President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for reducing the number of US&nbsptroops in South Korea, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing several people briefed on the deliberations.

Reduced US&nbsptroop levels are not intended to be a bargaining chip in Trump's planned summit in late May or early June with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, the Times said.

The officials said, however, that a peace treaty between the two Koreas could diminish the need for the 23,500 US&nbspsoldiers currently stationed on the peninsula, the newspaper said.

A full withdrawal of US&nbsptroops was unlikely, the officials said, according to the paper.

But a US&nbspNational Security Council official told a visiting South Korean official in Washington via telephone the report was false, the South Korean presidential office said in a statement.

The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump has said the United States should consider reducing the number of troops in South Korea unless South Korea shoulders more of the cost.

Then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo, before taking office as US&nbspsecretary of state, met Kim last month and reported the North Korean leader was not demanding the withdrawal of all US&nbspforces as a precondition for a summit with Trump.

South Korea said on Wednesday the issue of US&nbsptroops stationed in the South was unrelated to any future peace treaty with North Korea and that American forces should stay even if such an agreement is signed.

Trump has said the United States should consider reducing the number of troops in South Korea unless South Korea shoulders more of the cost

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for reducing the number of US&nbsptroops in South Korea, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing several people briefed on the deliberations. Reduced US&nbsptroop levels are not intended to be a bargaining chip in Trump's planned summit in late May or early June with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, the Times said. The officials said, however, that a peace treaty between the two Koreas could diminish the need for the 23,500 US&nbspsoldiers currently stationed on the peninsula, the newspaper said. A full withdrawal of US&nbsptroops was unlikely, the officials said, according to the paper. But a US&nbspNational Security Council official told a visiting South Korean official in Washington via telephone the report was false, the South Korean presidential office said in a statement. The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump has said the United States should consider reducing the number of troops in South Korea unless South Korea shoulders more of the cost. Then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo, before taking office as US&nbspsecretary of state, met Kim last month and reported the North Korean leader was not demanding the withdrawal of all US&nbspforces as a precondition for a summit with Trump. South Korea said on Wednesday the issue of US&nbsptroops stationed in the South was unrelated to any future peace treaty with North Korea and that American forces should stay even if such an agreement is signed.

Trump orders Pentagon to consider reducing US troops in South Korea

The US Department of Defense has stopped selling mobile phones and modems made by the Chinese technology companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp (000063.SZ) in stores on its military bases, citing potential security risks.

As of April 25, the Pentagon ordered that these and related products be removed from its stores worldwide, according to Pentagon spokesman Major Dave Eastburn.

“These devices may pose an unacceptable risk to the department’s personnel, and mission,” Eastburn said.

The action followed a series of US moves aimed at stopping or reducing access by Huawei and ZTE to the US economy amid allegations the companies could be using their technology to spy on Americans.

Representative of Huawei and ZTE could not be reached immediately for comment, though both have denied allegations that their products are used to spy.&nbsp

The Pentagon noted in its comments to Reuters that in February 2018, the Director of National Intelligence, the heads of the FBI, CIA, and National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and National Glossarial Intelligence Agency testified before the US Senate that Huawei products pose a potential security risk to users.

The US Department of Defense has stopped selling mobile phones and modems made by the Chinese technology companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp (000063.SZ) in stores on its military bases, citing potential security risks

The US Department of Defense has stopped selling mobile phones and modems made by the Chinese technology companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp (000063.SZ) in stores on its military bases, citing potential security risks. As of April 25, the Pentagon ordered that these and related products be removed from its stores worldwide, according to Pentagon spokesman Major Dave Eastburn. “These devices may pose an unacceptable risk to the department’s personnel, and mission,” Eastburn said. The action followed a series of US moves aimed at stopping or reducing access by Huawei and ZTE to the US economy amid allegations the companies could be using their technology to spy on Americans. Representative of Huawei and ZTE could not be reached immediately for comment, though both have denied allegations that their products are used to spy. The Pentagon noted in its comments to Reuters that in February 2018, the Director of National Intelligence, the heads of the FBI, CIA, and National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and National Glossarial Intelligence Agency testified before the US Senate that Huawei products pose a potential security risk to users.

Pentagon stops selling Huawei, ZTE phones in its bases, cites security

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 Pentagon said there were no reports of US&nbsp;military activity, after reports from Syrian television that Syrian air defences responded to a missile attack over Homs which targeted Shayrat air base late Monday night.

"There is no US&nbsp;military activity in that area at this time," Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman said. "We do not have additional details to provide."

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is seeking to arm up to 65,000 members of a "US-partnered force" in Syria, including the terror group PYD/PKK, according to its 2019 fiscal year budget proposal.

In the proposal submitted to the US&nbsp;Congress for approval in February, Pentagon requested $300 million to arm and equip its partners in Syria for the fight against Daesh.

Also, $250 million was also requested for building “border security” in Syria.

According to the proposal, the Pentagon plans to allocate $162.6 million of the $300 million on weapons, equipment, and vehicles, $8 million on base life support which provides basic humanitarian needs, $28 million on transportation and staging costs, and $101.5 million for operational sustainment.

Among the weapons being planned to be sent include 25,000 AK-47 automatic rifles, 1,500 light machine guns, 500 heavy machine guns, 400 RPG-7 rocket launchers, 95 sniper rifles, 20 60mm mortars and 60 120mm mortars.

Along with its total of $47 million cost, Pentagon also requested additional $24 million for ammunition of these weapons.

'There is no US military activity in that area at this time,' Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman said. 'We do not have additional details to provide.'

The Pentagon said there were no reports of US military activity, after reports from Syrian television that Syrian air defences responded to a missile attack over Homs which targeted Shayrat air base late Monday night. "There is no US military activity in that area at this time," Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman said. "We do not have additional details to provide." Meanwhile, the Pentagon is seeking to arm up to 65,000 members of a "US-partnered force" in Syria, including the terror group PYD/PKK, according to its 2019 fiscal year budget proposal. In the proposal submitted to the US Congress for approval in February, Pentagon requested $300 million to arm and equip its partners in Syria for the fight against Daesh. Also, $250 million was also requested for building “border security” in Syria. According to the proposal, the Pentagon plans to allocate $162.6 million of the $300 million on weapons, equipment, and vehicles, $8 million on base life support which provides basic humanitarian needs, $28 million on transportation and staging costs, and $101.5 million for operational sustainment. Among the weapons being planned to be sent include 25,000 AK-47 automatic rifles, 1,500 light machine guns, 500 heavy machine guns, 400 RPG-7 rocket launchers, 95 sniper rifles, 20 60mm mortars and 60 120mm mortars. Along with its total of $47 million cost, Pentagon also requested additional $24 million for ammunition of these weapons.

No US military activity in Syria's Homs at this time, says Pentagon

The United States said on Saturday it overwhelmed and evaded Syrian air defences overnight to strike every target at the heart of Syria's chemical weapons program, in a multi-pronged attack from the air and sea alongside British and French allies.

Although the operation was secretly unfolding for hours before the first impact, it only took minutes from the first to the last detonation from 105 precision-guided missile strikes on three Syrian chemical weapons targets, officials said.

Marine Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, rejected assertions from Russia and Syria that scores of the Western missiles were shot down.&nbsp;

He said Russian air defences did not fire, while Syrian air defences were completely ineffective against an attack from multiple directions involving not just US, British and French aircraft but also US&nbsp;naval destroyers, a cruiser and French frigate and even a US&nbsp;submarine.&nbsp;

The Syrian air defences not only missed the incoming missiles but they kept firing even after the last US, British and French strikes were complete. Some of those more than 40 Syrian missile interceptors, he suggested, might have hit civilian targets.

"When you shoot iron into the sky without guidance, it will inevitably fall to earth," McKenzie told reporters.

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White warned that Russia was actively attempting to sow confusion about the attack.

"The Russian disinformation campaign has already begun. There has been a 2,000 percent increase in Russian trolls in the last 24 hours," White said.

The prime target of the operation was the Barza Research and Development Center in the greater Damascus area, which McKenzie noted was "one of the most heavily defended aerospace areas in the world."

Barza took the brunt of the fire, with 57 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 19 Joint Air to Surface Stand-off missiles.&nbsp;

Though some of Syria's chemical weapons infrastructure was still left, "I think we`ve dealt them a severe blow," McKenzie said, adding it would set the program back for years.

Despite severely damaging the infrastructure with the strikes, McKenzie said the Pentagon would not rule out that the Assad government still had the capability to use such weapons again.

"There's still a residual element of the Syrian program that`s out there," he said.&nbsp;

"I'm not going to say that they're going to be unable to continue to conduct a chemical attack in the future. I suspect, however, they'll think long and hard about it."

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White warned that Russia was actively attempting to sow confusion about the attack

The United States said on Saturday it overwhelmed and evaded Syrian air defences overnight to strike every target at the heart of Syria's chemical weapons program, in a multi-pronged attack from the air and sea alongside British and French allies. Although the operation was secretly unfolding for hours before the first impact, it only took minutes from the first to the last detonation from 105 precision-guided missile strikes on three Syrian chemical weapons targets, officials said. Marine Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, rejected assertions from Russia and Syria that scores of the Western missiles were shot down. He said Russian air defences did not fire, while Syrian air defences were completely ineffective against an attack from multiple directions involving not just US, British and French aircraft but also US naval destroyers, a cruiser and French frigate and even a US submarine. The Syrian air defences not only missed the incoming missiles but they kept firing even after the last US, British and French strikes were complete. Some of those more than 40 Syrian missile interceptors, he suggested, might have hit civilian targets. "When you shoot iron into the sky without guidance, it will inevitably fall to earth," McKenzie told reporters. Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White warned that Russia was actively attempting to sow confusion about the attack. "The Russian disinformation campaign has already begun. There has been a 2,000 percent increase in Russian trolls in the last 24 hours," White said. The prime target of the operation was the Barza Research and Development Center in the greater Damascus area, which McKenzie noted was "one of the most heavily defended aerospace areas in the world." Barza took the brunt of the fire, with 57 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 19 Joint Air to Surface Stand-off missiles. Though some of Syria's chemical weapons infrastructure was still left, "I think we`ve dealt them a severe blow," McKenzie said, adding it would set the program back for years. Despite severely damaging the infrastructure with the strikes, McKenzie said the Pentagon would not rule out that the Assad government still had the capability to use such weapons again. "There's still a residual element of the Syrian program that`s out there," he said. "I'm not going to say that they're going to be unable to continue to conduct a chemical attack in the future. I suspect, however, they'll think long and hard about it."

US strikes crippled Syria's chemical weapons ability: Pentagon

More than 3,000 Google employees have sent a letter to chief executive officer Sundar Pichai, protesting against a Maven project for the US military.

The letter has asked to put a stop on company's Maven project for the Pentagon.

The letter which has been obtained by US daily, The New York Times reportedly reads "we believe that Google should not be in the business of war."

The letter further emphasis that working for a warfare could put off other workers that too in a time in which company is already struggling for people's trust.

The letter further argues that firms like Microsoft and Amazon who are also working for the military doesn't make this any less risky for the company and it is also against the Google's motto of 'don't be evil'.

The project issue was also raised in the companywide meeting by employees during which the Diane Greene leader of Google's cloud infrastructure business defenced the deal.

She further sought a cooperation from the employees and reassure concerned employees, The New York Times reported. &nbsp;

The tech giant&nbsp;is working on Maven project for Pentagon which uses artificial intelligence to analyse video imagery. The project reportedly will help in improving the precision of military drone strikes.

The video imagery will help in better identifying targetted people to avoid any innocent casualty.

According to news reports, the letter has also asked to promise that the company will never build warfare technology.

So far the letter has received 3,100 signatures including dozens of senior engineers of the company. The Google has workforce about 70,000 people.

However, the company subsequently has defended the project 'non-defensive' in nature.

Both Pentagon and Google have assured that the company will not create an autonomous weapons systems that could be used without a human operator.

&nbsp;&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Google is working on Maven project for Pentagon which uses artificial intelligence to analyse video imagery

More than 3,000 Google employees have sent a letter to chief executive officer Sundar Pichai, protesting against a Maven project for the US military. The letter has asked to put a stop on company's Maven project for the Pentagon. The letter which has been obtained by US daily, The New York Times reportedly reads "we believe that Google should not be in the business of war." The letter further emphasis that working for a warfare could put off other workers that too in a time in which company is already struggling for people's trust. The letter further argues that firms like Microsoft and Amazon who are also working for the military doesn't make this any less risky for the company and it is also against the Google's motto of 'don't be evil'. The project issue was also raised in the companywide meeting by employees during which the Diane Greene leader of Google's cloud infrastructure business defenced the deal. She further sought a cooperation from the employees and reassure concerned employees, The New York Times reported. The tech giant is working on Maven project for Pentagon which uses artificial intelligence to analyse video imagery. The project reportedly will help in improving the precision of military drone strikes. The video imagery will help in better identifying targetted people to avoid any innocent casualty. According to news reports, the letter has also asked to promise that the company will never build warfare technology. So far the letter has received 3,100 signatures including dozens of senior engineers of the company. The Google has workforce about 70,000 people. However, the company subsequently has defended the project 'non-defensive' in nature. Both Pentagon and Google have assured that the company will not create an autonomous weapons systems that could be used without a human operator.

Over 3,000 Google employees sign a letter asking to stop Maven project for Pentagon

Amid allegations of China engaging in massive land grabbing in the Maldives, the Pentagon on Saturday said it was a cause of concern for the US.

Asserting that the US was "committed to a free and open" India-Pacific rules-based order, the Pentagon said anything else would cause the US concern.

"The US is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific rules-based order. We have seen concerning developments in the Maldives as far as the Chinese influence is concerned," Joe Felter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, told PTI in an interview.

"It's in India's backyard. We know it's of concern to India. So, yes, (the situation in the Maldives) is a concern. We will see how it plays out. It emphasises some of our priorities identified in our National Defence Strategy," the top Pentagon official said.&nbsp

He was responding to a question on the allegations of a Maldivian opposition leader and a former foreign minister, on the Chinese land grabbing activities in the island nation with the potential of developing them into a military outpost.

Felter said these developments were "a cause of concern" for all states that supported the maintenance of a rules-based order.

"If you look at similar activities across the region, it gives us some cause for concern. From Djibouti to, Gwadar put to Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, and now potentially the Maldives and then extending further east, it's of concern," he said.

Other countries in the region have expressed similar concern, including India, he noted.

"We believe the interests of all states - large and small - are best served by maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based order. Some of China's activities that we've observed give us concern because they do not seem to be consistent with those interests. I suspect India shares these concerns as well," Felter said.&nbsp

During a recent visit to the US, Ahmed Naseem, a former foreign minister of Maldives, had alleged that China was meddling in internal affairs of Maldives and had indulged itself in a massive land grabbing endeavour which if left unchecked would pose a major strategic threat to both the US and India.

China, he alleged, appeared to be keen on building a base in the Maldives which one day may house warships and submarines.

Felter said these developments were "a cause of concern" for all states that supported the maintenance of a rules-based order.

Amid allegations of China engaging in massive land grabbing in the Maldives, the Pentagon on Saturday said it was a cause of concern for the US. Asserting that the US was "committed to a free and open" India-Pacific rules-based order, the Pentagon said anything else would cause the US concern. "The US is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific rules-based order. We have seen concerning developments in the Maldives as far as the Chinese influence is concerned," Joe Felter, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, told PTI in an interview. "It's in India's backyard. We know it's of concern to India. So, yes, (the situation in the Maldives) is a concern. We will see how it plays out. It emphasises some of our priorities identified in our National Defence Strategy," the top Pentagon official said. He was responding to a question on the allegations of a Maldivian opposition leader and a former foreign minister, on the Chinese land grabbing activities in the island nation with the potential of developing them into a military outpost. Felter said these developments were "a cause of concern" for all states that supported the maintenance of a rules-based order. "If you look at similar activities across the region, it gives us some cause for concern. From Djibouti to, Gwadar put to Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, and now potentially the Maldives and then extending further east, it's of concern," he said. Other countries in the region have expressed similar concern, including India, he noted. "We believe the interests of all states - large and small - are best served by maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based order. Some of China's activities that we've observed give us concern because they do not seem to be consistent with those interests. I suspect India shares these concerns as well," Felter said. During a recent visit to the US, Ahmed Naseem, a former foreign minister of Maldives, had alleged that China was meddling in internal affairs of Maldives and had indulged itself in a massive land grabbing endeavour which if left unchecked would pose a major strategic threat to both the US and India. China, he alleged, appeared to be keen on building a base in the Maldives which one day may house warships and submarines.

China’s increasing new developments in Maldives a cause of threat: Pentagon

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'

The Pentagon on Sunday reminded Pakistan that the war on terrorism in the South Asian region reached an &quot;inflection point&quot; and that the country should take the opportunity to tackle and defeat terrorists, as the United States and Pakistan aim&nbsp;to improve their souring ties.

&quot;With respect to Pakistan, we believe that Pakistan can do more to combat terrorism,&quot; Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said at a weekend news briefing in Washington D.C.

&quot;This is an inflection point and this is an opportunity and Pakistan has an opportunity to do more. They&#39;ve been victims of terrorism. So, we&#39;ll look forward to continuing to work with them to see where there are opportunities,&quot; she added.

The Pentagon chief spokesperson also welcomed Pakistan&#39;s support of Afghanistan&#39;s latest peace offer to the Taliban in the Kabul Process Conference in Kabul last week.

Giving a stern warning to the Taliban, White said that the militant group had to abandon the path of terrorism and violence and support the Afghan peace offer.

She also noted that the United States continues to consult New Delhi, not only about &quot;India&#39;s very important role&quot; in Afghanistan but also on other issues that go beyond the South Asian region, The Dawn reported.

The briefing comes after Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua&#39;s will start her two-day visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, which is aimed at defusing the tensions between the US and Pakistan and finding a &quot;common ground&quot;.

On Sunday, official sources confirmed that Janjua will have a series of meetings at the White House and the US State Department and will also address think-tank experts at the US Institute of Peace during her visit.

At the White House, Janjua is likely to meet with Lisa Curtis, the US National Security Council&#39;s senior director for South and Central Asia.

Curtis arrived in Islamabad last week and held talks with Janjua and Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on overall ties between the two countries.

Both sides called for the developing of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and stressed on measures needed to stop human trafficking in the region.

Curtis also visited Islamabad in October last year and met with various Pakistani officials. Both sides had agreed to the common objective of eliminating terrorism.

She held meetings with Janjua and Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.&nbsp;

The statement came as the US and Pakistan aim to improve their souring ties

The Pentagon on Sunday reminded Pakistan that the war on terrorism in the South Asian region reached an "inflection point" and that the country should take the opportunity to tackle and defeat terrorists, as the United States and Pakistan aim to improve their souring ties. "With respect to Pakistan, we believe that Pakistan can do more to combat terrorism," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said at a weekend news briefing in Washington D.C. "This is an inflection point and this is an opportunity and Pakistan has an opportunity to do more. They've been victims of terrorism. So, we'll look forward to continuing to work with them to see where there are opportunities," she added. The Pentagon chief spokesperson also welcomed Pakistan's support of Afghanistan's latest peace offer to the Taliban in the Kabul Process Conference in Kabul last week. Giving a stern warning to the Taliban, White said that the militant group had to abandon the path of terrorism and violence and support the Afghan peace offer. She also noted that the United States continues to consult New Delhi, not only about "India's very important role" in Afghanistan but also on other issues that go beyond the South Asian region, The Dawn reported. The briefing comes after Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua's will start her two-day visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, which is aimed at defusing the tensions between the US and Pakistan and finding a "common ground". On Sunday, official sources confirmed that Janjua will have a series of meetings at the White House and the US State Department and will also address think-tank experts at the US Institute of Peace during her visit. At the White House, Janjua is likely to meet with Lisa Curtis, the US National Security Council's senior director for South and Central Asia. Curtis arrived in Islamabad last week and held talks with Janjua and Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on overall ties between the two countries. Both sides called for the developing of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and stressed on measures needed to stop human trafficking in the region. Curtis also visited Islamabad in October last year and met with various Pakistani officials. Both sides had agreed to the common objective of eliminating terrorism. She held meetings with Janjua and Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Pentagon reminds Pak on terrorism, urges to tackle it

A propaganda video released by the Islamic State group showing the deadly ambush of US troops in Niger raised fresh questions Monday as to the nature of the mission and why the soldiers had been left so vulnerable.&nbsp;

The distressing video, distributed by a pro-IS news agency, includes graphic footage taken by a soldier wearing a helmet camera.&nbsp;

It shows the chaos of the attack, including the solider wearing the camera being shot dead, with apparent IS fighters stalking past his body.

The Defense Department &#39;&#39;is aware of alleged photos and IS propaganda video from the October 4, 2017 terrorist attack in Niger. The release of these materials demonstrates the depravity of the enemy we are fighting,&quot; the Pentagon said in a statement.

The nine-minute video, set to Islamic chanting, includes an image of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and footage of pick-up trucks rolling through a desert landscape.&nbsp;

One of the vehicles is flying an IS flag and other trucks are packed with what appear to be fighters.

The October 4 attack occurred as a unit of 12 American special forces soldiers and 30 Nigerien troops returned from the village of Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali.

They were attacked by a group of some 50 IS-affiliated fighters equipped with small arms, grenades and trucks mounted with guns.

Ill-equipped

The mission was supposed to be a low-risk patrol and the soldiers were clearly ill-equipped for the scale of the attack.&nbsp;

Footage shows the US troops wearing only light body armor, desperately seeking cover behind an unarmored SUV while coming under heavy fire.&nbsp;

In a frantic bid to find some sort of concealment, the troops deployed red smoke grenades but the parched landscape of scrub and dirt provided no effective cover.

At one point in the video, a US soldier is shot and a comrade attempts to pull him to cover behind the SUV.&nbsp;

As their position is about overrun, they have no choice but to try to run away, but there is nowhere to hide.

Four American soldiers were killed along with at least five Nigerien troops. The body of one US soldier, Sergeant La David Johnson, was not recovered until the following day.

&quot;Knowing that they were asked to try and complete and execute this type of mission with that type of equipment, I just could not believe it,&quot; Republican Congressman Marc Veasey told CBS news.&nbsp;

Questions remain about what intelligence failures may have occurred that allowed such a large attack, and why the soldiers did not get immediate back up or air support.&nbsp;

The Americans had been on a joint patrol with Nigerien counterparts they were training when they were ambushed by motorcycle-riding and car-driving gunmen in the Tillaberi region in the Niger&#39;s southwest.

The Pentagon is set to release the findings of an investigation into the incident in the coming days.&nbsp;

The distressing video, distributed by a pro-IS news agency, includes graphic footage taken by a soldier wearing a helmet camera

A propaganda video released by the Islamic State group showing the deadly ambush of US troops in Niger raised fresh questions Monday as to the nature of the mission and why the soldiers had been left so vulnerable. The distressing video, distributed by a pro-IS news agency, includes graphic footage taken by a soldier wearing a helmet camera. It shows the chaos of the attack, including the solider wearing the camera being shot dead, with apparent IS fighters stalking past his body. The Defense Department ''is aware of alleged photos and IS propaganda video from the October 4, 2017 terrorist attack in Niger. The release of these materials demonstrates the depravity of the enemy we are fighting," the Pentagon said in a statement. The nine-minute video, set to Islamic chanting, includes an image of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and footage of pick-up trucks rolling through a desert landscape. One of the vehicles is flying an IS flag and other trucks are packed with what appear to be fighters. The October 4 attack occurred as a unit of 12 American special forces soldiers and 30 Nigerien troops returned from the village of Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali. They were attacked by a group of some 50 IS-affiliated fighters equipped with small arms, grenades and trucks mounted with guns. Ill-equipped The mission was supposed to be a low-risk patrol and the soldiers were clearly ill-equipped for the scale of the attack. Footage shows the US troops wearing only light body armor, desperately seeking cover behind an unarmored SUV while coming under heavy fire. In a frantic bid to find some sort of concealment, the troops deployed red smoke grenades but the parched landscape of scrub and dirt provided no effective cover. At one point in the video, a US soldier is shot and a comrade attempts to pull him to cover behind the SUV. As their position is about overrun, they have no choice but to try to run away, but there is nowhere to hide. Four American soldiers were killed along with at least five Nigerien troops. The body of one US soldier, Sergeant La David Johnson, was not recovered until the following day. "Knowing that they were asked to try and complete and execute this type of mission with that type of equipment, I just could not believe it," Republican Congressman Marc Veasey told CBS news. Questions remain about what intelligence failures may have occurred that allowed such a large attack, and why the soldiers did not get immediate back up or air support. The Americans had been on a joint patrol with Nigerien counterparts they were training when they were ambushed by motorcycle-riding and car-driving gunmen in the Tillaberi region in the Niger's southwest. The Pentagon is set to release the findings of an investigation into the incident in the coming days.

Islamic State video of Niger attack highlights US troops' vulnerability

US President Donald Trump is &ldquo;not satisfied&rdquo; with the progress made by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, the White House said on Friday.

The White House also said that for the first time, the US is holding Pakistan accountable for its actions.

&ldquo;I know that we have restored some clarity in our relationship with Pakistan. For the first time we&rsquo;re holding Pakistan accountable for its actions,&rdquo; White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah told reporters during a press conference.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen modest progress in terms of Pakistan&rsquo;s actual acknowledgement of these concerns, but the President is not satisfied with progress when it comes to Pakistan,&rdquo; Shah said.

He was responding to a question on the progress made in President&rsquo;s (Trump&rsquo;s) South Asia Policy which was announced in August last year.

&ldquo;The US is working closely with our partners in Afghanistan. We&rsquo;ve made significant progress against ISIS, reducing their presence and eliminating hundreds of fighters. We&rsquo;ve eliminated their top leaders, and we&rsquo;re working relentlessly to target their leadership and bases wherever they emerge,&rdquo; Shah said.

In another news conference, the Pentagon said that the South Asia policy offers an opportunity to Pakistan.

&ldquo;The (Defence) secretary believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to do more with respect to regional security, and that it&rsquo;s in its interests to do more with respect to regional security. It&rsquo;s an opportunity, and we would welcome Pakistan&rsquo;s involvement,&rdquo; Pentagon chief press spokesperson Dana White said.

The White House also said that for the first time, the US is holding Pakistan accountable for its actions

US President Donald Trump is “not satisfied” with the progress made by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, the White House said on Friday. The White House also said that for the first time, the US is holding Pakistan accountable for its actions. “I know that we have restored some clarity in our relationship with Pakistan. For the first time we’re holding Pakistan accountable for its actions,” White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah told reporters during a press conference. “We’ve seen modest progress in terms of Pakistan’s actual acknowledgement of these concerns, but the President is not satisfied with progress when it comes to Pakistan,” Shah said. He was responding to a question on the progress made in President’s (Trump’s) South Asia Policy which was announced in August last year. “The US is working closely with our partners in Afghanistan. We’ve made significant progress against ISIS, reducing their presence and eliminating hundreds of fighters. We’ve eliminated their top leaders, and we’re working relentlessly to target their leadership and bases wherever they emerge,” Shah said. In another news conference, the Pentagon said that the South Asia policy offers an opportunity to Pakistan. “The (Defence) secretary believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to do more with respect to regional security, and that it’s in its interests to do more with respect to regional security. It’s an opportunity, and we would welcome Pakistan’s involvement,” Pentagon chief press spokesperson Dana White said.

Donald Trump not satisfied with progress in Pakistan: White House

India is willing to help the US with aviation maintenance in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

The Pentagon also praised India&#39;s developmental role in the war-torn country.

&quot;India has been very supportive, and they&#39;ve pledged additional developmental aid in Afghanistan. They&#39;ve been willing to help with aviation maintenance,&quot; Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White told reporters.

&quot;All of that is very helpful in ensuring, again, that this regional approach works. India is an important part of that,&quot; she said.

Responding to another question, White said that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to do more with respect to the regional security and that it&#39;s in its interests to do more with respect to regional security.

&quot;It&#39;s an opportunity, and we would welcome Pakistan&#39;s involvement,&quot; White said.

The Pentagon also praised India's developmental role in the war-torn country

India is willing to help the US with aviation maintenance in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. The Pentagon also praised India's developmental role in the war-torn country. "India has been very supportive, and they've pledged additional developmental aid in Afghanistan. They've been willing to help with aviation maintenance," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White told reporters. "All of that is very helpful in ensuring, again, that this regional approach works. India is an important part of that," she said. Responding to another question, White said that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to do more with respect to the regional security and that it's in its interests to do more with respect to regional security. "It's an opportunity, and we would welcome Pakistan's involvement," White said.

India willing to help US with aviation maintenance in Afghanistan: Pentagon

China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told Congress in its annual budget proposals for the fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year.

Trump administration today released their proposal for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Fiscal years are different from calendar years. The budgetary proposal covers October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019.

&quot;China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage,&quot; the Pentagon said in its annual defence budget for the fiscal 2019.

As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global preeminence in the future, it said.

The most far-reaching objective of this defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, it said.

According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the reemergence of long term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers.

&quot;It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model&nbsp;gaining veto authority over other nations&#39; economic, diplomatic and security decisions,&quot; it said.

The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour.

The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear.

&quot;Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism,&quot; the Pentagon said.

North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan and the US.

In the Middle East, Iran is competing with its neighbours, asserting an arc of influence and instability while vying for regional hegemony, using state-sponsored terrorist activities, a growing network of proxies and its missile programme to achieve its objectives, the Pentagon said.

According to the budgetary proposals, competitor states, especially China and Russia have narrowed Department of Defence&#39;s military technological advantages, demanding the US find new and innovative ways to fight in the future.

&quot;China is now a strategic competitor, using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea. Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations, and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbours,&quot; it said.

Concurrently, North Korea&#39;s actions and rhetoric continue despite the United Nation&#39;s censure and sanctions.

Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to the Middle East stability.

Despite the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria&#39;s (ISIS) physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder innocent people and threaten peace, the Pentagon added.

China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told Congress in its annual budget proposals for fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year

China is coercing its neighbours to reorder the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon told Congress in its annual budget proposals for the fiscal 2019, beginning October 1 this year. Trump administration today released their proposal for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Fiscal years are different from calendar years. The budgetary proposal covers October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. "China is leveraging military modernisation, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce neighbouring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage," the Pentagon said in its annual defence budget for the fiscal 2019. As China continues its economic and military ascendance, asserting power through an all-of-nation long-term strategy, it will continue to pursue a military modernisation programme that seeks Indo-Pacific regional hegemony in the near-term and displacement of the US to achieve global preeminence in the future, it said. The most far-reaching objective of this defence strategy is to set the military relationship between the US and China on a path of transparency and non-aggression, it said. According to the Pentagon, the central challenge to the US prosperity and security is the reemergence of long term, strategic competition by what the National Security Strategy classifies as revisionist powers. "It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic and security decisions," it said. The Pentagon said Russia seeks veto authority over nations on its periphery in terms of its governmental, economic and diplomatic decisions to shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to change European and Middle East security and economic structures to its favour. The use of emerging technologies to discredit and subvert democratic processes in Georgia, Crimea and eastern Ukraine is concern enough, but when coupled with its expanding and modernising nuclear arsenal the challenge is clear. "Rogue regimes such as North Korea and Iran are destabilising their regions by pursuing nuclear weapons or sponsoring terrorism," the Pentagon said. North Korea seeks to guarantee regime survival and increased leverage through a mixture of nuclear, biological, chemical, conventional and unconventional weapons and a growing ballistic missile capability to gain coercive influence over South Korea, Japan and the US. In the Middle East, Iran is competing with its neighbours, asserting an arc of influence and instability while vying for regional hegemony, using state-sponsored terrorist activities, a growing network of proxies and its missile programme to achieve its objectives, the Pentagon said. According to the budgetary proposals, competitor states, especially China and Russia have narrowed Department of Defence's military technological advantages, demanding the US find new and innovative ways to fight in the future. "China is now a strategic competitor, using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbours while militarising features in the South China Sea. Russia has violated the borders of nearby nations, and pursues veto power over the economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbours," it said. Concurrently, North Korea's actions and rhetoric continue despite the United Nation's censure and sanctions. Iran continues to sow violence and remains the most significant challenge to the Middle East stability. Despite the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) physical caliphate, threats to stability remain as terrorist groups with long reach continue to murder innocent people and threaten peace, the Pentagon added.

China coercing neighbours to reorder Indo-Pacific region: Pentagon

The US&nbsp;military has put countering China and Russia at the centre of a new national defence strategy unveiled on Friday, the latest sign of shifting priorities after more than a decade and a half of focussing on the fight against Islamist militants.

In presenting the new strategy, which will set priorities for the Pentagon for years to come, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called China and Russia &quot;revisionist powers&quot; that &quot;seek to create a world consistent with their authoritarian models.&quot;

The &quot;National Defense Strategy&quot; represents the latest sign of hardening resolve by President Donald Trump&#39;s administration to address challenges from Russia and China, at the same time he is pushing for improved ties with Moscow and Beijing to rein in a nuclear North Korea.

&quot;We will continue to prosecute the campaign against terrorists that we are engaged in today, but great power competition, not terrorism, is now the primary focus of US&nbsp;national security,&quot; Mattis said in a speech presenting the strategy document, the first of its kind since at least 2014.

It sets priorities for the US&nbsp;Defense Department that are expected to be reflected in future defence spending requests. The Pentagon on Friday released an unclassified, 11-page version of the document, which did not provide details on how the shift towards countering China and Russia would be carried out.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking through an interpreter at a news conference at the United Nations, said the United States was using a confrontational approach.

&quot;It is regrettable that instead of having a normal dialogue, instead of using the basis of international law, the US&nbsp;is striving to prove their leadership through such confrontational strategies and concepts,&quot; Lavrov said.

&quot;We&#39;re open for dialogue, we&#39;re prepared to discuss military doctrines,&rdquo; he added.

There was no immediate response from China.

Elbridge Colby, deputy assistant secretary of defence for strategy and force development, said at a briefing with reporters that Russia was far more brazen than China in its use of military power.

Russia annexed Ukraine&#39;s Crimean peninsula in 2014 and intervened militarily in Syria to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Still, Moscow was limited by its economic resources, Colby said.

China, on the other hand, was described as economically and militarily ascendant. China has embarked on a far-reaching military modernization that Colby said was in &quot;deep contravention to our interests.&quot;

Experts praised the document&#39;s targeting of the largest national security threats rather than the longer lists of risks in some previous strategies. But without knowing the budget commitments, it was difficult to assess if it was a sound strategy.

&quot;If we don&#39;t actually see where the money is, you know, there is the danger that it could become all words,&quot; said Mara Karlin, a fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank and a senior defence official in the Obama administration.

The document also listed North Korea among the Pentagon&#39;s priorities, citing the need to focus US&nbsp;missile defences against the threat from Pyongyang, which beyond its nuclear weapons has also amassed an arsenal of biological, chemical, and conventional arms.

The document said that international alliances would be critical for the US&nbsp;military, by far the world&#39;s best-resourced. But it also stressed a need for burden-sharing, an apparent nod to Trump&#39;s public criticism of allies who he says unfairly take advantage of US&nbsp;security guarantees.

Trump has called the NATO alliance &quot;obsolete&quot;, but Mattis said the United States would strengthen its traditional alliances while building new partnerships and listening more to other nations&#39; ideas.

&quot;We will be willing to be persuaded by them, recognising that not all good ideas come from the country with the most aircraft carriers,&quot; Mattis said.

The Pentagon is also working on a policy document on the country&#39;s nuclear arsenal. While Mattis did not specifically address that review, he said the priority is deterrence.

&quot;How do we maintain a safe and effective nuclear deterrence so those weapons are never used? It is a nuclear deterrent, it is not a war fighting capability unless it is the worst day in our nation or the world&#39;s history,&quot; Mattis said.

Mattis had harsh words for the US&nbsp;Congress and its inability to reach agreement on budgets.

The US&nbsp;military&#39;s competitive edge has eroded &quot;in every domain of warfare&quot; he said, partly because of inconsistent funding. A bill to fund the government only through Feb. 16, approved on Thursday night by the House of Representatives, appeared on the verge of collapse in the Senate.

&quot;As hard as the last 16 years of war have been, no enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of the U.S. military than the combined impact&quot; of spending caps and short-term funding.

In sheer spending terms, the United States&#39; military outlay per year is still far more than China and Russia. The United States is spending $587.8 billion per year on its military, China $161.7 billion and Russia $44.6 billion.

In presenting the new strategy, which will set priorities for the Pentagon for years to come, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called China and Russia 'revisionist powers' that 'seek to create a world consistent with their authoritarian models'

The US military has put countering China and Russia at the centre of a new national defence strategy unveiled on Friday, the latest sign of shifting priorities after more than a decade and a half of focussing on the fight against Islamist militants. In presenting the new strategy, which will set priorities for the Pentagon for years to come, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called China and Russia "revisionist powers" that "seek to create a world consistent with their authoritarian models." The "National Defense Strategy" represents the latest sign of hardening resolve by President Donald Trump's administration to address challenges from Russia and China, at the same time he is pushing for improved ties with Moscow and Beijing to rein in a nuclear North Korea. "We will continue to prosecute the campaign against terrorists that we are engaged in today, but great power competition, not terrorism, is now the primary focus of US national security," Mattis said in a speech presenting the strategy document, the first of its kind since at least 2014. It sets priorities for the US Defense Department that are expected to be reflected in future defence spending requests. The Pentagon on Friday released an unclassified, 11-page version of the document, which did not provide details on how the shift towards countering China and Russia would be carried out. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking through an interpreter at a news conference at the United Nations, said the United States was using a confrontational approach. "It is regrettable that instead of having a normal dialogue, instead of using the basis of international law, the US is striving to prove their leadership through such confrontational strategies and concepts," Lavrov said. "We're open for dialogue, we're prepared to discuss military doctrines,” he added. There was no immediate response from China. Elbridge Colby, deputy assistant secretary of defence for strategy and force development, said at a briefing with reporters that Russia was far more brazen than China in its use of military power. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014 and intervened militarily in Syria to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Still, Moscow was limited by its economic resources, Colby said. China, on the other hand, was described as economically and militarily ascendant. China has embarked on a far-reaching military modernization that Colby said was in "deep contravention to our interests." Experts praised the document's targeting of the largest national security threats rather than the longer lists of risks in some previous strategies. But without knowing the budget commitments, it was difficult to assess if it was a sound strategy. "If we don't actually see where the money is, you know, there is the danger that it could become all words," said Mara Karlin, a fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank and a senior defence official in the Obama administration. The document also listed North Korea among the Pentagon's priorities, citing the need to focus US missile defences against the threat from Pyongyang, which beyond its nuclear weapons has also amassed an arsenal of biological, chemical, and conventional arms. The document said that international alliances would be critical for the US military, by far the world's best-resourced. But it also stressed a need for burden-sharing, an apparent nod to Trump's public criticism of allies who he says unfairly take advantage of US security guarantees. Trump has called the NATO alliance "obsolete", but Mattis said the United States would strengthen its traditional alliances while building new partnerships and listening more to other nations' ideas. "We will be willing to be persuaded by them, recognising that not all good ideas come from the country with the most aircraft carriers," Mattis said. The Pentagon is also working on a policy document on the country's nuclear arsenal. While Mattis did not specifically address that review, he said the priority is deterrence. "How do we maintain a safe and effective nuclear deterrence so those weapons are never used? It is a nuclear deterrent, it is not a war fighting capability unless it is the worst day in our nation or the world's history," Mattis said. Mattis had harsh words for the US Congress and its inability to reach agreement on budgets. The US military's competitive edge has eroded "in every domain of warfare" he said, partly because of inconsistent funding. A bill to fund the government only through Feb. 16, approved on Thursday night by the House of Representatives, appeared on the verge of collapse in the Senate. "As hard as the last 16 years of war have been, no enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of the U.S. military than the combined impact" of spending caps and short-term funding. In sheer spending terms, the United States' military outlay per year is still far more than China and Russia. The United States is spending $587.8 billion per year on its military, China $161.7 billion and Russia $44.6 billion.

US military puts China, Russia at centre of new national defence strategy

The US military funded Afghan police and security units even though American officials knew members were implicated in gross human rights violations, according to a watchdog report released Tuesday.

The previously secret report, first provided to Congress in June but now declassified, lays bare the cultural rifts that can exist when America works with local partners.&nbsp;

According to the report by the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the Pentagon repeatedly granted exemptions from US rules that bar assistance to a foreign nation&#39;s security forces if credible information exists of rights violations.

For instance, the Pentagon approved waivers to these so-called Leahy Laws to continue funding for 12 Afghan security force units implicated in 14 gross human rights violations in 2013.&nbsp;

The same workaround, known as the &quot;notwithstanding clause,&quot; was used for eight of nine additional units implicated in 2014.

Although the Defense Department and State Department have &quot;confirmed that some units of the Afghan security forces have committed gross violations of human rights, the secretary of defense has used the notwithstanding clause&quot; to some implicated units, the report states.

The exemptions were made under then-secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ash Carter.

In a response to the report, the Pentagon said the document &quot;does not reflect an understanding of the challenges faced by US forces in Afghanistan in developing and sustaining the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.&quot;

Jedidiah Royal, a Pentagon official, wrote that removing the &quot;not withstanding clause&quot; would remove the defense secretary&#39;s ability to balance the Leahy Laws with &quot;national security objectives and the protection of US forces.&quot;

The report states that as of June 12, 2016 officials were tracking 75 reported gross violation of human rights incidents, including seven involving child sexual assault.&nbsp;

Afghanistan has an entrenched custom of what is known as &quot;bacha bazi&quot; -- or the sexual abuse of boys -- and critics have long accused the United States of not doing enough to counter it.&nbsp;

In one instance outlined in the report, a US soldier heard Afghan men screaming &quot;in what sounded like sex&quot; but did not take action to report it, SIGAR states.

&quot;The full extent of child sexual assault committed by Afghan security forces may never be known,&quot; the report says.

In addition to the child sex assault incidents, officials were also tracking extrajudicial killings and the torture of detainees.

Members of Congress requested the review in 2015 after The New York Times reported on &quot;rampant&quot; child sex abuse in the Afghan security services and said that US personnel had been told not to intervene.

The previously secret report, first provided to Congress in June but now declassified, lays bare the cultural rifts that can exist when America works with local partners

The US military funded Afghan police and security units even though American officials knew members were implicated in gross human rights violations, according to a watchdog report released Tuesday. The previously secret report, first provided to Congress in June but now declassified, lays bare the cultural rifts that can exist when America works with local partners. According to the report by the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the Pentagon repeatedly granted exemptions from US rules that bar assistance to a foreign nation's security forces if credible information exists of rights violations. For instance, the Pentagon approved waivers to these so-called Leahy Laws to continue funding for 12 Afghan security force units implicated in 14 gross human rights violations in 2013. The same workaround, known as the "notwithstanding clause," was used for eight of nine additional units implicated in 2014. Although the Defense Department and State Department have "confirmed that some units of the Afghan security forces have committed gross violations of human rights, the secretary of defense has used the notwithstanding clause" to some implicated units, the report states. The exemptions were made under then-secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ash Carter. In a response to the report, the Pentagon said the document "does not reflect an understanding of the challenges faced by US forces in Afghanistan in developing and sustaining the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces." Jedidiah Royal, a Pentagon official, wrote that removing the "not withstanding clause" would remove the defense secretary's ability to balance the Leahy Laws with "national security objectives and the protection of US forces." The report states that as of June 12, 2016 officials were tracking 75 reported gross violation of human rights incidents, including seven involving child sexual assault. Afghanistan has an entrenched custom of what is known as "bacha bazi" -- or the sexual abuse of boys -- and critics have long accused the United States of not doing enough to counter it. In one instance outlined in the report, a US soldier heard Afghan men screaming "in what sounded like sex" but did not take action to report it, SIGAR states. "The full extent of child sexual assault committed by Afghan security forces may never be known," the report says. In addition to the child sex assault incidents, officials were also tracking extrajudicial killings and the torture of detainees. Members of Congress requested the review in 2015 after The New York Times reported on "rampant" child sex abuse in the Afghan security services and said that US personnel had been told not to intervene.

Pentagon funded Afghan units accused of rights abuses: Report

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modis-jordan-visit-first-in-three-decades-by-indian-prime-minister-vijay-gokhale-32441">Modi&#39;s Jordan visit, first in three decades by Indian PM: Vijay Gokhale</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s visit to Jordan is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in three decades, said Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-meets-crown-prince-of-abu-dhabi-india-uae-sign-5-agreements-32442">PM meets Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; India, UAE sign 5 agreements</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday as the two sides signed five agreements including a historic pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10 per cent stake in offshore oil concession.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-supports-israels-right-to-defend-itself-pentagon-32443">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-supports-israels-right-to-defend-itself-pentagon-32443"> supports Israel&#39;s right to defend itself: Pentagon</a>

The United States fully supports Israel`s right to defend itself against threats, a Pentagon spokesman said after Israel said it struck 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria, including Syrian air defense systems.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-build-speciality-hospital-women-empowerment-centre-in-palestine-signs-6-mous-32445">India to build </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-build-speciality-hospital-women-empowerment-centre-in-palestine-signs-6-mous-32445">speciality</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-build-speciality-hospital-women-empowerment-centre-in-palestine-signs-6-mous-32445"> hospital, women empowerment </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-build-speciality-hospital-women-empowerment-centre-in-palestine-signs-6-mous-32445">centre</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-build-speciality-hospital-women-empowerment-centre-in-palestine-signs-6-mous-32445"> in Palestine, signs 6 MoUs</a>

India and Palestine signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)s worth $40 million on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fire-breaks-out-in-mumbai-shop-12-fire-tenders-at-the-spot-32450">Fire breaks out in Mumbai shop; 12 fire tenders at the spot</a>

A fire broke out in a &nbsp;shop near Maya Hotel at Mankhurd in Mumbai.&nbsp;

As many as 20 fire tenders at the spot battling to put out the fire, according to news agency ANI.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-4th-pink-odi-india-vs-south-africa-32417">4th ODI IND vs SA: South Africa beats India by 5 wickets</a>

South Africa defeated India in the 4th ODI match by 5 wickets at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat.

Modi's Jordan visit, first in three decades by Indian PM: Vijay Gokhale Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s visit to Jordan is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in three decades, said Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale. PM meets Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; India, UAE sign 5 agreements Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday as the two sides signed five agreements including a historic pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10 per cent stake in offshore oil concession. US supports Israel's right to defend itself: Pentagon The United States fully supports Israel`s right to defend itself against threats, a Pentagon spokesman said after Israel said it struck 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria, including Syrian air defense systems. India to build speciality hospital, women empowerment centre in Palestine, signs 6 MoUs India and Palestine signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)s worth $40 million on Saturday. Fire breaks out in Mumbai shop; 12 fire tenders at the spot A fire broke out in a shop near Maya Hotel at Mankhurd in Mumbai. As many as 20 fire tenders at the spot battling to put out the fire, according to news agency ANI. 4th ODI IND vs SA: South Africa beats India by 5 wickets South Africa defeated India in the 4th ODI match by 5 wickets at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat.

WION Morning News Brief, February 11, 2018

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-moves-bill-to-end-non-defence-aid-to-pakistan-32055">US House of Representatives moves bill to end &#39;non-defence aid&#39; to Pakistan</a>

The bill seeks to divert the money for infrastructure projects in the United States.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/two-killed-over-200-injured-in-64-magnitude-taiwan-earthquake-32045">2 killed, over 200 injured in 6.4-magnitude Taiwan earthquake</a>

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near the coastal city of Hualien in Taiwan late on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey&nbsp;said. 
&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-biggest-rocket-spacexs-falcon-heavy-soars-toward-mars-after-perfect-launch-32050">SpaceX sends a sports car into space with world&#39;s most powerful rocket</a>

The world&#39;s most powerful rocket, SpaceX&#39;s Falcon Heavy, roared into space through clear blue skies in its debut test flight on Tuesday.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tells-pentagon-to-plan-a-military-parade-32046">Trump tells Pentagon to plan military parade</a>

US President Donald Trump has asked for a military parade to showcase American muscle and underscore his role as commander-in-chief.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-prepping-for-no-more-tours-2-in-spring-ozzy-osbourne-says-im-not-retiring-32052">Prepping for &#39;No More Tours 2&#39; in spring, Ozzy Osbourne says &#39;I&#39;m not retiring</a>

Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne will kickstart last tour of his life this spring but will continue performing gigs around the world, he confirmed.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near the coastal city of Hualien in Taiwan late on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said.

US House of Representatives moves bill to end 'non-defence aid' to Pakistan The bill seeks to divert the money for infrastructure projects in the United States. 2 killed, over 200 injured in 6.4-magnitude Taiwan earthquake A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck near the coastal city of Hualien in Taiwan late on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said. SpaceX sends a sports car into space with world's most powerful rocket The world's most powerful rocket, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, roared into space through clear blue skies in its debut test flight on Tuesday. Trump tells Pentagon to plan military parade US President Donald Trump has asked for a military parade to showcase American muscle and underscore his role as commander-in-chief. Prepping for 'No More Tours 2' in spring, Ozzy Osbourne says 'I'm not retiring Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne will kickstart last tour of his life this spring but will continue performing gigs around the world, he confirmed.

WION Morning News brief, February 7, 2018

US President Donald Trump has asked for a military parade to showcase American muscle and underscore his role as commander-in-chief, the White House said on Wednesday.

Trump, who has toyed with the idea of a parade in Washington since before being sworn in, has made the request to officers, who are looking for a date.

&quot;President Trump is incredibly supportive of America&#39;s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation,&quot; said press secretary Sarah Sanders.

The Washington Post first reported Trump told top Pentagon brass last month he wants a military parade.

&quot;The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,&quot; the military official said, according to the Post.

&quot;This is being worked at the highest levels of the military,&quot; the official added.

After the Post published its story, the White House issued a statement that said Trump &quot;has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation.&quot;

A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the parade planning was in the &quot;brainstorming&quot; stage and nothing had been decided, the Post reported.

President Trump requests that military begins preparations for a military parade in the nation's capital

US President Donald Trump has asked for a military parade to showcase American muscle and underscore his role as commander-in-chief, the White House said on Wednesday. Trump, who has toyed with the idea of a parade in Washington since before being sworn in, has made the request to officers, who are looking for a date. "President Trump is incredibly supportive of America's great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation," said press secretary Sarah Sanders. The Washington Post first reported Trump told top Pentagon brass last month he wants a military parade. "The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France," the military official said, according to the Post. "This is being worked at the highest levels of the military," the official added. After the Post published its story, the White House issued a statement that said Trump "has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation." A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the parade planning was in the "brainstorming" stage and nothing had been decided, the Post reported.

Donald Trump tells Pentagon to plan a military parade

Moscow on Saturday denounced the &quot;bellicose&quot; and &quot;anti-Russian&quot; nature of new US nuclear policy, warning it would take necessary measures to ensure its own security.

&quot;The bellicose and anti-Russian nature of this document is obvious,&quot; the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it was &quot;deeply disappointed&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;We must take into account the approaches that are now&nbsp;circulating in Washington and take necessary measures to ensure our security,&quot; the ministry said.

The Pentagon on Friday revealed plans to revamp its nuclear arsenal, largely in response to Russian actions in recent years.&nbsp;

The United States already has a massive nuclear arsenal, including 150 B-61 nukes stored across multiple European countries that can be configured for low-yield options.

The new weapons envisioned by the Pentagon would be launchable from submarines or ships, so would not need to be stockpiled in Europe.

Moscow also said the move was &quot;an attempt to put into question (Russia&#39;s) right to legitimate defence&quot;.

&quot;We hope that Washington is conscious of the high level of danger,&quot; the new policy represents, it said.

The document is filled &quot;with all sorts of anti-Russian cliches&quot; and &quot;ends with unfounded allegations&quot; that Russia has breached agreements on arms control.

The foreign ministry said Russia would &quot;strictly respect its obligations in respect to all the international accords.&quot;

The US says Russia has developed, tested and deployed an intermediate-range missile system that breaks its commitments under a 1987 treaty between Washington and the Soviet Union.&nbsp;

Moscow has repeatedly denied claims that its recent deployment of a land-based missile system breaks the treaty.

The Pentagon on Friday revealed plans to revamp its nuclear arsenal, largely in response to Russian actions in recent years.

Moscow on Saturday denounced the "bellicose" and "anti-Russian" nature of new US nuclear policy, warning it would take necessary measures to ensure its own security. "The bellicose and anti-Russian nature of this document is obvious," the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it was "deeply disappointed". "We must take into account the approaches that are now circulating in Washington and take necessary measures to ensure our security," the ministry said. The Pentagon on Friday revealed plans to revamp its nuclear arsenal, largely in response to Russian actions in recent years. The United States already has a massive nuclear arsenal, including 150 B-61 nukes stored across multiple European countries that can be configured for low-yield options. The new weapons envisioned by the Pentagon would be launchable from submarines or ships, so would not need to be stockpiled in Europe. Moscow also said the move was "an attempt to put into question (Russia's) right to legitimate defence". "We hope that Washington is conscious of the high level of danger," the new policy represents, it said. The document is filled "with all sorts of anti-Russian cliches" and "ends with unfounded allegations" that Russia has breached agreements on arms control. The foreign ministry said Russia would "strictly respect its obligations in respect to all the international accords." The US says Russia has developed, tested and deployed an intermediate-range missile system that breaks its commitments under a 1987 treaty between Washington and the Soviet Union. Moscow has repeatedly denied claims that its recent deployment of a land-based missile system breaks the treaty.

Moscow denounces 'anti-Russian' US nuclear policy

The Pentagon has restricted the release of critical information on the progress being made in the war in Afghanistan, a move that will limit transparency, the US&nbsp;government&#39;s top watchdog on Afghanistan said on Monday.

For years, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, has published a quarterly report that includes unclassified data on the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Taliban and the government.

In a report published late on Monday, SIGAR said, however, it was told not to release that information. The military also classified, for the first time since 2009, the actual and authorised total troop numbers and attrition rate for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, or ANDSF.

&quot;The implication is that I think the average American who reads our reports or reads your press accounts of it, has no meaningful ability to analyse how his money or her money is being spent on Afghanistan,&quot; John Sopko, who leads the independent watchdog office, told Reuters in an interview.

The Pentagon sought to deflect blame for the decision, the latest move to limit the amount of publicly available information about the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan - America&#39;s longest.

It said in a statement that the Department of Defense did not tell SIGAR to withhold the data, but rather it was the NATO-led Resolute Support coalition that made the determination.

It added that the Pentagon did not have the authority to overrule the classification made by Resolute Support, which is led by US&nbsp;General John Nicholson.

&quot;The Department continues to work with SIGAR, US&nbsp;Forces-Afghanistan, and NATO Resolute Support to resolve concerns about restrictions on information that was previously unclassified,&quot; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Andrews said.

Former officials and experts said that regardless of who restricted the information, it was particularly worrying because Afghan and US&nbsp;officials had publicly set a benchmark it would now be difficult to measure.

The top US general in Afghanistan set a goal in November of driving back Taliban insurgents enough to control at least 80 percent of the country within two years.

In its most recent report, SIGAR said that 43 percent of Afghanistan&#39;s districts were either under Taliban control or being contested.

Sopko said people would jump to the conclusion that information was being withheld because progress was not being made, which may not be the case.

A similar accusation was made during the Vietnam War, which later proved true.

&quot;In essence, you can ask me almost any question and I will have to say, it is classified or non-releasable, I mean you go down the list, it is just amazing,&quot; Sopko said.

He added that the Department of Defense did not give him any reasons for the move.

Recent attacks

The move by the Pentagon comes amid a spate of violence in Afghanistan over the past nine days that is putting a new, more aggressive strategy under the spotlight.

An ambulance bomb in the city center killed more than 100 people, just over a week after an attack on the Hotel Intercontinental, also in Kabul, killed more than 20, including four US&nbsp;citizens.

President Donald Trump has committed an additional 3,000 US&nbsp;troops to Afghanistan in recent weeks, bringing the total number of American troops in Afghanistan to about 14,000.

Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson Center, said it made little sense to block the information.

&quot;It&#39;s not fair to the American people, to American troops and I would think it&#39;s pretty hard to justify doing something like this,&quot; Kugelman said.

It is not the first time data has been withheld on the Afghan war.

Last year, US&nbsp;forces in Afghanistan restricted the amount of data it provided on the ANDSF, including casualties, personnel strength, and attrition rates - data that has now been completely withheld.

The US&nbsp;military said at the time the data belonged to the Afghan government, which did not want it released.

A former US&nbsp;official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was pressure on the US&nbsp;military to achieve the success that could create a risk of not being fully open with the facts.

&quot;We&#39;re going in a direction of hiding facts and shading and shaping facts in reaction to a lot of pressure to show fast results,&quot; the former official said.

The move will limit transparency, the US government's top watchdog on Afghanistan said on Monday

The Pentagon has restricted the release of critical information on the progress being made in the war in Afghanistan, a move that will limit transparency, the US government's top watchdog on Afghanistan said on Monday. For years, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, has published a quarterly report that includes unclassified data on the amount of territory controlled or influenced by the Taliban and the government. In a report published late on Monday, SIGAR said, however, it was told not to release that information. The military also classified, for the first time since 2009, the actual and authorised total troop numbers and attrition rate for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, or ANDSF. "The implication is that I think the average American who reads our reports or reads your press accounts of it, has no meaningful ability to analyse how his money or her money is being spent on Afghanistan," John Sopko, who leads the independent watchdog office, told Reuters in an interview. The Pentagon sought to deflect blame for the decision, the latest move to limit the amount of publicly available information about the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan - America's longest. It said in a statement that the Department of Defense did not tell SIGAR to withhold the data, but rather it was the NATO-led Resolute Support coalition that made the determination. It added that the Pentagon did not have the authority to overrule the classification made by Resolute Support, which is led by US General John Nicholson. "The Department continues to work with SIGAR, US Forces-Afghanistan, and NATO Resolute Support to resolve concerns about restrictions on information that was previously unclassified," Lieutenant Colonel Michael Andrews said. Former officials and experts said that regardless of who restricted the information, it was particularly worrying because Afghan and US officials had publicly set a benchmark it would now be difficult to measure. The top US general in Afghanistan set a goal in November of driving back Taliban insurgents enough to control at least 80 percent of the country within two years. In its most recent report, SIGAR said that 43 percent of Afghanistan's districts were either under Taliban control or being contested. Sopko said people would jump to the conclusion that information was being withheld because progress was not being made, which may not be the case. A similar accusation was made during the Vietnam War, which later proved true. "In essence, you can ask me almost any question and I will have to say, it is classified or non-releasable, I mean you go down the list, it is just amazing," Sopko said. He added that the Department of Defense did not give him any reasons for the move. Recent attacks The move by the Pentagon comes amid a spate of violence in Afghanistan over the past nine days that is putting a new, more aggressive strategy under the spotlight. An ambulance bomb in the city center killed more than 100 people, just over a week after an attack on the Hotel Intercontinental, also in Kabul, killed more than 20, including four US citizens. President Donald Trump has committed an additional 3,000 US troops to Afghanistan in recent weeks, bringing the total number of American troops in Afghanistan to about 14,000. Michael Kugelman, with the Woodrow Wilson Center, said it made little sense to block the information. "It's not fair to the American people, to American troops and I would think it's pretty hard to justify doing something like this," Kugelman said. It is not the first time data has been withheld on the Afghan war. Last year, US forces in Afghanistan restricted the amount of data it provided on the ANDSF, including casualties, personnel strength, and attrition rates - data that has now been completely withheld. The US military said at the time the data belonged to the Afghan government, which did not want it released. A former US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was pressure on the US military to achieve the success that could create a risk of not being fully open with the facts. "We're going in a direction of hiding facts and shading and shaping facts in reaction to a lot of pressure to show fast results," the former official said.

Pentagon blocks release of key data on Afghan war - watchdog

The Pentagon has decided to review the use of fitness-tracking devices, it said in an announcement on Monday.&nbsp;

The move came soon after analysts noted that the &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fitness-tracking-devices-may-reveal-dangerous-information-like-us-military-base-locations-31087">heat map</a>&#39; published by a GPS tracking company called Stava may reveal potentially sensitive information concerning US military bases and troops stationed in Iraq and Syria.

Nathan Ruser, Founding member of the Institute for United Conflict Analysts -- that monitors conflicts, especially Syria and Iraq Telegram -- called Strava&#39;s global heat map &quot;very pretty&quot;.

&quot;US Bases are clearly identifiable and mappable,&quot; he tweeted.&nbsp;

The map highlights areas with maximum activity, something common in inhabited areas as compared to illuminated desert compounds in the Middle East.

Highlighted areas around insurgent-held cities would easily hint&nbsp;at the possibility of a military base in the area, experts reason.

Pentagon&#39;s spokesman noted that the authorities are working toward a department-wide policy to ensure operational security and force protection.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The move came soon after analysts noted that the 'heat map' published by a GPS tracking company may reveal potentially sensitive information

The Pentagon has decided to review the use of fitness-tracking devices, it said in an announcement on Monday. The move came soon after analysts noted that the 'heat map' published by a GPS tracking company called Stava may reveal potentially sensitive information concerning US military bases and troops stationed in Iraq and Syria. Nathan Ruser, Founding member of the Institute for United Conflict Analysts -- that monitors conflicts, especially Syria and Iraq Telegram -- called Strava's global heat map "very pretty". "US Bases are clearly identifiable and mappable," he tweeted. The map highlights areas with maximum activity, something common in inhabited areas as compared to illuminated desert compounds in the Middle East. Highlighted areas around insurgent-held cities would easily hint at the possibility of a military base in the area, experts reason. Pentagon's spokesman noted that the authorities are working toward a department-wide policy to ensure operational security and force protection.

Pentagon to probe fitness-app use after map reveals sensitive information

The US&nbsp;military has put countering China and Russia at the heart of a new national defense strategy unveiled on Friday, the latest sign of shifting American priorities after more than a decade and a half of focusing on the fight against Islamist militants.

The strategy document, the first of its kind since at least 2014, sets priorities for the US&nbsp;Defense Department that are expected to be reflected in future defense spending requests. The Pentagon released an unclassified, 11-page version of the document on Friday.

The so-called &quot;National Defense Strategy&quot; represents the latest sign of hardening resolve by President Donald Trump&#39;s administration to address challenges from Russia and China, despite Trump&#39;s calls for improved ties with Moscow and Beijing.

&quot;We face growing threats from revisionist powers as different as China and Russia, nations that seek to create a world consistent with their authoritarian models,&quot; Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a speech presenting the document.

Elbridge Colby, deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development, said at a briefing with reporters that Russia was far more brazen than China in its use of military power.

Russia annexed Ukraine&#39;s Crimean peninsula in 2014 and intervened militarily in Syria to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Still, Moscow was limited by its economic resources, Colby said.

China, on the other hand, was described as economically and militarily ascendant by the document. It has embarked on far-reaching military modernization that Colby said was in &quot;deep contravention to our interests.&quot;

&quot;This strategy really represents a fundamental shift to say, look, we have to get back, in a sense, to the basics of the potential for war and this strategy says the focus will be on prioritizing preparedness for war, in particular major power war,&quot; he added.

The document also listed North Korea among the Pentagon&#39;s top priorities, citing the need to focus US&nbsp;missile defenses against the threat from Pyongyang, which beyond its nuclear weapons has also amassed an arsenal of biological, chemical, and conventional arms.

It said that while state actors would have to be countered, non-state actors like Islamist militants would continue to pose a threat.

The document said that international alliances would be critical for the US&nbsp;military, by far the world&#39;s best-resourced. But it also stressed a need for burden-sharing, an apparent nod to Trump&#39;s public criticism of allies who he says unfairly take advantage of US&nbsp;security guarantees.

Mattis said that the US&nbsp;military&#39;s competitive edge has eroded &quot;in every domain of warfare&quot; and blamed that partly on spending caps and congressional budget dysfunction.

&quot;As hard as the last 16 years of war have been, no enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of the US&nbsp;military than the combined impact&quot; of the caps and short-term funding.

In sheer spending terms, the United States&#39; military outlay per year is still far more than China and Russia, the rivals cited by Mattis. The United States is spending $587.8 billion per year on its military, China $161.7 billion and Russia $44.6 billion.

The Pentagon released an unclassified, 11-page version of the document on Friday

The US military has put countering China and Russia at the heart of a new national defense strategy unveiled on Friday, the latest sign of shifting American priorities after more than a decade and a half of focusing on the fight against Islamist militants. The strategy document, the first of its kind since at least 2014, sets priorities for the US Defense Department that are expected to be reflected in future defense spending requests. The Pentagon released an unclassified, 11-page version of the document on Friday. The so-called "National Defense Strategy" represents the latest sign of hardening resolve by President Donald Trump's administration to address challenges from Russia and China, despite Trump's calls for improved ties with Moscow and Beijing. "We face growing threats from revisionist powers as different as China and Russia, nations that seek to create a world consistent with their authoritarian models," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a speech presenting the document. Elbridge Colby, deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development, said at a briefing with reporters that Russia was far more brazen than China in its use of military power. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014 and intervened militarily in Syria to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Still, Moscow was limited by its economic resources, Colby said. China, on the other hand, was described as economically and militarily ascendant by the document. It has embarked on far-reaching military modernization that Colby said was in "deep contravention to our interests." "This strategy really represents a fundamental shift to say, look, we have to get back, in a sense, to the basics of the potential for war and this strategy says the focus will be on prioritizing preparedness for war, in particular major power war," he added. The document also listed North Korea among the Pentagon's top priorities, citing the need to focus US missile defenses against the threat from Pyongyang, which beyond its nuclear weapons has also amassed an arsenal of biological, chemical, and conventional arms. It said that while state actors would have to be countered, non-state actors like Islamist militants would continue to pose a threat. The document said that international alliances would be critical for the US military, by far the world's best-resourced. But it also stressed a need for burden-sharing, an apparent nod to Trump's public criticism of allies who he says unfairly take advantage of US security guarantees. Mattis said that the US military's competitive edge has eroded "in every domain of warfare" and blamed that partly on spending caps and congressional budget dysfunction. "As hard as the last 16 years of war have been, no enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of the US military than the combined impact" of the caps and short-term funding. In sheer spending terms, the United States' military outlay per year is still far more than China and Russia, the rivals cited by Mattis. The United States is spending $587.8 billion per year on its military, China $161.7 billion and Russia $44.6 billion.

Pentagon puts countering China, Russia at center of US defense strategy

A group of active and retired US troops gathered in freezing temperatures outside the Pentagon on Monday to bring attention to sexual assault and harassment in the military.

The protest of about two dozen people, most of them women and none in uniform, comes amid an ongoing wave of revelations about sexual misconduct in the workplace that spawned the social media campaign with the #MeToo hashtag.

Sexual assault in the armed forces has long been a massive problem, with personnel reporting more than 20,000 allegations of sexual assault at military installations over the past four years.

But many victims never report incidents, so the real number is likely far higher, according to a Pentagon report that also found victims often face retaliation for coming forward.

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has sponsored legislation that would make it easier for victims to speak out and &quot;remove the systemic fear that survivors of military sexual assault describe in deciding whether to report the crimes committed against them,&quot; her website states.

Protesters at Monday&#39;s event held placards supporting the legislation and carrying slogans such as &quot;Denial is not a policy&quot;, &quot;Stop the retaliation&quot;, and &quot;#MeTooMilitary.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Three of our founding members spoke out today at the <a href="https://twitter.com/Servicewomen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Servicewomen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeTooMilitary?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MeTooMilitary</a> standdown at The Pentagon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StandUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StandUp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpeakOut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpeakOut</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Speak?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Speak</a> up. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassMJIA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PassMJIA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metoo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Metoo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TIMESUP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TIMESUP</a> <a href="https://t.co/KXfcwkE8py">pic.twitter.com/KXfcwkE8py</a>
&mdash; #NotInMyMarineCorps (@NotInMyMarines) <a href="https://twitter.com/NotInMyMarines/status/950376815285211136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross said such events underscore the Pentagon&#39;s &quot;continued efforts to eliminate sexual harassment and assault from the military.&quot;

&quot;DoD encourages greater reporting of sexual assault to connect victims with restorative care and as an important means to hold offenders appropriately accountable,&quot; he said in a statement.&nbsp;

The Defense Department &quot;understands that it has an important voice in the national conversation about sexual assault and sexual harassment; we are committed to sharing our successes and challenges in hopes that what we learn can benefit US society as a whole.&quot;

Sexual assault in the armed forces has long been a massive problem, with personnel reporting more than 20,000 allegations of sexual assault at military installations over the past four years

A group of active and retired US troops gathered in freezing temperatures outside the Pentagon on Monday to bring attention to sexual assault and harassment in the military. The protest of about two dozen people, most of them women and none in uniform, comes amid an ongoing wave of revelations about sexual misconduct in the workplace that spawned the social media campaign with the #MeToo hashtag. Sexual assault in the armed forces has long been a massive problem, with personnel reporting more than 20,000 allegations of sexual assault at military installations over the past four years. But many victims never report incidents, so the real number is likely far higher, according to a Pentagon report that also found victims often face retaliation for coming forward. Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has sponsored legislation that would make it easier for victims to speak out and "remove the systemic fear that survivors of military sexual assault describe in deciding whether to report the crimes committed against them," her website states. Protesters at Monday's event held placards supporting the legislation and carrying slogans such as "Denial is not a policy", "Stop the retaliation", and "#MeTooMilitary." Three of our founding members spoke out today at the @Servicewomen #MeTooMilitary standdown at The Pentagon. #StandUp #SpeakOut #Speak up. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! #PassMJIA #Metoo #TIMESUP pic.twitter.com/KXfcwkE8py — #NotInMyMarineCorps (@NotInMyMarines) January 8, 2018 × Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross said such events underscore the Pentagon's "continued efforts to eliminate sexual harassment and assault from the military." "DoD encourages greater reporting of sexual assault to connect victims with restorative care and as an important means to hold offenders appropriately accountable," he said in a statement. The Defense Department "understands that it has an important voice in the national conversation about sexual assault and sexual harassment; we are committed to sharing our successes and challenges in hopes that what we learn can benefit US society as a whole."

US troops gather outside Pentagon in #MeTooMilitary protest

The Trump administration is nearing completion of a new &quot;Buy American&quot; plan that calls for US military attaches and diplomats to help drum up billions of dollars more in business overseas for the American weapons industry, going beyond the assistance they currently provide, US officials said.

President Donald Trump as early as February is expected to announce a &quot;whole of government&quot; effort to ease export rules on purchases by foreign countries of US-made military equipment, from fighter jets and drones to warships and artillery, according to people familiar with the plan.

Trump is seeking to fulfil a 2016 election campaign promise to create jobs in the United States by selling more goods and services abroad to bring down the US trade deficit from a six-year high of $50 billion.

The administration is also under pressure from US defence contractors facing growing competition from foreign rivals such as China and Russia. But any loosening of the restrictions on weapons sales would be in defiance of human rights and arms control advocates who said there was too great a risk of fueling violence in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia or arms being diverted to be used in terrorist attacks.

Besides the greater use of a network of military and commercial attaches already stationed at US embassies in foreign capitals, senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said another thrust of the plan will be to set in motion a realignment of the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR). It is a central policy governing arms exports since 1976 and has not been fully revamped in more than three decades.

This expanded government effort on behalf of American arms makers, together with looser restrictions on weapons exports and more favourable treatment of sales to non-NATO allies and partners, could bring additional billions of dollars in deals and more jobs, a senior US official said, without providing specifics.

The strategy of having the Pentagon and the US State Department take a more active role in securing foreign arms deals could especially benefit major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co.

&quot;We want to see those guys, the commercial and military attach, unfettered to be salesmen for this stuff, to be promoters,&quot; said the senior administration official, who is close to the internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A State Department official asked to confirm details of the coming new policy, said the revamped approach &quot;gives our partners a greater capacity to help share the burden of international security, benefits the defence industrial base and will provide more good jobs for American workers.&quot; 
The White House and Pentagon declined official comment.

Defense industry officials and lobbyists have privately welcomed what they expect will be a more sales-friendly approach. 
It is unclear how deeply the diplomats and military officers overseas will delve into dealmaking and what guidelines will be established, said officials in the administration.

Trump, a Republican, has the legal authority to direct government embassy &quot;security assistance officers,&quot; both military personnel and civilians, to do more to help drive arms sales.

Administration officials see this group, which already has duties such as managing military aid overseas and providing information to foreign governments for buying US arms, as underutilized by previous presidents.

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The Trump administration plans to cut regulations in order to boost arms sales overseas. (Reuters)
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&#39;Back seat&#39; for human rights?

One national security analyst said that easing export restrictions to allow defence contractors to reap greater profits internationally would increase the danger of top-of-the-line US weapons going to governments with poor human rights records or being used by militants.

&quot;This administration has demonstrated from the very beginning that human rights have taken a back seat to economic concerns,&quot; said Rachel Stohl, director of the conventional defense program at the Stimson Center in Washington. &quot;And the short-sightedness of a new arms export policy could have serious long-term implications.&quot;

The administration officials said human rights considerations would remain part of the formula for arms sales decisions. But they said such reviews would now afford greater weight than before to whether a deal would be good for the US economy and strengthen America&#39;s defence industrial base, in which case red tape would be cut accordingly.

Rules to make it easier to sell US-made military drones overseas and compete against fast-growing Chinese and Israeli rivals are also expected to be in the Trump plan, officials said.

Trump&#39;s Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, also sought to make it easier to sell to America&#39;s most trusted allies but in a more cautious approach that his administration billed as a way to boost American business while keeping strict controls against more dangerous arms proliferation. Foreign weapons sales soared during his tenure, with the United States retaining its position as the world&#39;s top arms supplier.

Shares of the five biggest US defence contractors, including Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon Co, General Dynamics Corp and Northrop Grumman have more than tripled over the last five years and currently trade at or near all-time highs.

Foreign military sales in fiscal 2017, comprising much of Trump&#39;s first year in office and the final months of Obama&#39;s term, climbed to $42 billion, compared to $31 billion in the prior year, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The Trump administration is under pressure from US defence contractors facing growing competition from foreign rivals such as China and Russia.

The Trump administration is nearing completion of a new "Buy American" plan that calls for US military attaches and diplomats to help drum up billions of dollars more in business overseas for the American weapons industry, going beyond the assistance they currently provide, US officials said. President Donald Trump as early as February is expected to announce a "whole of government" effort to ease export rules on purchases by foreign countries of US-made military equipment, from fighter jets and drones to warships and artillery, according to people familiar with the plan. Trump is seeking to fulfil a 2016 election campaign promise to create jobs in the United States by selling more goods and services abroad to bring down the US trade deficit from a six-year high of $50 billion. The administration is also under pressure from US defence contractors facing growing competition from foreign rivals such as China and Russia. But any loosening of the restrictions on weapons sales would be in defiance of human rights and arms control advocates who said there was too great a risk of fueling violence in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia or arms being diverted to be used in terrorist attacks. Besides the greater use of a network of military and commercial attaches already stationed at US embassies in foreign capitals, senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said another thrust of the plan will be to set in motion a realignment of the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR). It is a central policy governing arms exports since 1976 and has not been fully revamped in more than three decades. This expanded government effort on behalf of American arms makers, together with looser restrictions on weapons exports and more favourable treatment of sales to non-NATO allies and partners, could bring additional billions of dollars in deals and more jobs, a senior US official said, without providing specifics. The strategy of having the Pentagon and the US State Department take a more active role in securing foreign arms deals could especially benefit major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co. "We want to see those guys, the commercial and military attach, unfettered to be salesmen for this stuff, to be promoters," said the senior administration official, who is close to the internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity. A State Department official asked to confirm details of the coming new policy, said the revamped approach "gives our partners a greater capacity to help share the burden of international security, benefits the defence industrial base and will provide more good jobs for American workers." The White House and Pentagon declined official comment. Defense industry officials and lobbyists have privately welcomed what they expect will be a more sales-friendly approach. It is unclear how deeply the diplomats and military officers overseas will delve into dealmaking and what guidelines will be established, said officials in the administration. Trump, a Republican, has the legal authority to direct government embassy "security assistance officers," both military personnel and civilians, to do more to help drive arms sales. Administration officials see this group, which already has duties such as managing military aid overseas and providing information to foreign governments for buying US arms, as underutilized by previous presidents. The Trump administration plans to cut regulations in order to boost arms sales overseas. (Reuters) × 'Back seat' for human rights? One national security analyst said that easing export restrictions to allow defence contractors to reap greater profits internationally would increase the danger of top-of-the-line US weapons going to governments with poor human rights records or being used by militants. "This administration has demonstrated from the very beginning that human rights have taken a back seat to economic concerns," said Rachel Stohl, director of the conventional defense program at the Stimson Center in Washington. "And the short-sightedness of a new arms export policy could have serious long-term implications." The administration officials said human rights considerations would remain part of the formula for arms sales decisions. But they said such reviews would now afford greater weight than before to whether a deal would be good for the US economy and strengthen America's defence industrial base, in which case red tape would be cut accordingly. Rules to make it easier to sell US-made military drones overseas and compete against fast-growing Chinese and Israeli rivals are also expected to be in the Trump plan, officials said. Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, also sought to make it easier to sell to America's most trusted allies but in a more cautious approach that his administration billed as a way to boost American business while keeping strict controls against more dangerous arms proliferation. Foreign weapons sales soared during his tenure, with the United States retaining its position as the world's top arms supplier. Shares of the five biggest US defence contractors, including Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon Co, General Dynamics Corp and Northrop Grumman have more than tripled over the last five years and currently trade at or near all-time highs. Foreign military sales in fiscal 2017, comprising much of Trump's first year in office and the final months of Obama's term, climbed to $42 billion, compared to $31 billion in the prior year, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Donald Trump to call on Pentagon, diplomats to play bigger role in arms sales: Sources

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday he planned to stay in his post through 2018 despite speculation he might leave soon due to a fractious relationship with President Donald Trump, whom he reportedly called a &quot;moron.&quot;

In an interview with CNN, Tillerson said he thought the Trump administration had a &quot;very successful&quot; year in 2017 and was now executing policies that he hoped would lead to &quot;a very, very successful 2018.&quot;

When pressed on his plans, Tillerson said, &quot;I intend to be here for the whole year.&quot;

Tillerson&#39;s relationship with Trump appeared to sour over the course of the year. NBC reported in October that Tillerson referred to the president as a &quot;moron&quot; after a Pentagon meeting in July. In November, there were reports the White House was contemplating replacing him.

Tillerson told CNN the president had given him no indication his job was in jeopardy.

The CNN interview coincided with the release of a sharply critical book on Trump&#39;s first year as president. The book portrayed the US&nbsp;leader as behaving like a child and raised new questions about his fitness for public office.

Asked if he shared the assessment that Trump was not mentally fit for office, Tillerson said: &quot;I&#39;ve never questioned his mental fitness. I have no reason to question his mental fitness.&quot;

Tillerson said it took him a while to learn how to best communicate with Trump, who he did not know before becoming secretary of state. Tillerson, a former Exxon chief executive, said he and the president had different management and decision-making styles.

&quot;I&#39;ve had to spend a lot of time understanding how to best communicate with him so I can serve his needs with information,&quot; Tillerson told CNN.

&quot;Something I had to learn is what is effective with this president,&quot; Tillerson said. &quot;He is not typical of presidents of the past. I think that&#39;s well recognized. That&#39;s also though why the American people chose him.&quot;

He said he tries to brief Trump on all sides of an issue, &quot;even when I know it&#39;s not the side that he really wants to consider.&quot;

&quot;People should feel good about the way decisions are made because it&#39;s not just one of giving in to what you think the president wants, rather helping him see the full array of all of the options,&quot; Tillerson said.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday he planned to stay in his post through 2018 despite speculation he might leave soon due to a fractious relationship with President Donald Trump, whom he reportedly called a 'moron'

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday he planned to stay in his post through 2018 despite speculation he might leave soon due to a fractious relationship with President Donald Trump, whom he reportedly called a "moron." In an interview with CNN, Tillerson said he thought the Trump administration had a "very successful" year in 2017 and was now executing policies that he hoped would lead to "a very, very successful 2018." When pressed on his plans, Tillerson said, "I intend to be here for the whole year." Tillerson's relationship with Trump appeared to sour over the course of the year. NBC reported in October that Tillerson referred to the president as a "moron" after a Pentagon meeting in July. In November, there were reports the White House was contemplating replacing him. Tillerson told CNN the president had given him no indication his job was in jeopardy. The CNN interview coincided with the release of a sharply critical book on Trump's first year as president. The book portrayed the US leader as behaving like a child and raised new questions about his fitness for public office. Asked if he shared the assessment that Trump was not mentally fit for office, Tillerson said: "I've never questioned his mental fitness. I have no reason to question his mental fitness." Tillerson said it took him a while to learn how to best communicate with Trump, who he did not know before becoming secretary of state. Tillerson, a former Exxon chief executive, said he and the president had different management and decision-making styles. "I've had to spend a lot of time understanding how to best communicate with him so I can serve his needs with information," Tillerson told CNN. "Something I had to learn is what is effective with this president," Tillerson said. "He is not typical of presidents of the past. I think that's well recognized. That's also though why the American people chose him." He said he tries to brief Trump on all sides of an issue, "even when I know it's not the side that he really wants to consider." "People should feel good about the way decisions are made because it's not just one of giving in to what you think the president wants, rather helping him see the full array of all of the options," Tillerson said.

Tillerson says will stay as top US diplomat through 2018

Undeniably, the world will face paralysis if we were to do away with GPS. The Global Positioning System is an intricate web of signals that are beamed off satellites positioned in space.

While most of us would not like to fancy a scenario devoid of internet and GPS, United States seem to have started putting the mind in the reverse direction -- what to do if GPS fails?

Reportedly, America&nbsp;has begun bracing-up for a situation where its space-based technology is disrupted or damaged.

While it is extremely cumbersome and expensive for countries to innovate and develop orbital platforms, jamming or destroying military satellites of an enemy country would be way too simpler and easier. Low-cost jammers, strategically stationed, can wreak havoc with incoming GPS signals.

&quot;When you start taking away those combat multipliers, we need to go back then to the days of the industrial-age army where you have to have three times as many people as the adversary does,&quot; said Colonel Richard Zellmann, commander of the 1st Space Brigade based in Colorado.

According to a latest AFP report, about 70 per cent of US Army&#39;s &#39;major combat systems&#39; depends on GPS signals.

While countries like Russia and China are busy bolstering their satellites competence, America has also developed satellites capable of inspecting or monitoring other space objects.

America plans ahead

The US now thinks of going the old-school way, training their soldiers to read paper maps, and teaching their sailors how to navigate by the stars.

The older, analogue technologies are being technologically overhauled by new science, &quot;designed to replicate satellites, only from Earth,&quot; noted the report.&nbsp;

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, US (DARPA) is now all set to develop next-gen navigation and timing tools for the Pentagon that are better-off GPS. 
&nbsp; 
But space, once an uncontested territory, is also becoming congested and crowded by the day, all thanks to technological advancements. Keeping the same in mind, United States has started investing in a new generation of satellites equipped with better accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities.

President Donald Trump on Monday communicated his first National Security Strategy and talked about America&#39;s space infrastructure and US military&#39;s dependence on it.

(With inputs from AFP)

According to a latest AFP report, about 70 per cent of US Army's 'major combat systems' depend on GPS signals

Undeniably, the world will face paralysis if we were to do away with GPS. The Global Positioning System is an intricate web of signals that are beamed off satellites positioned in space. While most of us would not like to fancy a scenario devoid of internet and GPS, United States seem to have started putting the mind in the reverse direction -- what to do if GPS fails? Reportedly, America has begun bracing-up for a situation where its space-based technology is disrupted or damaged. While it is extremely cumbersome and expensive for countries to innovate and develop orbital platforms, jamming or destroying military satellites of an enemy country would be way too simpler and easier. Low-cost jammers, strategically stationed, can wreak havoc with incoming GPS signals. "When you start taking away those combat multipliers, we need to go back then to the days of the industrial-age army where you have to have three times as many people as the adversary does," said Colonel Richard Zellmann, commander of the 1st Space Brigade based in Colorado. According to a latest AFP report, about 70 per cent of US Army's 'major combat systems' depends on GPS signals. While countries like Russia and China are busy bolstering their satellites competence, America has also developed satellites capable of inspecting or monitoring other space objects. America plans ahead The US now thinks of going the old-school way, training their soldiers to read paper maps, and teaching their sailors how to navigate by the stars. The older, analogue technologies are being technologically overhauled by new science, "designed to replicate satellites, only from Earth," noted the report. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, US (DARPA) is now all set to develop next-gen navigation and timing tools for the Pentagon that are better-off GPS. But space, once an uncontested territory, is also becoming congested and crowded by the day, all thanks to technological advancements. Keeping the same in mind, United States has started investing in a new generation of satellites equipped with better accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities. President Donald Trump on Monday communicated his first National Security Strategy and talked about America's space infrastructure and US military's dependence on it. (With inputs from AFP)

GPS failure will paralyse the world, US plans ahead

The Pentagon acknowledged on Saturday that its long-secret UFO investigation program ended in 2012 when US&nbsp;defense officials shifted attention and funding to other priorities.

But as to whether the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program has continued to investigate UFO sightings since its funding ended five years ago could rank as an unexplained phenomenon.

The New York Times reported on Saturday that the hush-hush program, tasked with investigating sightings of unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, ran from 2007 to 2012 with $22 million in annual funding secretly tucked away in US&nbsp;Defense Department budgets worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Its initial funding came largely at the request of former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat long known for his enthusiasm for space phenomena, the newspaper said.

Yet according to its backers, the program remains in existence and officials continue to investigate UFO episodes brought to their attention by service members, the newspaper said.

The Pentagon openly acknowledged the fate of the program in response to a Reuters query.

&quot;The Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program ended in the 2012 timeframe,&quot; Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Ochoa said in an email.

&quot;It was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that merited funding and it was in the best interest of the DoD to make a change,&quot; she said.

But the Pentagon was less clear about whether the UFO program continues to hover somewhere in the vast universe of the US&nbsp;defense establishment.

&quot;The DoD takes seriously all threats and potential threats to our people, our assets, and our mission and takes action whenever credible information is developed,&quot; Ochoa said.

What is less in doubt is former senator Reid&#39;s enthusiasm for UFOs and his likely role in launching the Pentagon initiative to identify advanced aviation threats.

&quot;If you&#39;ve talked to Harry Reid for &gt; 60 seconds then it&#39;s the least surprising thing ever that he loves UFOs and got an earmark to study them,&quot; former Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman said in a message on Twitter.

Or as Reid himself said in a tweet that linked to the Times&#39; story: &quot;The truth is out there. Seriously.&quot;

Whether the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program has continued to investigate UFO sightings since its funding ended five years ago could rank as an unexplained phenomenon

The Pentagon acknowledged on Saturday that its long-secret UFO investigation program ended in 2012 when US defense officials shifted attention and funding to other priorities. But as to whether the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program has continued to investigate UFO sightings since its funding ended five years ago could rank as an unexplained phenomenon. The New York Times reported on Saturday that the hush-hush program, tasked with investigating sightings of unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, ran from 2007 to 2012 with $22 million in annual funding secretly tucked away in US Defense Department budgets worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Its initial funding came largely at the request of former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat long known for his enthusiasm for space phenomena, the newspaper said. Yet according to its backers, the program remains in existence and officials continue to investigate UFO episodes brought to their attention by service members, the newspaper said. The Pentagon openly acknowledged the fate of the program in response to a Reuters query. "The Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program ended in the 2012 timeframe," Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Ochoa said in an email. "It was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that merited funding and it was in the best interest of the DoD to make a change," she said. But the Pentagon was less clear about whether the UFO program continues to hover somewhere in the vast universe of the US defense establishment. "The DoD takes seriously all threats and potential threats to our people, our assets, and our mission and takes action whenever credible information is developed," Ochoa said. What is less in doubt is former senator Reid's enthusiasm for UFOs and his likely role in launching the Pentagon initiative to identify advanced aviation threats. "If you've talked to Harry Reid for > 60 seconds then it's the least surprising thing ever that he loves UFOs and got an earmark to study them," former Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman said in a message on Twitter. Or as Reid himself said in a tweet that linked to the Times' story: "The truth is out there. Seriously."

Does Pentagon still have a UFO program? Here's the answer

India is Afghanistan&#39;s &quot;most reliable regional partner&quot;, the Pentagon told the US Congress today as it welcomed additional economic, medical, and civic support from New Delhi to the war-torn country.

&quot;India is Afghanistan&#39;s most reliable regional partner and the largest contributor of development assistance in the region,&quot; said the Pentagon in its report to the Congress titled &#39;Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan&#39;.

This assistance includes civil development projects such as the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam and the Afghan parliament building, the report said.

India provides significant training opportunities for Afghan officers and enlisted personnel and has frequently offered to increase its burden sharing for Afghanistan, it said, adding that approximately 130 Afghans travel to India each year to attend various military and commissioning programmes.

India has also donated limited security assistance, most notably four Mi-35 aircraft, the Pentagon said.

&quot;The new South Asia policy highlighted our relationship with India and called on India to provide more assistance to the international efforts in Afghanistan. The United States welcomes additional Indian economic, medical, and civic support to Afghanistan,&quot; the Pentagon said in its report.

This is the first report of the Pentagon to Congress after President Donald Trump announced his new Afghan and South Asia policy in August.

&quot;Our purpose in Afghanistan remains the same: to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven from which terrorist groups can plan and execute attacks on the United States, or our allies and citizens abroad. To accomplish this, we continue to support our Afghan partners and train, advise, and assist its military and government institutions,&quot; it said.

Under the new strategy, the US will continue to support the Afghan government and security forces in the fight against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Khorasan (ISIS-K), and other insurgents and terrorists, to strengthen the Afghan government and prevent reestablishment of terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan.

&quot;A major change from our previous strategy is the shift from a time-based approach to a conditions-based one. This shift underscores the US commitment to the continued development of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), provided that our Afghan partners satisfy their obligations,&quot; the Pentagon said.

The new strategy does not mean a return to US-led combat operations, instead, the key to success lies in improving ANDSF capabilities and allow them to lead in the fight against the Taliban, it clarified.

&quot;We will continue to work by, with, and through the ANDSF to help them defeat their enemies and to ultimately arrive at a political settlement in Afghanistan,&quot; said the Pentagon.

This assistance includes civil development projects such as the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam and the Afghan parliament building, the report said

India is Afghanistan's "most reliable regional partner", the Pentagon told the US Congress today as it welcomed additional economic, medical, and civic support from New Delhi to the war-torn country. "India is Afghanistan's most reliable regional partner and the largest contributor of development assistance in the region," said the Pentagon in its report to the Congress titled 'Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan'. This assistance includes civil development projects such as the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam and the Afghan parliament building, the report said. India provides significant training opportunities for Afghan officers and enlisted personnel and has frequently offered to increase its burden sharing for Afghanistan, it said, adding that approximately 130 Afghans travel to India each year to attend various military and commissioning programmes. India has also donated limited security assistance, most notably four Mi-35 aircraft, the Pentagon said. "The new South Asia policy highlighted our relationship with India and called on India to provide more assistance to the international efforts in Afghanistan. The United States welcomes additional Indian economic, medical, and civic support to Afghanistan," the Pentagon said in its report. This is the first report of the Pentagon to Congress after President Donald Trump announced his new Afghan and South Asia policy in August. "Our purpose in Afghanistan remains the same: to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a safe haven from which terrorist groups can plan and execute attacks on the United States, or our allies and citizens abroad. To accomplish this, we continue to support our Afghan partners and train, advise, and assist its military and government institutions," it said. Under the new strategy, the US will continue to support the Afghan government and security forces in the fight against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Khorasan (ISIS-K), and other insurgents and terrorists, to strengthen the Afghan government and prevent reestablishment of terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan. "A major change from our previous strategy is the shift from a time-based approach to a conditions-based one. This shift underscores the US commitment to the continued development of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), provided that our Afghan partners satisfy their obligations," the Pentagon said. The new strategy does not mean a return to US-led combat operations, instead, the key to success lies in improving ANDSF capabilities and allow them to lead in the fight against the Taliban, it clarified. "We will continue to work by, with, and through the ANDSF to help them defeat their enemies and to ultimately arrive at a political settlement in Afghanistan," said the Pentagon.

India is Afghanistan's most reliable regional partner: Pentagon

President Donald Trump&#39;s administration is set to deliver the Pentagon guidance in coming days on how to implement his ban on transgender people serving in the military, The Wall Street Journal said Wednesday.

Trump last month deployed a series of tweets that upended an Obama-era policy of more than a year allowing transgender troops to serve openly, an announcement that came with little apparent coordination with the Pentagon.

The two-and-a-half page White House memo would let Defense Secretary Jim Mattis &quot;consider a service member&#39;s ability to deploy in deciding whether to kick them out of the military,&quot; the WSJ said.

Citing US officials familiar with the memo, the paper said the guidance instructs the Pentagon not to admit new transgender people and to end payments for medical treatment regimens for members already serving.

Since Trump&#39;s declaration several senior military officials have voiced unease over the policy shift, with the head of the Coast Guard saying he would not &quot;break faith&quot; with transgender personnel.

He said there were 13 Coast Guard members who have come out as transgender, noting &quot;all of them are doing meaningful Coast Guard work today.&quot;

A day after the president&#39;s bombshell announcement, General Joe Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sent a short memo to senior officers and enlisted leaders that the current policy should remain in effect until Trump gives formal direction to the Pentagon and Mattis issues new guidance.

&quot;In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect,&quot; Dunford wrote.

General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, had said he first learned of the change on the news.

&quot;We will work through the implementation guidance when we get it, and then we will move from there,&quot; Milley said.&nbsp;

Five transgender women in the US military are suing Trump and the Pentagon over the announcement, saying they face uncertainty about their futures, including whether they would be fired or lose post-military and retirement benefits.

Trump has said he did the Pentagon a &quot;great favor&quot; by banning transgender troops, saying the issue had been &quot;complicated&quot; and &quot;confusing&quot; for the military.

The number of transgender troops among America&#39;s 1.3 million active duty service members is small, with estimates ranging from between 1,320 and 15,000.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the guidance instructs the Pentagon not to admit new transgender people and to end payments for medical treatment regimens for members already serving

President Donald Trump's administration is set to deliver the Pentagon guidance in coming days on how to implement his ban on transgender people serving in the military, The Wall Street Journal said Wednesday. Trump last month deployed a series of tweets that upended an Obama-era policy of more than a year allowing transgender troops to serve openly, an announcement that came with little apparent coordination with the Pentagon. The two-and-a-half page White House memo would let Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "consider a service member's ability to deploy in deciding whether to kick them out of the military," the WSJ said. Citing US officials familiar with the memo, the paper said the guidance instructs the Pentagon not to admit new transgender people and to end payments for medical treatment regimens for members already serving. Since Trump's declaration several senior military officials have voiced unease over the policy shift, with the head of the Coast Guard saying he would not "break faith" with transgender personnel. He said there were 13 Coast Guard members who have come out as transgender, noting "all of them are doing meaningful Coast Guard work today." A day after the president's bombshell announcement, General Joe Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sent a short memo to senior officers and enlisted leaders that the current policy should remain in effect until Trump gives formal direction to the Pentagon and Mattis issues new guidance. "In the meantime, we will continue to treat all of our personnel with respect," Dunford wrote. General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, had said he first learned of the change on the news. "We will work through the implementation guidance when we get it, and then we will move from there," Milley said. Five transgender women in the US military are suing Trump and the Pentagon over the announcement, saying they face uncertainty about their futures, including whether they would be fired or lose post-military and retirement benefits. Trump has said he did the Pentagon a "great favor" by banning transgender troops, saying the issue had been "complicated" and "confusing" for the military. The number of transgender troops among America's 1.3 million active duty service members is small, with estimates ranging from between 1,320 and 15,000.

Trump administration to give guidance on military transgender ban: Report

Headquarters of United States Department of Defense, Pentagon, has given more than 130 US&nbsp;military bases across the United States the green light to shoot down private and commercial drones that could endanger aviation safety or pose other threats.

The uncrewed aircrafts have multiplied in US skies in recent years and continue to increase at a fast rate. &nbsp;U.S. and private-sector officials are concerned that dangerous or even hostile drones could cause disturbance in places like military bases, airports and sports stadiums.

While the specific action that the U.S. military can take against drones remain classified, it will include destroying or seizing private and commercial drones that pose a threat, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters on Monday.

The classified guidelines were distributed early last month. The Pentagon sent out unclassified guidance on how to communicate the policy to communities on Friday.

&quot;The increase of commercial and private drones in the United States has raised our concerns with regards to the safety and security of our installations, aviation safety and the safety of people,&quot; Davis said.

In April, flights of drones over 133 US&nbsp;military bases were prohibited for security concerns.

Drones have become popular as toys and with hobbyists, and have commercial uses such as aerial photography. Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc&#39;s Google unit have been utilising drones to deliver online ordered goods ordered.

The Federal Aviation Administration estimated the commercial drone fleet would grow to about 442,000 aircraft by 2021 from 42,000 that were present at the end of&nbsp;2016. The FAA said there could be as many as 1.6 million commercial drones in use by 2021.

In April, flights of nearly all drones over 133 US military facilities were banned due to security concerns

Headquarters of United States Department of Defense, Pentagon, has given more than 130 US military bases across the United States the green light to shoot down private and commercial drones that could endanger aviation safety or pose other threats. The uncrewed aircrafts have multiplied in US skies in recent years and continue to increase at a fast rate. U.S. and private-sector officials are concerned that dangerous or even hostile drones could cause disturbance in places like military bases, airports and sports stadiums. While the specific action that the U.S. military can take against drones remain classified, it will include destroying or seizing private and commercial drones that pose a threat, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters on Monday. The classified guidelines were distributed early last month. The Pentagon sent out unclassified guidance on how to communicate the policy to communities on Friday. "The increase of commercial and private drones in the United States has raised our concerns with regards to the safety and security of our installations, aviation safety and the safety of people," Davis said. In April, flights of drones over 133 US military bases were prohibited for security concerns. Drones have become popular as toys and with hobbyists, and have commercial uses such as aerial photography. Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google unit have been utilising drones to deliver online ordered goods ordered. The Federal Aviation Administration estimated the commercial drone fleet would grow to about 442,000 aircraft by 2021 from 42,000 that were present at the end of 2016. The FAA said there could be as many as 1.6 million commercial drones in use by 2021.

Military can destroy drones over domestic US bases: Pentagon

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has given Defense Secretary Jim Mattis the authority to set troop levels in Afghanistan, a US&nbsp;official told Reuters on Tuesday, opening the door for future troop increases requested by the US&nbsp;commander.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no immediate decision had been made about the troop levels, which are now set at about 8,400. The Pentagon declined to comment.

The decision is similar to one announced in April that applied to US&nbsp;troop levels in Iraq and Syria, and came as Mattis warned Congress the US-backed Afghan forces were not beating the Taliban despite more than 15 years of war.

&quot;We are not winning in Afghanistan right now,&quot; Mattis said in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier on Tuesday. &quot;And we will correct this as soon as possible.&quot;

Mattis said the Taliban were &quot;surging&quot; at the moment, something he said he intended to address.

It has been four months since Army General John Nicholson, who leads US&nbsp;and international forces in Afghanistan, said he needed &quot;a few thousand&quot; additional forces, some potentially drawn from US&nbsp;allies.

Current and former US&nbsp;officials say discussions revolve around adding 3,000 to 5,000 troops. Those forces are expected to be largely comprised of trainers to support Afghan forces, as well as air crews.

Deliberations include giving more authority to forces on the ground and taking more aggressive action against Taliban fighters.

Some US&nbsp;officials have questioned the benefit of sending more troops to Afghanistan because any politically palatable number would not be enough to turn the tide, much less create stability and security. To date, more than 2,300 Americans have been killed and more than 17,000 wounded since the war began in 2001.

Any increase of several thousand troops would leave American forces in Afghanistan well below their 2011 peak of more than 100,000 troops.

The Afghan government was assessed by the US&nbsp;military to control or influence just 59.7 per cent of Afghanistan&#39;s 407 districts as of February&nbsp;20, a nearly 11 percentage-point decrease from the same time in 2016, according to data released by the US&nbsp;Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

A truck bomb explosion in Kabul last month killed more than 150 people, making it the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since the Taliban were ousted in 2001 by a NATO-led coalition after ruling the country for five years.

On Saturday, three US&nbsp;soldiers were killed when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan.

The broader regional US&nbsp;strategy for Afghanistan remains unclear. Mattis promised on Tuesday to brief lawmakers on a new war strategy by mid-July that is widely expected to call for thousands more US&nbsp;troops.

Senator John McCain, the chairman of the Armed Forces Committee, pressed Mattis on the deteriorating situation during the Tuesday hearing, saying the United States had an urgent need for &quot;a change in strategy, and an increase in resources if we are to turn the situation around.&quot;

&quot;We recognise the need for urgency,&quot; Mattis said.

President Trump ran on an election platform of stopping foreign wars, and reducing rather than expanding army deployments.

Since taking office, a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-budget-idUSKBN1661R2">Reuters </a>report claimed he sought&nbsp;&quot;historic&quot; increases in military spending, a proposed rise of $603 billion, and has also cut domestic benefits that would &quot;cripple&quot; programs like education and environmental protection.

(With inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

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This could lead to the deployment of thousands more soldiers

US President Donald Trump has given Defense Secretary Jim Mattis the authority to set troop levels in Afghanistan, a US official told Reuters on Tuesday, opening the door for future troop increases requested by the US commander. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no immediate decision had been made about the troop levels, which are now set at about 8,400. The Pentagon declined to comment. The decision is similar to one announced in April that applied to US troop levels in Iraq and Syria, and came as Mattis warned Congress the US-backed Afghan forces were not beating the Taliban despite more than 15 years of war. "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now," Mattis said in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier on Tuesday. "And we will correct this as soon as possible." Mattis said the Taliban were "surging" at the moment, something he said he intended to address. It has been four months since Army General John Nicholson, who leads US and international forces in Afghanistan, said he needed "a few thousand" additional forces, some potentially drawn from US allies. Current and former US officials say discussions revolve around adding 3,000 to 5,000 troops. Those forces are expected to be largely comprised of trainers to support Afghan forces, as well as air crews. Deliberations include giving more authority to forces on the ground and taking more aggressive action against Taliban fighters. Some US officials have questioned the benefit of sending more troops to Afghanistan because any politically palatable number would not be enough to turn the tide, much less create stability and security. To date, more than 2,300 Americans have been killed and more than 17,000 wounded since the war began in 2001. Any increase of several thousand troops would leave American forces in Afghanistan well below their 2011 peak of more than 100,000 troops. The Afghan government was assessed by the US military to control or influence just 59.7 per cent of Afghanistan's 407 districts as of February 20, a nearly 11 percentage-point decrease from the same time in 2016, according to data released by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. A truck bomb explosion in Kabul last month killed more than 150 people, making it the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since the Taliban were ousted in 2001 by a NATO-led coalition after ruling the country for five years. On Saturday, three US soldiers were killed when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan. The broader regional US strategy for Afghanistan remains unclear. Mattis promised on Tuesday to brief lawmakers on a new war strategy by mid-July that is widely expected to call for thousands more US troops. Senator John McCain, the chairman of the Armed Forces Committee, pressed Mattis on the deteriorating situation during the Tuesday hearing, saying the United States had an urgent need for "a change in strategy, and an increase in resources if we are to turn the situation around." "We recognise the need for urgency," Mattis said. President Trump ran on an election platform of stopping foreign wars, and reducing rather than expanding army deployments. Since taking office, a Reuters report claimed he sought "historic" increases in military spending, a proposed rise of $603 billion, and has also cut domestic benefits that would "cripple" programs like education and environmental protection. (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump lets Pentagon set Afghanistan troop levels: US official

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