Trump hints could make first visit to Afghanistan
- 23-Nov-2018
US President Donald Trump hinted on Thursday he may visit Afghanistan, scene of one of America’s longest wars but a country he has yet to visit almost two years into his presidency. Delivering a Thanksgiving holiday message by teleconference to troops in Afghanistan, Trump told a US Air Force general he would see him back […]
Saudi Arabia vows ‘complete’ probe of Khashoggi murder: Mattis
- 28-Oct-2018
Manama: Saudi Arabia has promised a “full” investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, United States Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday following talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Bahrain. “We discussed it… the need of transparency, full and complete investigation. Full agreement from FM Jubeir, no reservations at all,” Mattis […]
India, US to hold large military exercises in 2019
- 06-Sep-2018
NEW DELHI: The US and Indian militaries will carry out large-scale joint exercises off India next year, top officials said Thursday. The drills would be a first of sorts — the two countries’ forces have not previously trained simultaneously in the air, on the land and at sea. Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the […]
Mattis should protect world from Trump: Pentagon Papers whistleblower
- 14-Apr-2018
WASHINGTON: Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg called Friday on the Pentagon chief to “protect us” from President Donald Trump by resisting orders to launch military actions or use nuclear weapons. “The situation is closer to the possible use of nuclear weapons since any time I would say in 50 years,” Ellsberg, a former high-level military […]
Artificial intelligence poses questions for nature of war: Mattis
- 19-Feb-2018
WASHINGTON: Artificial intelligence and its impact on weapons of the future has made US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis doubt his own theories on warfare. A question on the subject prompted the retired Marine general to give an impromptu seminar on his theory of war Saturday to reporters returning with him from a week-long tour of […]
US military puts ‘great power competition’ at heart of strategy: Mattis
- 20-Jan-2018
WASHINGTON: The US military has put countering China and Russia at the center of a new national defense strategy unveiled on Friday, the latest sign of shifting priorities after more than a decade and a half of focusing on the fight against Islamist militants. In presenting the new strategy, which will set priorities for the […]
There are several ways to hold Pakistan accountable in anti-terror fight: US defence secretary
- 10-Nov-2017
WASHINGTON: While underlining the probability of United States’ rewarding Pakistan in fight against terrorism, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis says, however, there are also several ways for the US-led NATO member countries to hold Pakistan accountable for the same. “But our principle, going into this, is that we are going to work with Pakistan and […]
Mattis warns ‘massive’ response to North Korea nuclear weapon use
- 28-Oct-2017
SEOUL: US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Saturday warned North Korea of a “massive military response” to any use of nuclear weapons as tensions remain sky-high ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea. Pyongyang in recent months has sparked global alarm by conducting a sixth nuclear test and test-launching missiles capable of reaching […]
Mattis says US goal is ‘not war’ over North Korea
- 27-Oct-2017
SEOUL: Washington’s goal “is not war” as it seeks to ease high military tension with Pyongyang, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday, standing at the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas. Tension has flared on the Korean peninsula as US President Donald Trump and the North’s ruler Kim Jong-Un have traded threats of […]
Trump weighs ‘decertifying’ Iran nuclear deal
- 04-Oct-2017
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has railed against a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program, but officials say that far from scrapping it, he is considering kicking the decision to Congress. Ahead of an October 15 deadline, several officials familiar with White House deliberations told AFP Trump has made it clear he does not want to […]