DefenceTalkThe White House said Monday that the United States will remain strongly committed to Iraq as it fights al-Qaida affiliated groups, but it said, again, that American troops will not return to Iraq. The surge in fighting between Iraqi government forces and al-Qaida-linked militants is a concern to the United States, which is accelerating the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-accelerate-iraq-weapons-drone-deliveries-50036/

DefenceTalkWASHINGTON: Four U.S. service members were injured today when their aircraft came under ground fire in South Sudan during a mission to evacuate American citizens in Bor, according to a statement issued by U.S. Africa Command. The updated Africom statement reads as follows: “At the request of the Department of State, the United States Africa […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ground-fire-injures-4-us-troops-in-south-sudan-49980/

DefenceTalkThe Philippine government and Muslim rebels on Sunday signed a crucial power sharing accord, paving the way for a final peace agreement aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency that has killed tens of thousands. The power sharing annex had been considered highly contentious, with Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels seeking greater authority over a proposed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-rebels-sign-power-sharing-accord-49862/

DefenceTalkAs Iran’s new president reaches out to the West with a message of moderation, Israel’s hawkish approach on Tehran’s nuclear program looks likely to come under pressure, experts say. President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday emphasized the peaceful nature of the Islamic republic’s atomic program, telling the UN General Assembly that “nuclear weapons… have no place […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-challenged-by-iran-charm-offensive-analysts-49197/

DefenceTalkFour Chinese coastguard ships on Friday entered disputed waters near East China Sea islands at the centre of a bitter row with Tokyo, according to a report. Jiji press said the ships entered waters around Uotsurijima, one of the five islands Japan claims as the Senkakus and China as the Diaoyus around 8.15 pm, staying […]https://www.defencetalk.com/four-china-ships-in-disputed-zone-report-48982/

DefenceTalkAs the Syrian civil war drags into its third year with mounting casualties and misery among the civilian population, and the large-scale use of chemical weapons, interest in the possibility of military intervention by the United States and its allies is growing despite U.S. wariness of becoming involved in a prolonged sectarian quagmire. Without presuming […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airpower-options-for-syria-assessing-objectives-and-missions-for-aerial-intervention-48921/

DefenceTalkMilitary action against the Syrian regime would be a “tragic mistake”, Russia said Sunday, warning the West not to preempt the results of a UN probe into alleged deadly chemical attacks. Moscow warned there was a danger of history repeating itself a decade after the US-led invasion of Iraq, which it opposed, and urged the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-warns-us-against-syria-military-action-48875/

DefenceTalkRussia warned the United States on Sunday against repeating past mistakes, saying that any unilateral military action in Syria would undermine efforts for peace and have a devastating impact on the security situation in the Middle East. The Russian Foreign Ministry said its statement was a response to U.S. actions to give it the option […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-warns-us-not-to-repeat-in-syria-past-mistakes-in-region-48861/

DefenceTalkUN Security Council members are seeking “clarity” on opposition claims that Syrian troops used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus, Argentina’s UN envoy, the council president, said Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office said earlier he was “shocked” by the reports and that UN weapons experts in Syria to probe previous allegations were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/un-council-seeks-clarity-on-syria-chem-weapons-claim-48846/

DefenceTalkBritain is considering legal action against Spain over the continued imposition of additional checks at the border with Gibraltar, Downing Street said today. A No 10 spokesman said it was looking at the “unprecedented step” after the Spanish government failed to lift the extra controls over the weekend. “Clearly the Prime Minister is disappointed by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-considers-legal-action-over-gibraltar-48731/