News
US cuts Ukrainian embassy presence as war fears rise
The move came amid growing tensions over Russia’s military buildup on the Ukrainian border.
NATO sends ships and jets east, Ireland rejects Russian exercises over Ukrainian threat
NATO said on January 24 that it was putting additional forces on hold and sending more ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe, as Ireland warned that new Russian war games in off its coast were not welcome given tensions over President Vladimir Putin’s intention to attack Ukraine.
US carriers train in South China Sea as Taiwan reports new Chinese incursion
Two groups of US aircraft carriers entered the disputed South China Sea for training, the Defense Ministry said on January 24 as Taiwan reported another Chinese air force incursion atop the waterway, including a fearsome new electronic warfare aircraft.
Taliban, Western officials meet in Oslo to discuss Afghanistan
The closed-door discussions with representatives of the United States, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the European Union and Norway are being held on January 24 at the hotel Soria Moria, on a snowy hill outside Oslo.
Business
Defense industry worries as funding talks progress
Despite repeated warnings from uniformed Pentagon leaders and lawmakers from both parties that a continued year-long resolution will harm national security, some defense industry advocates still worry about a stalemate.
US hits Chinese defense firms with sanctions
The sanctions apply to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. First Academy; China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. Fourth Academy; and Poly Technologies Inc. and their subsidiaries.
Defense
Army and Air Force trial brain stimulation devices to improve troop brain function
Throw away those caffeine pills and that DFAC coffee — maybe better brain stimulation is on the way.
It costs millions to recruit, train new troops launched for vaccine refusal
Hundreds of trainees shipped to basic training unvaccinated and continue to refuse, flagging them for discharge.
The Pentagon is sending another 100 military medical troops to coronavirus-affected hospitals across the United States
Some 220 military medical troops are expected to be deployed in the coming days to hospitals in eight states to assist staff overburdened by the recent spike in coronavirus cases across the United States, military officials announced Jan. 21.
The Air Force’s first hypersonic missile could still start production this year
The Air Force still doesn’t know what caused the failed December launch of the AGM-183A air-launched rapid-response weapon, but it still has time to wrap up flight testing of the AGM-183A. By the end of fiscal year 2022, Brig. said General Heath Collins.
Veterans
No VA worker fired due to vaccine, less than 1% missed deadline
About 3,000 of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ 380,000 employees have not reported their vaccination status, as required by the VA, and are facing disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
