All articles tagged with #us defense secretary
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plane made an unscheduled landing in the UK due to a cracked windshield, but everyone onboard is safe, and the mission continues.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Cambodia, a close ally of China, after attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and meeting with his Chinese counterpart. The visit aims to improve U.S.-Cambodian relations, which have been strained due to Cambodia's ties with China and its human rights record. This will be Austin's first visit to Cambodia since Hun Manet became prime minister. Austin will also attend events in France commemorating the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landing.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, warning of potential global energy implications and suggesting Kyiv focus on tactical targets instead. Washington's stance on the strikes was further confirmed by a US Department of State spokesperson, with concerns over rising oil prices and domestic unrest impacting President Joe Biden's re-election chances. Despite the ongoing munition shortage, Ukraine has continued its strikes in an effort to curb Russian oil revenues financing the war. However, some experts argue that the strikes are not the primary driver of rising oil prices, and suggest a restructuring of the price cap as a solution.
US Defense Secretary Austin reassures Ukraine of support, while Germany pledges an additional €500M in military aid; European countries consider conscription as soldiers quit amid growing threat from Russia; Lithuanian leader warns of Putin's ambitions and suggests funding defense companies; France surpasses Russia as the world's second-largest arms exporter with 11% of the global market.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting that the US has run out of allocated funds for military aid to Ukraine, urging other nations to step up as the US is unable to supply Kyiv with the necessary missiles and ammunition. The lack of funding is due to a tug-of-war in Congress, stalling the proposed $60 billion aid package. This shortfall is likely to impact Ukraine's defense capabilities, with reports of ammunition shortages and the urgent need for air defense weapons to defend against Russian missile strikes.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's aide requested a subtle ambulance approach without lights and sirens during a 911 call for Austin's New Year's Day hospitalization, which was kept secret for days, triggering a political uproar and calls for Austin's removal from prominent Republicans. Despite criticism, President Biden expressed confidence in Austin, while it remains unclear why senior administration officials were not informed about Austin's cancer and post-surgical complications.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization and the lack of transparency surrounding it have sparked criticism and scrutiny. Despite resuming his full duties, questions remain about the secrecy of his medical situation, with concerns raised about the chain of command and the failure to notify key officials. President Biden has expressed support for Austin, but both Republicans and Democrats have called for more details about his health and the decision-making process.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel for talks on Israel's eventual transition from high-intensity war in Gaza to a more limited, focused conflict. Austin has expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself but has also raised concerns about civilian casualties. He is expected to discuss Israel's planning for the next phase of the war with senior Israeli leaders. Both the US and Israel agree on the need for a transition, but differ on the timeline. Austin's visit comes as the conflict expands and aid organizations warn of a humanitarian catastrophe.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Israeli officials to express concerns over the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza and to urge Israel to transition from intense bombing to a more surgical ground operation. The United Nations Security Council is preparing for another vote on a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. The Biden administration has reiterated its support for Israel's right to defend itself but emphasized the importance of protecting Palestinian civilians. Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, while Pope Francis drew attention to the killing of unarmed civilians in Gaza.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Israel to discuss Israel's transition from high-intensity war in Gaza to a more limited, focused conflict. Austin has expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself but has also raised concerns about civilian casualties. He is expected to discuss Israel's planning for the next phase of the war with senior Israeli leaders. While both the U.S. and Israel agree on the eventual transition, there are differences regarding the timeline. Austin's experience in military campaigns could aid discussions on battlefield transitions. The visit comes as Iran-aligned groups carry out attacks against U.S. troops in the region and the Houthi movement supports Hamas with attacks in the Red Sea.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens as the death toll rises from Israeli attacks, with at least 110 people killed and dozens injured in the past 24 hours. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli officials, seeking clarity on Israel's assessment of the campaign in Gaza as pressure mounts for a ceasefire. Oil firm BP suspends all shipping through the Red Sea due to the deteriorating security situation caused by attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels. The Israel Defense Forces claim to have discovered the largest Hamas tunnel in Gaza, while Pope Francis condemns the targeting of unarmed civilians in Gaza. The UK and France call for a ceasefire and urge Israel to abide by international humanitarian law. Aid trucks enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing for the first time since October 7, but the volume of aid remains below pre-war levels.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin travels to Israel as thousands of protesters gather in Tel Aviv to express outrage over the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages by the IDF in Gaza. Meanwhile, a Fox News survey shows divided opinions among voters regarding U.S. support for Israel and Ukraine. The IDF uncovers the largest Hamas "terror tunnel" ever discovered, and a rise in antisemitism is observed in America and worldwide following the recent conflict. Additionally, a Georgia middle school teacher is arrested for threatening a Muslim student who confronted him about an Israeli flag in his classroom.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin opened the 17th Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting (Ramstein) and called for strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities to protect its people. He emphasized that Ukraine and Israel face relentless foes, with Iran fueling conflict in both Gaza and Ukraine by arming Hamas and supporting the Kremlin. Austin assured his audience that the US remains committed to supporting Ukraine and announced a new $100 million military aid package. He also denied claims that the supply of NATO-standard ammunition requested by Ukraine has dropped by 30% due to Israel's war against Hamas.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet with top officials and express unwavering support in their fight against Russia's aggression. The visit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and ensure Ukraine's Armed Forces have the necessary capabilities to defend against future threats. Austin will also host a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to coordinate further military aid.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that Sweden may join NATO by mid-July, in time for the transatlantic alliance's next summit. Sweden has been lobbying for admission to NATO for nearly a year, but objections from member countries Turkey and Hungary have delayed the process. Austin's visit to Sweden is part of a four-day trip to Europe, during which he is showing support for the country's NATO application and discussing the next steps in their military partnership.