Suu Kyi’s party faces dissolution in military-ruled Myanmar
March 28, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The political party led by Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to face automatic dissolution by the military-appointed election commission on midnight Tuesday because it declined to register for a planned general election it denounced as a sham.
Haiti PM turns to military for help in fighting gangs
March 17, 2023 GMTPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Prime Minister Ariel Henry signaled Friday that he wants to mobilize Haiti’s military to help the National Police fight the country’s increasingly powerful gangs.
Henry said during an appearance at the Haitian Armed Forces headquarters that he intends to mobilize all of the country’s security forces in the fight against gang violence.
Defense budget speeds toward $1 trillion, with China in mind
March 13, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon intends to load up on advanced missiles, space defense and modern jets in its largest defense request in decades in order to meet the threat it perceives from China. The spending path would put the military's annual budget over the $1 trillion threshold in just a matter of years, its chief financial officer said Monday.
Why would Russia use hypersonic missile to strike Ukraine?
March 10, 2023 GMTThe latest Russian missile barrage against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure has marked one of the largest such attacks in months.
On Thursday, Russia fired over 80 missiles in a massive effort to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and cripple the country’s energy system.
Israeli military caught up in divide over Netanyahu’s plan
March 7, 2023 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Shraga Tichover is hanging up his fatigues. After more than three decades as a reservist in the Israeli military, the paratrooper says he will no longer put his life on the line for a country slipping toward autocracy.
Troops who refused COVID vaccine still may face discipline
February 28, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The military services are still reviewing possible discipline of troops who refused the order to get the COVID-19 vaccine, defense officials told Congress on Tuesday, and they provided few details on how many of those who were forced out of the military would like to return.
India revives civil militia after Hindu killings in Kashmir
February 28, 2023 GMTDHANGRI, India (AP) — After seven Hindus were killed in early January in two back-to-back attacks in Dhangri village in disputed Kashmir, former Indian army soldier Satish Kumar described his sleepy mountainous village as an “abode of fear.”
Army sees safety, not ‘wokeness,’ as top recruiting obstacle
February 12, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — While some Republicans blame the COVID-19 vaccine or “wokeness” for the Army's recruiting woes, the military service says the bigger hurdles are more traditional ones: Young people don’t want to die or get injured, deal with the stress of Army life and put their lives on hold.
US to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest turnaround
February 2, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — After months of agonizing, the U.S has agreed to send longer-range bombs to Ukraine as it prepares to launch a spring offensive to retake territory Russia captured last year, U.S. officials said Thursday, confirming that the new weapons will have roughly double the range of any other offensive weapon provided by America.
How Myanmar is faring 2 years after army ousted Suu Kyi
February 1, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Two years after Myanmar’s generals ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, thousands of people have died in civil conflict and many more have been forced from their homes in a dire humanitarian crisis.
UN chief backs democracy for Myanmar 2 years after takeover
January 31, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — Two years after Myanmar’s military seized power, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced support Monday for the democratic aspirations of Myanmar’s people and warned that the military’s planned elections amid a crackdown on civilians and political leaders “risk exacerbating instability.”
Pentagon drops COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops
January 11, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon formally dropped its COVID-19 vaccination mandate Tuesday, but a new memo signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also gives commanders some discretion in how or whether to deploy troops who are not vaccinated.
Philippine defense chief quits in latest security shakeup
January 9, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The acting Philippine defense chief has resigned, officials said Monday, in the latest in a series of top-level changes in the country’s security establishment that has sparked speculation of renewed military unrest.
Philippine military chief replaced by retiring general
January 7, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday cut short the term of the military chief of staff he appointed five months ago and replaced him with a retiring general without explaining the surprise move.
Myanmar army leader touts election plan on Independence Day
January 4, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s ruling military leader pardoned over 7,000 prisoners, including some political detainees, and detailed plans for an election later this year during a ceremony Wednesday marking the 75th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Iran president vows vengeance 3 years after general’s death
January 3, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's president on Tuesday vowed to avenge the killing of the country's top general on the third anniversary of his death, as the government rallied its supporters in mourning amid months of anti-government protests.
Burkina Faso rights group alleges 28 dead in ethnic killings
January 3, 2023 GMTOUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Volunteer militia groups supporting Burkina Faso's army have killed dozens of civilians of the ethnic Fulani group, including children, in the troubled country's west, a local rights group charged on Tuesday.
Army in strife-torn Myanmar lifts curfew for New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Authorities in military-ruled Myanmar announced a suspension of the normal four-hour curfew to allow New Year's celebrations in three biggest cities, but opponents of army rule urge people to stay away and claimed security forces might stage an attack and blame it on them.
Court in Myanmar again finds Suu Kyi guilty of corruption
December 30, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi of corruption Friday, sentencing her to seven years in prison in the last of a string of criminal cases against her, a legal official said.
Israel indicts soldiers for trying to bomb Palestinian home
December 30, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's military said its prosecutor has filed indictments against two soldiers who allegedly hurled an explosive device at a Palestinian home in the occupied West Bank, a rare instance of Israeli troops facing serious charges over an offense against Palestinians.
French defense chief visits Ukraine, pledges more support
December 28, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — France's defense minister on Wednesday pledged further military support for Ukraine, insisting his government's backing is unflagging while efforts are also being made with Moscow to reach an eventual negotiated end to Russia's invasion.
Taiwan extends compulsory military service to 1 year
December 28, 2022 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan will extend its compulsory military service from four months to a year starting in 2024, President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday, as the self-ruled island faces China's military, diplomatic and trade pressure.
Review says Pentagon reacted appropriately to Jan. 6 riot
November 17, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — An independent review has concluded that the Defense Department and its top leaders acted appropriately before and during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, despite sharp criticism from some local and congressional leaders that the military did not respond quick enough as protesters breached the building.
Military weighs penalties for those who refuse COVID vaccine
November 1, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — As deadlines loom for military and defense civilians to get mandated COVID-19 vaccines, senior leaders must now wrestle with the fate of those who flatly refuse the shots or are seeking exemptions, and how to make sure they are treated fairly and equally.
Reports: Turkey tests Russian-made S-400 defense system
October 16, 2020 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — NATO-member Turkey has tested its Russian-made advanced air defense missile system, Turkish media reports said Friday, raising the specter of a new standoff with the United States...
Serbia considers buying Chinese missiles despite US warning
August 11, 2020 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia is considering buying a modern Chinese air defense missile system, the Serbian president said Tuesday, as the United States warned that such deals with Beijing could jeopardize the Balkan country’s proclaimed European Union membership goals...
Scores of retired military leaders publicly denounce Trump
June 5, 2020 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Scores of retired military and defense leaders are denouncing President Donald Trump and accusing him of using the U...
Pentagon misconduct complaints increase; fewer found guilty
February 8, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The number of complaints filed against senior military and defense officials has increased over the past several years, but more cases are being rejected as not credible and fewer officers are being found guilty of misconduct, according to data from Defense Department investigators...
Syria ceasefire deal rife with legal, liability questions
September 14, 2016 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The deal crafted by the U.S. and Russia to halt the Syrian civil war and focus efforts on rooting out extremists in the country is rife with legal and liability questions that are fueling Pentagon skepticism about military cooperation between the two powers, senior U.S.