall. As global threats loom, our respective services face a shrinking pool of qualified and willing applicants,” write Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.
As Germany’s inflation rate hit double digits in September among escalating energy and food prices, concerns have risen over the country’s ability to pay for its planned multibillion-euro military spending run. The air force’s most critical fighter procurement program, however, is expected to weather inflation-related cost increases intact, according to the service’s chief of staff.
As the White House sounds the alarm about Russia’s use of Iranian drones in deadly attacks in Ukraine, Iran’s greatest adversary in the Middle East, Israel, is warily eyeing the evolving relationship between Moscow and Tehran and trying to predict what it means for the region. According to analysts and sources, there’s concern that Iran could reap concrete rewards in the short term and could strengthen its strategic hand long into the future.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is to remain in the job as part of a Cabinet reshuffle announced by the country’s incoming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Originally appointed to the post in July 2019 by the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Wallace is highly regarded in defense circles for his robust support for Ukraine and his overall leadership of the Ministry of Defense.
In a twist of fate, a Soldier and an Airman became an unlikely heroic duo after an elderly couple’s house went up in flames in Bonifay, Fla. On the night of Oct. 9, the two service members were traveling in opposite directions with their families after taking vacations.