China plans to hold large-scale military exercises in the disputed South China Sea area around the same time as the U.S.-lead Quad Alliance struts its stuff around Guam. Few details were available about the Chinese exercises, except that they are large and will involve live ammunition. Former People’s Liberation Army Colonel Yue Gang said the PLA’s drill was designed to …

As the official U.S. mission winds down, the number of private military contractors in Afghanistan has dropped by more than 50% over the past three months. Many people are concerned about what these cuts mean to Afghanistan’s air force, which is its primary weapon against the Taliban. Former Presidents, including Geroge W. Bush and Barack Obama, have used contractors to …

The ongoing Cabo Delgado insurgency might have reached a new level as Rwandan soldiers faced off against Islamic militants near the Mozambique-Tanzania border. A string of recent successes has prompted more nations to join the fray. South African contractors have already engaged militants on several occasions, in support of Mozambique’s security forces. The Rwandan forces, however, are in country specifically …

One of Beijing’s top diplomats expressed “unwavering support” for Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad and said China was prepared “to make joint efforts with the Syrian side to continue to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.” Minister Wang Yi also stated that “China strongly supports Syria in safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and opposes any attempt …

In ancient times, Olympic organizers asked warring states to bury the hatchet at least temporarily, so the Games could continue. Kremlin officials evidently do not have this Olympic spirit. The war games, which began in late July 2021, will continue until late August. Observers believe Russia is taking a harder line over the disputed islands because Japan is doing the …

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse might go to the highest level, as authorities arrested a top security coordinator as part of an ongoing effort to bring the responsible person(s) to justice. Jean Laguel Civil’s attorney says his client’s arrest is politically motivated. He was taken into custody as Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a Port-au-Prince gang leader, led a large group …

Wagner Group mercenaries “couldn’t take part and didn’t take part in any killings or lootings” in the Central African Republic, declared Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “This is yet another lie,” he added. The issue came up in a UN Security Council meeting. France, Great Britain, and the United States accused Wagner Group mercenaries of committing atrocities in the Bangassou region …

Per a peace agreement, all “foreign” troops must leave the war-torn country by the end of 2021. When that happens, the government will probably lose air superiority. Currently, American contractors maintain most of the fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones which roam the skies over Afghanistan largely unmolested by Taliban and other anti-government forces. U.S. President Joe Biden has agreed to …

The House Committee on Veterans Affairs voted along strict party lines to advance the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 to the House floor. A Senate committee approved a similar, but narrower, bill a few weeks earlier. If approved, both measures would make about 3.5 million veterans eligible for medical care and cash benefits. Both proposals …

A Marine Corps veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder made it from New Orleans to Dallas because of a compassionate first responder who says he has his “own battles.” Fire Captain Bobby Davidson noticed that one of his fellow passengers seemed to be having a panic attack. He later learned that the woman was a Marine Corps veteran who had …

The Kuwaiti Cabinet, the political arm of the Royal Family, announced that direct flights to the United States and several European nations will resume on July 1, 2021. Direct flights will now be available to Austria, France, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the UK, Spain, the U.S., Holland, Italy, Germany, Greece and Switzerland. Kuwait had previously re-established direct flights to Great Britain, but …

The Illinois-based private military contractor and vehicle supplier agreed to pay $50 million to resolve a claim related to its MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) heavy trucks. Government prosecutors alleged that the company charged the Marine Corps inflated prices for a specialized suspension system. Several agencies cooperated in the matter, which relied in large part on a whistleblower who received a …