News for 'Pentagon and State Department'

Biden picks retired Army general Lloyd Austin to run Pentagon

Biden picks retired Army general Lloyd Austin to run Pentagon

Rediff.com8 Dec 2020

If confirmed by the Senate, the 67-year-old career military officer would be the first African-American to lead the Department of Defence.

Pentagon authorises $1bn for Trump's border wall

Pentagon authorises $1bn for Trump's border wall

Rediff.com26 Mar 2019

The move has left the Democrats fuming, asserting that the Pentagon didn't seek permission.

Marco And Mike Are Good News For India

Marco And Mike Are Good News For India

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

'Communist China continues to aggressively expand its domain in the Indo-Pacific region.' 'It's crucial for the USA to continue its support in countering these malicious tactics.' 'India, along with other nations in the region, is not alone.'

US to build new powerful nuclear bomb: Report

US to build new powerful nuclear bomb: Report

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The United States Department of Defence has announced that it will pursue a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated the B61-13, pending Congressional authorisation and appropriation.

Pratima Dharm is Pentagon's first Hindu chaplain

Pratima Dharm is Pentagon's first Hindu chaplain

Rediff.com3 Jun 2011

Although neither the US Army nor the US department of defense has officially made public her appointment, Stars and Stripes, a Washington, DC-based newspaper that reports exclusively on the Pentagon, said the appointment was a done deal and that Hindu service-members would now have their own chaplain

Pentagon's deputy secretary of defence Ashton Carter resigns

Pentagon's deputy secretary of defence Ashton Carter resigns

Rediff.com11 Oct 2013

United States Deputy Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter, who played a critical role in boosting Indo-US defence ties, on Friday said that he will step down in December.

US Defence Secretary directs Pentagon to provide material support to Indian healthcare workers

US Defence Secretary directs Pentagon to provide material support to Indian healthcare workers

Rediff.com26 Apr 2021

The move comes soon after US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris directed towards mobilisation of American resources to assist India to tackle the unprecedented health crisis in the wake of the deadly second wave of coronavirus.

China to set up military bases in Pakistan, says Pentagon report

China to set up military bases in Pakistan, says Pentagon report

Rediff.com7 Jun 2017

Among others, China is developing the strategically located Gwadar port in Balochistan, which is aimed towards having a military presence, says a Pentagon report

Blinken postpones China trip amid spy balloon row

Blinken postpones China trip amid spy balloon row

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

Blinken was expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, and potentially with President Xi Jinping.

US Senate confirms Lloyd Austin as 1st black Pentagon chief

US Senate confirms Lloyd Austin as 1st black Pentagon chief

Rediff.com23 Jan 2021

A day earlier, the House of Representatives voted 326-78 to pass a waiver exempting Austin from the seven-year 'cooling off period' for retired generals taking over as defence secretary. The senate approved the waiver by 69-27 votes.

Is Islamic State chief al-Baghdadi alive?

Is Islamic State chief al-Baghdadi alive?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2014

The fate of Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was reportedly targetted during airstrikes last weekend in Iraq, is still not known.

Can China Win A War With US?

Can China Win A War With US?

Rediff.com14 Nov 2023

According to the Pentagon report, the PLA is creating options for dissuading, deterring, and defeating external intervention in the Indo-Pacific region.

US not prepared to deal with nuke attack: Pentagon

US not prepared to deal with nuke attack: Pentagon

Rediff.com23 Jul 2010

America's ability to deal with a nuclear attack has been eroded over the years and the country is woefully unprepared for any kind of nuclear attack, a Pentagon report has suggested.

Pak using militants as proxies against India's superior military: Pentagon

Pak using militants as proxies against India's superior military: Pentagon

Rediff.com4 Nov 2014

In a blunt assessment of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan, the Pentagon has told the United States Congress that the country is using militant groups as proxies to counter the superior Indian military.

Village cited by Pentagon is in China-controlled territory, say sources

Village cited by Pentagon is in China-controlled territory, say sources

Rediff.com9 Nov 2021

A village built by China along the Line of Actual Control in the Arunachal Pradesh sector and mentioned in a recent Pentagon report, is in territory controlled by that country, sources in the security establishment in New Delhi said on Tuesday.

Biden warns Americans in Ukraine to 'leave now'

Biden warns Americans in Ukraine to 'leave now'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2022

United States President Joe Biden warned Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately amid tensions between Moscow and Kiev, saying that sending US troops for an evacuation would mean 'world war'.

China continues military build-up; fully support India: US

China continues military build-up; fully support India: US

Rediff.com14 Dec 2022

The United States' Department of Defence said that it continues to closely watch developments along the Line of Actual Control at the India-China border and noted that China 'continues to amass forces and build military infrastructure along the so-called LAC'.

Pentagon may allow Sikhs to join US army

Pentagon may allow Sikhs to join US army

Rediff.com6 Jun 2009

Following an outcry from the Sikh community, the United States Defence Department has decided to review its policy, which prevents Sikhs from joining the country's armed forces. On behalf of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the Pentagon has informed advocacy group Sikh Coalition that it was reviewing current regulations, which prevent a US Sikh national from serving the army, on the ground that they wear turban.

FBI arrests man for planning to blow up Pentagon

FBI arrests man for planning to blow up Pentagon

Rediff.com29 Sep 2011

United States authorities have arrested a suspected follower of al Qaeda and charged him with plotting an attack on the Pentagon with an explosive laden remote controlled aircraft.

India steps up infra work after Pentagon report on Chinese build-up: MEA

India steps up infra work after Pentagon report on Chinese build-up: MEA

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

Days after a Pentagon report said Beijing built a large village in a disputed territory in the Arunachal Pradesh sector, India on Thursday said it has neither accepted any illegal occupation of its territory by China nor has it accepted unjustified Chinese claims.

Trump asks Pentagon to plan military parade to show US strength

Trump asks Pentagon to plan military parade to show US strength

Rediff.com7 Feb 2018

There is no such annual parade in the United States, which is militarily the most powerful country of the world.

US to send 3000 troops to help evacuate embassy staff in Kabul

US to send 3000 troops to help evacuate embassy staff in Kabul

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

"The embassy remains open and we plan to continue our diplomatic work in Afghanistan. The United States will continue to support consular services, and that includes the processing and operations of the Special Immigrant Visa Program, and we'll continue to engage in diplomacy with the Afghan government and the Afghan people. Additionally, we will continue our focus on counterterrorism," he said.

Right time for Pentagon to have new leadership: Chuck Hagel

Right time for Pentagon to have new leadership: Chuck Hagel

Rediff.com25 Nov 2014

United States Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned on Monday amid reports of differences with President Barack Obama who apparently wants to install a new leadership at the Pentagon as he enters the last two years of his presidency facing new global challenges like the rise of IS.

India is base of stability in S Asia: Pentagon

India is base of stability in S Asia: Pentagon

Rediff.com6 Sep 2007

Senior Pentagon official says South Asia is India's region and the US has no intention of muddling over there

US approves $450mn F-16 sustainment programme to Pak

US approves $450mn F-16 sustainment programme to Pak

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

The Biden administration has approved a $450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan to help it meet current and future counterterrorism threats, in Washington's first major security assistance to Islamabad in four years.

Dom's Take: While We Were Napping?

Dom's Take: While We Were Napping?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

Dominic Xavier wonders if the Pentagon's claim that China has built a village in Arunachal Pradesh is true, was the government caught napping?

Pannun 'Plot': 'US and India have bent backward...'

Pannun 'Plot': 'US and India have bent backward...'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

'...to prevent this episode from disrupting ongoing cooperation.' 'The discovery of this plot had the potential to derail much of what has been achieved in the relationship during this administration's tenure -- I don't think that fact has been sufficiently appreciated in India.'

NATO chief says 'monitoring situation' in Poland

NATO chief says 'monitoring situation' in Poland

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday extended condolences to Polish President Andrzej Duda after the explosion in the east of the country, adding that the alliance is 'monitoring the situation'.

Mr Zelenskyy Goes To Washington

Mr Zelenskyy Goes To Washington

Rediff.com22 Sep 2023

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a second trip to Washington, DC since Russia invaded his country on February 24, 2022.

Beware! The Yellow Dragon Is Awake!

Beware! The Yellow Dragon Is Awake!

Rediff.com2 Nov 2023

Throughout 2022, China turned to the PLA as an increasingly capable instrument of Statecraft, strengthening its ability to 'fight and win wars' against a 'strong enemy', points out Ajai Shukla.

Afghanistan mission not yet over: US defence secretary

Afghanistan mission not yet over: US defence secretary

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

The commander of United States forces in Afghanistan General Scott Miller returned from the country almost winding up the longest American war, even as Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin assured that America's Afghan mission is not yet over and that it would continue to support Kabul.

Spy balloon raises tension between US, China; Beijing clarifies

Spy balloon raises tension between US, China; Beijing clarifies

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

A suspected Chinese spy balloon, said to be the size of three buses, was spotted over the United States' airspace, the Pentagon has said, a development that has further strained the already tense bilateral ties as Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday abruptly postponed his key visit to Beijing.

US, UK urge Israel to delay ground offensive in Gaza

US, UK urge Israel to delay ground offensive in Gaza

Rediff.com21 Oct 2023

The both governments recognise that a ground invasion is very likely and not telling Israel not to launch one at all, but rather hold off to try and see if additional diplomatic efforts can succeed.

US drops largest non-nuclear bomb on Islamic State

US drops largest non-nuclear bomb on Islamic State

Rediff.com13 Apr 2017

The military used a GBU-43 bomb -- which weighs a staggering 9,525 kg -- and the radius from the blast is believed to more than 300 metres.

Biden commits support to Israel, but says Palestinians need aid

Biden commits support to Israel, but says Palestinians need aid

Rediff.com15 Oct 2023

Biden, in his call with Netanyahu, updated him on US military support and reiterated his warning against anyone seeking to expand the conflict, according to a readout of the call.

US okays $125mn sales to Pak for F-16 monitoring

US okays $125mn sales to Pak for F-16 monitoring

Rediff.com27 Jul 2019

Essentially there is no change in the US policy on the security aid to Pakistan which is currently under freeze.

US approves sale of 6 Apache attack choppers to India

US approves sale of 6 Apache attack choppers to India

Rediff.com13 Jun 2018

In addition to the attack helicopters, the contract also includes fire control radars; Hellfire Longbow missiles; stinger Block I-92H missiles; night vision sensors and inertial navigation systems.

'CIA influence on Pak-US ties forced Munter to quit'

'CIA influence on Pak-US ties forced Munter to quit'

Rediff.com9 May 2012

The growing influence of the Central Intelligence Agency and Pentagon in shaping relations with Pakistan was a key reason behind United States Ambassador Cameron Munter's decision to quit his post, the media in Islamabad claimed on Wednesday.

'No response from Wikileaks on returning war logs'

'No response from Wikileaks on returning war logs'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2010

WikiLeaks, the whistleblower website, has not yet responded to the demand made by the US last week to return all classified leaked documents on Afghan war, Pentagon and State Department officials have said.

Indian-American named Chief of Staff to Acting US Defence Secretary

Indian-American named Chief of Staff to Acting US Defence Secretary

Rediff.com11 Nov 2020

The new appointment from the Pentagon comes a day after Trump fired Defence Secretary Mark Esper and designated the National Counter Terrorism Center Director, Chris Miller, as the Acting Secretary of Defence.