Flashpoints

Ukrainian forces running out of shells, equipment in fight for Bakhmut

To keep holding Bakhmut, the Ukrainian troops need to be resupplied, fast.

10 hours ago

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, center, fly in formation with South Korea's Air Force F-35A fighter jets and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets, bottom left, over the South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Sunday, March 19, 2023.

North Korea launches missile into sea amid US-South Korea drills

The launch was North Korea’s third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last week.

19 hours ago

US releases video of Russian jet dumping fuel on its drone

The 42-second video shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said.

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 16, 2023.

North Korea launches ICBM before South Korea-Japan summit

Thursday's launch was North Korea’s first intercontinental ballistic missile test in a month and third weapons test this week.

4 days ago

A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on March 13, 2023.

North Korea launches 2 ballistic missiles toward sea

The launch came a day after the U.S. and South Korean militaries began their largest joint field exercises in years on Monday.

6 days ago

China’s neighbors seek expanded partnerships with US to deter, defend

The Pentagon’s efforts to improve U.S. force posture in the Pacific have yielded a flurry of major agreements, with allies motivated by China's behavior.

10 days ago

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is an artillery drill at an undisclosed location in North Korea, Thursday, March 9, 2023.

North Korean leader supervises troops simulating attack on South

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised a live-fire artillery drill simulating an attack on a South Korean airfield.

10 days ago

A TV screen shows a news program reporting with footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 27, 2022.

North Korea fires ballistic missile toward sea, Seoul says

The launch came as the United States and South Korea prepare to hold their biggest combined military training exercises in years next week.

11 days ago

This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a green military-grade laser light from a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea on Feb. 6, 2023.

Philippines launches strategy of publicizing Chinese actions

A Philippine official says the country's coast guard has launched a strategy of publicizing aggressive actions by China in the disputed South China Sea.

12 days ago

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang arrives for a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Chinese minister warns of conflict unless US changes course

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Tuesday that Beijing and Washington are headed for “conflict and confrontation.”

13 days ago

Which fighter jet is best for Ukraine as it fights off Russia?

Ukraine and its supporters say Western fighter jets are necessary to tip the balance in Ukraine’s favor, while allowing for close air support.

13 days ago

China sends 25 planes, 3 ships toward Taiwan

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said 19 planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

3 weeks ago

A P-8A Poseidon flies by the aircraft carrier Nimitz in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 24, 2023.

China protests US Navy surveillance plane’s Taiwan Strait flight

The U.S. 7th Fleet said a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Monday.

3 weeks ago

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near the Kremlin Wall during the national celebrations of the "Defender of the Fatherland Day" in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.

Russia cannot ignore NATO nuclear capability, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks seek to justify Russia’s recent suspension of its participation in the New START treaty.

3 weeks ago

Tears, defiance and new tanks in Ukraine for war anniversary

China on Friday called for a ceasefire, an idea Ukraine has previously rejected for fear that a pause would allow Russia to regroup militarily.

3 weeks ago

A TV screen displayed at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, shows a news program reporting on North Korea's missile launch Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

North Korea says it test-fired long-range cruise missiles

North Korea said Friday it test-fired long-range cruise missiles in waters off its eastern coast a day earlier.

3 weeks ago

This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says is Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles during a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

Fears, questions about North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal

North Korea claims its nuclear weapons are combat ready, but many foreign experts call the North’s claims propaganda.

4 weeks ago

President Joe Biden sits on a train with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan as he goes over his speech marking the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine after a surprise visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, in Kyiv.

Air Force mum: How the service secretly ushered Biden to Ukraine

There was no big, flashy Air Force One for President Joe Biden’s surprise trip to Ukraine.

4 weeks ago

President Joe Biden delivers a speech marking the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Royal Castle Gardens in Warsaw.

US and allies ‘have Ukraine’s back,’ Biden says in Poland

President Joe Biden, in Poland after his lightning trip to Ukraine, is declaring there are “hard and bitter days ahead” in fighting off Russia's invasion.

4 weeks ago

Ukrainian battalion completes first combined-arms training in Germany

More than 600 troops trained on the Bradley fighting vehicle.

4 weeks ago

Flashpoints

The latest news from Air Force Times about global conflict, terrorism and U.S. military affairs

To keep holding Bakhmut, the Ukrainian troops need to be resupplied, fast.

The launch was North Korea’s third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last week.

The 42-second video shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said.

Thursday's launch was North Korea’s first intercontinental ballistic missile test in a month and third weapons test this week.

The launch came a day after the U.S. and South Korean militaries began their largest joint field exercises in years on Monday.

The Pentagon’s efforts to improve U.S. force posture in the Pacific have yielded a flurry of major agreements, with allies motivated by China's behavior.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised a live-fire artillery drill simulating an attack on a South Korean airfield.

The launch came as the United States and South Korea prepare to hold their biggest combined military training exercises in years next week.

A Philippine official says the country's coast guard has launched a strategy of publicizing aggressive actions by China in the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Tuesday that Beijing and Washington are headed for “conflict and confrontation.”

Ukraine and its supporters say Western fighter jets are necessary to tip the balance in Ukraine’s favor, while allowing for close air support.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said 19 planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks seek to justify Russia’s recent suspension of its participation in the New START treaty.

China on Friday called for a ceasefire, an idea Ukraine has previously rejected for fear that a pause would allow Russia to regroup militarily.

North Korea said Friday it test-fired long-range cruise missiles in waters off its eastern coast a day earlier.

North Korea claims its nuclear weapons are combat ready, but many foreign experts call the North’s claims propaganda.

There was no big, flashy Air Force One for President Joe Biden’s surprise trip to Ukraine.

President Joe Biden, in Poland after his lightning trip to Ukraine, is declaring there are “hard and bitter days ahead” in fighting off Russia's invasion.

More than 600 troops trained on the Bradley fighting vehicle.