News for 'Pentagon and State Department'

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.

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

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.

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.

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'.

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.'

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.

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.

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?

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'.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

US shoots down unidentified high-altitude aerial object in Alaska

US shoots down unidentified high-altitude aerial object in Alaska

Rediff.com11 Feb 2023

A United States fighter jet Friday shot down an object, the size of a small car, flying with payloads at a height of about 40,000 feet off the northern coast of Alaska on the direction of President Joe Biden, officials said.

China violated sovereignty of several nations including India: US

China violated sovereignty of several nations including India: US

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

China has 'violated the sovereignty' of not just the United States but of countries across five continents, Secretary of State Antony Blinken alleged Wednesday, days after US fighter jets shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon.

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.

'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.

US stops accepting new F-35s after China-made part found in engine

US stops accepting new F-35s after China-made part found in engine

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

The Pentagon has stopped accepting new F-35 jets after it discovered a magnet used in the stealthy fighter's engine was made with unauthorised material from China.

'US-India initiatives will face new scrutiny'

'US-India initiatives will face new scrutiny'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2023

'This incident offers ammunition to those inside the US government and elsewhere who question the wisdom of trusting India, so it will have a lasting consequence no matter how it is managed.'

US responds to Jaishankar's quip on fresh F-16 deal with Pakistan

US responds to Jaishankar's quip on fresh F-16 deal with Pakistan

Rediff.com27 Sep 2022

Referring to the argument made by the US that F-16 sustenance package is to fight terrorism, Jaishankar had said everybody knows where and against whom F-16 fighter jets are used.

Islamic State 'in-charge of foreign attacks' killed in Syria

Islamic State 'in-charge of foreign attacks' killed in Syria

Rediff.com31 Aug 2016

The terror group vowed to avenge his death.

US warns of Russian chemical attack in Ukraine

US warns of Russian chemical attack in Ukraine

Rediff.com10 Mar 2022

White House press secretary Jen Psaki warned of the potential use of chemical weapons in Ukraine after Moscow alleged the United States was housing biological weapons in Ukrainian territory.

US approves sale of anti-ship missiles, torpedoes to India

US approves sale of anti-ship missiles, torpedoes to India

Rediff.com14 Apr 2020

The sale of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles is estimated to cost $92 million (Rs 699 crore), while 16 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes and three MK 54 Exercise Torpedoes are estimated to cost $63 million (Rs 478.8 crore), the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said on Monday in two separate notifications to the Congress.

US 'laser-focused' on troop pullout from Afghanistan by Aug 31

US 'laser-focused' on troop pullout from Afghanistan by Aug 31

Rediff.com24 Aug 2021

The Biden Administration on Monday said it was now focused on completing its evacuation mission from Afghanistan by August 31, the deadline for removing all American troops from the country.