US and NATO Ally Flex Aircraft Carrier Muscles in Pacific
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Aircraft carriers deployed by the United States and the United Kingdom conducted joint operations during a war game amid concerns over China's increasing presence in the Pacific.
The operations—which took place in the Timor Sea, north of Australia, as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025—followed China's simultaneous deployment of a pair of aircraft carriers in the western Pacific in June, in a move seen as challenging U.S. naval dominance.
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The American aircraft carrier, USS George Washington, is one of the U.S. naval vessels based in Japan. Prior to its deployment near Australia, the nuclear-powered warship patrolled the South China Sea, where China is involved in territorial disputes with regional countries.
Meanwhile, HMS Prince of Wales, a British aircraft carrier, has been leading a naval strike group on an eight-month mission since April. It is scheduled to visit Japan later this summer.
The deployment of the Prince of Wales marked the fourth time a European North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state has dispatched an aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific since 2021, supporting efforts to keep China in check while the U.S. remains preoccupied with tensions in the Middle East.
The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, front, and the United States aircraft carrier USS George Washington, back, sail in formation in the Timor Sea on July 18.
The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, front, and the United States aircraft carrier USS George Washington, back, sail in formation in the Timor Sea on July 18.
Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicolas Quezada/U.S. Navy
What To Know
The USS George Washington, accompanied by the cruiser USS Robert Smalls and the destroyer USS Shoup, participated in dual aircraft carrier operations with the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Timor Sea on Friday, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy.
The Prince of Wales was joined by two British ships—the destroyer HMS Dauntless and the tanker RFA Tidespring—alongside the Australian destroyer HMAS Sydney, the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen, and the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec.
In addition to naval vessels sailing in formation, U.S. Navy aircraft were seen flying over the joint U.S.-U.K. carrier strike group. The aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighter jets, were assigned to the Carrier Air Wing 5, which was deployed aboard the USS George Washington.
The Prince of Wales also carried up to two dozen F-35B fighter jets, which are capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings on ships without full-length runways, while the F-35C—one of their sister variants—is specifically designed for operations from aircraft carriers.
The Royal Navy said this powerful demonstration of naval power brought together advanced capabilities and carrier aviation, describing the formation as a "mighty allied naval force."
The U.S. also deployed the amphibious assault ship USS America, which operates F-35B aircraft, for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. According to U.S. Navy photos, the warship was seen conducting flight operations in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia, on Wednesday.
The United States George Washington Carrier Strike Group sails alongside the British Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Timor Sea on July 18.
The United States George Washington Carrier Strike Group sails alongside the British Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group in the Timor Sea on July 18.
Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicolas Quezada/U.S. Navy
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Navy said in a photo caption on Friday: "Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns."
The Royal Navy said in a press release on Friday: "As allies demonstrate their commitment to the collective security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. Navy's George Washington Carrier Strike Group joined up with the U.K. Carrier Strike Group for dual carrier operations in the Timor Sea—between the Australian mainland and Timor-Leste and Indonesia."
What Happens Next?
It remains to be seen whether the USS America will join the USS George Washington and the Prince of Wales during the exercise in Australian waters, forming a triple F-35 carrier strike group.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
7 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
U.S. and European Union announce a trade framework
EDINBURGH, Scotland — The United States and the European Union reached a tariff deal Sunday after a brief meeting between President Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. A White House deadline was days away from imposing punishing import taxes on the 27-member EU, which is America's leading global trading partner. 'It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it's going to be great for both parties,' Trump said. The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties — and promised retaliation from Europe — that could have sent shock waves through economies around the globe. Trump and Von der Leyen held private talks at one of Trump's golf courses in Scotland, then emerged a short time later saying they had reached an 'across the board' agreement. In remarks before the session, Trump pledged to change what he characterized as 'a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.' 'I think the main sticking point is fairness,' he said while also noting, 'We've had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time.' Von der Leyen had said the U.S. and EU combined have the world's largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant a deal should be pursued. 'We should give it a shot.' Von der Leyen said Trump was 'known as a tough negotiator and deal maker,' which prompted the president to interject, 'But fair.' She said that, if the agreement is successful, 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.' For months, Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in hopes of shrinking major U.S. trade deficits with many key trading partners. More recently, he had hinted that any deal with the EU would have to 'buy down' the currently scheduled export tax rate of 30%. The Republican president pointed to a recent U.S. agreement with Japan that set tariff rates for many goods at 15% and suggested the EU could agree to something similar. Asked whether he would be willing to accept tariff rates lower than that, Trump said, 'No.' As for the threat of retaliation from the Europeans, he said: 'They'll do what they have to do.' Their meeting came after Trump played golfed for the second straight day at his Turnberry course. The president's five-day visit to Scotland is built around golf and promoting properties bearing his name. A small group of demonstrators at the course waved American flags and raised a sign criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump on Monday. Other voices could be heard cheering and chanting, 'Trump! Trump!' as he played nearby. On Tuesday, Trump will be in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland, where his family business has another golf course and is opening a third next month. The president and his sons plan to help cut the ribbon on the new course. Joining Von der Leyen were Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief trade negotiator; Bjorn Seibert, the head of Von der Leyen's Cabinet; Sabine Weyand, the commission's directorate-general for trade; and Tomas Baert, head of trade and agriculture at the EU's delegation to the U.S. The deadline for the Trump administration to begin imposing tariffs has shifted in recent weeks but was now firm, the administration said. 'No extensions, no more grace periods. Aug. 1, the tariffs are set, they'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money and off we go,' U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday.' He added, however, that even after that, 'people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he's always willing to listen.' Without an agreement, the EU said it was prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, including such diverse items as beef, auto parts, beer and Boeing airplanes. If Trump eventually made good on his threat of tariffs against Europe, it could mean that items including French cheese, Italian leather goods, German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals would be more expensive in the United States. The U.S. and Britain, meanwhile, announced a trade framework in May and a larger agreement last month during the Group of 7 meeting in Canada. Trump says that deal is concluded and that he and Starmer will discuss other matters, though the White House has suggested it still needs some polishing. Weissert writes for the Associated Press.
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Daily Limited Military Pause Begins in Gaza Amid Starvation Concerns
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Israeli military began limited 10-hour pauses in fighting across three areas of Gaza on Sunday to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid. "Let me be clear: Israel supports aid for civilians, not for Hamas. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will continue to support the flow of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," IDF spokesperson BG Effie Defrin told Newsweek in an email Sunday. Why It Matters Mounting international pressure on Israel to allow aid into Gaza follows a surge in reports and images showing widespread starvation among Palestinians. Humanitarian aid groups have warned for months that Gaza is nearing famine. Israel, which controls the entry of aid into the enclave, has severely restricted access—tightening constraints even further since the collapse of the last ceasefire in March. From March to mid-May, no aid was allowed into Gaza. The limited pauses come just days after Israeli forces killed around 100 Palestinians in multiple incidents near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza as they sought food aid. Israel's military has said it fired warning shots to distance a crowd "in response to an immediate threat." What To Know The Israeli military announced a "tactical pause" in three regions of Gaza "where the IDF is not operating": Deir al-Balah, Gaza City, and Muwasi. The cessation of fighting between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. is to allow humanitarian aid to reach the three areas. The Israeli military says there will be "designated secure routes" in place permanently from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to "enable the safe passage of UN and humanitarian aid organization convoys delivering and distributing food and medicine to the population across Gaza." In accordance with directives from the political echelon, and as part of the IDF's ongoing effort, led by COGAT, to increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, a local tactical pause in military activity will take place for humanitarian purposes from 10:00 to 20:00,... — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 27, 2025 Food airdrops commenced Saturday night, with nearly 25 tons of food and supplies dropped. The IDF said in a Saturday update that aerial airdrops resumed with "7 pallets of aid containing flour, sugar, and canned food." Defrin said on Sunday: "We are facilitating its [food aid] entry every single day. Over 250 trucks were transferred this week alone, coordinated and approved by Israel." The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said in a Sunday statement that it "welcomes" the development and "has enough food in- or on its way to - the region to feed the entire population of 2.1 million people for almost three months." Since May, the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) has been responsible for aid delivery, with the distribution sites turning into deadly encounters. The United Nations estimates that Israel has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food since May. "Severe acute malnutrition is surging and almost a third of families miss meals for days at a time," the WFP warned. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), noted. Israel has repeatedly rejected claims of forced starvation in Gaza. In May, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied people are starving in Gaza, saying that Israel takes "thousands of prisoners" from Gaza and photograph them, and you "don't see one, not one, emaciated." The IDF said in a Saturday X post that "there is no starvation in Gaza; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas." Fighting in Gaza continues as Israel and Hamas have been unable to come to a ceasefire agreement. The Trump administration cut short ceasefire negotiations on Thursday, stating Hamas "shows a lack of desire" to reach a truce with Israel. Hamas is believed to have around 50 hostages from its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Gaza City, Gaza Strip on July 27. Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Gaza City, Gaza Strip on July 27. AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi What People Are Saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, per the Associated Press: "Whichever path we choose, we will have to continue to allow the entry of minimal humanitarian supplies." The WFP said in an X post on Sunday: "Food aid is the only real way for most people inside Gaza to eat. A third of the population is not eating for days. Some 470,000 people are enduring famine-like conditions. 90,000 women and children need urgent nutrition treatment. People are dying due to a lack of humanitarian assistance." David Lammy, secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, said in a Sunday statement: "The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached new depths. The Prime Minister has already announced plans to work with Jordan to get aid into Gaza and to evacuate children who need critical medical assistance to the UK for treatment. Today's announcement of a temporary pause by the IDF to allow humanitarian corridors to open and aid drops to resume is essential but long overdue." Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam's regional policy lead, said in a Sunday statement: "Deadly airdrops and a trickle of trucks won't undo months of engineered starvation in Gaza. What's needed is the immediate opening of all crossings for full, unhindered, safe aid delivery across all of Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Anything less risks being little more than a tactical gesture." Save the Children International said in an X post: "Israel's "tactical pause" may help children in #Gaza, but a day or two of food is not enough. 133 people, 87 of them children, have already died of malnutrition and starvation. We need a ceasefire and safe, sustained aid. Our supplies are ready." What Happens Next? The military said the pause is in effect until further notice. Peace talks between Hamas and Israel remain stalled.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Trashed in Scotland's Biggest Newspaper: 'Menace'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland has drawn intense criticism from Scotland's largest newspaper, The Daily Record, which called him a "menace" in an editorial while also urging U.K. leaders to pursue pragmatic engagement for the sake of long-term relations. Newsweek contacted Trump's team for a response to the report via email. Why It Matters The comments come after Scottish police have told Newsweek a "significant" operation was being planned in expectation of protests against Trump during his time in Scotland, where he will visit his newest golf course. In 2018, thousands of protesters gathered when Trump visited his Scottish golf courses during his first term. President Donald Trump reacts as he plays a round of golf at Trump Turnberry golf course on July 27, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. President Donald Trump reacts as he plays a round of golf at Trump Turnberry golf course on July 27, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. Getty Images What To Know On the eve of Trump's five-day trip to Scotland, The Daily Record published a strong editorial criticizing his actions. The newspaper described Trump as a "menace who has caused chaos at home and abroad," referencing his refusal to accept defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, perceived support for protesters involved in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and his public statements regarding foreign leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The editorial also said that Trump's status as a "convicted felon" was contributing to Scottish protesters' outrage. Despite these criticisms, the paper urged leaders such as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney to maintain engagement with Trump for economic and diplomatic reasons, citing decades-long U.S.-UK security ties and potential leverage on international issues such as tariffs and foreign conflicts. What People Are Saying Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International, said in a press release sent to Newsweek: "The Trump family has a deep affection for Scotland, not only as the home of golf, but as the ancestral home of President Trump's beloved mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. We are therefore delighted to confirm that we are planning the creation of a memorial garden in honor of Mary Anne MacLeod as a fitting tribute to her name and legacy." Born on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, MacLeod moved to the U.S. in 1930 and became a naturalized citizen in March 1942. What Happens Next Trump's visit is expected to draw protests throughout Scotland, as noted by The Daily Record. U.K. and Scottish leaders face the challenge of balancing domestic opposition to Trump's policies and character with the need to maintain and potentially strengthen critical U.S.-UK relationships.
