US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday sought to reassure European allies rattled by President Donald Trump's rhetoric, insisting that America's commitment to NATO is "iron-clad".

At a press conference in Paris, Mattis said "actions speak loudest", adding: "The US has acted, showing that our commitment to the transatlantic alliance remains iron-clad."

He stressed that US lawmakers have not cut military spending in Europe "by a single cent, instead maintaining once again the highest levels of commitment since the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall".

Some NATO members are concerned about Trump's commitment to the alliance and have bristled at his repeated criticism of European allies for not spending enough on their militaries, particularly Germany.

Parly, speaking alongside Mattis at the French defence ministry, told reporters that "Europe is not part of the problem, Europe is part of the solution".

"The United States is making sharing the burden a priority. It is also a French priority," she said.&nbsp;

"It's a question of making the whole Atlantic alliance function better." &nbsp;

Mattis' words of reassurance come a day ahead of a gathering of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

US officials have stressed that Washington is fully committed to NATO and mutual defence, despite comments from Trump that have worried some of its members.

Before taking office he called NATO "obsolete" and soon after a tumultuous summit last July he questioned whether the US would honour the alliance's founding principle of mutual defence for newest member Montenegro.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday sought to reassure European allies rattled by President Donald Trump's rhetoric, insisting that America's commitment to NATO is "iron-clad".

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday sought to reassure European allies rattled by President Donald Trump's rhetoric, insisting that America's commitment to NATO is "iron-clad". At a press conference in Paris, Mattis said "actions speak loudest", adding: "The US has acted, showing that our commitment to the transatlantic alliance remains iron-clad." He stressed that US lawmakers have not cut military spending in Europe "by a single cent, instead maintaining once again the highest levels of commitment since the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall". Some NATO members are concerned about Trump's commitment to the alliance and have bristled at his repeated criticism of European allies for not spending enough on their militaries, particularly Germany. Parly, speaking alongside Mattis at the French defence ministry, told reporters that "Europe is not part of the problem, Europe is part of the solution". "The United States is making sharing the burden a priority. It is also a French priority," she said. "It's a question of making the whole Atlantic alliance function better." Mattis' words of reassurance come a day ahead of a gathering of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. US officials have stressed that Washington is fully committed to NATO and mutual defence, despite comments from Trump that have worried some of its members. Before taking office he called NATO "obsolete" and soon after a tumultuous summit last July he questioned whether the US would honour the alliance's founding principle of mutual defence for newest member Montenegro.

US commitment to NATO 'iron-clad': Jim Mattis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Singapore, days after the Pentagon renamed its Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command in a largely symbolic move to signal India’s importance to the US military.

Mr Modi, who is here on the last leg of his three-nation tour, held a closed-door meeting with Mr. Mattis during which both sides discussed all security related issues of mutual and global interests, sources said.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue which was addressed by the Prime Minister last night. In his keynote address at the Dialogue, Mr. Modi had said an “Asia of rivalry” will hold the region back while an Asia of cooperation will shape the current century. Asia and the world will have a better future when India and China work together with trust and confidence while being sensitive to each other’s interests, he had said.

“We should all have equal access as a right under international law to the use of common spaces on sea and in the air that would require freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law,” he had said.

Mr Mattis also addressed the dialogue where he stressed upon freedom for all and “reaffirmation for rule based order”. The meeting between the two leaders assumes significance as in his address Mr. Mattis has stressed upon both countries working together and with other nations for ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. “It is only appropriate that waterways remain open for all nations,” he said.

The meeting comes days after the U.S. renamed its oldest and largest military command - the Pacific Command - to Indo-Pacific Command, amid heightened tensions with China over the militarisation of the South China Sea. The U.S. move came in the wake of a series of measures by China that have raised tensions in the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area. The U.S. also rejects China’s claims of ownership of the area. The Pentagon’s move is also reflective of the growing importance of India in U.S. strategic thinking.

India was granted the ‘Major Defence Partner’ status by the previous Barack Obama Administration, providing for transfer of technology and deeper cooperation in the defence sector. In 2016, India and the U.S. had signed a crucial logistics defence pact enabling their militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, making joint operations more efficient. Soon after coming to power, the Trump administration had renamed Asia Pacific as Indo-Pacific and identified India as one bookend of the region.

On last day of his three-day visit to Singapore on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi met US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Singapore, days after the Pentagon renamed its Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command in a largely symbolic move to signal India’s importance to the US military. Mr Modi, who is here on the last leg of his three-nation tour, held a closed-door meeting with Mr. Mattis during which both sides discussed all security related issues of mutual and global interests, sources said. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue which was addressed by the Prime Minister last night. In his keynote address at the Dialogue, Mr. Modi had said an “Asia of rivalry” will hold the region back while an Asia of cooperation will shape the current century. Asia and the world will have a better future when India and China work together with trust and confidence while being sensitive to each other’s interests, he had said. “We should all have equal access as a right under international law to the use of common spaces on sea and in the air that would require freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law,” he had said. Mr Mattis also addressed the dialogue where he stressed upon freedom for all and “reaffirmation for rule based order”. The meeting between the two leaders assumes significance as in his address Mr. Mattis has stressed upon both countries working together and with other nations for ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. “It is only appropriate that waterways remain open for all nations,” he said. The meeting comes days after the U.S. renamed its oldest and largest military command - the Pacific Command - to Indo-Pacific Command, amid heightened tensions with China over the militarisation of the South China Sea. The U.S. move came in the wake of a series of measures by China that have raised tensions in the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area. The U.S. also rejects China’s claims of ownership of the area. The Pentagon’s move is also reflective of the growing importance of India in U.S. strategic thinking. India was granted the ‘Major Defence Partner’ status by the previous Barack Obama Administration, providing for transfer of technology and deeper cooperation in the defence sector. In 2016, India and the U.S. had signed a crucial logistics defence pact enabling their militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, making joint operations more efficient. Soon after coming to power, the Trump administration had renamed Asia Pacific as Indo-Pacific and identified India as one bookend of the region.

In a boost to Indo-US strategic ties, PM Narendra Modi meets US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Singapore

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/historic-summit-with-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-is-back-on-for-june-12-in-singapore-donald-trump-141676">Historic summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un is back on for June 12 in Singapore: Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump today confirmed that he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a historic summit in Singapore on June 12.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675">Mattis slams China on </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675">South</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675"> China </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675">Sea,</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675"> leaves </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675">door</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675"> open for '</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675">results oriented</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/mattis-slams-china-on-the-south-china-sea-leaves-adoor-open-for-results-oriented-relationship-141675"> relationship'</a>

The United States is willing to work with China on a "results-oriented" relationship, but Beijing's actions in the South China Sea call into question its intent and the Pentagon will "compete vigorously" if needed, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/we-have-russian-hit-list-of-47-people-ukraine-tells-allies-141678">'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies</a>

Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/modi-pushes-for-asean-unity-and-a-new-rule-based-multipolar-world-order-141639">'Nations need to rise above divisions and work together,' says Modi at Shangri-La Dialogue</a>

The much-awaited Shangri-La Dialogue started with renewed emphasis on the Indian and South East Asian connection. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the future resides in the East and the region can be shaped with collective hope. He said Singapore is an example of great excellence. “When rule prevails and oceans are open, nations prosper and Singapore is an example of it,” he said.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/us-vetoes-un-resolution-on-protecting-palestinians-141682">US vetoes UN resolution on protecting Palestinians</a>

The United States vetoed Friday an Arab-backed UN draft resolution calling for measures to protect the Palestinians but failed to win any backing for its own text condemning Hamas for the violence in Gaza.

&nbsp

Historic summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un is back on for June 12 in Singapore: Donald Trump US President Donald Trump today confirmed that he would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a historic summit in Singapore on June 12. Mattis slams China on South China Sea, leaves door open for 'results oriented relationship' The United States is willing to work with China on a "results-oriented" relationship, but Beijing's actions in the South China Sea call into question its intent and the Pentagon will "compete vigorously" if needed, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday. 'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad. 'Nations need to rise above divisions and work together,' says Modi at Shangri-La Dialogue The much-awaited Shangri-La Dialogue started with renewed emphasis on the Indian and South East Asian connection. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the future resides in the East and the region can be shaped with collective hope. He said Singapore is an example of great excellence. “When rule prevails and oceans are open, nations prosper and Singapore is an example of it,” he said. US vetoes UN resolution on protecting Palestinians The United States vetoed Friday an Arab-backed UN draft resolution calling for measures to protect the Palestinians but failed to win any backing for its own text condemning Hamas for the violence in Gaza.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United States is willing to work with China on a "results-oriented" relationship, but Beijing's actions in the South China Sea call into question its intent and the Pentagon will "compete vigorously" if needed, US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday.

The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea and highlight how President Donald Trump's administration is looking to balance Chinese cooperation on North Korea while dealing with Beijing's activities in the disputed sea.

"China's policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promises, it calls into question China's broader goals," Mattis said in prepared remarks, adding that he would be travelling to China soon.

"The US&nbsp;will continue to pursue a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China, cooperating when possible and competing vigorously where we must... of course we recognise any sustainable Indo-Pacific order has a role for China," he said.

Last month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines.

Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island in the disputed sea.

"Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purpose of intimidation and coercion," Mattis said.

Reuters first reported that two US&nbsp;Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday.

While the operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon disinvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill.

Mattis said this was just an "initial response."

He also reiterated that the Pentagon was committed to working with Taiwan to provide articles and services needed for its self-defence, comments that are likely to anger China.

China's hostility towards self-ruled Taiwan has grown since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections on the island in 2016. China claims Taiwan as its own and it is one of its most sensitive issues.

Calming allies

Trump said on Friday an unprecedented nuclear arms summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the United States pulled out of will now go ahead as scheduled on June 12 in Singapore, adding another twist to a high-stakes diplomatic dance.

Mattis only made a glancing reference to North Korea, reiterating that it was a diplomatically led effort and the objective remained the "complete verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula."

He did, however, seek to calm nervous allies in the region.

South Korea and Japan have expressed concern that Trump may put US&nbsp;security interests ahead of theirs in pursuing a deal with North Korea.

"We are focused on modernising our alliance with both Republic of Korea and Japan, transforming these critical alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st-century," Mattis said.

He said that the United States would work to improve interoperability with allies, work to improve the rule of law and transparent governance that threatens economic growth and increase investment in the region.

"America has expanded its engagement and deepened its connectivity across the region... so make no mistake, America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay, this is our priority theatre, our interests and the region's are inextricably intertwined," Mattis said.

The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea

The United States is willing to work with China on a "results-oriented" relationship, but Beijing's actions in the South China Sea call into question its intent and the Pentagon will "compete vigorously" if needed, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday. The comments by Mattis, speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, come at a time of increased tension between the two nations in the South China Sea and highlight how President Donald Trump's administration is looking to balance Chinese cooperation on North Korea while dealing with Beijing's activities in the disputed sea. "China's policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness our strategy promises, it calls into question China's broader goals," Mattis said in prepared remarks, adding that he would be travelling to China soon. "The US will continue to pursue a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China, cooperating when possible and competing vigorously where we must... of course we recognise any sustainable Indo-Pacific order has a role for China," he said. Last month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the region, triggering concern from Vietnam and the Philippines. Satellite photographs taken on May 12 showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island in the disputed sea. "Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapon systems is tied directly to military use for the purpose of intimidation and coercion," Mattis said. Reuters first reported that two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday. While the operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon disinvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill. Mattis said this was just an "initial response." He also reiterated that the Pentagon was committed to working with Taiwan to provide articles and services needed for its self-defence, comments that are likely to anger China. China's hostility towards self-ruled Taiwan has grown since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections on the island in 2016. China claims Taiwan as its own and it is one of its most sensitive issues. Calming allies Trump said on Friday an unprecedented nuclear arms summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the United States pulled out of will now go ahead as scheduled on June 12 in Singapore, adding another twist to a high-stakes diplomatic dance. Mattis only made a glancing reference to North Korea, reiterating that it was a diplomatically led effort and the objective remained the "complete verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula." He did, however, seek to calm nervous allies in the region. South Korea and Japan have expressed concern that Trump may put US security interests ahead of theirs in pursuing a deal with North Korea. "We are focused on modernising our alliance with both Republic of Korea and Japan, transforming these critical alliances to meet the challenges of the 21st-century," Mattis said. He said that the United States would work to improve interoperability with allies, work to improve the rule of law and transparent governance that threatens economic growth and increase investment in the region. "America has expanded its engagement and deepened its connectivity across the region... so make no mistake, America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay, this is our priority theatre, our interests and the region's are inextricably intertwined," Mattis said.

Mattis slams China on South China Sea, leaves door open for 'results oriented relationship'

The issue of US troops stationed in South Korea will not be "on the table" at a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday.

"That issue is not on the table here in Singapore on the 12th (of June), nor should it be," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security summit in Singapore, referring to the scheduled date of the Trump-Kim meeting.

There are currently some 28,500 US forces based in the South.

Trump said Friday he will meet Kim for the historic summit as originally scheduled after extraordinary Oval Office talks with a top envoy from Pyongyang.

Trump told reporters that denuclearisation -- and a formal end to the decades-old Korean war -- would be on the table in Singapore.

However, Mattis stressed that "any discussion about the number of US troops in the Republic of Korea is subject to... the Republic of Korea's invitation to have them there, and the discussions between the United States and the Republic of Korea, separate and distinct from the negotiations that are going on with DPRK (North Korea).

"That issue will not come up in the discussion with DPRK."

But he added: "Obviously if the diplomats can do their work, if we can reduce the threat, if we can restore confidence-building measures with something verifiable, then, of course, these kinds of issues can come up subsequently between (South Korea and the US)."

Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in dismissed claims that US troops stationed in the country -- based on Seoul's alliance with Washington -- would have to leave if a peace treaty was signed with the North.

The issue of US troops stationed in South Korea will not be "on the table" at a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday

The issue of US troops stationed in South Korea will not be "on the table" at a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday. "That issue is not on the table here in Singapore on the 12th (of June), nor should it be," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security summit in Singapore, referring to the scheduled date of the Trump-Kim meeting. There are currently some 28,500 US forces based in the South. Trump said Friday he will meet Kim for the historic summit as originally scheduled after extraordinary Oval Office talks with a top envoy from Pyongyang. Trump told reporters that denuclearisation -- and a formal end to the decades-old Korean war -- would be on the table in Singapore. However, Mattis stressed that "any discussion about the number of US troops in the Republic of Korea is subject to... the Republic of Korea's invitation to have them there, and the discussions between the United States and the Republic of Korea, separate and distinct from the negotiations that are going on with DPRK (North Korea). "That issue will not come up in the discussion with DPRK." But he added: "Obviously if the diplomats can do their work, if we can reduce the threat, if we can restore confidence-building measures with something verifiable, then, of course, these kinds of issues can come up subsequently between (South Korea and the US)." Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in dismissed claims that US troops stationed in the country -- based on Seoul's alliance with Washington -- would have to leave if a peace treaty was signed with the North.

US troop presence in South Korea not 'on table' at Trump-Kim summit: Mattis

The United States' claims that&nbsp;China&nbsp;is militarising the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;are "ridiculous",&nbsp;China&nbsp;said on Thursday, after US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Washington would continue to confront Beijing's actions in the disputed waterways.

Mattis said on Tuesday that the United States would push back against what it sees as&nbsp;China's militarisation&nbsp;of islands in the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea, despite drawing condemnation from Beijing for an operation in the region over the weekend.

"The United States military presence in the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;is greater than that of&nbsp;China&nbsp;and other countries that surround the&nbsp;seas combined," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing.

Hua also questioned whether the US&nbsp;Navy "freedom of navigation" operations were really about preserving the right for ships to sail through the region or an attempt to maintain hegemony.

"This sounds like a case of a thief crying 'stop thief' to cover their misdeeds," she added.

The Global Times, a popular state-backed Chinese tabloid that does not reflect official policy, said in an editorial on Thursday that&nbsp;China&nbsp;must prepare to forcefully respond to any "extreme" interference in the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;by the United States.

"Aside from deploying defensive weapons on the Spratly Islands,&nbsp;China&nbsp;should build a powerful deterrence system, including an aerial base and a roving naval force and base," the paper said.

Reuters first reported that two US&nbsp;Navy warships sailed near&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;islands claimed by&nbsp;China&nbsp;on Sunday, prompting anger in Beijing, which claims most of the strategic waters where Chinese, Japanese and some&nbsp;Southeast Asian navies operate.

While the Sunday operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a sensitive time and days after the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China&nbsp;to attend a major US-hosted naval drill.

Pentagon officials have long complained that&nbsp;China&nbsp;has not been candid enough about its rapid military build-up and&nbsp;using&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;islands to gather intelligence.

Recent satellite photographs showed&nbsp;China&nbsp;appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island.

Earlier this month,&nbsp;China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the&nbsp;SouthChina&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;as part of a training exercise in the region.

Mattis is expected to have strong words for&nbsp;China&nbsp;when he travels to Singapore for the Shangri-la Dialogue, a security forum, later this week.

Pentagon officials have long complained that China has not been candid enough about its rapid military build-up and using South China Sea islands to gather intelligence

The United States' claims that China is militarising the South China Sea are "ridiculous", China said on Thursday, after US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Washington would continue to confront Beijing's actions in the disputed waterways. Mattis said on Tuesday that the United States would push back against what it sees as China's militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, despite drawing condemnation from Beijing for an operation in the region over the weekend. "The United States military presence in the South China Sea is greater than that of China and other countries that surround the seas combined," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing. Hua also questioned whether the US Navy "freedom of navigation" operations were really about preserving the right for ships to sail through the region or an attempt to maintain hegemony. "This sounds like a case of a thief crying 'stop thief' to cover their misdeeds," she added. The Global Times, a popular state-backed Chinese tabloid that does not reflect official policy, said in an editorial on Thursday that China must prepare to forcefully respond to any "extreme" interference in the South China Sea by the United States. "Aside from deploying defensive weapons on the Spratly Islands, China should build a powerful deterrence system, including an aerial base and a roving naval force and base," the paper said. Reuters first reported that two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday, prompting anger in Beijing, which claims most of the strategic waters where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate. While the Sunday operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a sensitive time and days after the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China to attend a major US-hosted naval drill. Pentagon officials have long complained that China has not been candid enough about its rapid military build-up and using South China Sea islands to gather intelligence. Recent satellite photographs showed China appeared to have deployed truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles at Woody Island. Earlier this month, China's air force landed bombers on disputed islands and reefs in the SouthChina Sea as part of a training exercise in the region. Mattis is expected to have strong words for China when he travels to Singapore for the Shangri-la Dialogue, a security forum, later this week.

US accusation of South China Sea militarisation is 'ridiculous': China

Reacting to the Monday's Kabul twin blasts, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said that militants who attacked media are weakened and just trying to get more media coverage in order to undermine the electoral process ahead of the upcoming elections.

While interacting with the media on Monday, Mattis was asked about the attack, to which he responded by saying, "This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs," AFP reported.

"They need an international media to basically broadcast this going on, so they can undercut through those kinds of attacks, what is what has obviously set them on their back foot diplomatically and militarily," Mattis added.

Number of journalist and students were killed on Monday after twin explosion that took place in Kabul, Afghanistan.

At least 29 people were killed and over 40 were wounded. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-twin-blast-afghan-media-reports-7-journalists-killed-133730">Among the deads 9 were journalists.</a>

The first explosion took place in the Shashdarak area near Afghanistan's spy agency's office. Another explosion followed outside the headquarters of the ministry of urban development and housing.

One of the AFP's chief photographer was also among the journalists lost their lives in the attack.

The responsibility of the attack was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explosion-heard-in-afghan-capital-kabul-report-133698">claimed by Islamic State</a> later in the day.

&nbsp;

While interacting with the media on Monday, Mattis was asked about the attack, to which he responded by saying, 'This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs'

Reacting to the Monday's Kabul twin blasts, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said that militants who attacked media are weakened and just trying to get more media coverage in order to undermine the electoral process ahead of the upcoming elections. While interacting with the media on Monday, Mattis was asked about the attack, to which he responded by saying, "This is the normal stuff by people who cannot win at the ballot box, so they turn to bombs," AFP reported. "They need an international media to basically broadcast this going on, so they can undercut through those kinds of attacks, what is what has obviously set them on their back foot diplomatically and militarily," Mattis added. Number of journalist and students were killed on Monday after twin explosion that took place in Kabul, Afghanistan. At least 29 people were killed and over 40 were wounded. Among the deads 9 were journalists. The first explosion took place in the Shashdarak area near Afghanistan's spy agency's office. Another explosion followed outside the headquarters of the ministry of urban development and housing. One of the AFP's chief photographer was also among the journalists lost their lives in the attack. The responsibility of the attack was claimed by Islamic State later in the day.

Kabul twin blasts: Militants attacking media shows they are 'weakened', says Pentagon chief Jim Mattis

The United States and its allies would not want to pull troops out of Syria before diplomats win the peace, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday, one of the strongest signs yet a full US&nbsp;withdrawal was unlikely anytime soon.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said last week he wants to withdraw American troops from Syria relatively soon, but appeared to temper that position by voicing a desire to leave a "strong and lasting footprint."

A footprint, in military-speak, usually refers to a US&nbsp;troop presence.

Mattis said the United States and its allies were on the cusp of victory against Islamic State and added they would not want to simply abandon Syria while it remained in a state of war.

"We do not want to simply pull out before the diplomats have won the peace. You win the fight -- and then you win the peace," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon.

Mattis said he was due to meet later on Monday with UN&nbsp;Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura to "see where the Geneva process is and what we can do to assist."

Efforts are stuck to forge a negotiated end to Syria's civil war, which has killed half a million people over seven years and displaced millions.

The Pentagon and State Department have also held that a longer term US&nbsp;effort will be needed to ensure a lasting defeat of Islamic State. The group seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq but has gradually lost its territory since the United States and its allies started a military offensive in 2014.

Some of the harshest critics of a potential withdrawal from Syria come from Trump's own Republican party, which blasted President Barack Obama when he withdrew US&nbsp;troops from Iraq in 2011. Iraqi forces began to unravel and eventually collapsed in the face of Islamic State's advance into the country in 2014.

Mattis said he was due to meet later on Monday with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura to 'see where the Geneva process is and what we can do to assist'

The United States and its allies would not want to pull troops out of Syria before diplomats win the peace, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday, one of the strongest signs yet a full US withdrawal was unlikely anytime soon. US President Donald Trump said last week he wants to withdraw American troops from Syria relatively soon, but appeared to temper that position by voicing a desire to leave a "strong and lasting footprint." A footprint, in military-speak, usually refers to a US troop presence. Mattis said the United States and its allies were on the cusp of victory against Islamic State and added they would not want to simply abandon Syria while it remained in a state of war. "We do not want to simply pull out before the diplomats have won the peace. You win the fight -- and then you win the peace," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon. Mattis said he was due to meet later on Monday with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura to "see where the Geneva process is and what we can do to assist." Efforts are stuck to forge a negotiated end to Syria's civil war, which has killed half a million people over seven years and displaced millions. The Pentagon and State Department have also held that a longer term US effort will be needed to ensure a lasting defeat of Islamic State. The group seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq but has gradually lost its territory since the United States and its allies started a military offensive in 2014. Some of the harshest critics of a potential withdrawal from Syria come from Trump's own Republican party, which blasted President Barack Obama when he withdrew US troops from Iraq in 2011. Iraqi forces began to unravel and eventually collapsed in the face of Islamic State's advance into the country in 2014.

Mattis plays down odds of Syria pullout before peace agreement

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis appealed to the Congress to urgently provide India the national security waiver, saying imposing sanctions on it under a newly-enacted law for buying the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia would only hit the US.

During a Congressional hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis told American lawmakers that the national security waiver should be urgently provided to India and other countries which are trying to turn away from formerly Russian-sourced weapons to avoid sanctions under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

CAATSA, which was signed into law in August 2017 and went into effect in January this year, mandates the Trump administration to punish entities engaging in a significant transaction with the defence or intelligence sectors of Russia.

India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimated USD 4.5 billion.

The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. The S-400 missile system can fire three types of missiles and simultaneously engage 36 targets, thereby creating a layered defence.

Unlike other legislations, there is no national security interest waiver under CAATSA. And imposing sanctions on countries like India would only hit the United States, Mattis said.

"There is no national security waiver to what is referred to as the CAATSA Act, the specific act that says that, if another nation buys military equipment from Russia, then we will not sell them ours," Mattis told lawmakers.&nbsp;

"There are nations in the world which are trying to turn away from formerly Russian-sourced weapons and systems like this. We only need to look at India, Vietnam and some others to recognise that, eventually, we're going to paralyse ourselves,"&nbsp;he said.

"So what we ask for is that the Senate and the House pass a national security waiver in the hand of the secretary of state -- I'm not asking for myself. Foreign policy is driven from Foggy Bottom. So, if he has the waiver authority and I can go to him and show it's in our best interest, then we get an internal management of this process, but it keeps us from being boxed in by the Russians,"&nbsp;Mattis said.

The Defence Secretary was responding to a question from Senator Jack Reed on Russia sanctions. "In the wake of the annexation of Crimea and the activity in Ukraine, Congress, in the 2015 NDAA, prohibited bilateral military-military cooperation with Russia, which, at the time, seemed to make perfectly good sense,"&nbsp;he said.

"At this moment, when we're in a very challenging situation in many areas of the world, would it make sense to review those provisions and give you more flexibility in ways in which you could conduct military-to-military dialogue with Russia in certain situations?"&nbsp;Reed asked.

The CAATSA issue was also raised by Senator Tom Cotton. "You mentioned two specific countries, India and Vietnam, that have legacy Russian systems. They might face real challenges going cold turkey, so to speak, under CAATSA,"&nbsp;he said.

"So, you're suggesting the national security waiver as a way that this Congress can empower soon-to-be-Secretary Pompeo to address the concerns that you have with those two countries, is that right?"&nbsp;Cotton asked.

"That's correct. And there's other countries. Indonesia, for example is in the same situation, trying to shift to more of our airplanes, our systems. But they've got to do something to keep their legacy military going,"&nbsp;Mattis said.

Over the past several weeks, the Pentagon, lawmakers and experts have raised concerns over CAATSA legislation. Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties.

At an event on the Capitol Hill, experts and lawmakers yesterday warned that any imposition of sanctions on India, which is now a major defence partner, could be disastrous for the bilateral relationship and as such there is an urgent need to prevent that from happening.

"CAATSA sanctions would damage US-India relationship, warned Keith Webster," who represented Pentagon in the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) in the previous Obama Administration.&nbsp;

He is currently president of the defence and aerospace export council US Chamber of Commerce.

"I do think, it (CAATSA) is a serious issue that needs to be dealt. There needs to be a dialogue between the US and India. Our goal is not to sanction India," Congressman Joe Crowley, House Democratic Caucus Chairman, said at the US-India Friendship event."&nbsp;

India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimated USD 4.5 billion.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis appealed to the Congress to urgently provide India the national security waiver, saying imposing sanctions on it under a newly-enacted law for buying the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia would only hit the US. During a Congressional hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis told American lawmakers that the national security waiver should be urgently provided to India and other countries which are trying to turn away from formerly Russian-sourced weapons to avoid sanctions under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). CAATSA, which was signed into law in August 2017 and went into effect in January this year, mandates the Trump administration to punish entities engaging in a significant transaction with the defence or intelligence sectors of Russia. India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimated USD 4.5 billion. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. The S-400 missile system can fire three types of missiles and simultaneously engage 36 targets, thereby creating a layered defence. Unlike other legislations, there is no national security interest waiver under CAATSA. And imposing sanctions on countries like India would only hit the United States, Mattis said. "There is no national security waiver to what is referred to as the CAATSA Act, the specific act that says that, if another nation buys military equipment from Russia, then we will not sell them ours," Mattis told lawmakers. "There are nations in the world which are trying to turn away from formerly Russian-sourced weapons and systems like this. We only need to look at India, Vietnam and some others to recognise that, eventually, we're going to paralyse ourselves," he said. "So what we ask for is that the Senate and the House pass a national security waiver in the hand of the secretary of state -- I'm not asking for myself. Foreign policy is driven from Foggy Bottom. So, if he has the waiver authority and I can go to him and show it's in our best interest, then we get an internal management of this process, but it keeps us from being boxed in by the Russians," Mattis said. The Defence Secretary was responding to a question from Senator Jack Reed on Russia sanctions. "In the wake of the annexation of Crimea and the activity in Ukraine, Congress, in the 2015 NDAA, prohibited bilateral military-military cooperation with Russia, which, at the time, seemed to make perfectly good sense," he said. "At this moment, when we're in a very challenging situation in many areas of the world, would it make sense to review those provisions and give you more flexibility in ways in which you could conduct military-to-military dialogue with Russia in certain situations?" Reed asked. The CAATSA issue was also raised by Senator Tom Cotton. "You mentioned two specific countries, India and Vietnam, that have legacy Russian systems. They might face real challenges going cold turkey, so to speak, under CAATSA," he said. "So, you're suggesting the national security waiver as a way that this Congress can empower soon-to-be-Secretary Pompeo to address the concerns that you have with those two countries, is that right?" Cotton asked. "That's correct. And there's other countries. Indonesia, for example is in the same situation, trying to shift to more of our airplanes, our systems. But they've got to do something to keep their legacy military going," Mattis said. Over the past several weeks, the Pentagon, lawmakers and experts have raised concerns over CAATSA legislation. Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties. At an event on the Capitol Hill, experts and lawmakers yesterday warned that any imposition of sanctions on India, which is now a major defence partner, could be disastrous for the bilateral relationship and as such there is an urgent need to prevent that from happening. "CAATSA sanctions would damage US-India relationship, warned Keith Webster," who represented Pentagon in the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) in the previous Obama Administration. He is currently president of the defence and aerospace export council US Chamber of Commerce. "I do think, it (CAATSA) is a serious issue that needs to be dealt. There needs to be a dialogue between the US and India. Our goal is not to sanction India," Congressman Joe Crowley, House Democratic Caucus Chairman, said at the US-India Friendship event."

Imposing sanctions on India over defence deal with Russia will hit US: Jim Mattis

The United States and its allies waged more than 100 strikes on Syria on Friday in a "one time shot" that the Pentagon said followed conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was responsible for a chemical weapons attack using at least chlorine gas.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Marine General Joseph Dunford said three main chemical weapons facilities were targeted by both missiles from the sea and fired from aircraft, which triggered Syrian air defenses.

The Pentagon could not confirm how many missiles hit their targets.

Mattis and Dunford acknowledged the strike was designed to degrade Syria's chemical weapons capability without killing civilians or the many foreign fighters in Syria's multi-sided civil war, particularly those from Russia.

"We specifically identified these targets to mitigate the risk of Russian forces being involved," Dunford told reporters, adding the U.S. military advised Russia of airspace that would be used in the strike but did not "pre-notify them."

Mattis acknowledged that the United States waged the attacks only with conclusive evidence that chlorine gas was used in the April 7 attack in Syria.

Allegations of Assad's chlorine use are frequent in Syria's conflict, raising questions about whether Washington had lowered the threshold for military action in Syria by now deciding to strike after a chlorine gas attack.

Last year, the United States only waged strikes on Syria after determining that more deadly sarin gas was used and some U.S. media had reported that Washington was confident Assad had also used sarin on April 7.

Mattis, however, suggested the evidence of sarin was so far inconclusive.

"We are very confident that chlorine was used. We are not ruling out sarin right now," Mattis said.

The Pentagon said one of the targets was a scientific research center located in the greater Damascus area, which it described as a Syrian center for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weaponry.

The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of the city of Homs.

"We assess that this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment," Dunford said.

The third target, which was also near Homs, contained both a chemical weapons equipment storage facility and a command post.&nbsp;

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Marine General Joseph Dunford said three main chemical weapons facilities were targeted by both missiles from the sea and fired from aircraft, which triggered Syrian air defenses.

The United States and its allies waged more than 100 strikes on Syria on Friday in a "one time shot" that the Pentagon said followed conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was responsible for a chemical weapons attack using at least chlorine gas. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Marine General Joseph Dunford said three main chemical weapons facilities were targeted by both missiles from the sea and fired from aircraft, which triggered Syrian air defenses. The Pentagon could not confirm how many missiles hit their targets. Mattis and Dunford acknowledged the strike was designed to degrade Syria's chemical weapons capability without killing civilians or the many foreign fighters in Syria's multi-sided civil war, particularly those from Russia. "We specifically identified these targets to mitigate the risk of Russian forces being involved," Dunford told reporters, adding the U.S. military advised Russia of airspace that would be used in the strike but did not "pre-notify them." Mattis acknowledged that the United States waged the attacks only with conclusive evidence that chlorine gas was used in the April 7 attack in Syria. Allegations of Assad's chlorine use are frequent in Syria's conflict, raising questions about whether Washington had lowered the threshold for military action in Syria by now deciding to strike after a chlorine gas attack. Last year, the United States only waged strikes on Syria after determining that more deadly sarin gas was used and some U.S. media had reported that Washington was confident Assad had also used sarin on April 7. Mattis, however, suggested the evidence of sarin was so far inconclusive. "We are very confident that chlorine was used. We are not ruling out sarin right now," Mattis said. The Pentagon said one of the targets was a scientific research center located in the greater Damascus area, which it described as a Syrian center for the research, development, production and testing of chemical and biological weaponry. The second target was a chemical weapons storage facility west of the city of Homs. "We assess that this was the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment," Dunford said. The third target, which was also near Homs, contained both a chemical weapons equipment storage facility and a command post.

Air strikes against Syria 'one time shot': James Mattis

The United States has not yet made a decision on any potential military attacks in Syria, but would discuss options at a White House National Security Council meeting on Thursday (April 12), US&nbsp;Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said.

"We have not yet made any decision to launch military attacks into Syria," Mattis told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.

"When I leave here, I go to a meeting where the National Security Council will be meeting on this and we will take forward various options to the President," Mattis added.

'We have not yet made any decision to launch military attacks into Syria,' Mattis told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee

The United States has not yet made a decision on any potential military attacks in Syria, but would discuss options at a White House National Security Council meeting on Thursday (April 12), US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said. "We have not yet made any decision to launch military attacks into Syria," Mattis told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee. "When I leave here, I go to a meeting where the National Security Council will be meeting on this and we will take forward various options to the President," Mattis added.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis says no decision yet on potential Syria military attack

US President Donald Trump on Monday condemned a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town in Syria that killed dozens of people and said he would decide on a response probably by the end of the day.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Trump said he was talking to military leaders and would decide who was responsible for what he called a "heinous attack" on innocent Syrians -- whether it was Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, Iran, or all of them together.

"We'll be making that decision very quickly probably by the end of the day. But we cannot allow atrocities like that," Trump said. "Nothing is off the table," he said, when asked if US military action was a possibility.

Asked if there was any doubt over who was responsible for the attack, Trump said: "To me there's not much of a doubt but the generals will figure it out probably over the next 24 hours."

International bodies led by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were also trying to establish exactly what happened on Saturday in Douma, a besieged town in eastern Ghouta near Damascus.

The Syrian government and its ally Russia have denied involvement in the attack.

US government sources said on Monday that the administration's initial assessment suggested that a nerve agent was used but further evidence was needed to determine what specifically it was.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also said earlier he would not rule out military action such as air strikes if blame was proven. He accused Russia of falling short on its obligations to ensure that Syria abandoned its chemical weapons capabilities.

"The first thing we have to look at is why are chemical weapons still being used at all when Russia was the framework guarantor of removing all the chemical weapons," Mattis told reporters.

Trump said on Sunday after initial reports of an attack that there would be a "big price to pay".

A Syria medical relief group said at least 60 people had been killed and more than 1,000 injured in several sites in Douma.

The stakes were further raised on Monday when unidentified war planes struck a Syrian air base near Homs, killing at least 14 people, including Iranian personnel. Syria and Russia accused Israel of carrying out the attack.

Israel, which has struck Syrian army locations many times in the course of its neighbour's seven-year-old civil war, has neither confirmed nor denied mounting the raid.

But Israeli officials said the Tiyas, or T-4, air base was being used by troops from Iran and that Israel would not accept such a presence in Syria by its arch foe.

The two incidents in Douma and Tiyas demonstrated the complex and volatile nature of the Syria war, which started in March 2011 as an anti-Assad uprising and now involves a number of countries and a myriad of insurgent groups.

Assad now has the upper hand in the conflict, largely thanks to Russian intervention on his side, but any international action could delay his efforts to bring it to close.

Range of options

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday following rival requests by Russia and the United States to discuss the situation. Senior officials in the Trump administration were also to meet in the White House.

Britain said it was working with its allies to agree a joint response to the reported chemical attack on Douma.

"If there is clear verified evidence of the use of chemical weapons and a proposal for action where the UK would be useful, then we will look at the range of options," Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said.

France said it would work closely with the United States on a response to the suspected chemical attack. Both countries agreed responsibility for the strike must be established.

President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Trump by telephone on Sunday, had issued repeated warnings previously that France would strike if proof of lethal chemical attacks were established. But Paris stopped short of apportioning blame on Assad's forces for Saturday's attack.

Trump had referred in a Tweet to "Animal Assad" and criticised Russia and Iran for backing the Syrian leader, directly naming Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said such allegations were false and a provocation. Lavrov also said the strike on the T-4 base was a dangerous development.

Syrian government forces had launched an air and ground assault on Douma, the last rebel-held town in the eastern Ghouta district, on Friday.

The Union of Medical Care Organizations (UOSSM) said at least 60 people had been killed by the alleged chemical attack.

"The numbers keep rising as relief workers struggle to gain access to the subterranean areas where gas has entered and hundreds of families had sought refuge," it said.

One video shared by activists showed bodies of about a dozen children, women and men, some with foam at the mouth. Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

The OPCW, based in the Hague, said people were possibly gassed to death by a poisonous cocktail of sarin and chlorine.

Dr Muhammad, a doctor in Ghouta quoted by UOSSM, said patients were coughing blood, a symptom not seen in previous chemical attacks.

UN war crimes investigators had previously documented 33 chemical attacks in Syria, attributing 27 to the Assad government, which has repeatedly denied using the weapons.

The United States fired missiles on a Syrian air base a year ago in response to the killing of dozens of civilians in a sarin gas attack in an opposition-held town in northwest Syria, blamed on Assad.

Red lines

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor, said at least 14 people were killed in Monday's air strike on the T-4 base, including foreign fighters - a reference to Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia members, mostly from Iraq, Lebanon and Iran fighting alongside the Syrian army.

Iran's Fars news agency said three Iranians were killed.

The Russian military said two Israeli F-15 war planes carried out the strike. Interfax news agency cited the Russian Defence Ministry as saying Syrian air defence systems had shot down five of eight missiles fired.

Syrian state news agency SANA, citing a military source, carried a similar report.

The Israeli government had no immediate comment.

Israeli Housing Minister Yoav Galant, while not confirming that Israel had carried out the attack, said his country had clear interests in Syria.

"We laid down red lines there, which said that we would not allow Syrian land to be a springboard for game-changing weaponry to Lebanon, we would not allow the building of an Iranian army in Syria and we would not allow the opening of another front on the Golan Heights," he told Israel Radio.

"In this context we are taking action with all means, over time."

In Washington, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Trump and his administration to destroy Assad's air capabilities, enforce safe zones inside Syria, and target Assad directly.

"This president has the chance to do exactly the opposite of (former US President Barack) Obama - send a strong signal that there's a new sheriff in town and America's back," Graham told Fox News in an interview.

The US President condemned a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town in Syria that killed dozens of people and said he would decide on a response probably by the end of the day

US President Donald Trump on Monday condemned a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town in Syria that killed dozens of people and said he would decide on a response probably by the end of the day. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Trump said he was talking to military leaders and would decide who was responsible for what he called a "heinous attack" on innocent Syrians -- whether it was Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, Iran, or all of them together. "We'll be making that decision very quickly probably by the end of the day. But we cannot allow atrocities like that," Trump said. "Nothing is off the table," he said, when asked if US military action was a possibility. Asked if there was any doubt over who was responsible for the attack, Trump said: "To me there's not much of a doubt but the generals will figure it out probably over the next 24 hours." International bodies led by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were also trying to establish exactly what happened on Saturday in Douma, a besieged town in eastern Ghouta near Damascus. The Syrian government and its ally Russia have denied involvement in the attack. US government sources said on Monday that the administration's initial assessment suggested that a nerve agent was used but further evidence was needed to determine what specifically it was. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also said earlier he would not rule out military action such as air strikes if blame was proven. He accused Russia of falling short on its obligations to ensure that Syria abandoned its chemical weapons capabilities. "The first thing we have to look at is why are chemical weapons still being used at all when Russia was the framework guarantor of removing all the chemical weapons," Mattis told reporters. Trump said on Sunday after initial reports of an attack that there would be a "big price to pay". A Syria medical relief group said at least 60 people had been killed and more than 1,000 injured in several sites in Douma. The stakes were further raised on Monday when unidentified war planes struck a Syrian air base near Homs, killing at least 14 people, including Iranian personnel. Syria and Russia accused Israel of carrying out the attack. Israel, which has struck Syrian army locations many times in the course of its neighbour's seven-year-old civil war, has neither confirmed nor denied mounting the raid. But Israeli officials said the Tiyas, or T-4, air base was being used by troops from Iran and that Israel would not accept such a presence in Syria by its arch foe. The two incidents in Douma and Tiyas demonstrated the complex and volatile nature of the Syria war, which started in March 2011 as an anti-Assad uprising and now involves a number of countries and a myriad of insurgent groups. Assad now has the upper hand in the conflict, largely thanks to Russian intervention on his side, but any international action could delay his efforts to bring it to close. Range of options The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday following rival requests by Russia and the United States to discuss the situation. Senior officials in the Trump administration were also to meet in the White House. Britain said it was working with its allies to agree a joint response to the reported chemical attack on Douma. "If there is clear verified evidence of the use of chemical weapons and a proposal for action where the UK would be useful, then we will look at the range of options," Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said. France said it would work closely with the United States on a response to the suspected chemical attack. Both countries agreed responsibility for the strike must be established. President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Trump by telephone on Sunday, had issued repeated warnings previously that France would strike if proof of lethal chemical attacks were established. But Paris stopped short of apportioning blame on Assad's forces for Saturday's attack. Trump had referred in a Tweet to "Animal Assad" and criticised Russia and Iran for backing the Syrian leader, directly naming Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said such allegations were false and a provocation. Lavrov also said the strike on the T-4 base was a dangerous development. Syrian government forces had launched an air and ground assault on Douma, the last rebel-held town in the eastern Ghouta district, on Friday. The Union of Medical Care Organizations (UOSSM) said at least 60 people had been killed by the alleged chemical attack. "The numbers keep rising as relief workers struggle to gain access to the subterranean areas where gas has entered and hundreds of families had sought refuge," it said. One video shared by activists showed bodies of about a dozen children, women and men, some with foam at the mouth. Reuters could not independently verify the reports. The OPCW, based in the Hague, said people were possibly gassed to death by a poisonous cocktail of sarin and chlorine. Dr Muhammad, a doctor in Ghouta quoted by UOSSM, said patients were coughing blood, a symptom not seen in previous chemical attacks. UN war crimes investigators had previously documented 33 chemical attacks in Syria, attributing 27 to the Assad government, which has repeatedly denied using the weapons. The United States fired missiles on a Syrian air base a year ago in response to the killing of dozens of civilians in a sarin gas attack in an opposition-held town in northwest Syria, blamed on Assad. Red lines The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor, said at least 14 people were killed in Monday's air strike on the T-4 base, including foreign fighters - a reference to Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia members, mostly from Iraq, Lebanon and Iran fighting alongside the Syrian army. Iran's Fars news agency said three Iranians were killed. The Russian military said two Israeli F-15 war planes carried out the strike. Interfax news agency cited the Russian Defence Ministry as saying Syrian air defence systems had shot down five of eight missiles fired. Syrian state news agency SANA, citing a military source, carried a similar report. The Israeli government had no immediate comment. Israeli Housing Minister Yoav Galant, while not confirming that Israel had carried out the attack, said his country had clear interests in Syria. "We laid down red lines there, which said that we would not allow Syrian land to be a springboard for game-changing weaponry to Lebanon, we would not allow the building of an Iranian army in Syria and we would not allow the opening of another front on the Golan Heights," he told Israel Radio. "In this context we are taking action with all means, over time." In Washington, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged Trump and his administration to destroy Assad's air capabilities, enforce safe zones inside Syria, and target Assad directly. "This president has the chance to do exactly the opposite of (former US President Barack) Obama - send a strong signal that there's a new sheriff in town and America's back," Graham told Fox News in an interview.

'Nothing is off the table': Trump on US military action after suspected Syrian chemical attack

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistans-behaviour-is-changing-says-us-defense-secretary-jim-mattis-35870">&#39;Pakistan&#39;s </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistans-behaviour-is-changing-says-us-defense-secretary-jim-mattis-35870">behaviour</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistans-behaviour-is-changing-says-us-defense-secretary-jim-mattis-35870"> is changing,&#39; says US defense secretary Jim Mattis</a>

As the US steps up pressure on Abbasi&#39;s government over terror, Defence secretary Jim Mattis said on Thursday that has been &quot;changes in Pakistan&#39;s behaviour&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-indias-twitter-handle-hacked-35859">Air India&#39;s Twitter handle hacked</a>

The official Twitter handle of Air India was hacked on Wednesday morning.

The cyber attack was carried out by suspected Turkish hackers with the cover picture showing image of Turkish Airline with tweets in Turkish language.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-jet-crashes-in-florida-pilots-safe-35862">US Navy jet crashes off Florida coast, 2 aviators killed</a>

A US Navy jet F/A-18 crashed off the coast of Key West in Florida on Wednesday.

&nbsp;The US Navy said two aviators were killed in the crash.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/porn-star-stormy-daniels-for-court-intervention-to-dissolve-gag-agreement-with-trump-35867">Porn star</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/porn-star-stormy-daniels-for-court-intervention-to-dissolve-gag-agreement-with-trump-35867"> Stormy Daniels for court intervention to dissolve gag agreement with Trump</a>

Porn star Stormy Daniels will go to court on July 12 in a bid to dissolve an agreement stopping her discussing an affair she says she had with President Donald Trump, according to court papers published Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-throwback-to-lionel-messis-first-goal-in-champions-league-35861">Watch: Throwback to Lionel Messi&#39;s first goal in Champions League</a>

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal of Champions League against Chelsea in the decisive second leg clash in the round of 16 at Camp Nou and inspired the team to reach the quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League.

&nbsp;

'Pakistan's behaviour is changing,' says US defense secretary Jim Mattis As the US steps up pressure on Abbasi's government over terror, Defence secretary Jim Mattis said on Thursday that has been "changes in Pakistan's behaviour". Air India's Twitter handle hacked The official Twitter handle of Air India was hacked on Wednesday morning. The cyber attack was carried out by suspected Turkish hackers with the cover picture showing image of Turkish Airline with tweets in Turkish language. US Navy jet crashes off Florida coast, 2 aviators killed A US Navy jet F/A-18 crashed off the coast of Key West in Florida on Wednesday. The US Navy said two aviators were killed in the crash. Porn star Stormy Daniels for court intervention to dissolve gag agreement with Trump Porn star Stormy Daniels will go to court on July 12 in a bid to dissolve an agreement stopping her discussing an affair she says she had with President Donald Trump, according to court papers published Wednesday. Watch: Throwback to Lionel Messi's first goal in Champions League Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal of Champions League against Chelsea in the decisive second leg clash in the round of 16 at Camp Nou and inspired the team to reach the quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League.

WION Morning News Brief, March 15, 2016

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants the US military to create a new &quot;space force,&quot; adding to the Pentagon&#39;s current ground, navy and air forces.

Trump told troops at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station near San Diego that the new group would be able to encapsulate the &quot;tremendous amount&quot; of work the military and government are doing in space-related defense.

&quot;My new national strategy for space recognizes that space is a war-fighting domain, just like the land, air and sea,&quot; Trump said.

&quot;We may even have a space force... We have the air force, we&#39;ll have the space force, we&#39;ll have the army, the navy.&nbsp;

&quot;Maybe we&#39;ll have to do that. That could happen,&quot; he said.

Since taking office, Trump has frequently touted his support for the US military and placed high-ranking generals in top White House and cabinet posts.

Last year some legislators pushed a bill in Congress that included a provision to establish a new branch of the military dubbed the Space Corps.

But the military itself has resisted, saying it does not need to create another force and its attendant bureaucracy.

&quot;At a time when we are trying to integrate the department&#39;s joint warfighting functions, I do not wish to add a separate service that would likely present a narrower and even parochial approach to space operations,&quot; Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congressman Michael Turner in a letter last July.

It would be &quot;premature to add additional organizational and administrative tail to the department at a time I am trying to reduce overhead,&quot; he added.

The idea was finally dropped from the Pentagon&#39;s funding bill by the end of last year, but it retains some support in Congress, where advocates say the US is facing significant strategic vulnerabilities in the face of Russian and Chinese pushes into space warfare.

Republican Representative Mike Rogers told a February 28 conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies that a separate space corps could be carved out from the air force within &quot;three to five years&quot;.

He said China and Russia have become &quot;near peers&quot; to the US in space capabilities, and the US is not pushing hard enough to stay ahead.

&quot;That&#39;s unacceptable that we have allowed that to happen, particularly in a day and age when it is essential to have those space capabilities to fight and win wars,&quot; he said.

'My new national strategy for space recognizes that space is a war-fighting domain, just like the land, air, and sea,' Trump said

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants the US military to create a new "space force," adding to the Pentagon's current ground, navy and air forces. Trump told troops at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station near San Diego that the new group would be able to encapsulate the "tremendous amount" of work the military and government are doing in space-related defense. "My new national strategy for space recognizes that space is a war-fighting domain, just like the land, air and sea," Trump said. "We may even have a space force... We have the air force, we'll have the space force, we'll have the army, the navy. "Maybe we'll have to do that. That could happen," he said. Since taking office, Trump has frequently touted his support for the US military and placed high-ranking generals in top White House and cabinet posts. Last year some legislators pushed a bill in Congress that included a provision to establish a new branch of the military dubbed the Space Corps. But the military itself has resisted, saying it does not need to create another force and its attendant bureaucracy. "At a time when we are trying to integrate the department's joint warfighting functions, I do not wish to add a separate service that would likely present a narrower and even parochial approach to space operations," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congressman Michael Turner in a letter last July. It would be "premature to add additional organizational and administrative tail to the department at a time I am trying to reduce overhead," he added. The idea was finally dropped from the Pentagon's funding bill by the end of last year, but it retains some support in Congress, where advocates say the US is facing significant strategic vulnerabilities in the face of Russian and Chinese pushes into space warfare. Republican Representative Mike Rogers told a February 28 conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies that a separate space corps could be carved out from the air force within "three to five years". He said China and Russia have become "near peers" to the US in space capabilities, and the US is not pushing hard enough to stay ahead. "That's unacceptable that we have allowed that to happen, particularly in a day and age when it is essential to have those space capabilities to fight and win wars," he said.

Trump pushes for new 'space force'

Elements of the Taliban are open to talks with the Afghan government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday as he arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit.

Mattis flew into the war-torn city two weeks after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, Afghanistan`s biggest militant group.

The insurgents have so far given no formal response to Kabul`s offer for negotiations, but Mattis said some Taliban leaders have expressed an interest in the discussions.

&quot;It may not be that the whole Taliban comes over in one fell swoop, that would be a bridge too far, but there are elements of the Taliban clearly interested in talking to the Afghan government,&quot; &nbsp;he told reporters aboard a military jet.

Ghani`s peace plan includes eventually recognising the Taliban as a political party.

The group has said it is prepared to negotiate, but only with the United States and not with the Kabul government.

The Taliban last week described the Afghan government as &quot;illegitimate&quot; and its peace process efforts as &quot;deceptive&quot;, in a statement calling for a boycott of an Islamic scholars` conference in Jakarta.&nbsp;

&quot;Right now we want the Afghans to lead and to provide the substance of the reconciliation effort,&quot; Mattis said. Thanks to the political process, Mattis said America is now looking towards a victory in Afghanistan after more than 16 years of conflict.

&quot;What does that victory look like? It`s a country whose own people and their own security forces handle law enforcement and any threats... certainly with international support for some years to come,&quot; he said.

The US has renewed its focus on Afghanistan after years of drawdowns under former president Barack Obama and talk by top US generals of &quot;not winning&quot; and of a &quot;stalemate&quot; in the seemingly intractable conflict.

&quot;It`s all working to achieve a political reconciliation, not a military victory,&quot; Mattis said.&nbsp;

&quot;The victory will be a political reconciliation.&quot;

As part of the so-called South Asia Strategy, President Donald Trump last year ordered the increased bombing of Taliban targets - including drug-making labs and training camps.

More than 3,000 additional US forces have also arrived in Afghanistan to boost the training and advising of local troops.

Approximately 14,000 American forces are currently in Afghanistan, up from a low of about 8,500 when Obama left office.

Trump`s strategy has been a &quot;game changer&quot; for Afghanistan, Ghani told Mattis in a meeting at the presidential palace that also involved Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami.

&quot;It has forced every actor to re-examine their assumptions. Some of that re-examination is likely to lead to the intensification of conflict in the short term but the re-examination is what the people of Afghanistan have been waiting for 40 years,&quot; he said.

Ghani`s offer of peace talks comes as civilian casualties have soared in recent months, with the Taliban increasingly targeting towns and cities in response to Trump`s more aggressive military policy.

The Taliban claimed 472 attacks in January alone, the Washington-based terrorism research group TRAC said - an astonishing number given that the traditional fighting season does not usually start until freezing temperatures have subsided in the spring.

Mattis said the jump in attacks on civilians was an indication that a pressured Taliban is unable to conduct broader, ground-taking operations.

The Afghan security forces were able to stop some attacks, Mattis said, though he noted he wanted to see them shift to a more &quot;offensive mindset&quot; in the coming months.

Mattis`s surprise Afghan visit, his third as Pentagon chief, was kept under tight wraps after a security incident during his last trip in September when insurgents shelled Kabul`s airport hours after he arrived.

Mattis also said he had seen some changes in Pakistan`s behaviour since Trump blasted the country last year for harbouring the Taliban.

&quot;There are operations by the Pakistan military that are helping right now, ongoing as we speak,&quot; he said.

"It may not be that the whole Taliban comes over in one fell swoop, that would be a bridge too far, but there are elements of the Taliban clearly interested in talking to the Afghan government," said Mattis

Elements of the Taliban are open to talks with the Afghan government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday as he arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit. Mattis flew into the war-torn city two weeks after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, Afghanistan`s biggest militant group. The insurgents have so far given no formal response to Kabul`s offer for negotiations, but Mattis said some Taliban leaders have expressed an interest in the discussions. "It may not be that the whole Taliban comes over in one fell swoop, that would be a bridge too far, but there are elements of the Taliban clearly interested in talking to the Afghan government," he told reporters aboard a military jet. Ghani`s peace plan includes eventually recognising the Taliban as a political party. The group has said it is prepared to negotiate, but only with the United States and not with the Kabul government. The Taliban last week described the Afghan government as "illegitimate" and its peace process efforts as "deceptive", in a statement calling for a boycott of an Islamic scholars` conference in Jakarta. "Right now we want the Afghans to lead and to provide the substance of the reconciliation effort," Mattis said. Thanks to the political process, Mattis said America is now looking towards a victory in Afghanistan after more than 16 years of conflict. "What does that victory look like? It`s a country whose own people and their own security forces handle law enforcement and any threats... certainly with international support for some years to come," he said. The US has renewed its focus on Afghanistan after years of drawdowns under former president Barack Obama and talk by top US generals of "not winning" and of a "stalemate" in the seemingly intractable conflict. "It`s all working to achieve a political reconciliation, not a military victory," Mattis said. "The victory will be a political reconciliation." As part of the so-called South Asia Strategy, President Donald Trump last year ordered the increased bombing of Taliban targets - including drug-making labs and training camps. More than 3,000 additional US forces have also arrived in Afghanistan to boost the training and advising of local troops. Approximately 14,000 American forces are currently in Afghanistan, up from a low of about 8,500 when Obama left office. Trump`s strategy has been a "game changer" for Afghanistan, Ghani told Mattis in a meeting at the presidential palace that also involved Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami. "It has forced every actor to re-examine their assumptions. Some of that re-examination is likely to lead to the intensification of conflict in the short term but the re-examination is what the people of Afghanistan have been waiting for 40 years," he said. Ghani`s offer of peace talks comes as civilian casualties have soared in recent months, with the Taliban increasingly targeting towns and cities in response to Trump`s more aggressive military policy. The Taliban claimed 472 attacks in January alone, the Washington-based terrorism research group TRAC said - an astonishing number given that the traditional fighting season does not usually start until freezing temperatures have subsided in the spring. Mattis said the jump in attacks on civilians was an indication that a pressured Taliban is unable to conduct broader, ground-taking operations. The Afghan security forces were able to stop some attacks, Mattis said, though he noted he wanted to see them shift to a more "offensive mindset" in the coming months. Mattis`s surprise Afghan visit, his third as Pentagon chief, was kept under tight wraps after a security incident during his last trip in September when insurgents shelled Kabul`s airport hours after he arrived. Mattis also said he had seen some changes in Pakistan`s behaviour since Trump blasted the country last year for harbouring the Taliban. "There are operations by the Pakistan military that are helping right now, ongoing as we speak," he said.

Mattis in Kabul, says elements in Taliban open to peace talks

President Donald Trump is set to lay out Monday a new National Security Strategy built upon his trademark &quot;America First&quot; slogan, which is expected to have economic security at its core.

The US leader, who has dismantled the legacy of Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, and isolated Washington on the world stage, will unveil what is being billed as a comprehensive vision for tackling America&#39;s complex security challenges.

The new document, released periodically by the presidency, &quot;affirms the belief that America&#39;s economic security is national security,&quot; an administration official said.

It also reflects a determination to push for balance in US economic relations with the rest of the world, especially China.

&quot;The greatest weapon we have is our strong GDP,&quot; the official said, citing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Trump has taken an aggressive stance on trade. He vows to reduce bilateral trade deficits, particularly with China, and has said he wants to level the playing field for American companies.

Asked on Monday about the expected US strategy, Beijing&#39;s foreign ministry Hua Chunying said US-China economic and trade relations &quot;are mutually beneficial.&quot;

She added that she hoped the new US policy will contribute to &quot;our common safeguard of the international peace and security.&quot;

Trump&#39;s National Security Strategy was a year in the making.

Beyond its focus on economic competitiveness, it will mark a break with his Democratic and Republican predecessors when it comes to &quot;homeland&quot; and border security, the US official added.&nbsp;

Trump has cracked down on immigration and wants a wall built on the Mexican border.

The new national security document is to be released following a speech by the president.

It identifies four main priorities: protecting the country and the American people, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence.

Climate not a priority&nbsp;

Addressing the United Nations in late September -- with a virulence rarely seen in that forum -- Trump hammered home his attachment to American &quot;sovereignty&quot; while calling into question many aspects of the multilateral world order.

But despite the fiery delivery, the address fell short of spelling out a veritable &quot;Trump doctrine&quot; regarding America&#39;s place in the world.

Asked about the role of climate change in the new document, the administration official said it &quot;is not identified as a national security threat&quot; to the US.

Ascending to power on a message resolutely sceptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries.

Obama was one of the main architects of the Paris pact to curb global warming, and had underscored on several occasions how climate and security had become intertwined.

A year before he left office, Obama said climate change would affect the way America&#39;s military must defend the country, through profound adjustments in organization, training and protection of infrastructure.

&quot;Climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows and conflicts over basic resources like food and water,&quot; according to the last National Security Strategy, issued in February 2015 during Obama&#39;s tenure.

On that occasion, he argued at length against the temptation to make hasty decisions in the management of international crises.

&quot;In a complex world, many of the security problems we face do not lend themselves to quick and easy fixes,&quot; Obama wrote, calling for &quot;strategic patience and persistence.&quot;

He will unveil a comprehensive vision to tackle America's complex security challenges

President Donald Trump is set to lay out Monday a new National Security Strategy built upon his trademark "America First" slogan, which is expected to have economic security at its core. The US leader, who has dismantled the legacy of Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, and isolated Washington on the world stage, will unveil what is being billed as a comprehensive vision for tackling America's complex security challenges. The new document, released periodically by the presidency, "affirms the belief that America's economic security is national security," an administration official said. It also reflects a determination to push for balance in US economic relations with the rest of the world, especially China. "The greatest weapon we have is our strong GDP," the official said, citing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Trump has taken an aggressive stance on trade. He vows to reduce bilateral trade deficits, particularly with China, and has said he wants to level the playing field for American companies. Asked on Monday about the expected US strategy, Beijing's foreign ministry Hua Chunying said US-China economic and trade relations "are mutually beneficial." She added that she hoped the new US policy will contribute to "our common safeguard of the international peace and security." Trump's National Security Strategy was a year in the making. Beyond its focus on economic competitiveness, it will mark a break with his Democratic and Republican predecessors when it comes to "homeland" and border security, the US official added. Trump has cracked down on immigration and wants a wall built on the Mexican border. The new national security document is to be released following a speech by the president. It identifies four main priorities: protecting the country and the American people, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence. Climate not a priority Addressing the United Nations in late September -- with a virulence rarely seen in that forum -- Trump hammered home his attachment to American "sovereignty" while calling into question many aspects of the multilateral world order. But despite the fiery delivery, the address fell short of spelling out a veritable "Trump doctrine" regarding America's place in the world. Asked about the role of climate change in the new document, the administration official said it "is not identified as a national security threat" to the US. Ascending to power on a message resolutely sceptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries. Obama was one of the main architects of the Paris pact to curb global warming, and had underscored on several occasions how climate and security had become intertwined. A year before he left office, Obama said climate change would affect the way America's military must defend the country, through profound adjustments in organization, training and protection of infrastructure. "Climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows and conflicts over basic resources like food and water," according to the last National Security Strategy, issued in February 2015 during Obama's tenure. On that occasion, he argued at length against the temptation to make hasty decisions in the management of international crises. "In a complex world, many of the security problems we face do not lend themselves to quick and easy fixes," Obama wrote, calling for "strategic patience and persistence."

President Trump to lay out 'America First' security strategy

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-dangles-middle-east-peace-plan-to-limit-jerusalem-outcry-26170">Trump dangles Middle East peace plan to limit Jerusalem outcry</a>

When President Donald Trump told the Palestinian president of his intention to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s capital, he assured him a peace plan being put together would please the Palestinians, officials said, an apparent effort to limit fallout over his break with longtime U.S. policy.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mattis-meeting-with-pakistan-leaders-was-to-find-common-ground-in-fight-against-terror-pentagon-chief-spokesperson-dana-white-26164">Mattis meeting with Pakistan leaders was to find common ground in fight against terror: Pentagon</a>

The meeting of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/ronaldo-pips-messi-to-win-ballon-dor-for-joint-record-fifth-time-26168">Ronaldo pips Messi to win Ballon </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/ronaldo-pips-messi-to-win-ballon-dor-for-joint-record-fifth-time-26168">d&#39;&#39;Or</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/ronaldo-pips-messi-to-win-ballon-dor-for-joint-record-fifth-time-26168"> for joint-record fifth time</a>

Portugal`s Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d`Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, going level with eternal rival and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the player to have won the prize the most times.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-us-senator-franken-says-he-will-resign-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations-26174">The Democratic US Senator Franken says he will resign over sexual misconduct allegations</a>

Democratic US Senator Al Franken announced his resignation from office on Thursday, bowing to pressure from party colleagues after a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/banks-failed-to-evaluate-credit-worthiness-of-kingfisher-airlines-mallyas-team-26172">Banks failed to evaluate credit-worthiness of Kingfisher Airlines: Mallya&#39;s team</a>

An expert witness called by Vijay Mallya&#39;s defence team on Thursday described as &quot;superficial&quot; the processes employed by banks to grant loans totalling more than Rs 2,000 crore to now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines in 2009.

 
&nbsp;

Washington's major Western and Arab allies have warned that Trump's decision on Jerusalem could doom attempts to achieve what the U.S. president has called the ?ultimate deal? of Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Trump dangles Middle East peace plan to limit Jerusalem outcry When President Donald Trump told the Palestinian president of his intention to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he assured him a peace plan being put together would please the Palestinians, officials said, an apparent effort to limit fallout over his break with longtime U.S. policy. Mattis meeting with Pakistan leaders was to find common ground in fight against terror: Pentagon The meeting of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said today. Ronaldo pips Messi to win Ballon d''Or for joint-record fifth time Portugal`s Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Ballon d`Or for world player of the year on Thursday for a joint-record fifth time, going level with eternal rival and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the player to have won the prize the most times. The Democratic US Senator Franken says he will resign over sexual misconduct allegations Democratic US Senator Al Franken announced his resignation from office on Thursday, bowing to pressure from party colleagues after a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him. Banks failed to evaluate credit-worthiness of Kingfisher Airlines: Mallya's team An expert witness called by Vijay Mallya's defence team on Thursday described as "superficial" the processes employed by banks to grant loans totalling more than Rs 2,000 crore to now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines in 2009.

WION Morning News Brief, December 8, 2017

The meeting of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said today.

&quot;The Secretary had very fruitful conversations about where we can find common ground,&quot; Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters at her weekly news conference.

She said the effort was to broaden the relationship between the two countries.

&quot;As he said, no one has lost more troops and lives to terrorism than the Pakistanis. So again, this is about broadening our relationship and looking for opportunities. I think there are opportunities. I think his trip showed that&quot; White said.

She was responding to a question on Mattis conversation with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad on Monday.

&quot;Terrorism. I mean, the threat of terrorism, I mean everyone has, Pakistan has an interest in ensuring that terrorism is defeated. They&#39;ve lost thousands of troops, and they&#39;ve lost thousands of innocents as well,&quot; White said.

The Pentagon chief spokesperson said it was in the interest of Pakistan and the US to find a lasting solution to the Afghanistan problem.

&quot;It is in the interests of Pakistan, the US, the region to ensure that we can encourage that Afghanistan has a political reconciliation. So we&#39;ll look for ways to work with Pakistanis to find that common ground and move forward,&quot; White said.

Mattis had on Monday asked Pakistan to &quot;redouble&quot; efforts to confront militants operating from its soil.

"The Secretary had very fruitful conversations about where we can find common ground," Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White said.

The meeting of US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis with the leaders of Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad early this week was to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said today. "The Secretary had very fruitful conversations about where we can find common ground," Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters at her weekly news conference. She said the effort was to broaden the relationship between the two countries. "As he said, no one has lost more troops and lives to terrorism than the Pakistanis. So again, this is about broadening our relationship and looking for opportunities. I think there are opportunities. I think his trip showed that" White said. She was responding to a question on Mattis conversation with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad on Monday. "Terrorism. I mean, the threat of terrorism, I mean everyone has, Pakistan has an interest in ensuring that terrorism is defeated. They've lost thousands of troops, and they've lost thousands of innocents as well," White said. The Pentagon chief spokesperson said it was in the interest of Pakistan and the US to find a lasting solution to the Afghanistan problem. "It is in the interests of Pakistan, the US, the region to ensure that we can encourage that Afghanistan has a political reconciliation. So we'll look for ways to work with Pakistanis to find that common ground and move forward," White said. Mattis had on Monday asked Pakistan to "redouble" efforts to confront militants operating from its soil.

Mattis meeting with Pakistan leaders was to find common ground in fight against terror: Pentagon

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday asked Pakistan&#39;s civilian and military leaders to &quot;redouble&quot; their efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country.

&quot;The Secretary reiterated that Pakistan must redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country,&quot; the Pentagon said in a statement.

Jim Mattis,<a href="http://http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-defence-secretary-mattis-arrives-in-pakistan-set-to-discuss-hafiz-saeeds-release-25851"> who visited Pakistan for the first time as defence secretary</a>, said before the trip that the goal for his meetings with Pakistani officials would be to find &quot;common ground&quot;.&nbsp;

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in his discussion with Mattis, said Pakistan was &quot;committed to the war against terror.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;re committed (to) the war against terror,&quot; he said. &quot;Nobody wants peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan.&quot;

The US defence secretary, who is on a one-day visit to Pakistan, said the South Asian nation had made progress in the fight against militancy inside its borders but needed to make more efforts.

Jim Mattis also met Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lieutenant-General Naveed Mukhtar, the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency that S 
officials say has links with Haqqani and Taliban militants.

Mattis did not stop in Pakistan when he visited the region earlier this year, but visited India, whose ties with the US have grown under the Trump administration.

More than a 100 days back, President Donald Trump had announced a South Asia strategy that had called for a hardening of the US approach towards against Pakistan.

The US President had said it could not be silent about &quot;Pakistan&#39;s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.&quot; &nbsp;

US officials say they have not seen a change in Pakistan&#39;s support for militants, despite visits by senior US officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

&nbsp;&quot;We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis ... we have not seen those changes implemented yet,&quot; General John Nicholson, the top US general in 
Afghanistan, said this week.

&nbsp; &quot;There is not an effective stick anymore because Pakistan doesn&#39;t really care about U.S aid, it has been dwindling anyway and it is getting the money it needs elsewhere 
... treat it with respect and actually reward it when it does do something good,&quot; said Madiha Afzal, with the Brookings Institution.

Hafiz Saeed accused of masterminding the deadly 2008 terrorist attacks by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Mumbai was recently freed from house arrest. The White House has warned Pakistan that his release could have repercussions for US.-Pakistan relations and has asked the country to re-arrest the LeT co-founder.

&nbsp;&quot;I think for Pakistan, the timing is very bad. There is talk about progress being made against extremists and here you have a situation where religious hardliners have 
basically been handed everything they wanted on a silver platter,&quot; said Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson think-tank in Washington.

(With inputs from Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

'The Secretary reiterated that Pakistan must redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country,' the Pentagon said in a statement

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday asked Pakistan's civilian and military leaders to "redouble" their efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country. "The Secretary reiterated that Pakistan must redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country," the Pentagon said in a statement. Jim Mattis, who visited Pakistan for the first time as defence secretary, said before the trip that the goal for his meetings with Pakistani officials would be to find "common ground". Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in his discussion with Mattis, said Pakistan was "committed to the war against terror." "We're committed (to) the war against terror," he said. "Nobody wants peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan." The US defence secretary, who is on a one-day visit to Pakistan, said the South Asian nation had made progress in the fight against militancy inside its borders but needed to make more efforts. Jim Mattis also met Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lieutenant-General Naveed Mukhtar, the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency that S officials say has links with Haqqani and Taliban militants. Mattis did not stop in Pakistan when he visited the region earlier this year, but visited India, whose ties with the US have grown under the Trump administration. More than a 100 days back, President Donald Trump had announced a South Asia strategy that had called for a hardening of the US approach towards against Pakistan. The US President had said it could not be silent about "Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond." US officials say they have not seen a change in Pakistan's support for militants, despite visits by senior US officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. "We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis ... we have not seen those changes implemented yet," General John Nicholson, the top US general in Afghanistan, said this week. "There is not an effective stick anymore because Pakistan doesn't really care about U.S aid, it has been dwindling anyway and it is getting the money it needs elsewhere ... treat it with respect and actually reward it when it does do something good," said Madiha Afzal, with the Brookings Institution. Hafiz Saeed accused of masterminding the deadly 2008 terrorist attacks by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Mumbai was recently freed from house arrest. The White House has warned Pakistan that his release could have repercussions for US.-Pakistan relations and has asked the country to re-arrest the LeT co-founder. "I think for Pakistan, the timing is very bad. There is talk about progress being made against extremists and here you have a situation where religious hardliners have basically been handed everything they wanted on a silver platter," said Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson think-tank in Washington. (With inputs from Reuters)

US defence secretary Mattis asks Pakistan to 'redouble efforts to confront terrorists'

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The US Supreme Court on Monday handed a victory to President Donald Trump by allowing his latest travel ban targeting people from six Muslim-majority countries to go into full effect even as legal challenges continue in lower courts.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-commence-final-hearing-on-ayodhya-dispute-from-today-25881">Supreme Court to commence final hearing </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-commence-final-hearing-on-ayodhya-dispute-from-today-25881">in</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-commence-final-hearing-on-ayodhya-dispute-from-today-25881"> Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute today</a>

The Supreme Court is likely to commence its final hearing in the long-standing Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute from today, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era structure.

<a href="http://Sharad Yadav, Anwar Ali disqualified from Rajya Sabha">Sharad Yadav, Anwar Ali disqualified from Rajya Sabha</a>

Rebel JD(U) Members of Parliament (MPs) Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on Monday night after the Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu agreed to the Janata Dal (United)&#39;s contention that the two senior leaders had &quot;voluntarily given up&quot; their membership by defying their party&#39;s directives and attending events of opposition parties.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/10000-google-staff-set-to-police-youtube-content-chief-executive-susan-wojcicki-25873" target="_blank">10,000 Google staff to police YouTube content</a>

Google has said it will deploy, by 2018, a total of 10,000 people to hunt down content on YouTube that is extremist or could endanger children, media reports said. &nbsp;

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki admitted to Britain&#39;s Daily Telegraph that &ldquo;bad actors are exploiting&rdquo; the video-sharing site to &ldquo;mislead, manipulate, harass or even harm&rdquo;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-delays-jerusalem-verdict-as-pressure-mounts-25874">Trump delays decision to move US embassy to Jerusalem</a>

Facing dark warnings of a historic misstep and widespread unrest, US President Donald Trump on Monday delayed a decision on whether to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move the US embassy there.

US defence secretary Mattis asks Pakistan to &#39;redouble efforts to confront terrorists&#39;

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday asked Pakistan&#39;s civilian and military leaders to &quot;redouble&quot; their efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country.

US Supreme Court lets Trump's latest travel ban go into full effect The US Supreme Court on Monday handed a victory to President Donald Trump by allowing his latest travel ban targeting people from six Muslim-majority countries to go into full effect even as legal challenges continue in lower courts. Supreme Court to commence final hearing in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute today The Supreme Court is likely to commence its final hearing in the long-standing Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute from today, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era structure. Sharad Yadav, Anwar Ali disqualified from Rajya Sabha Rebel JD(U) Members of Parliament (MPs) Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on Monday night after the Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu agreed to the Janata Dal (United)'s contention that the two senior leaders had "voluntarily given up" their membership by defying their party's directives and attending events of opposition parties. 10,000 Google staff to police YouTube content Google has said it will deploy, by 2018, a total of 10,000 people to hunt down content on YouTube that is extremist or could endanger children, media reports said. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki admitted to Britain's Daily Telegraph that “bad actors are exploiting” the video-sharing site to “mislead, manipulate, harass or even harm”. Trump delays decision to move US embassy to Jerusalem Facing dark warnings of a historic misstep and widespread unrest, US President Donald Trump on Monday delayed a decision on whether to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move the US embassy there. US defence secretary Mattis asks Pakistan to 'redouble efforts to confront terrorists' US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday asked Pakistan's civilian and military leaders to "redouble" their efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country.

WION morning news brief, November 5, 2017

Defence Secretary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-can-be-no-tolerance-of-terror-safe-havens-says-us-defence-secretary-james-mattis-in-india-20679">Jim Mattis arrived in Pakistan today</a> amid controversy surrounding the release of Jamaat(JuD) chief Hafiz Sayeed.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Mattis said he did not plan to &quot;prod Pakistan into action&quot; because he expected Islamabad to &quot;adhere to promises to combat terrorism&quot;.

Mattis landed at Pakistan Air Force base in Rawalpindi, bordering Islamabad.

In October, replying to the US House Armed Services Committee Mattis had said his government would &quot;try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the US president&nbsp;would be prepared to take whatever steps necessary&quot;.

The Trump administration had earlier notified the US Congress that it was giving $255 million to Pakistan in military assistance only if it cracked down on terror groups.

The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.&nbsp;

Soon after his release, Saeed gave a speech in Lahore in which he resumed anti-India rhetoric and promised to mobilise people for the &quot;cause of Kashmir&quot;.&nbsp;

Mattis is set to meet Pakistan PM Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues including terrorism and Afganistan strategy.

The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.?

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Pakistan today amid controversy surrounding the release of Jamaat(JuD) chief Hafiz Sayeed. Talking to reporters on Sunday, Mattis said he did not plan to "prod Pakistan into action" because he expected Islamabad to "adhere to promises to combat terrorism". Mattis landed at Pakistan Air Force base in Rawalpindi, bordering Islamabad. In October, replying to the US House Armed Services Committee Mattis had said his government would "try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the US president would be prepared to take whatever steps necessary". The Trump administration had earlier notified the US Congress that it was giving $255 million to Pakistan in military assistance only if it cracked down on terror groups. The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest. Soon after his release, Saeed gave a speech in Lahore in which he resumed anti-India rhetoric and promised to mobilise people for the "cause of Kashmir". Mattis is set to meet Pakistan PM Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues including terrorism and Afganistan strategy.

Watch: US defence secretary Mattis arrives in Pakistan, set to discuss Hafiz Saeed's release

Washington`s goal &quot;is not war&quot; as it seeks to ease high military tension with Pyongyang, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-plan-to-act-together-against-dangerous-north-korea-13536">US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis </a>said Friday, standing at the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas.

Tension has flared on the Korean peninsula as US President Donald Trump and the North`s ruler Kim Jong-Un have traded threats of war and personal insults that sparked global alarm.

But Mattis, who visited the tense Demilitarised Zone during a trip to South Korea, said the US was committed to a &quot;diplomatic solution&quot;.

&quot;As the US Secretary of State Tillerson made clear, our goal is not war but rather the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula,&quot; he said in the truce village of Panmunjom.

Mattis also stressed he and his South Korean counterpart Song Young-Moo had &quot;made clear our mutual commitment to a diplomatic solution to address North Korea`s reckless, outlaw behaviour&quot;.

The remark came a day after Mattis had said Washington was &quot;not rushing to war&quot; and was looking for a &quot;peaceful resolution&quot;.

He is set to hold annual defence talks with Song on Saturday during the two-day trip, which comes ahead of a planned trip by Trump to the South -- a key US ally in Asia -- next month.

Trump is set to visit Seoul from November 7 to 8 with all eyes on his message to the North and Kim.&nbsp;

The isolated North carried out its sixth nuclear test last month and has launched several missiles in recent months potentially capable of reaching the mainland of its &quot;imperialist enemy&quot; the US.&nbsp;

The moves staged in violation of UN resolutions banning the North from any use of atomic and ballistic technology, prompted new US-led UN sanctions against the impoverished state.&nbsp;

Pyongyang reacted angrily to new sanctions, and Trump`s recent remark that &quot;only one thing will work&quot; with the North fuelled concerns of a potential conflict.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul -- only around 50 kilometres from the border and home to 10 million people. 
The North says its atomic weapons are &quot;treasured sword&quot; to protect itself from potential invasion by the US.

"As the US Secretary of State Tillerson made clear, our goal is not war but rather the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," Mattis said in the truce village of Panmunjom.

Washington`s goal "is not war" as it seeks to ease high military tension with Pyongyang, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday, standing at the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas. Tension has flared on the Korean peninsula as US President Donald Trump and the North`s ruler Kim Jong-Un have traded threats of war and personal insults that sparked global alarm. But Mattis, who visited the tense Demilitarised Zone during a trip to South Korea, said the US was committed to a "diplomatic solution". "As the US Secretary of State Tillerson made clear, our goal is not war but rather the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," he said in the truce village of Panmunjom. Mattis also stressed he and his South Korean counterpart Song Young-Moo had "made clear our mutual commitment to a diplomatic solution to address North Korea`s reckless, outlaw behaviour". The remark came a day after Mattis had said Washington was "not rushing to war" and was looking for a "peaceful resolution". He is set to hold annual defence talks with Song on Saturday during the two-day trip, which comes ahead of a planned trip by Trump to the South -- a key US ally in Asia -- next month. Trump is set to visit Seoul from November 7 to 8 with all eyes on his message to the North and Kim. The isolated North carried out its sixth nuclear test last month and has launched several missiles in recent months potentially capable of reaching the mainland of its "imperialist enemy" the US. The moves staged in violation of UN resolutions banning the North from any use of atomic and ballistic technology, prompted new US-led UN sanctions against the impoverished state. Pyongyang reacted angrily to new sanctions, and Trump`s recent remark that "only one thing will work" with the North fuelled concerns of a potential conflict. But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul -- only around 50 kilometres from the border and home to 10 million people. The North says its atomic weapons are "treasured sword" to protect itself from potential invasion by the US.

Our goal is not war but denuclearisation of Korean peninsula: Jim Mattis

The Trump administration today threw its weight behind<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-attempting-to-tie-india-to-its-chariot-says-china-daily-20971" target="_blank"> India&#39;s opposition to the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying it passes through a disputed territory</a> and no country should put itself into a position of dictating the Belt and Road initiative.

India skipped the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in May this year due to its sovereignty concerns. It&nbsp;is<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/india-a-retail-power-china-ready-to-offer-help-says-state-run-daily-times-20523" target="_blank"> a flagship project of China&#39;s prestigious One Belt One Road (OBOR), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).</a>

Having returned from his maiden trip to India last week wherein he met his counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-defence-secretary-james-mattis-holds-talks-with-indian-defence-minister-in-new-delhi-20666" target="_blank">US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis today appeared to be a strong opponent of China&#39;s ambitious OBOR initiative.</a>

&quot;In a globalised world, there are many belts and many roads, and no one nation should put itself into a position of dictating &#39;one belt, one road&#39;,&quot; Mattis told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing.

&quot;That said, the One Belt One Road also goes through the disputed territory, and I think, that in itself shows the vulnerability of trying to establish that sort of a dictate,&quot; Mattis said apparently referring to India&#39;s position on CPEC.

Mattis was responding to a question from Senator Charles Peters over OBOR and China&#39;s policy in this regard.

&quot;The One Belt One Road strategy seeks to secure China&#39;s control over both the continental and the maritime interest, in their eventual hope of dominating Eurasia and exploiting natural resources there, things that are certainly at odds with US policy. So what role do you see China playing in Afghanistan, and particularly related to their One Belt One Road,&quot; Peter had asked.

The Trump administration today threw its weight behind India's opposition to the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying it passes through a disputed territory and no country should put itself into a position of dictating the Belt and Road initiative

The Trump administration today threw its weight behind India's opposition to the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying it passes through a disputed territory and no country should put itself into a position of dictating the Belt and Road initiative. India skipped the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in May this year due to its sovereignty concerns. It is a flagship project of China's prestigious One Belt One Road (OBOR), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Having returned from his maiden trip to India last week wherein he met his counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis today appeared to be a strong opponent of China's ambitious OBOR initiative. "In a globalised world, there are many belts and many roads, and no one nation should put itself into a position of dictating 'one belt, one road'," Mattis told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing. "That said, the One Belt One Road also goes through the disputed territory, and I think, that in itself shows the vulnerability of trying to establish that sort of a dictate," Mattis said apparently referring to India's position on CPEC. Mattis was responding to a question from Senator Charles Peters over OBOR and China's policy in this regard. "The One Belt One Road strategy seeks to secure China's control over both the continental and the maritime interest, in their eventual hope of dominating Eurasia and exploiting natural resources there, things that are certainly at odds with US policy. So what role do you see China playing in Afghanistan, and particularly related to their One Belt One Road," Peter had asked.

One Belt One Road goes through disputed territory: US

By Agnisheik Chatterji

The US administration&#39;s decision to open the possibility of redeploying thousands of soldiers in Afghanistan is a welcome one, but its success hinges on several factors.

US President Donald Trump Tuesday decided to empower the Pentagon to decide on the troop levels in Afghanistan, in his bid to &quot;win&quot; the stalemate in the war-torn country.

Not very long back -- even till 2015 -- the US was talking about an exit strategy from Afghanistan. They were looking to withdraw their troops by 2017. From 100,000 American soldiers in 2011, the US government has whittled down its presence to 8,400 troops, who are primarily engaged in non-combative roles.&nbsp;

But a rash of events turned that plan on its head. The pivot is primarily down to Washington&#39;s scrambled policy in the region that is bedevilled by a resurgent Taliban, a dormant Al Qaeda and a growing Islamic State.

There has been an increasing concern in the Pentagon about the Afghan security forces&#39; inability to withstand the annual Spring Offensive launched by the Taliban.&nbsp;

The fact that the US administration has spent close to $71 billion on training the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), coupled with an annual $23 billion expenditure on the reconstruction of the ravaged country, stakes in the Afghanistan war remain ambitiously high.&nbsp;

Despite spending billions of dollars in training the local forces, the Afghan government controls roughly 59.7&nbsp;per cent of districts in 2017, down from 72 per cent in November 2015. This is down to a resilient Taliban chipping away at the fraying stalemate in the country and failure of the US in ably training the security personnel.

The recent attack on American soldiers has also pressured the US government to get their act together in the country. Five soldiers have been killed since April to underscore the turmoil swirling in the tough terrains of the South Asian nation.

When Senator John McCain questioned the government&#39;s will to act on the Afghanistan conundrum, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis admitted that they were still &quot;not winning&quot; the longest war in Afghanistan.

&quot;We are not winning in Afghanistan right now,&quot; Mattis said during Tuesday&#39;s congressional hearing, adding: &quot;And we will correct this as soon as possible.&quot;

Light-footprint approach&nbsp;

The US army has long wanted reinforcement of troops to combat the stasis that has gripped the ANSF too. About 35 per cent of the personnel do&nbsp;not re-enlist every year, according to the report submitted by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).

Mattis defined &quot;winning&quot; in Afghanistan as a situation where the Afghan government, with international help, drives the insurgency down to a level that local security forces can handle it.&nbsp;

Although additional troops on the ground might lessen violence and the Taliban juggernaut in the short- to medium-term, duration of their stay would be imperative for any positive outcome.

The Americans can&#39;t just expect to arrest the level of violence and make a hasty retreat by leaving behind a few soldiers in non-combative role. That is because it is unreasonable to train the local security agencies in three, four years and then leave them to fight the extremists. The local forces would need air and logistical support to thwart future battles.

An untimely &quot;right-sizing&quot; of US troops would thereby diminish or negate important capabilities in countering terrorist threats, financing and overseeing contracts.&nbsp;

US&#39; presence in Korea is a point in case where decades of military deployment has yielded a semblance of stability in the region.

As mentioned before, 35 per cent of personnel don&#39;t re-enlist, meaning that full recruitment to cover the gap would ultimately result in dilution of quality. Also, there have been several concerns about the ability of middle- to senior-level Afghan commanders&#39; ability to lead troops in combat.

So the decision to introduce more US military presence would be good news in the region, but the burgeoning costs of the war is fraught with peril and also fiscally unsustainable.

Negotiations remain a pipe dream

In 2011, the US had all the cards in their negotiation with the Taliban. The US had about 100,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and the Taliban were in the doldrums. But even then, the two parties failed to forge a peace plan as Taliban continued playing hardball.

So if the current administration hopes to push the years-long war into a negotiated settlement by reining in the Taliban, their plan is more likely to fall off the cliff.

Today&#39;s Taliban is a different beast. The group has splintered in the aftermath of their leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansour&#39;s death in 2016. Negotiating with a multi-headed group will be a nightmare for the White House.

The political infighting in the country is another factor that has precipitated Taliban&#39;s gains. Uncertainty in the corridors of power in Kabul and local governments have handed the Taliban a fertile ground to re-ignite their support among the masses.&nbsp;

The SIGAR 2017 report says: &quot;The National Unity Government grappled with political challenges ranging from defiance from Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, a former warlord whose bodyguards are charged with sodomising a political opponent, to resolving conflicts with the parliament over a path to promised parliamentary elections and Afghanistan&rsquo;s 2019 presidential contest.&quot;&nbsp;

If the US has to be successful in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, they have to upgrade the quality of polity in the country.

The US has to rectify its operational problems too, which has largely been marred by corruption.

Several Afghan security forces leaders have been prosecuted on corruption charges. There has also been widespread misuse of the funds sent by the US in the last few years, especially after they scaled down their presence.

The US will have to crack down on financial irregularities as well to sustain their project in the long run.&nbsp;

&#39;McMaster&#39;s War&#39;

The Trump administration&#39;s renewed policy in Afghanistan has been largely forged by national security advisor Lt Gen HR McMaster. So much so that certain sections of the White House have dubbed the fresh Afghan blueprint as &quot;McMaster&#39;s War&quot;.

The shift in decision-making from the White House to the Pentagon has been credited to McMaster.

He has been an endorser of Sun Tzu&#39;s &quot;The Art of War&quot; tenet which advocates winning the hearts and minds of the populace to help defeat the insurgency.

But the task of micro-managing the local population remains an uphill task as the Afghans would be wary, and weary, of yet another bout of foreign presence in their country.&nbsp;

US troops have been viewed by the locals with deep hostility due to the bloody quagmire they have endured for 16 years and wanton shootings perpetrated by US soldiers.&nbsp;

As Abraham Lincoln said in his 1858 &ldquo;A House Divided&rdquo; speech, &ldquo;If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it&quot;.

Therefore, it remains vital for the US administration to adopt a multi-pronged strategy -- not just miltarily -- to consolidate any gains they make in the country.

(WION)

The task of micro-managing the local population remains an uphill task as the Afghans would be wary, and weary, of yet another bout of foreign presence in their country.

By Agnisheik Chatterji The US administration's decision to open the possibility of redeploying thousands of soldiers in Afghanistan is a welcome one, but its success hinges on several factors. US President Donald Trump Tuesday decided to empower the Pentagon to decide on the troop levels in Afghanistan, in his bid to "win" the stalemate in the war-torn country. Not very long back -- even till 2015 -- the US was talking about an exit strategy from Afghanistan. They were looking to withdraw their troops by 2017. From 100,000 American soldiers in 2011, the US government has whittled down its presence to 8,400 troops, who are primarily engaged in non-combative roles. But a rash of events turned that plan on its head. The pivot is primarily down to Washington's scrambled policy in the region that is bedevilled by a resurgent Taliban, a dormant Al Qaeda and a growing Islamic State. There has been an increasing concern in the Pentagon about the Afghan security forces' inability to withstand the annual Spring Offensive launched by the Taliban. The fact that the US administration has spent close to $71 billion on training the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), coupled with an annual $23 billion expenditure on the reconstruction of the ravaged country, stakes in the Afghanistan war remain ambitiously high. Despite spending billions of dollars in training the local forces, the Afghan government controls roughly 59.7 per cent of districts in 2017, down from 72 per cent in November 2015. This is down to a resilient Taliban chipping away at the fraying stalemate in the country and failure of the US in ably training the security personnel. The recent attack on American soldiers has also pressured the US government to get their act together in the country. Five soldiers have been killed since April to underscore the turmoil swirling in the tough terrains of the South Asian nation. When Senator John McCain questioned the government's will to act on the Afghanistan conundrum, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis admitted that they were still "not winning" the longest war in Afghanistan. "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now," Mattis said during Tuesday's congressional hearing, adding: "And we will correct this as soon as possible." Light-footprint approach The US army has long wanted reinforcement of troops to combat the stasis that has gripped the ANSF too. About 35 per cent of the personnel do not re-enlist every year, according to the report submitted by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). Mattis defined "winning" in Afghanistan as a situation where the Afghan government, with international help, drives the insurgency down to a level that local security forces can handle it. Although additional troops on the ground might lessen violence and the Taliban juggernaut in the short- to medium-term, duration of their stay would be imperative for any positive outcome. The Americans can't just expect to arrest the level of violence and make a hasty retreat by leaving behind a few soldiers in non-combative role. That is because it is unreasonable to train the local security agencies in three, four years and then leave them to fight the extremists. The local forces would need air and logistical support to thwart future battles. An untimely "right-sizing" of US troops would thereby diminish or negate important capabilities in countering terrorist threats, financing and overseeing contracts. US' presence in Korea is a point in case where decades of military deployment has yielded a semblance of stability in the region. As mentioned before, 35 per cent of personnel don't re-enlist, meaning that full recruitment to cover the gap would ultimately result in dilution of quality. Also, there have been several concerns about the ability of middle- to senior-level Afghan commanders' ability to lead troops in combat. So the decision to introduce more US military presence would be good news in the region, but the burgeoning costs of the war is fraught with peril and also fiscally unsustainable. Negotiations remain a pipe dream In 2011, the US had all the cards in their negotiation with the Taliban. The US had about 100,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and the Taliban were in the doldrums. But even then, the two parties failed to forge a peace plan as Taliban continued playing hardball. So if the current administration hopes to push the years-long war into a negotiated settlement by reining in the Taliban, their plan is more likely to fall off the cliff. Today's Taliban is a different beast. The group has splintered in the aftermath of their leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansour's death in 2016. Negotiating with a multi-headed group will be a nightmare for the White House. The political infighting in the country is another factor that has precipitated Taliban's gains. Uncertainty in the corridors of power in Kabul and local governments have handed the Taliban a fertile ground to re-ignite their support among the masses. The SIGAR 2017 report says: "The National Unity Government grappled with political challenges ranging from defiance from Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, a former warlord whose bodyguards are charged with sodomising a political opponent, to resolving conflicts with the parliament over a path to promised parliamentary elections and Afghanistan’s 2019 presidential contest." If the US has to be successful in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, they have to upgrade the quality of polity in the country. The US has to rectify its operational problems too, which has largely been marred by corruption. Several Afghan security forces leaders have been prosecuted on corruption charges. There has also been widespread misuse of the funds sent by the US in the last few years, especially after they scaled down their presence. The US will have to crack down on financial irregularities as well to sustain their project in the long run. 'McMaster's War' The Trump administration's renewed policy in Afghanistan has been largely forged by national security advisor Lt Gen HR McMaster. So much so that certain sections of the White House have dubbed the fresh Afghan blueprint as "McMaster's War". The shift in decision-making from the White House to the Pentagon has been credited to McMaster. He has been an endorser of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" tenet which advocates winning the hearts and minds of the populace to help defeat the insurgency. But the task of micro-managing the local population remains an uphill task as the Afghans would be wary, and weary, of yet another bout of foreign presence in their country. US troops have been viewed by the locals with deep hostility due to the bloody quagmire they have endured for 16 years and wanton shootings perpetrated by US soldiers. As Abraham Lincoln said in his 1858 “A House Divided” speech, “If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it". Therefore, it remains vital for the US administration to adopt a multi-pronged strategy -- not just miltarily -- to consolidate any gains they make in the country. (WION)

US plan to win Afghan stalemate is zero-sum game

US&nbsp;troops based in Syria&#39;s southeastern desert have expanded their footprint, rebels there say, increasing the risk of direct ground confrontation between the Americans and Iran-backed pro-government forces.

US&nbsp;special forces have been based since last year at Tanf, a strategic&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;highway border crossing with Iraq, where the Americans have assisted rebels trying to recapture territory from fleeing Islamic State fighters.

The US-backed&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;rebels in the area are in competition with pro-government forces who are also trying to recapture territory from Islamic State.

On several occasions in recent weeks, warplanes of the US-led coalition have struck pro-government forces to prevent them advancing, in what Washington has described as self defence.

Abu al-Atheer, military spokesman for the US-backed Maghawir al-Thawra rebel group, told Reuters US&nbsp;forces had spread from their initial location at Tanf to set up a second base at Zakf, around 60-70 km (40-50 miles) to the northeast.

Regional intelligence sources told Reuters the US&nbsp;military moved in the last few days a new long-range rocket launcher system from Jordan to Tanf, for the first time in southern Syria stepping up its presence in the area.

They said the (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) - HIMARS which can fire missiles as far as 300km had been deployed for the first time in southern Syria. They had been previously used to strike militants from positions in Turkey and Jordan.

Colonel Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the US-led coalition fighting against Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria, denied troops had set up a new base. But he said sometimes coalition forces conduct patrols and training with rebels at locations outside Tanf that could be maintained for days or weeks.

&quot;We have that garrison in al-Tanf that is a temporary base and location for us to train our partner forces to fight to defeat ISIS, but that is the only base in southern Syria or location where we have coalition forces,&quot; Dillon said.&nbsp;

Abu al-Atheer said the US&nbsp;special forces were now patrolling distances of up to 100 km from Tanf. He said more US&nbsp;special forces were arriving at both the original base at Tanf and the new base at Zakf, and more weapons had been delivered to rebels.

&quot;The (new) base was being studied for months but now it&#39;s an official base. It has been built and expanded and God willing will be in the next few days like the Tanf base,&quot; he told Reuters.

Video clips purportedly of the Zakf site, sent to Reuters by another rebel in the group, showed a convoy of military vehicles travelling on a paved road lined by long walls, a communications mast and a hut. Another showed three men in uniform next to two small military vehicles, firing a mortar in otherwise empty desert.&nbsp;

US-backed rebels are fighting to oust Islamic State fighters from their last two major bastions - Mosul in Iraq and the Euphrates River valley near Raqqa in Syria - in battles which Washington hopes could crush the group this year.

The&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;government, backed by Russia and Iran, also wants to reclaim the territory in Syria. Pro-government forces have taken up positions north of Tanf, potentially cutting off the US-backed rebels from advancing.

Muzahem Saloum, a rebel official close to Maghawir al-Thawra, said the Zakf location would back up Tanf and was expected to be a &quot;first line of defence&quot; against any attack by Iranian-backed&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;pro-government militias.&nbsp;

Rivalry

Tanf is located near a Syria-Iraq border crossing on the main Baghdad-Damascus highway, and the US-backed rebels took it from Islamic State last year, partly to stop Iran from using it in future to send arms to the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;government.&nbsp;

The US-backed rebels also want to use it to take more territory along the border and to push towards Deir al-Zor, a large city on the Euphrates where the government has an enclave surrounded by Islamic State fighters.&nbsp;

However, Syria&#39;s army has declared winning back control of the desert and relieving its besieged Deir al-Zor enclave a military priority and has advanced swiftly from Palmyra with troops and dozens of tanks.&nbsp;

Aided by allied militias backed by Iran, it also hopes to join up with Iraqi forces advancing against Islamic State across the border to secure a land route from Damascus to Baghdad.&nbsp;

Iranian news sites have published pictures of Qasem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards&#39; elite extra-territorial arm the Qods Force, visiting militia fighters at an undisclosed area on the border.&nbsp;

Recent&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;government advances to the Iraq border northeast of Tanf and Zakf mean the US-backed rebels would have to fight the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;army in order to march on Deir al-Zor.

US&nbsp;defense secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday said air strikes against pro-government forces near Tanf in recent weeks had been in self defence, to prevent them from attacking its troops at the base.

Rebel spokesman Abu al-Atheer said the goal of the government forces was &quot;to cut our advance towards Deir al-Zor. But we are moving towards a plan to take us to Deir al-Zor even if they enter,&quot; Abu al-Atheer said.

&quot;The battle is not over and we will not allow the Iranian Shi&#39;ites to occupy our land. Our response to those who stand against us will be cruel,&quot; he added.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Abu al-Atheer, military spokesman for the US-backed Maghawir al-Thawra rebel group, told Reuters US?forces had spread from their initial location at Tanf to set up a second base at Zakf, around 60-70 km (40-50 miles) to the northeast

US troops based in Syria's southeastern desert have expanded their footprint, rebels there say, increasing the risk of direct ground confrontation between the Americans and Iran-backed pro-government forces. US special forces have been based since last year at Tanf, a strategic Syrian highway border crossing with Iraq, where the Americans have assisted rebels trying to recapture territory from fleeing Islamic State fighters. The US-backed Syrian rebels in the area are in competition with pro-government forces who are also trying to recapture territory from Islamic State. On several occasions in recent weeks, warplanes of the US-led coalition have struck pro-government forces to prevent them advancing, in what Washington has described as self defence. Abu al-Atheer, military spokesman for the US-backed Maghawir al-Thawra rebel group, told Reuters US forces had spread from their initial location at Tanf to set up a second base at Zakf, around 60-70 km (40-50 miles) to the northeast. Regional intelligence sources told Reuters the US military moved in the last few days a new long-range rocket launcher system from Jordan to Tanf, for the first time in southern Syria stepping up its presence in the area. They said the (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) - HIMARS which can fire missiles as far as 300km had been deployed for the first time in southern Syria. They had been previously used to strike militants from positions in Turkey and Jordan. Colonel Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the US-led coalition fighting against Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria, denied troops had set up a new base. But he said sometimes coalition forces conduct patrols and training with rebels at locations outside Tanf that could be maintained for days or weeks. "We have that garrison in al-Tanf that is a temporary base and location for us to train our partner forces to fight to defeat ISIS, but that is the only base in southern Syria or location where we have coalition forces," Dillon said. Abu al-Atheer said the US special forces were now patrolling distances of up to 100 km from Tanf. He said more US special forces were arriving at both the original base at Tanf and the new base at Zakf, and more weapons had been delivered to rebels. "The (new) base was being studied for months but now it's an official base. It has been built and expanded and God willing will be in the next few days like the Tanf base," he told Reuters. Video clips purportedly of the Zakf site, sent to Reuters by another rebel in the group, showed a convoy of military vehicles travelling on a paved road lined by long walls, a communications mast and a hut. Another showed three men in uniform next to two small military vehicles, firing a mortar in otherwise empty desert. US-backed rebels are fighting to oust Islamic State fighters from their last two major bastions - Mosul in Iraq and the Euphrates River valley near Raqqa in Syria - in battles which Washington hopes could crush the group this year. The Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, also wants to reclaim the territory in Syria. Pro-government forces have taken up positions north of Tanf, potentially cutting off the US-backed rebels from advancing. Muzahem Saloum, a rebel official close to Maghawir al-Thawra, said the Zakf location would back up Tanf and was expected to be a "first line of defence" against any attack by Iranian-backed Syrian pro-government militias. Rivalry Tanf is located near a Syria-Iraq border crossing on the main Baghdad-Damascus highway, and the US-backed rebels took it from Islamic State last year, partly to stop Iran from using it in future to send arms to the Syrian government. The US-backed rebels also want to use it to take more territory along the border and to push towards Deir al-Zor, a large city on the Euphrates where the government has an enclave surrounded by Islamic State fighters. However, Syria's army has declared winning back control of the desert and relieving its besieged Deir al-Zor enclave a military priority and has advanced swiftly from Palmyra with troops and dozens of tanks. Aided by allied militias backed by Iran, it also hopes to join up with Iraqi forces advancing against Islamic State across the border to secure a land route from Damascus to Baghdad. Iranian news sites have published pictures of Qasem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite extra-territorial arm the Qods Force, visiting militia fighters at an undisclosed area on the border. Recent Syrian government advances to the Iraq border northeast of Tanf and Zakf mean the US-backed rebels would have to fight the Syrian army in order to march on Deir al-Zor. US defense secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday said air strikes against pro-government forces near Tanf in recent weeks had been in self defence, to prevent them from attacking its troops at the base. Rebel spokesman Abu al-Atheer said the goal of the government forces was "to cut our advance towards Deir al-Zor. But we are moving towards a plan to take us to Deir al-Zor even if they enter," Abu al-Atheer said. "The battle is not over and we will not allow the Iranian Shi'ites to occupy our land. Our response to those who stand against us will be cruel," he added.

US expands presence in Syrian desert: Rebels

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday accused Iran of &#39;alarming ongoing provocations&#39; to destabilise countries in the Middle East as the Trump administration launched a review of its policy towards Tehran.

Tillerson told reporters the review, which he announced on Tuesday, would not only look at Tehran&#39;s compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal but also its behaviour in the region which he said undermined US interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.

His tough words matched those of US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who said in a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that Iran&#39;s destabilising influence would have to be overcome to end the conflict in Yemen.

President Donald Trump ordered the review to evaluate whether suspension of sanctions related to the nuclear deal was &quot;vital to the national security interests of the United States,&quot; Tillerson said

Though there was no sign the Trump administration intended to walk away from the deal, Tillerson twice cautioned that if left unchecked Tehran could become a threat like North Korea, which is also under pressure over its nuclear ambitions.

In a letter to US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan released late on Tuesday, Tillerson declared that Iran was meeting its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal but there were concerns about Tehran&#39;s role as a state sponsor of terrorism.

&quot;A comprehensive Iran policy requires we address all of the threats posed by Iran and it is clear there are many,&quot; Tillerson told reporters at the State Department.

Tillerson said the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers failed &quot;to achieve the objective of a non-nuclear Iran and only delays their goal of becoming a nuclear state.&quot;

Failed approach

Iran has yet to comment on the Trump administration&#39;s review, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned in November that Tehran would retaliate if the United States breached the nuclear agreement.

Tillerson said one of the mistakes in the way the agreement was put together was that it ignored all the other serious threats Iran posed outside of its nuclear programme.

&quot;That is why we have to look at Iran in a very comprehensive way in terms of the threat it poses in all areas of the region and the world,&quot; he added.

&quot;This deal represents the same failed approach of the past that brought us to the current imminent threat we face from North Korea,&quot; Tillerson said of the nuclear deal.

The nuclear agreement, negotiated during Barack Obama&#39;s presidency, placed limitations on Iran&#39;s nuclear programme in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Iran.

Tillerson&#39;s notice to Congress was part of a 90-day process in which the president has to certify that Iran is complying with the nuclear accord. It is the first update under the Trump administration.

The next test of Trump&#39;s attitude towards the nuclear deal will be in May when he must decide whether to extend sanctions waivers for Iran first signed by President Barack Obama.

During his presidential campaign, Trump called the agreement &quot;the worst deal ever negotiated&quot; and said he would review it once he reached office.

The European Union&#39;s foreign policy chief, Frederica Mogherini, said last month after meetings with senior Trump administration officials she was reassured in the talks that the US&nbsp;was committed to fully implementing the deal.

(Reuters)

Tillerson said that the review will not only look at Iran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal but also at its behaviour in the region

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday accused Iran of 'alarming ongoing provocations' to destabilise countries in the Middle East as the Trump administration launched a review of its policy towards Tehran. Tillerson told reporters the review, which he announced on Tuesday, would not only look at Tehran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal but also its behaviour in the region which he said undermined US interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. His tough words matched those of US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who said in a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that Iran's destabilising influence would have to be overcome to end the conflict in Yemen. President Donald Trump ordered the review to evaluate whether suspension of sanctions related to the nuclear deal was "vital to the national security interests of the United States," Tillerson said Though there was no sign the Trump administration intended to walk away from the deal, Tillerson twice cautioned that if left unchecked Tehran could become a threat like North Korea, which is also under pressure over its nuclear ambitions. In a letter to US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan released late on Tuesday, Tillerson declared that Iran was meeting its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal but there were concerns about Tehran's role as a state sponsor of terrorism. "A comprehensive Iran policy requires we address all of the threats posed by Iran and it is clear there are many," Tillerson told reporters at the State Department. Tillerson said the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers failed "to achieve the objective of a non-nuclear Iran and only delays their goal of becoming a nuclear state." Failed approach Iran has yet to comment on the Trump administration's review, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned in November that Tehran would retaliate if the United States breached the nuclear agreement. Tillerson said one of the mistakes in the way the agreement was put together was that it ignored all the other serious threats Iran posed outside of its nuclear programme. "That is why we have to look at Iran in a very comprehensive way in terms of the threat it poses in all areas of the region and the world," he added. "This deal represents the same failed approach of the past that brought us to the current imminent threat we face from North Korea," Tillerson said of the nuclear deal. The nuclear agreement, negotiated during Barack Obama's presidency, placed limitations on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Iran. Tillerson's notice to Congress was part of a 90-day process in which the president has to certify that Iran is complying with the nuclear accord. It is the first update under the Trump administration. The next test of Trump's attitude towards the nuclear deal will be in May when he must decide whether to extend sanctions waivers for Iran first signed by President Barack Obama. During his presidential campaign, Trump called the agreement "the worst deal ever negotiated" and said he would review it once he reached office. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Frederica Mogherini, said last month after meetings with senior Trump administration officials she was reassured in the talks that the US was committed to fully implementing the deal. (Reuters)

Tillerson accuses Iran of 'alarming provocations' amid review of nuclear deal

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