Latest news with #Allies
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Hegseth Heads to Singapore to Underscore US Commitment to Indo–Pacific
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth set off to Singapore on May 28 for a series of meetings that he said would 'ensure that [the] region understands America will be strong.' 'We seek no conflict with anybody, including the communist Chinese, but we will deter that,' he said at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland before departure. 'We will stand strong for our interests. And that's a big part of what this trip is all about.' The defense secretary will attend the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, where he will meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other officials, as well as several defense ministers from Southeast Asian nations, according to a May 27 Hegseth, in an Allies In recent months, U.S. defense experts and officials have called for stronger U.S. partnerships in the Indo–Pacific to counter the Chinese regime's growing influence. During a congressional Related Stories 5/20/2025 4/22/2025 Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said at the hearing that the Chinese military had achieved 'unprecedented' modernization with respect to weapons and capabilities, posing 'a real and serious threat to our homeland, to our allies and to our partners.' At a separate congressional hearing on May 15, retired Gen. Charles Flynn, who served as the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, echoed Paparo and said the Chinese military of today is 'dramatically different' from when he served. 'Are they rehearsing? Are they preparing? Absolutely,' Flynn 'This is not just a U.S. problem. This has to be a Taiwan problem, a Japanese problem, a Philippine problem,' he said. 'It's got to be the entire first island chain, to include South Korea.' Former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said at the May hearing that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia (AUKUS) partnership affords an undersea advantage that is 'still 10, 15, 20 years ahead of Beijing,' emphasizing the importance of cementing regional ties. Advancements Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, said that the Chinese military has made strides in space capabilities over the Indo–Pacific, enough to become a 'powerful, destabilizing force.' Saltzman China is also practicing 'dogfighting in space,' Saltzman said, saying his service has seen Chinese experimental satellites conducting 'unusual, large, and rapid maneuvers' in geostationary orbit in recent years. Based on the observation, Saltzman said Beijing 'is resolved to contest [U.S.] spacepower through combat operations.' The Chinese military has also drilled with its most advanced long-range H-6 bombers in the region. Satellite images showed H-6 bombers flying over the disputed Scarborough Shoal ahead of Hegseth's visit to the Philippines in March, and showed two H-6 bombers landing on the disputed Paracel Islands on May 19. Frank Fang and Reuters contributed to this report.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Letter: Alliances are great legacy of victory in World War II
Having read extensively about World War II, I thought I knew all the countries that fought together as the Allies. A Google search showed me I was wrong. There were 13 countries, more than I expected. I am very proud of my father's service in that war and all of the Americans alongside whom he served. But could we Americans alone have won that war alone? I think not. We were successful due to the combined efforts, contributions, skills, etc. of many countries. So why now do some of us so strongly espouse an America first and America alone mentality? What do we gain by deporting foreign students studying in our universities? Many of them remain here after school, and we benefit from their expertise. Are we better off inviting the leaders of other countries to visit the White House and then degrading them? Are we going to leave NATO and further isolate ourselves? The relative peace we have experienced since World War II is due to the strength through collaboration that we have enjoyed. I'd rather have lots of friends on whom I can depend than lots of enemies. How about you? Susan Leiby Hamburg
Scotsman
2 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
The 114-year-old Norwegian war vessel and 'floating museum' that has berthed at Edinburgh docks
Built in 1911 and at the heart of supplying Allied forces during the two world wars, D/S Hestmanden has berthed in Leith this week. Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It was one of more than 1,000 Norwegian merchant ships that provided critical medicine, food, fuel and weapons to the Allies throughout two world wars - and now remains the only one still sailing. D/S Hestmanden, known as 'The Lucky Ship', arrived in time to commemorate VE Day in the Shetland Islands earlier this month. And the vessel has now berthed at Leith docks as part of her voyage from Bergen to Newcastle, with the vessel to remain in Edinburgh until Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Archie Borthwick and Ollie Little, from the Loretto School Pipe Band piping onboard D/S Hestmanden on Monday. | Contributed Visitors are welcomed to explore the quarters, tour the engine room, and learn the war stories of Norwegian sailors, while the vessel is in Edinburgh. Students from the Loretto School Pipe band played traditional Scottish music onboard D/S Hestmanden on Monday to welcome visitors. Hallvard Klungtveit, captain of D/S Hestmanden, said: 'It is an honour to bring Hestmanden to Edinburgh.' Built in 1911 in Laksevag, near Bergen, the cargo vessel originally served on the icy coastal route between Bergen and Tromso. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But with the outbreak of the First World War, Hestmanden's mission changed. She carried coal across the English Channel to fuel the Allied war effort, later serving under the British flag with a British crew, braving treacherous North Sea convoys to France and as far as Arkhangelsk in support of the Allies' Russian Intervention. Requisitioned once more during the Second World War, Hestmanden joined Nortraship - the Norwegian government-in-exile's vast merchant fleet, which supplied the Allies with critical cargo across perilous waters. She is the only vessel from that 1,000-strong fleet to survive. READ MORE: Why this VE Day story may be the happiest of all Norwegian historian Ragnhild Bie, whose two grandfathers were both war sailors, said: 'Hestmanden is a floating museum and tribute to the 30,000 Norwegian war sailors who served the Allied resistance during World War Two, alongside Britain's own mariners.' Following decades of neglect, Hestmanden was relaunched in 2011 and transformed into Norway's official national war memorial for seafarers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Students from the Loretto School Pipe band played traditional Scottish music onboard D/S Hestmanden on Monday to welcome visitors onto the vessel. | Contributed Defying all odds, the vessel powered through and continues to at her own discretion today. This month highlights the first time Hestmanden has left Norway in 60 years. The ship's voyage from Bergen to Newcastle has taken the vessel from Shetland to Orkney, Aberdeen and now Edinburgh. The vessel's arrival in Leith on Monday forms part of a wider mission to honour the international brotherhood of wartime sailors and commemorate the 80th anniversary of peace in Europe, honouring the close relationship between the UK and Norway. Captain Klungtveit said: 'She is a proud vessel, a survivor of two world wars, and a floating memorial to thousands of Norwegian sailors who risked everything for freedom. And now she is opening her decks to a new generation. May her stories remind us of courage, resilience, and the enduring friendship between Norway and Britain.' Scout groups and schools are welcome aboard Hestmanden from 9am to 11am until Thursday. The open ship hours start from 11am until 5pm, for the public and self-guided visits.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK Envoy Urges Transatlantic Tech Alliance, Cites China Threat
The US and its allies across the Atlantic must forge a technology partnership and win the artificial intelligence race even as China makes steady advances, the UK's envoy in Washington said. Ambassador Peter Mandelson warned of the consequences if China continues to get ahead in AI and other key technologies.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Legacy of Valor: Bestselling author remembers Midway and its role in military remembrance
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — As we commemorate Memorial Day, the legacy of the Battle of Midway serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought. Now, in a captivating interview, bestselling author Martin Dugard shares insights into his latest book, 'Taking Midway,' which delves into its profound impact on military remembrance. During the interview, Dugard reflects on the brave individuals who served during the battle, emphasizing the importance of remembering their sacrifices. The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4 to June 7, 1942, marked a crucial turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, shifting the balance of naval power in favor of the Allies. The battle resulted in the sinking of four Japanese aircraft carriers – Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu – crippling the Japanese fleet and leading to over 3,000 Japanese casualties, while the U.S. lost one carrier, the Yorktown, and around 300 personnel. Watch Dugard detail the successful strategies and heroic actions of naval aviators during this battle, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and influencing naval tactics for years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
