ShareThe Pentagon is defending its recent operation near Taiwan as compliant with international law in the face of Chinese protests that the U.S. deliberately was aggravating the geopolitically sensitive situation in the disputed waterway.Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for China's People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, said Thursday that warships and warplanes were dispatched Thursday to monitor U.S. Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry as it sailed near the Taiwan Strait, where Zhang accused the Navy of "seriously undermining the peace and stability...…ShareThe Pentagon is defending its recent operation near Taiwan as compliant with international law in the face of Chinese protests that the U.S. deliberately was aggravating the geopolitically sensitive situation in the disputed waterway.Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for China's People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, said Thursday that warships and warplanes were dispatched Thursday to monitor U.S. Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry as it sailed near the Taiwan Strait, where Zhang accused the Navy of "seriously undermining the peace and stability...WW…

ShareRussia is concerned that a lack of trust in the country's relationship with the United States could prevent the world's two largest nuclear powers from moving forward with plans to extend their last remaining nuclear arms treaty.Moscow's unease is intensified by suspicions that Washington is seeking to undermine Moscow militarily, a Russia's Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov said in remarks sent to Newsweek.Antonov said that Russia and the U.S. remained at odds over their attempts to renew the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The agreement limits the nuclear...…ShareRussia is concerned that a lack of trust in the country's relationship with the United States could prevent the world's two largest nuclear powers from moving forward with plans to extend their last remaining nuclear arms treaty.Moscow's unease is intensified by suspicions that Washington is seeking to undermine Moscow militarily, a Russia's Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov said in remarks sent to Newsweek.Antonov said that Russia and the U.S. remained at odds over their attempts to renew the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The agreement limits the nuclear...WW…

ShareThe energy-fueled feud between Greece and Turkey, both members of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, has intensified in the Eastern Mediterranean, threatening to destabilize the coalition's southern flank if tensions go unabated. Newsweek spoke to officials from both countries as they seek to win over the United States' position in its position on the dispute.With no clear path to resolution, Athens seeks intervention, Ankara seeks Washington neutrality, and both blame one another for aggravating a historic feud."For anyone who follows the tensions that Turkey has been building up...…ShareThe energy-fueled feud between Greece and Turkey, both members of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, has intensified in the Eastern Mediterranean, threatening to destabilize the coalition's southern flank if tensions go unabated. Newsweek spoke to officials from both countries as they seek to win over the United States' position in its position on the dispute.With no clear path to resolution, Athens seeks intervention, Ankara seeks Washington neutrality, and both blame one another for aggravating a historic feud."For anyone who follows the tensions that Turkey has been building up...WW…

ShareA senior Iranian official has given Newsweek his country's response to President 's harsh language against the Islamic Republic, which the United States has pressured with economic restrictions and military threats.Lashing out in an interview Friday with conservative radio host , Trump dropped the F-bomb on a country he has accused of funding militant groups, targeting U.S. interests in the Middle East secretly pursuing a nuclear weapon."If you f*ck around with us, if you do something bad to us, we are gonna do things to you that have never been done before," a COVID-19-positive Trump...…ShareA senior Iranian official has given Newsweek his country's response to President 's harsh language against the Islamic Republic, which the United States has pressured with economic restrictions and military threats.Lashing out in an interview Friday with conservative radio host , Trump dropped the F-bomb on a country he has accused of funding militant groups, targeting U.S. interests in the Middle East secretly pursuing a nuclear weapon."If you f*ck around with us, if you do something bad to us, we are gonna do things to you that have never been done before," a COVID-19-positive Trump...WW…

ShareA Chinese official has told Newsweek that the People's Republic rejects comments made by the top U.S. diplomat during meetings with his counterparts from Asia security partners Australia, India and Japan.Secretary of State at the Chinese Communist Party during the Tokyo meeting, saying cooperation among the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue "is more critical now than ever that we collaborate to protect our people and partners from the CCP's exploitation, corruption, and coercion."But a spokesperson at the Beijing's embassy in Washington dismissed this portrayal of China in the...…ShareA Chinese official has told Newsweek that the People's Republic rejects comments made by the top U.S. diplomat during meetings with his counterparts from Asia security partners Australia, India and Japan.Secretary of State at the Chinese Communist Party during the Tokyo meeting, saying cooperation among the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue "is more critical now than ever that we collaborate to protect our people and partners from the CCP's exploitation, corruption, and coercion."But a spokesperson at the Beijing's embassy in Washington dismissed this portrayal of China in the...WW…

ShareIndia and Pakistan's deadly border fight has continued to rage on, threatening to destabilize South Asia as U.N. peacekeepers struggle to keep up with mounting casualties along the disputed boundary, while only able to operate on one side.The Indian military announced on Thursday the death of three soldiers, blaming a Pakistani "ceasefire violation" in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district and in the Nowgam sector of the Anantnag district, both located along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed region of Kashmir.Indian armed forces vowed a "befitting response" as...…ShareIndia and Pakistan's deadly border fight has continued to rage on, threatening to destabilize South Asia as U.N. peacekeepers struggle to keep up with mounting casualties along the disputed boundary, while only able to operate on one side.The Indian military announced on Thursday the death of three soldiers, blaming a Pakistani "ceasefire violation" in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district and in the Nowgam sector of the Anantnag district, both located along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed region of Kashmir.Indian armed forces vowed a "befitting response" as...WW…

ShareWith Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in their deadliest ethno-territorial dispute in years, major world powers are scrambling to respond to the burgeoning crisis in the Caucasus region that bridges Europe and Asia.On Tuesday, both Turkey and Iran reportedly found themselves directly involved in the battle, while the U.S. and Russia remained closely engaged, calling for an immediate de-escalation.The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is rooted in a century of bloodshed that first erupted in the brief period between the neighboring countries being ruled by the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet...…ShareWith Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in their deadliest ethno-territorial dispute in years, major world powers are scrambling to respond to the burgeoning crisis in the Caucasus region that bridges Europe and Asia.On Tuesday, both Turkey and Iran reportedly found themselves directly involved in the battle, while the U.S. and Russia remained closely engaged, calling for an immediate de-escalation.The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is rooted in a century of bloodshed that first erupted in the brief period between the neighboring countries being ruled by the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet...WW…

ShareThe U.S. military has expressed to Newsweek its criticism of a Hollywood-style Chinese armed forces video portraying an aerial attack on a critical U.S. airbase, calling the clip part of a strategy to instill fear and broaden Chinese influence across the Asia-Pacific region.The People's Liberation Army Air Force released a dramatic promotion over the weekend showing off its H-6K strategic bomber, which was seen on social media site Sina Weibo conducting a simulated attack on an unnamed military base that appears identical to the Google Maps satellite image of the U.S. Air Force's...…ShareThe U.S. military has expressed to Newsweek its criticism of a Hollywood-style Chinese armed forces video portraying an aerial attack on a critical U.S. airbase, calling the clip part of a strategy to instill fear and broaden Chinese influence across the Asia-Pacific region.The People's Liberation Army Air Force released a dramatic promotion over the weekend showing off its H-6K strategic bomber, which was seen on social media site Sina Weibo conducting a simulated attack on an unnamed military base that appears identical to the Google Maps satellite image of the U.S. Air Force's...WW…

ShareA senior Venezuelan official has told Newsweek that the United States is the leading threat to the international community following the country's recent decision to designate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for sanctions due to his government's dealings with Iran.The remarks came as President Donald Trump's administration also introduced additional measures targeting Venezuela's closest regional partner, Cuba.The White House cut ties with Maduro early last year and has imposed increasingly stringent economic restrictions on the socialist leadership in Caracas for fostering trade...…ShareA senior Venezuelan official has told Newsweek that the United States is the leading threat to the international community following the country's recent decision to designate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for sanctions due to his government's dealings with Iran.The remarks came as President Donald Trump's administration also introduced additional measures targeting Venezuela's closest regional partner, Cuba.The White House cut ties with Maduro early last year and has imposed increasingly stringent economic restrictions on the socialist leadership in Caracas for fostering trade...WW…

ShareThe leaders of China and Russia dedicated their annual United Nations remarks to praising the dawn of a more multipolar world, while President Donald Trump took the podium to attack the Chinese Communist Party and to defend U.S. leadership.In his virtual address to the 75th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Trump said Tuesday the nations of the world were once again locked in "a great global struggle" three-quarters of a century after World War II. This time, he said, the fight was "against the invisible enemy—the China virus."The widely-disparaged term refers to the novel...…ShareThe leaders of China and Russia dedicated their annual United Nations remarks to praising the dawn of a more multipolar world, while President Donald Trump took the podium to attack the Chinese Communist Party and to defend U.S. leadership.In his virtual address to the 75th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Trump said Tuesday the nations of the world were once again locked in "a great global struggle" three-quarters of a century after World War II. This time, he said, the fight was "against the invisible enemy—the China virus."The widely-disparaged term refers to the novel...WW…

ShareA large explosion rocked southern Lebanon on Tuesday, exacerbating the insecurity of a country still reeling from a devastating blast in the capital last month and other ongoing hardships.News of the blast in the Nabatiyeh province town of Ain Qana first began circulating throughout WhatsApp groups, where citizens speculated on potential sources from a gas station mishap to an attack on a party headquarters of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement. Videos showed a massive column of smoke rising from the general area of Ain Qana and Kfar Fila.A Hezbollah spokesperson told Newsweek that...…ShareA large explosion rocked southern Lebanon on Tuesday, exacerbating the insecurity of a country still reeling from a devastating blast in the capital last month and other ongoing hardships.News of the blast in the Nabatiyeh province town of Ain Qana first began circulating throughout WhatsApp groups, where citizens speculated on potential sources from a gas station mishap to an attack on a party headquarters of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement. Videos showed a massive column of smoke rising from the general area of Ain Qana and Kfar Fila.A Hezbollah spokesperson told Newsweek that...WW…

ShareThe Pentagon slammed the Chinese armed forces for threatening Taiwan with joint military moves as a senior U.S. official conducted a rare visit to the self-ruling island claimed by the mainland government in Beijing.As local officials greeted Keith Krach, the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, at Taipei International Airport late Thursday, People's Liberation Army brass vowed a show of force to intimidate against such acts they viewed as violations of the four-decade One China Principle that excludes formal ties with Taiwan. Chinese warplanes even...…ShareThe Pentagon slammed the Chinese armed forces for threatening Taiwan with joint military moves as a senior U.S. official conducted a rare visit to the self-ruling island claimed by the mainland government in Beijing.As local officials greeted Keith Krach, the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, at Taipei International Airport late Thursday, People's Liberation Army brass vowed a show of force to intimidate against such acts they viewed as violations of the four-decade One China Principle that excludes formal ties with Taiwan. Chinese warplanes even...WW…

ShareIndia has engaged in new clashes across its long-disputed border with Pakistan, while it remains locked in another standoff on its border with China, one that threatens to erupt into a new regional conflict in Asia.Early Friday, the Indian Army told Newsweek that "Pakistan initiated an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation" with attacks by mortars and other weapons at the village of Kanzalwan in the Gurez sector of Bandipora state, located along the Line of Control (LOC) that divides the two rivals in Kashmir.The official communication from India was terse.A "befitting response is being...…ShareIndia has engaged in new clashes across its long-disputed border with Pakistan, while it remains locked in another standoff on its border with China, one that threatens to erupt into a new regional conflict in Asia.Early Friday, the Indian Army told Newsweek that "Pakistan initiated an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation" with attacks by mortars and other weapons at the village of Kanzalwan in the Gurez sector of Bandipora state, located along the Line of Control (LOC) that divides the two rivals in Kashmir.The official communication from India was terse.A "befitting response is being...WW…

ShareIn the face of the call by the United States for a return to international sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Qatar's U.S. envoy has expressed to Newsweek an offer to hold discussions to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Arab states of the Persian Gulf.President Donald Trump has doubled down on his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran in the leadup to this year's United Nations General Assembly, attempting to invoke a snapback of economic restrictions lifted by a 2015 nuclear deal unilaterally abandoned by the United States two and a half years ago.In leading this push,...…ShareIn the face of the call by the United States for a return to international sanctions against the Islamic Republic, Qatar's U.S. envoy has expressed to Newsweek an offer to hold discussions to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Arab states of the Persian Gulf.President Donald Trump has doubled down on his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran in the leadup to this year's United Nations General Assembly, attempting to invoke a snapback of economic restrictions lifted by a 2015 nuclear deal unilaterally abandoned by the United States two and a half years ago.In leading this push,...WW…

ShareIn the wake of two fellow Arabian Peninsula states establishing ties with Israel, Qatar's envoy to the United States told Newsweek his country still backs an 18-year-old Arab plan that ties normalizing relations with the majority-Jewish state to an end of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.On the eve of a White House signing ceremony for Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates' back-to-back agreements with Israel, Qatari ambassador to the U.S. Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani said Doha "remains committed to the just settlement of the Palestinian cause based on the Arab Peace...…ShareIn the wake of two fellow Arabian Peninsula states establishing ties with Israel, Qatar's envoy to the United States told Newsweek his country still backs an 18-year-old Arab plan that ties normalizing relations with the majority-Jewish state to an end of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.On the eve of a White House signing ceremony for Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates' back-to-back agreements with Israel, Qatari ambassador to the U.S. Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani said Doha "remains committed to the just settlement of the Palestinian cause based on the Arab Peace...WW…

ShareLebanon battled yet another fire Thursday at the same port at which a massive explosion devastated large parts of Beirut a month earlier, as the military also announced it had downed an Israeli drone flying across their southern border.The Lebanese Armed Forces announced Thursday that its military police had opened an investigation into that broke out at an oil and tire storage site at Beirut port.Caretaker Transportation Minister Michel Najjar placed the location "far from" Warehouse No. 12, where nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire and detonated last month, causing a...…ShareLebanon battled yet another fire Thursday at the same port at which a massive explosion devastated large parts of Beirut a month earlier, as the military also announced it had downed an Israeli drone flying across their southern border.The Lebanese Armed Forces announced Thursday that its military police had opened an investigation into that broke out at an oil and tire storage site at Beirut port.Caretaker Transportation Minister Michel Najjar placed the location "far from" Warehouse No. 12, where nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire and detonated last month, causing a...WW…

ShareSouth Korea's spy agency has determined that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un is delegating more powers to his sister, Kim Yo Jong, as the country recalibrates its policies amid a breakdown in peace talks with its rival neighbor and the United States.Following a closed-door briefing by the National Intelligence Service to lawmakers, opposition United Future Party member Ha Tae-keung told reporters Thursday that the agency revealed how Kim Yo Jong, the first vice department director of the ruling Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, is being tasked with "steering overall...…ShareSouth Korea's spy agency has determined that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un is delegating more powers to his sister, Kim Yo Jong, as the country recalibrates its policies amid a breakdown in peace talks with its rival neighbor and the United States.Following a closed-door briefing by the National Intelligence Service to lawmakers, opposition United Future Party member Ha Tae-keung told reporters Thursday that the agency revealed how Kim Yo Jong, the first vice department director of the ruling Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, is being tasked with "steering overall...WW…

ShareChina debuted new weapons in live-fire drills near the contested border region with India, which is preparing for a protracted period of tensions with its neighbor.The People's Liberation Army published footage Tuesday of its Tibet Military Region's Shannan regiment setting off "rapid-fire" artillery at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet in the strategic Himalaya region that separates China from several countries, including India. Beijing and New Delhi have locked horns over territory here and at least one June skirmish in a stretch of territory between India-administered Ladakh and...…ShareChina debuted new weapons in live-fire drills near the contested border region with India, which is preparing for a protracted period of tensions with its neighbor.The People's Liberation Army published footage Tuesday of its Tibet Military Region's Shannan regiment setting off "rapid-fire" artillery at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet in the strategic Himalaya region that separates China from several countries, including India. Beijing and New Delhi have locked horns over territory here and at least one June skirmish in a stretch of territory between India-administered Ladakh and...WW…

In honor of the 100,000 American lives lost to the pandemic, Newsweek’s iconic logo is grey.ShareThe Chinese armed forces vowed to crush any movement backing greater independence for Hong Kong from mainland China rule.Major General Chen Daoxiang, commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, said on state-run television Tuesday that his troops "firmly support" the draft Hong Kong national security law that is being debated at the third session of the thirteenth National People's Congress in Beijing. The bill contains provisions designed to bolster the security apparatus of...…In honor of the 100,000 American lives lost to the pandemic, Newsweek’s iconic logo is grey.ShareThe Chinese armed forces vowed to crush any movement backing greater independence for Hong Kong from mainland China rule.Major General Chen Daoxiang, commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, said on state-run television Tuesday that his troops "firmly support" the draft Hong Kong national security law that is being debated at the third session of the thirteenth National People's Congress in Beijing. The bill contains provisions designed to bolster the security apparatus of...WW…

ShareThe coronavirus pandemic has intensified the seven-decade dispute between China and Taiwan, a democratically governed island that Beijing regards as a breakaway province.A report published Tuesday by the congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission accused the Chinese government of having "undermined global health" by exerting influence and pressure to ensure the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Organization (WHO). Taiwan says it sounded the alarm early on about the dangers of the virus as it spread through China's central city of Wuhan late last year, only...…ShareThe coronavirus pandemic has intensified the seven-decade dispute between China and Taiwan, a democratically governed island that Beijing regards as a breakaway province.A report published Tuesday by the congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission accused the Chinese government of having "undermined global health" by exerting influence and pressure to ensure the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Organization (WHO). Taiwan says it sounded the alarm early on about the dangers of the virus as it spread through China's central city of Wuhan late last year, only...WW…

ShareThe head of Israel's military appears to have acknowledged the country's involvement in recent strikes in Syria, warning a semi-secret campaign against Iran has escalated.In a statement carried by a number of Israeli media outlets Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett stopped short of directly acknowledging his forces were behind airstrikes Monday near Damascus but stated that Israel has "moved from blocking Iran's entrenchment in Syria to forcing it out of there, and we will not stop.""We will not allow more strategic threats to grow just across our borders without taking...…ShareThe head of Israel's military appears to have acknowledged the country's involvement in recent strikes in Syria, warning a semi-secret campaign against Iran has escalated.In a statement carried by a number of Israeli media outlets Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett stopped short of directly acknowledging his forces were behind airstrikes Monday near Damascus but stated that Israel has "moved from blocking Iran's entrenchment in Syria to forcing it out of there, and we will not stop.""We will not allow more strategic threats to grow just across our borders without taking...WW…

ShareNorth Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un missed another national holiday on Saturday, fueling rumors and reports of his health. But U.S. intelligence sees no sign of unusual military activity that would suggest something amiss."Regional militaries in the Western Pacific and Asia, including those of our partner nations, remain at readiness levels consistent with historical norms," a senior Pentagon official told Newsweek because they were not authorized to speak on the matter."We have observed no indications or received any additional information to make a conclusive assessment on the...…ShareNorth Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un missed another national holiday on Saturday, fueling rumors and reports of his health. But U.S. intelligence sees no sign of unusual military activity that would suggest something amiss."Regional militaries in the Western Pacific and Asia, including those of our partner nations, remain at readiness levels consistent with historical norms," a senior Pentagon official told Newsweek because they were not authorized to speak on the matter."We have observed no indications or received any additional information to make a conclusive assessment on the...WW…

ShareA U.S. warship carrying out President Donald Trump's recently enhanced anti-drug mission he linked to stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus is now suffering a serious outbreak of the disease. Because one sailor required medical attention, another country stepped in to help.The Navy announced Friday that a sailor aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd "tested positive for COVID-19 after being medically evacuated to the United States from operations at sea, April 23." The senior Pentagon official told Newsweek that this service member was "evacuated from...…ShareA U.S. warship carrying out President Donald Trump's recently enhanced anti-drug mission he linked to stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus is now suffering a serious outbreak of the disease. Because one sailor required medical attention, another country stepped in to help.The Navy announced Friday that a sailor aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd "tested positive for COVID-19 after being medically evacuated to the United States from operations at sea, April 23." The senior Pentagon official told Newsweek that this service member was "evacuated from...WW…

ShareNorth Korea's state-run media has acknowledged the country was experiencing difficulties, lauding the direction of supreme leader Kim Jong Un but staying silent on his public absence amid rumors regarding his health.Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, published an article Wednesday saying that the country does "have some [areas] lagging behind others so far. It is also true that we are going through hardships," as translated by the South Korea-based NK News. The report ultimately placed faith in Kim's efforts to build a "strong,...…ShareNorth Korea's state-run media has acknowledged the country was experiencing difficulties, lauding the direction of supreme leader Kim Jong Un but staying silent on his public absence amid rumors regarding his health.Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, published an article Wednesday saying that the country does "have some [areas] lagging behind others so far. It is also true that we are going through hardships," as translated by the South Korea-based NK News. The report ultimately placed faith in Kim's efforts to build a "strong,...WW…

ShareThe U.S. intelligence community has no evidence that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un is in grave condition despite media reports that speculated about his failing health, two senior U.S. intelligence officials told Newsweek.The North Korean ruler's failure to attend this year's April 15 national Day of the Sun celebrations commemorating his grandfather, late leader Kim Il Sung, raised speculation about his well-being, especially amid a global pandemic that North Korea said claimed has not hit the country. Kim Jong Un has disappeared from the spotlight before, notably during an...…ShareThe U.S. intelligence community has no evidence that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un is in grave condition despite media reports that speculated about his failing health, two senior U.S. intelligence officials told Newsweek.The North Korean ruler's failure to attend this year's April 15 national Day of the Sun celebrations commemorating his grandfather, late leader Kim Il Sung, raised speculation about his well-being, especially amid a global pandemic that North Korea said claimed has not hit the country. Kim Jong Un has disappeared from the spotlight before, notably during an...WW…