Category: The United States

South Korea, US Fire 8 Missiles to Show Crisis Preparedness After North Korean Missile Launches

South Korea and the United States jointly launched eight short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on June 6, in response to North Korea’s recent test of multiple short-range ballistic missiles, according to the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). “This exercise utilized one U.S. Army missile and seven [South Korea] Army missiles. The missiles were fired…


US Ready to Adjust Military Posture Against North Korea’s Nuclear Threat: Envoy

The United States is prepared to adjust its military posture to deter North Korea’s provocations, the U.S. special envoy for North Korea said on Friday, amid signs of an imminent nuclear test by Pyongyang. “We are preparing for all contingencies in close coordination with our Japanese and [South Korean] allies,” special envoy Sung Kim said…


US Reinstates ‘We Do Not Support Taiwan Independence’ Line to Fact Sheet

The U.S. State Department has once again amended its fact sheet on Taiwan and reinstated the line about not supporting the Chinese-claimed island’s independence, just weeks after removing it in May. The State Department had previously removed the line on not supporting Taiwan’s independence and on recognizing Beijing’s position that Taiwan is a part of…


US Sanctions 2 Russian Banks Accused of Supporting North Korea Missile Launches

The United States on Friday sanctioned two Russian banks, a North Korean trading company, and one individual for allegedly aiding North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, following Pyongyang’s 17th round of missile launches this year on May 25. This comes after China and Russia vetoed the U.S. draft resolution on North Korea sanctions on Thursday. Russia called…


Japanese Astronaut Will Join NASA’s Artemis Mission to the Moon: Biden

President Joe Biden said on May 23 that a Japanese astronaut will board NASA’s Artemis mission to the moon, as the United States and Japan seek to expand civil space cooperation. During a press briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, Biden said the partners are committed to sending a Japanese astronaut to…


Quad Leaders Unveil Maritime Security Initiative to Increase Surveillance in Indo-Pacific

The leaders of the “Quad”—the United States, Japan, Australia, and India—on Tuesday unveiled a maritime security initiative to better track illegal fishing and “dark shipping” in the Indo-Pacific. The initiative, dubbed the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), was unveiled during the Quad meeting in Tokyo. It will enable the nations to “fully monitor”…


US, South Korea to Consider Expanding Military Drills to Deter North Korea’s Nuclear Threat

The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate talks on expanding joint military drills on the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear threat. U.S. President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Suk-yeol, held their first meeting in Seoul on Saturday, during which they discussed measures to deter North…


What Is the Hullabaloo About?

Commentary The Cambridge English dictionary defines hullabaloo as “a loud noise made by people who are angry or annoyed; a lot of angry comments made in public about someone or something” and a fuss or commotion for something of little or no importance. Hullabaloo is the perfect word for what the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Ministry…


Federal Operation Seizes Over 42,800 Illegal Firearm Silencers Smuggled From China

A federal operation, dubbed the “silent night” operation, has seized 42,888 illegal firearm silencers smuggled into the United States from China, according to a report released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The report (pdf) states that a total of 4,868 firearms had been seized and 204 criminals were arrested as of March…


Japan and US to Deepen Cooperation in Semiconductors, Energy Security

Japan and the United States agreed Wednesday to deepen cooperation in semiconductor supply chains and energy security amid the global supply constraints fueled by the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. Japan’s Industry Minister Hagiuda Koichi met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington on Wednesday to discuss Japan–U.S. partnership in semiconductors, export controls, digital economy, as…