A top-secret U.S. government assessment reportedly concludes that China would defeat the United States in a war over Taiwan due to Beijing’s ability to mass-produce cheaper weapons in overwhelming quantities. The “Overmatch Brief” warns that U.S. reliance on costly, highly sophisticated systems leaves it vulnerable, a realization that reportedly alarmed national security officials. In simulated wargames, major U.S. assets such as the USS Gerald R. … Continue reading China would destroy US military in fight over Taiwan, top secret document warns

U.S. forces seized a Guyana-flagged oil tanker, the Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela, an action President Trump called justified but did not fully explain. The vessel had covertly loaded 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil and was suspected of heading to Cuba. U.S. authorities say the tanker has long been sanctioned for participating in an illicit oil-shipping network tied to foreign terrorist organizations. The … Continue reading Trump says U.S. seized oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

Lithuania has declared an “emergency situation” in response to an influx of meteorological balloons launched from Belarus, which are suspected to be used by Belarusian security services and previously smuggled cigarettes. The measure allows the military to assist police and border guards, while prosecutors and secret services investigate the Belarusian state’s involvement. The balloons have forced repeated airport closures, affecting over 350 flights and 51,000 … Continue reading Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggler balloons from Belarus

Japan issued a megaquake advisory after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northern Honshu, causing 34 mostly minor injuries and some structural damage. Officials warned that a subsequent magnitude 8 or larger quake could occur within a week, potentially triggering a tsunami up to 98 feet and killing nearly 200,000 people. The advisory aims to prompt residents, especially along the coast, to prepare emergency supplies and … Continue reading Japan warns of possible megaquake after powerful earthquake

Rights groups including the ACLU, NYCLU, and Center for Constitutional Rights have filed a lawsuit seeking the release of an internal Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion that allegedly justifies the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels off Latin America. The lawsuit argues that the public deserves to understand the legal rationale behind military actions that have killed at least 86 people since … Continue reading ACLU files lawsuit seeking legal basis for Trump’s Caribbean boat strikes

South Korea and Japan scrambled fighter jets after Russian and Chinese military aircraft conducted a joint air patrol near both countries. Seven Russian and two Chinese planes, including bombers and fighters, entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Tuesday, prompting Seoul to deploy jets as a precaution. Japan also deployed aircraft after Russian Tu-95 bombers and Chinese J-16 fighters flew near the Tsushima … Continue reading S Korea, Japan scramble warplanes in response to Russia, China air patrol

The U.S. flew two F/A-18 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking the closest known approach of U.S. aircraft to Venezuelan airspace. A U.S. defense official called it a routine training flight and emphasized that the jets stayed in international airspace. This mission comes after months of increased U.S. military activity following strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Earlier flights involving B-52 and … Continue reading US deploys fighter jets to Gulf of Venezuela in closest known approach yet