DefenceTalkSeveral hundred German soldiers arrived in Lithuania on Tuesday as part of the multinational NATO battalion being deployed in the country, part of the alliance’s effort to beef up its eastern flank. The German troops will head up a force including Belgian, Dutch and French soldiers, among other nations, that will reach full strength of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/german-troops-bulk-up-nato-led-force-in-lithuania-69017/

DefenceTalkAny nuclear attack by North Korea would trigger an “effective and overwhelming” response, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said in Seoul Friday as he sought to reassure Washington’s Asian allies following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Mattis was in the South Korean capital before going on to Tokyo, on the first overseas tour by a senior […]https://www.defencetalk.com/north-korea-nuclear-attack-would-trigger-overwhelming-response-mattis-68965/

DefenceTalkDonald Trump’s White House signaled a tougher stance toward Iran on Wednesday, condemning a recent missile test and declaring America was putting the Islamic republic “on notice.” In his first public remarks since taking office, National Security Advisor Michael Flynn accused Barack Obama’s administration of having “failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions.” Flynn […]https://www.defencetalk.com/trump-white-house-puts-iran-on-notice-68962/

DefenceTalkThree B-2 Spirits recently returned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, following a three-week deployment to Andersen AFB, Guam, where they conducted joint, integrated operations with various U.S. military assets and completed long-range training with Australian partners. This deployment was designed to ensure bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency, and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-2-spirits-complete-deployment-train-with-b-1s-f-22s-and-australian-allies-68959/

DefenceTalkNew Pentagon chief James Mattis is heading to South Korea and Japan this week, where he will seek to reassure the key US allies about American security commitments in the region. The defense secretary’s visit marks the first overseas trip of any senior official in the government of President Donald Trump, and comes after the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-pentagon-chief-seeks-to-underscore-alliances-with-japan-south-korea-68954/

DefenceTalkThe UN Security Council will hold urgent talks Tuesday on Iran’s test-firing of a medium-range missile, diplomats said. The United States requested the emergency consultations after the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations called for council action. “In light of Iran’s January 29 launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, the United States has requested urgent […]https://www.defencetalk.com/un-security-council-to-hold-urgent-talks-on-iran-missile-test-68936/

DefenceTalkThe Army’s new concept of multi-domain battle gained momentum last week after senior leaders joined Marine Corps leadership to produce a white paper and set up a joint task force to start rolling with ideas that’ll change how Soldiers fight. “At the very beginning, we’re trying to make this a very much joint concept,” said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/white-paper-new-task-force-bring-multi-domain-concept-closer-to-reality-68918/

DefenceTalkUS President Donald Trump said Wednesday he thinks waterboarding and other interrogation techniques widely seen as torture — and prohibited by law — “absolutely” work, but would defer to his CIA and Pentagon chiefs on whether to reinstate them. When asked about waterboarding in an interview with ABC News at the White House, Trump said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/trump-says-torture-works-but-will-follow-cia-pentagon-advice-68906/

DefenceTalkChina must strengthen its nuclear arsenal to “force the US to respect it” in response to the stance of new US President Donald Trump, a leading newspaper said Tuesday. The comments in the Global Times, a popular paper known for its inflammatory rhetoric and hawkish views, came just days after President Xi Jinping called for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-must-expand-nuclear-arsenal-in-response-to-trump-68913/

DefenceTalkChina warned Washington Tuesday that it would not back down over its claims in the disputed South China Sea, following vows by the Trump administration to defend US and international interests there. China’s artificial islands in the sea, some with the potential for military use, are considered a potential flashpoint and tough comments from White […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-says-it-will-not-back-down-on-south-china-sea-68911/