US Department of Defence

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

4 Apr 2026 - 3:10AMvideocam

South Korea

‘I can’t breathe’: Korean Air sued over in-flight death of passenger

3 Apr 2026 - 11:40AM

US-Venezuela conflict

US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro

The State Department said normal operations had resumed at the Caracas embassy after a 7-year closure that began during Trump’s first term.

31 Mar 2026 - 3:45AM

The US embassy in Caracas, Venezuela on Monday. The State Department said Washington had officially resumed operations at the embassy. Photo: EPA

New York Times says Pentagon is flouting judge’s order blocking access policy

The newspaper claims Pentagon officials have implemented a revised press policy that circumvents the judge’s March 20 ruling.

31 Mar 2026 - 2:27AM

The Philippines

Asian Angle | The Philippine military must transform, not just modernise

Changes to doctrine and force structure are needed to realise the armed forces’ dream of becoming a 21st century military.

28 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

US-EU relations

German defence minister urges strong US presence in Indo-Pacific

‘To support or not to support Ukraine can also have an impact on Taiwan and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific’: Pistorius.

27 Mar 2026 - 5:22PMvideocam

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius speaks during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles following their meeting in Canberra on Thursday. Photo: dpa

US unlikely to get China to join new nuclear arms control agreement, experts say

Nuclear superpowers not taking active steps towards meaningful negotiation following the expiry of New Start arms treaty in February.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

White eagles and Persian cats: Chinese AI satire of US war on Iran goes viral

China’s state broadcaster shares wuxia-style animation based on the conflict, triggering a wave of user-made spin-offs.

23 Mar 2026 - 9:34PMvideocam

Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants in Hormuz ultimatum

The US president demands Tehran reopen the shipping lane within 48 hours, making the deadline a ‘ticking time bomb’ for markets.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:08PMvideocam

Israeli security forces and rescuers work at the site struck by an Iranian missile in Arad, southern Israel, on Sunday. Photo: AP

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, addresses the Security Council at UN headquarters in New York on February 18. Photo: Reuters

US judge rules restrictive Pentagon press access unconstitutional

It is vital for the public to have information in light of the US war with Iran and its recent intervention in Venezuela, court says.

21 Mar 2026 - 7:16AM

US has no end date for Iran war, strikes ‘very much on track’: Hegseth

Trump will be the one to decide when to stop, the defence secretary says, as Pentagon asks for US$200 billion in extra funding.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:52PM

The US is shifting THAAD to the Middle East. What does that mean for China?

Analysts warn of a regional capability gap in the wake of US redeployment of anti-missile system to the Middle East.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

A THAAD missile defense launcher sits at a US military base in Seongju, South Korea, on March 5. Photo: AFP

Video | US says Iran’s Supreme Leader likely wounded

The new Iranian leader’s first public address was issued on March12 through a written statement.

14 Mar 2026 - 1:49PM

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North Korea

Trump tells South Korea he is only leader who can break North Korean deadlock

Trump was interested to know if North Korea’s Kim Jong-un would be open to meeting him, South Korean prime minister said.

14 Mar 2026 - 9:47AM

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

14 Mar 2026 - 2:44PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Open Questions | War on Iran may spark nuclear arms race, Carnegie scholar says

Zhao Tong says return to law of the jungle signalled by current US actions could spur countries without nuclear weapons to start acquiring them.

12 Mar 2026 - 3:39PMvideocam

US warns of possible strikes on Iran ports as Hormuz becomes flashpoint

US military considers civilian ports to be legitimate targets, prompting a threat from Iran that no location in the Gulf would remain safe.

12 Mar 2026 - 4:43PMvideocam

Anthropic sues Trump administration as row over AI use by military deepens

The Pentagon blacklisted the start-up after it refused to let its technology be used for fully autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:13PM

South Korea

South Korea uneasy as US weighs moving air defences to Middle East

Fears are growing in Seoul that shifting US Patriot and THAAD missiles to fight Iran could leave it vulnerable to North Korea.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:09PMvideocam

US and South Korean soldiers take part in a joint river-crossing exercise as part of the Freedom Shield military drills in March 2025. Photo: Getty Images

US seen as likely responsible for Iran school strike that killed scores

A girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on Saturday during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country.

6 Mar 2026 - 3:32PMvideocam

Graves for victims of the strike on a school in Minab, Iran. Photo: Iranian Foreign Media Department via Reuters

US Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s Iran war powers despite growing concerns

The bipartisan resolution, which failed by 52-47 votes, was aimed at stifling Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran.

6 Mar 2026 - 7:56AMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines arrests Filipino nationals suspected of spying for China

China has dismissed the espionage allegations as fabricated and politically motivated, accusing Manila of ‘stigmatisation’.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

US Treasury to stop using Anthropic AI tech, including Claude platform

Anthropic had previously turned down the Pentagon’s demand that it agree to unconditional military use of its Claude models.

3 Mar 2026 - 2:34AM

US Department of War and Anthropic logos. Illustration: Reuters

Anthropic vows to sue US after Trump tells government to stop using firm’s AI

The start-up has refused to let its models be used for the mass surveillance of US citizens or deployed in fully autonomous weapons systems.

28 Feb 2026 - 2:16PM

Anthropic has rejected the Pentagon’s demand that it agree to unconditional military use of its Claude models. Photo illustration: Reuters

US military laser shoots down government drone in Texas incident

The Pentagon used a high-energy laser system to down a Customs and Border Protection drone described as ‘seemingly threatening’.

27 Feb 2026 - 3:04PM