![U.S. Army soldiers conduct preflight checks and load cargo onto CH-47 Chinooks Aug. 27, 2023, at al-Asad air base, Iraq.](jpg/hanbkecmefc6df5pwttamp7sly-2.jpg)
![U.S. Army soldiers conduct preflight checks and load cargo onto CH-47 Chinooks Aug. 27, 2023, at al-Asad air base, Iraq.](jpg/hanbkecmefc6df5pwttamp7sly-2.jpg)
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses for a photo after his interview with The Associated Press in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Nov. 30, 2023.](jpg/4i3ad2eutjaergha5mlhco6zwe.jpg)
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy issues plea for support during Washington visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the National Defense University on Monday.
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Flashpoints
The Pentagon working group to combat extremism could be finished
The Countering Extremist Activity Working Group was established in 2021 to address an increase in concerning behavior among troops.
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Air Force Reserve staff sergeant arrested for role in Jan. 6 riot
Kyle Douglas McMahan was arrested on felony charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.
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US to announce fresh weapons aid for Ukraine as Congress is stalled
The latest weapons package will be provided through presidential drawdown authority, or PDA, which pulls weapons from existing U.S. stockpiles.
![In this handout photo released by Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippines BRP Jose Rizal, right, and USS Gabrielle Giffords during a tactical exercise between Philippines and the United States in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday Nov. 23, 2023.](jpg/gmf5qmshgngibmphhmtt4pj5lu.jpg)
US Navy ship ‘intruded’ in South China Sea waters, China says
The U.S. Navy said the ship “was conducting routine operations in international waters ... consistent with international law.”
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Marine veteran killed in Ukraine was ‘fearless,’ his commander says
Veteran Marine Lance Cpl. Joel David Beal was hit by a mortar round while attempting to destroy a Russian infantry vehicle, his commander said.
![Members of the Oath Keepers extremist group stand on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.](jpg/bpqtg3l2a5eohdstyt6tlhfb4u.jpg)
Problems persist with how services report extremism, DOD watchdog says
Findings show ongoing issues with how the services track and report data on extremism in the ranks.
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Extremism stand-down checked a box with no lasting result, critics say
While some saw no reason for the training and believed it ignited division among the ranks, others thought it didn’t go far enough.
![U.S. Army soldiers conduct preflight checks and load cargo onto CH-47 Chinooks Aug. 27, 2023, at al-Asad air base, Iraq.](jpg/hanbkecmefc6df5pwttamp7sly-2.jpg)
Iranian-backed group vows to expand conflict if US airstrikes continue
U.S. fighter jets struck a Kataib Hezbollah operations center and a command-and-control node south of Baghdad on Tuesday, two defense officials said.
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US, Philippines conduct joint patrols in South China Sea near Taiwan
The patrols come days after Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the situation in the South China Sea increasingly “dire.”
![This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says a launch of the newly developed Chollima-1 rocket carrying the Malligyong-1 satellite at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground, on May 31, 2023.](jpg/up3qnby53fdjvhnmg3xgxlpqda.jpg)
North Korea claims it successfully put spy satellite into orbit
North Korea claimed Wednesday to have successfully placed a spy satellite into orbit with its third launch attempt this year.
![President Joe Biden and China's President President Xi Jinping walk in the gardens at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference.](jpg/bacq3fr5d5d6fchaq6fj7cw5we.jpg)
Biden, Xi agree to restart military communications
President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping left their first meeting in a year showcasing modest agreements to re-establish military communications.
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Biden seeks better military relations with China when he meets with Xi
The plan is to revive the regular talks under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, used to improve safety in the air and sea.
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Drone attacks on US troops in Middle East rise to 55 in under a month
The U.S. has struck multiple targets in Syria in retaliation.
![Chinese coast guard and suspected Chinese militia ship block the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, during a resupply mission at the disputed South China Sea on Friday Nov. 10, 2023.](jpg/r5ieh6uqofcmtcn3gstario3mu.jpg)
Chinese ships chase Philippine vessels in South China Sea
China has stood by its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, clashing with its neighbors and drawing in the U.S., Manila’s treaty ally.
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Mental health evacuations for deployed US troops are on the rise
In 2022, 38.8% of evacuations from Central Command were mental health-related, compared to 33.5% in 2021 and 27.2% in 2020.
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Fort Campbell soldier accused of cyberstalking, threatening judges
Two judges told the FBI they feared for their lives after the soldier posted a threat to Facebook on Oct. 26.
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