<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>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<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.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/arms%20export-us-reuters-20180108015436.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
The Trump administration plans to cut regulations in order to boost arms sales overseas. (Reuters)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&#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;

<div class="ftb-widget" data-frozen="true" data-height="585" data-href="http://federal-agencies.insidegov.com/l/5/Department-of-Defense" data-widget-id="8J3XReYvZ5P" data-width="600">&nbsp;</div>
<script async src="https://s.graphiq.com/rx/widgets.js"></script>

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

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told exasperated lawmakers Tuesday that America still is &quot;not winning&quot; in Afghanistan, as US military commanders push for additional troops to help stabilise the country&#39;s security crisis.

Mattis&#39;s latest assessment comes nearly 16 years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and amid a war that continues to claim the lives of US troops each year -- and those of thousands of local forces and civilians.

The &quot;Taliban had a good year last year, they are trying to have a good one this year,&quot; Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing about the Pentagon&#39;s budget.

&quot;Right now I believe the enemy is surging.&quot;

US military commanders, who saw fragile security gains eroded under Obama-era troop draw-downs, have been pushing for a new strategy that could see thousands of additional soldiers deploy to Afghanistan to help train and advise beleaguered Afghan partners.

Media reports have said Mattis is considering asking for 3,000 to 5,000 additional US and NATO troops, but the defence chief has said little on the matter.&nbsp;

In February, General John Nicholson, who commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, warned that he needs &quot;a few thousand&quot; more troops to reverse what he called a stalemate.

Despite months of expectation that a new Afghanistan strategy announcement is imminent, Mattis said this would not be ready before mid-July.

Republican Senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced his &quot;palpable&quot; frustration.

&quot;We&#39;re now six months into this administration, we still haven&#39;t got a strategy for Afghanistan,&quot; McCain said, noting it was hard to get behind an Afghanistan budget request without knowing what the plan is.&nbsp;

&quot;We know what the strategy was for the last eight years: Don&#39;t lose. That hasn&#39;t worked.&quot;

Mattis acknowledged the reality on the ground.

&quot;We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. We will correct this as soon as possible,&quot; he said.

Residual force

The defence chief, who was a Marine combat commander in Afghanistan at the start of the war, stressed America must not walk away from the country and suggested a long-term residual US force needs to remain to help the Afghan army maintain a baseline of security.

&quot;It&#39;s going to be an era of frequent skirmishing and it&#39;s going to require a change in our approach from the last several years if we&#39;re to get it to that position,&quot; Mattis said.&nbsp;

The Afghan conflict is the longest in American history, with US-led NATO troops at war there since 2001, after the ousting of the Taliban regime just months after the September 11 terror attacks in the United States.

The ongoing security crisis has seen not just the Taliban gain ground, but also the emergence of other groups such as a local Islamic State affiliate.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for an insider attack in which an Afghan commando turned his weapon on American troops, killing three and wounding another.&nbsp;

US troops in Afghanistan number about 8,400 today, and there are another 5,000 from NATO allies, who mainly serve in a training and advisory capacity.

&nbsp;

The Pentagon chief's statement comes?nearly 16 years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and at a time when US military commanders are pushing for additional troops to help stabilise the country's security crisis

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told exasperated lawmakers Tuesday that America still is "not winning" in Afghanistan, as US military commanders push for additional troops to help stabilise the country's security crisis. Mattis's latest assessment comes nearly 16 years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and amid a war that continues to claim the lives of US troops each year -- and those of thousands of local forces and civilians. The "Taliban had a good year last year, they are trying to have a good one this year," Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing about the Pentagon's budget. "Right now I believe the enemy is surging." US military commanders, who saw fragile security gains eroded under Obama-era troop draw-downs, have been pushing for a new strategy that could see thousands of additional soldiers deploy to Afghanistan to help train and advise beleaguered Afghan partners. Media reports have said Mattis is considering asking for 3,000 to 5,000 additional US and NATO troops, but the defence chief has said little on the matter. In February, General John Nicholson, who commands NATO forces in Afghanistan, warned that he needs "a few thousand" more troops to reverse what he called a stalemate. Despite months of expectation that a new Afghanistan strategy announcement is imminent, Mattis said this would not be ready before mid-July. Republican Senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced his "palpable" frustration. "We're now six months into this administration, we still haven't got a strategy for Afghanistan," McCain said, noting it was hard to get behind an Afghanistan budget request without knowing what the plan is. "We know what the strategy was for the last eight years: Don't lose. That hasn't worked." Mattis acknowledged the reality on the ground. "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. We will correct this as soon as possible," he said. Residual force The defence chief, who was a Marine combat commander in Afghanistan at the start of the war, stressed America must not walk away from the country and suggested a long-term residual US force needs to remain to help the Afghan army maintain a baseline of security. "It's going to be an era of frequent skirmishing and it's going to require a change in our approach from the last several years if we're to get it to that position," Mattis said. The Afghan conflict is the longest in American history, with US-led NATO troops at war there since 2001, after the ousting of the Taliban regime just months after the September 11 terror attacks in the United States. The ongoing security crisis has seen not just the Taliban gain ground, but also the emergence of other groups such as a local Islamic State affiliate. On Saturday, the Taliban claimed responsibility for an insider attack in which an Afghan commando turned his weapon on American troops, killing three and wounding another. US troops in Afghanistan number about 8,400 today, and there are another 5,000 from NATO allies, who mainly serve in a training and advisory capacity.

US not winning in Afghanistan: Mattis

&nbsp;The US Defense Department is finalising a lease on a privately owned apartment in New York&#39;s Trump Tower for the White House Military Office to use for supporting President Donald Trump without providing any benefit to Trump or his organisation, according to a Pentagon letter seen by Reuters.

The Military Office carries and safeguards the &quot;football,&quot; the device that contains the top secret launch codes the president needs to order a nuclear attack, as well as providing him secure communications wherever he is.

The White House, Secret Service, and Defense Department had no comment on whether similar arrangements have been made at other properties Trump frequents - Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump is spending this weekend.&nbsp;

In a letter to Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat on the House Armed Services and intelligence committees, Defense Department official James MacStravic, said the apartment is &quot;privately owned and ... lease negotiations have been with the owner&#39;s representatives only.&quot;

MacStravic, who wrote that he was &quot;temporarily performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics,&quot; said any acquisition of leased space with &quot;an annual rental in excess of $1 million must first be approved by my office.&quot;

He &quot;approved this action&quot; after consulting with the White House Military Office and other officials, he said.

Officials declined to reveal the cost of the lease or identify the owners of the apartment.&nbsp;

MacStravic&#39;s letter, dated March 3, added: &quot;We are not aware of any means through which the President would personally benefit from a Government lease of this space.&quot;&nbsp;

The letter explained that the White House Military Office, a Pentagon unit, &quot;requested approval to lease space in the Trump Tower for personnel assigned to support the President when at his private residence.&quot;

The letter said such arrangements are &quot;typical of support provided&quot; by the Military Office to previous US presidents and vice presidents at their private residences.

It is not clear, however, whether the office has ever paid to rent space to house the classified equipment presidents need when they are staying at homes they own outside Washington.

A White House spokeswoman said the White House had no information on the leasing issue. The Defense Department and US Secret Service declined to comment.

The Trump Organisation did not reply to an email requesting comment.&nbsp;

When the Pentagon in February first acknowledged that it was seeking to lease space in Trump Tower, some Democrats questioned whether such a move would produce a financial windfall for Trump.

&quot;I am concerned by the appearance that the President of the United States will financially benefit from this deal at the expense of the Department of Defense - and ultimately, taxpayers,&quot; Speier wrote to Defense Secretary James Mattis shortly after the Trump Tower issue became public in February.&nbsp;

By negotiating only with representatives of the owners of a private apartment, the Pentagon said it was seeking to avoid such concerns.

(Reuters)

According to a Pentagon letter seen by Reuters, a unit "requested approval to lease space in the Trump Tower for personnel assigned to support the President when at his private residence."

The US Defense Department is finalising a lease on a privately owned apartment in New York's Trump Tower for the White House Military Office to use for supporting President Donald Trump without providing any benefit to Trump or his organisation, according to a Pentagon letter seen by Reuters. The Military Office carries and safeguards the "football," the device that contains the top secret launch codes the president needs to order a nuclear attack, as well as providing him secure communications wherever he is. The White House, Secret Service, and Defense Department had no comment on whether similar arrangements have been made at other properties Trump frequents - Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump is spending this weekend. In a letter to Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat on the House Armed Services and intelligence committees, Defense Department official James MacStravic, said the apartment is "privately owned and ... lease negotiations have been with the owner's representatives only." MacStravic, who wrote that he was "temporarily performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics," said any acquisition of leased space with "an annual rental in excess of $1 million must first be approved by my office." He "approved this action" after consulting with the White House Military Office and other officials, he said. Officials declined to reveal the cost of the lease or identify the owners of the apartment. MacStravic's letter, dated March 3, added: "We are not aware of any means through which the President would personally benefit from a Government lease of this space." The letter explained that the White House Military Office, a Pentagon unit, "requested approval to lease space in the Trump Tower for personnel assigned to support the President when at his private residence." The letter said such arrangements are "typical of support provided" by the Military Office to previous US presidents and vice presidents at their private residences. It is not clear, however, whether the office has ever paid to rent space to house the classified equipment presidents need when they are staying at homes they own outside Washington. A White House spokeswoman said the White House had no information on the leasing issue. The Defense Department and US Secret Service declined to comment. The Trump Organisation did not reply to an email requesting comment. When the Pentagon in February first acknowledged that it was seeking to lease space in Trump Tower, some Democrats questioned whether such a move would produce a financial windfall for Trump. "I am concerned by the appearance that the President of the United States will financially benefit from this deal at the expense of the Department of Defense - and ultimately, taxpayers," Speier wrote to Defense Secretary James Mattis shortly after the Trump Tower issue became public in February. By negotiating only with representatives of the owners of a private apartment, the Pentagon said it was seeking to avoid such concerns. (Reuters)

Pentagon to lease privately owned Trump Tower apartment for nuclear 'football' : Letter

The US Defense Department may recommend that the United States deploy regular combat troops to Syria to fight Islamic State militants, CNN reported on Wednesday.

The idea is one of several ideas the Pentagon is considering after President Donald Trump gave defence officials until the end of the month to come up with proposals to speed up the war against Islamic State.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the United States already had a small number of special operation troops in Syria. The official added that the review was still underway and no options had been presented to Trump.

CNN said the proposal was not fully developed and was one of several ideas being considered.

(Reuters)

President Trump had given the defence officials until the end of this month to come up with a plan to combat IS

The US Defense Department may recommend that the United States deploy regular combat troops to Syria to fight Islamic State militants, CNN reported on Wednesday. The idea is one of several ideas the Pentagon is considering after President Donald Trump gave defence officials until the end of the month to come up with proposals to speed up the war against Islamic State. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the United States already had a small number of special operation troops in Syria. The official added that the review was still underway and no options had been presented to Trump. CNN said the proposal was not fully developed and was one of several ideas being considered. (Reuters)

Pentagon mulls sending ground troops to fight IS in Syria: CNN

The Pentagon said on Friday it believes that Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is indeed alive, despite repeated efforts by the US-led coalition to take out the jihadist group leader.

Baghdadi has kept a low profile, despite having declared himself the leader of a renewed Muslim caliphate, but last month released a defiant audio message urging his supporters to defend the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

It is not clear if he is in the besieged city, where he declared his caliphate in 2014 after the IS group seized territory covering much of eastern Syria and northern Iraq.

&quot;We do think Baghdadi is alive and is still leading ISIL and we are obviously doing everything we can to track his movements,&quot; Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told CNN.

&quot;If we get the opportunity, we certainly would take advantage of any opportunity to deliver him the justice he deserves,&quot; he said.

&quot;We&#39;re doing everything we can. This is something we&#39;re spending a lot of time on.&quot;

In mid-December, the United States more than doubled the bounty on the shadowy IS leader&#39;s head to $25 million.

The group has only released one video of Baghdadi, showing a man with a black and grey beard wearing a black robe and matching turban, dating back to 2014.

Cook suggested that Baghdadi is isolated because coalition raids have killed many IS leaders.

&quot;He&#39;s having a hard time finding advisers and confidants to speak with because a lot of them are no longer with us,&quot; the spokesman said.

According to an official Iraqi government document, Baghdadi was born in Samarra in 1971. He apparently joined the insurgency that erupted after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and spent time in an American military prison.

(AFP)

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last month released an audio message urging his supporters to defend the Iraqi city of Mosul

The Pentagon said on Friday it believes that Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is indeed alive, despite repeated efforts by the US-led coalition to take out the jihadist group leader. Baghdadi has kept a low profile, despite having declared himself the leader of a renewed Muslim caliphate, but last month released a defiant audio message urging his supporters to defend the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. It is not clear if he is in the besieged city, where he declared his caliphate in 2014 after the IS group seized territory covering much of eastern Syria and northern Iraq. "We do think Baghdadi is alive and is still leading ISIL and we are obviously doing everything we can to track his movements," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told CNN. "If we get the opportunity, we certainly would take advantage of any opportunity to deliver him the justice he deserves," he said. "We're doing everything we can. This is something we're spending a lot of time on." In mid-December, the United States more than doubled the bounty on the shadowy IS leader's head to $25 million. The group has only released one video of Baghdadi, showing a man with a black and grey beard wearing a black robe and matching turban, dating back to 2014. Cook suggested that Baghdadi is isolated because coalition raids have killed many IS leaders. "He's having a hard time finding advisers and confidants to speak with because a lot of them are no longer with us," the spokesman said. According to an official Iraqi government document, Baghdadi was born in Samarra in 1971. He apparently joined the insurgency that erupted after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and spent time in an American military prison. (AFP)

Islamic State leader alive, still leading: US

Ten soldiers of the United States military have officially&nbsp;asked to be recognised as transgenders&mdash;a few weeks after the Pentagon allowed transgender men and women to serve openly in the military.&nbsp;

The soldiers, however, have just asked to be recognised as transgenders without mentioning anything about considering gender transitioning. The Pentagon allows soldiers to recieve medical care and undergo gender change too.&nbsp;

The US army is now considering to step up efforts to educate the forces to handle decisions regarding soldiers who request a gender change, so that equal treatment is meted out to the transgender soldiers.

&quot;Is the army ready? Well, we are educating ourselves, and we are trying to get ready,&quot; General Mark Milley, chief of state of the Army, told the Associated Press.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;re well-past the issue of debating and arguing about transgender. We are now into execution, to make sure the program is carried out with diligence, dignity, respect,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Next year the military will start enlisting the transgender soldiers, so as long as they are able to maintain their status stable for 18 months.&nbsp;

Adding that the military is meticulously taking care of the medical services and other treatment provided to them, &nbsp;the director of an independant research institute, California-based Palm Center, said that they were monitoring the implementation carefully and that the military is fully committed to treating everybody equally.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&quot;My conclusion, so far, is that implementation has proceeded smoothly and successfully,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;

Emphasising that a lot of self-education is needed before the army fully accepts the change, Milley said that the department was moving too fast.&nbsp;

&quot;The issue to do it or not to do it, to me is not an issue &mdash; the answer is yes,&quot; Milley said. &quot;The question of how to do it so that it is deliberate, well thought out, executed with professionalism &mdash; that&#39;s a horse of a different color. Frankly I asked for more time,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Following the request, US army is considering to step up efforts to educate forces to handle decisions on soldiers who want a gender change

Ten soldiers of the United States military have officially asked to be recognised as transgenders—a few weeks after the Pentagon allowed transgender men and women to serve openly in the military. The soldiers, however, have just asked to be recognised as transgenders without mentioning anything about considering gender transitioning. The Pentagon allows soldiers to recieve medical care and undergo gender change too. The US army is now considering to step up efforts to educate the forces to handle decisions regarding soldiers who request a gender change, so that equal treatment is meted out to the transgender soldiers. "Is the army ready? Well, we are educating ourselves, and we are trying to get ready," General Mark Milley, chief of state of the Army, told the Associated Press. "We're well-past the issue of debating and arguing about transgender. We are now into execution, to make sure the program is carried out with diligence, dignity, respect," he added. Next year the military will start enlisting the transgender soldiers, so as long as they are able to maintain their status stable for 18 months. Adding that the military is meticulously taking care of the medical services and other treatment provided to them, the director of an independant research institute, California-based Palm Center, said that they were monitoring the implementation carefully and that the military is fully committed to treating everybody equally. "My conclusion, so far, is that implementation has proceeded smoothly and successfully,” he added. Emphasising that a lot of self-education is needed before the army fully accepts the change, Milley said that the department was moving too fast. "The issue to do it or not to do it, to me is not an issue — the answer is yes," Milley said. "The question of how to do it so that it is deliberate, well thought out, executed with professionalism — that's a horse of a different color. Frankly I asked for more time,” he said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Ten transgender soldiers ask for first official army recognition

The Islamic State confirmed the death of its propaganda chief on Monday, who the Pentagon said was killed in a US-led air strike in Syria&rsquo;s Raqqa last month.

The jihadist group posted an online statement paying tribute to Wa&rsquo;il Adil Hasan Salman al-Fayad, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Furqan.

The statement referred to him by his alias and did not disclose the details of his death, Reuters reported.

The Pentagon said last month that a US-led air strike on September 7 had killed al-Fayad.

According to Pentagon, he was minister of information, overseeing IS&rsquo;s propaganda, and a key member of its leadership group. The IS statement referred to al-Fayad as head of its media arm.

al-Fayad was targeted &nbsp;while he was on a motorcycle outside his house, the Pentagon had said, Reuters reported.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The Pentagon said last month that a US-led air strike on September 7 had killed Wa'il Adil Hasan Salman al-Fayad

The Islamic State confirmed the death of its propaganda chief on Monday, who the Pentagon said was killed in a US-led air strike in Syria’s Raqqa last month. The jihadist group posted an online statement paying tribute to Wa’il Adil Hasan Salman al-Fayad, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Furqan. The statement referred to him by his alias and did not disclose the details of his death, Reuters reported. The Pentagon said last month that a US-led air strike on September 7 had killed al-Fayad. According to Pentagon, he was minister of information, overseeing IS’s propaganda, and a key member of its leadership group. The IS statement referred to al-Fayad as head of its media arm. al-Fayad was targeted while he was on a motorcycle outside his house, the Pentagon had said, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

IS confirms death of propaganda chief

The Islamic State is likely to mustard gas as the Iraqi forces advance to re-take Mosul, IS group&#39;s last main stronghold in Iraq, a Pentagon spokeman said on Monday. 
 
&quot;We can fully expect that as this road towards Mosul progresses, ISIL is likely to try to use it again,&quot; Jeff Davis was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp; 
 
Davis said that IS&#39;s ability to weaponise mustard agent has been rudimentary. Their mustard gas is typically a powder bound together with tar. The gas is more of an irritant than lethal, Davis said. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s not generally in a lethal concentration. It&#39;s more of an irritant than anything else, but again, not something we view as militarily significant,&quot; he said, noting that the gas form of mustard agent used in the First World War was far more lethal, Reuters reported. 
 
&quot;We recognise this is real. They&#39;re dead set on it. They would love to be able to use chemical weapons against us, against the Iraqis as they move forward. We are making every effort to make sure that we&#39;re ready for it.&quot; 
 
Davis added that Iraqi soldiers have been given training and have practiced to be in a situation of exposure to the IS chemical weapon. The United states has provided more than 50,000 gas masks to the Iraqi forces, he said. 
 
&quot;We want to make sure that the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmergas (Kurdish fighters) have the ability to detect this and to defend against it,&quot; Davis said. 
 
A rocket was launched, with a possible chemical agent, against US soldiers at a base near Qayyarah, a northern town in Iraq. The Pentagon suspects that the IS group used mustard gas in the attack last week. 
 
Hundreds of US troops are working to prepare an airfield for an Iraqi offensive to recapture the city of Mosul neat the base, Reuters reported. 
 
Iraqi security forces, backed by US-led coalition air power, are in the final weeks of preparing operations ahead of an assault to recapture Mosul, according to AFP.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

According to the spokesman, the IS group's mustard gas is 'not generally in a lethal concentration' but more of an irritant

The Islamic State is likely to mustard gas as the Iraqi forces advance to re-take Mosul, IS group's last main stronghold in Iraq, a Pentagon spokeman said on Monday. "We can fully expect that as this road towards Mosul progresses, ISIL is likely to try to use it again," Jeff Davis was quoted as saying by AFP. Davis said that IS's ability to weaponise mustard agent has been rudimentary. Their mustard gas is typically a powder bound together with tar. The gas is more of an irritant than lethal, Davis said. "It's not generally in a lethal concentration. It's more of an irritant than anything else, but again, not something we view as militarily significant," he said, noting that the gas form of mustard agent used in the First World War was far more lethal, Reuters reported. "We recognise this is real. They're dead set on it. They would love to be able to use chemical weapons against us, against the Iraqis as they move forward. We are making every effort to make sure that we're ready for it." Davis added that Iraqi soldiers have been given training and have practiced to be in a situation of exposure to the IS chemical weapon. The United states has provided more than 50,000 gas masks to the Iraqi forces, he said. "We want to make sure that the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmergas (Kurdish fighters) have the ability to detect this and to defend against it," Davis said. A rocket was launched, with a possible chemical agent, against US soldiers at a base near Qayyarah, a northern town in Iraq. The Pentagon suspects that the IS group used mustard gas in the attack last week. Hundreds of US troops are working to prepare an airfield for an Iraqi offensive to recapture the city of Mosul neat the base, Reuters reported. Iraqi security forces, backed by US-led coalition air power, are in the final weeks of preparing operations ahead of an assault to recapture Mosul, according to AFP. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pentagon: Islamic State could use mustard gas to defend Mosul

The Pentagon has admitted that US-led coalition aircraft hit a Syrian army position&nbsp;in the east of the country on Saturday.&nbsp; 
 
Syrian state media reported the raid near the Deir Ezzor airport around 1700 hours local time.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Warplanes from the American coalition hit one of the Syrian army&#39;s positions... near the Deir Ezzor airport,&quot; the statement said. 
 
A Pentagon statement said, &quot;Coalition forces believed they were striking an Islamic State fighting position.&quot; 
 
&quot;The coalition air strike was halted immediately when coalition officials were informed by Russian officials that it was possible the personnel and vehicles targeted were part of the Syrian military,&quot; the statement read. 
 
The monitoring group in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 83 soldiers were killed in the raids on Jabal Therdeh, southwest of the Deir Ezzor airport. 
 
The coalition strikes are believed to have hit two hilltops near the airport.&nbsp; 
 
A Syrian military source also claimed rounds were fired at the wounded soldiers and paramedics from the planes.&nbsp; 
 
The raids have allowed the Islamic State militant group to advance on government troops in the region.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;This is a dangerous and bold attack against the Syrian state and army, and clear evidence that the United States and its allies support the terrorist group Islamic State,&quot; Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. 
 
The militant group on Saturday afternoon claimed it had seized full control of Jabal Therdeh, which overlooks the Deir Ezzor airport.&nbsp; 
 
Syria&#39;s biggest ally, Russia, said 62 Syrian soldiers were killed and at least 100 more wounded in strikes by &quot;warplanes from the international coalition&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Russia has cast doubt over the prospects of the ceasefire negotiated with the United States. Under the fragile deal which into force on Monday, the fighting is to be halted on all fronts.&nbsp; 
 
But Moscow raised questions over Washington&#39;s commitment to the deal and said the situation had worsened.&nbsp; 
 
Moscow and Washington are to begin joint military operations against Islamic State in Syria, as the next step in the ceasefire deal, provided it holds for a week.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the raid killed at least 83 soldiers

The Pentagon has admitted that US-led coalition aircraft hit a Syrian army position in the east of the country on Saturday. Syrian state media reported the raid near the Deir Ezzor airport around 1700 hours local time. "Warplanes from the American coalition hit one of the Syrian army's positions... near the Deir Ezzor airport," the statement said. A Pentagon statement said, "Coalition forces believed they were striking an Islamic State fighting position." "The coalition air strike was halted immediately when coalition officials were informed by Russian officials that it was possible the personnel and vehicles targeted were part of the Syrian military," the statement read. The monitoring group in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 83 soldiers were killed in the raids on Jabal Therdeh, southwest of the Deir Ezzor airport. The coalition strikes are believed to have hit two hilltops near the airport. A Syrian military source also claimed rounds were fired at the wounded soldiers and paramedics from the planes. The raids have allowed the Islamic State militant group to advance on government troops in the region. "This is a dangerous and bold attack against the Syrian state and army, and clear evidence that the United States and its allies support the terrorist group Islamic State," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. The militant group on Saturday afternoon claimed it had seized full control of Jabal Therdeh, which overlooks the Deir Ezzor airport. Syria's biggest ally, Russia, said 62 Syrian soldiers were killed and at least 100 more wounded in strikes by "warplanes from the international coalition". Russia has cast doubt over the prospects of the ceasefire negotiated with the United States. Under the fragile deal which into force on Monday, the fighting is to be halted on all fronts. But Moscow raised questions over Washington's commitment to the deal and said the situation had worsened. Moscow and Washington are to begin joint military operations against Islamic State in Syria, as the next step in the ceasefire deal, provided it holds for a week. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US air raid hits Syrian government troops, allow IS militants to advance

pentagon

Pentagon, News on Pentagon, stories on Pentagon, articles on Pentagon, Pentagon stories at Wion, Pentagon news, Pentagon latest news