Flashpoints

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

The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Feb. 2, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China.

China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky

The massive white orb that drifted across U.S. airspace and was shot down by the military triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and blown up on social media.

3 days ago

US downs Chinese balloon, a flashpoint in US-China tensions

Biden said he wanted the balloon downed on Wednesday, but was advised the best time for the operation would be when it was over water.

3 days ago

An aerial view of an apartment building hit by a Russian rocket in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Flashpoints

US to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest policy reversal

The U.S. will provide ground-launched small diameter bombs as part of a $2.17 billion aid package the U.S. is expected to announce Friday.

In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, center, F-22 fighter jets and South Korean Air Force F-35 fighter jets, bottom, fly over South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2023.

North Korea warns of ‘toughest reaction’ to allies’ drills

North Korea for decades has described the United States’ combined military exercises with South Korea as rehearsals for a potential invasion.

6 days ago

Taiwanese Mirage 2000 fighter jets taxi along a runway during a drill at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Taiwan activates defenses in response to China incursions

Taiwan's Defense Ministry says 20 Chinese aircraft crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait that has been an unofficial buffer zone between the sides.

6 days ago

A boy stands on a destroyed Russian tank displayed in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2023.

Ukraine pushes for Western fighter jets after tank deals

Ukraine has won support from Baltic nations and Poland for its weekslong quest to obtain Western fighter jets.

7 days ago

Abdul Wasi Safi smiles after a news conference Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Houston.

Afghan soldier seeking US asylum hopes for ‘American dream’

Abdul Wasi Safi, who fled Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. forces, was freed this week after spending months in immigration detention.

10 days ago

Feds drop charges against Afghan soldier seeking asylum in US

After months of publicity and a bipartisan congressional effort to request a pardon from the president, Abdul Wasi Safi could be set free.

2 weeks ago

In reversal, US poised to approve Abrams tanks for Ukraine

However, it could take months or years for their delivery.

2 weeks ago

Sami-ullah Safi holds photographs of his brother, Abdul Wasi Safi, as he talks about his brother's journey to the U.S. during an interview Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Houston.

Afghan soldier seeking asylum in US remains jailed after border arrest

Abdul Wasi Safi, a former officer in the Afghan National Security Forces, was arrested at the U.S. southern border after fleeing the Taliban.

2 weeks ago

Former Navy SEAL, listed as a deserter, dies fighting in Ukraine

Daniel W. Swift was reportedly involved in an operation in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, when he was killed.

3 weeks ago

Treasury designates Wagner Group a transnational criminal organization

The U.S. believes the Russian private military company has 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, including 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts.

3 weeks ago

A destroyed Russian tank covered by snow stands in a forest in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

The West doubles down on aiding Ukraine with heavy weapons

Plans to send yet heavier equipment designed to win maneuver battles are expected to come to a head.

3 weeks ago

In this image provided by the U.S. Army, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley meets with U.S. Army leaders responsible for the collective training of Ukrainians at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

US, Ukraine top military chiefs meet in person for first time

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met Tuesday with Ukraine’s chief military officer at an undisclosed location in Poland.

3 weeks ago

Emergency workers clear the rubble after a Russian rocket hit a multistory building leaving many people under debris in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

Ukraine building suffers deadliest civilian attack in months

Rescue workers in Ukraine are scrambling to pull survivors from an apartment building hit by a Russian missile in the southeastern city of Dnipro.

3 weeks ago

House GOP demands State Dept turn over thousands of Afghanistan memos

Republicans say the information is needed right away in their investigations into missteps leading up to the U.S. military withdrawal from that country.

4 weeks ago

Ukrainian servicemen fire a 120mm mortar towards Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Battle rages in Ukraine town; Russian military sees shakeup

Ukraine says its forces are holding out against a Russian onslaught in one of the fiercest and bloodiest recent ground battles of the nearly 11-month war.

4 weeks ago

Residents wearing face masks wait to cross a traffic intersection near a large screen promoting the Chinese People's Liberation Army Airforce, in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. The Chinese military held large-scale joint combat strike drills starting Sunday, sending war planes and navy vessels toward Taiwan, both the Chinese and Taiwanese defense ministries said.

China holds large-scale joint strike drills aimed at Taiwan

The exercises coincided with the visit of a group of German lawmakers who landed in Taiwan on Monday morning.

4 weeks ago

A cupola lies on the ground in front of the Orthodox Church which was destroyed by Russian forces in the recently retaken village of Bogorodychne, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2022.

Ukraine praises US military aid as cease-fire said to falter

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Bradley armored vehicles included in the latest U.S. aid package are “exactly what is needed” for Ukrainian troops.

4 weeks ago

US to send Ukraine largest package yet, worth $3.75 billion

The newest U.S. aid package for Ukraine includes Bradley vehicles and $907 million in foreign military financing.

5 weeks ago