Category: The United States

China, Russia Frustrate US Bid to Sanction North Korean Officials Over Missile Tests

China and Russia have blocked efforts by Washington to impose U.N. sanctions on five North Koreans, diplomats said Thursday, as Pyongyang seeks to “overpower” the U.S.’ “hostile moves” in a “long-term confrontation.” The news follows a closed-door U.N. Security Council meeting on North Korea on Thursday—the second in two weeks—following Pyongyang’s fourth missile launch this…


Japan, South Korea, US Hold Talks as North Korea Confirms Tactical Guided Missiles Test

Japan, South Korea, and the United States held trilateral talks on Monday to discuss countermeasures to North Korea’s “series” of ballistic missile launches—the fourth already this month. During the call, U.S. special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim expressed America’s concern over “the latest in a series of ballistic missile launches by the DPRK this month,” U.S….


North Korea State Media Says Country Fires 2 Tactical Guided Missiles in ‘Short Notice’ Drill

North Korea fired two tactical guided missiles eastward on Friday as part of a drill involving the railway-borne missile regiment, state-run media said, after Pyongyang warned of a “stronger” reaction to new U.S. sanctions. The regiment received a firepower mission from the General Staff on “short notice” on Friday morning, before launching two tactical guided…


North Korea State Media Says Country Fired 2 Missiles From a Train

North Korea fired two tactical guided missiles eastward on Friday as part of a drill involving the railway-borne missile regiment, state-run media said, after Pyongyang warned of a “stronger” reaction to new U.S. sanctions. The regiment received a firepower mission from the General Staff on “short notice” on Friday morning, before launching two tactical guided…


North Korea Fires 2 Projectiles After It Warns of ‘Stronger’ Action Against US Sanctions

North Korea fired two short-range projectiles eastward on Friday, South Korea’s military said, shortly after Pyongyang warned of a “stronger” reaction over new sanctions imposed by the United States. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that two suspected ballistic missiles were launched from North Pyongan Province and traveled about 430 kilometers (267 miles)…


US Pork Products Gain Access to Indian Market After Nearly 2 Decades

India has agreed to allow the import of American pork and pork products into the country after nearly two decades of work to remove the U.S. pork trade barrier, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Monday. The agreement follows the U.S.–India Trade Policy Forum held in New Delhi in…


Indonesia Juggles China and the US

Commentary Indonesia is facing possibly its most difficult year as it attempts to balance vital relationships with two implacable rivals, China and the United States. Each of these powers is attempting to force Jakarta to come down on its side, despite the reality that such a choice is virtually impossible for Indonesia. Indonesia had to…


US, Japan to Bolster Defense and Research Collaboration Amid China’s ‘Provocative Actions’ in Disputed Seas

The United States and Japan will bolster defense collaboration under two new agreements in the wake of China’s “provocative actions” in the disputed South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday. Speaking at the opening of a virtual meeting between the two countries’ foreign and defense ministers,…


Cambodia’s Hun Sen Orders Armed Forces to ‘Demolish’ US Weapons

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered armed forces to collect all U.S.-made military weaponry found in the country and “demolish” or keep them in warehouses, after the United States imposed an arms embargo on Cambodia over Chinese military influence there. The State Department announced the embargo on Dec. 8, citing concerns over corruption and…


US ‘Resolutely Committed’ to Defend Taiwan If China Invades, Blinken Says

The United States is “resolutely committed” to defending Taiwan if China invades, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, as he warned China’s leaders not to “precipitate a crisis” that would have “terrible consequences.” Blinken, who was speaking at the Reuters Next Conference on Dec. 2, spoke of China’s increasing assertiveness toward Taiwan, which Beijing…