Latest news with #WhiteHouseNationalSecurityCouncil
Asahi Shimbun
7 days ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan weighs spending more on U.S. military facilities
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 7 (Kotaro Ebara) The government is considering boosting its annual spending on U.S. military facilities in Japan by tens of billions of yen to appease the Trump administration, although the amount may not be satisfactory. The White House National Security Council called for increasing Japan's contribution to the costs of maintaining U.S. troops in the country when officials of the National Security Secretariat visited the United States in early May, government sources said. Japan's host nation support for U.S. forces stationed in the country averages about 211 billion yen ($1.5 billion) per fiscal year. The government is considering increasing its spending on the Facilities Improvement Program, part of the host nation programs, by tens of billions of yen, or hundreds of millions of dollars, the sources said. Under the program, Japan builds and provides barracks for U.S. troops, housing for their families, administration buildings and disaster management facilities, among other infrastructure. The Defense Ministry is expected to decide on specific facilities based on requests from the U.S. military, the sources said. U.S. President Donald Trump complained about Japan's share of the costs of stationing U.S. forces in the country when he met with economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, who serves as the government's lead negotiator on U.S. tariffs, in Washington in mid-April. The issue has been discussed between the U.S. National Security Council and Japan's National Security Secretariat. Akazawa and his U.S. counterpart, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have been negotiating two other issues raised by Trump during the White House meeting: sales of U.S. automobiles in Japan and the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. Trump, who has labeled Japan's financial burden for hosting U.S. troops as unfair since his first administration, may demand a further increase even if Japan proposes shouldering more of the costs. 'I do not think that Trump will be satisfied with that level (of increase),' a senior Defense Ministry official said of the tens of billions of yen under discussion. During Trump's first term as U.S. president, Japan-U.S. negotiations on Tokyo's host nation support went nowhere due partly to confusion and chaos within his administration. A senior official of the prime minister's office said the latest negotiations with the United States are in the early stages and that it is still impossible to foresee a way forward. (This article was written by Mizuki Sato and Azusa Kato.)
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Trump, Putin agree to prisoner exchange: Russian diplomat
The U.S. and Russia have agreed to a prisoner swap, according to a top official in Moscow, amid growing public frustration from President Trump toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Turkey that the two leaders agreed to an exchange of prisoners, according to NBC News. Lavrov praised Trump as a 'man who wants results,' and he claimed the U.S. president's efforts were being 'sabotaged' by other nations. The foreign minister did not provide specifics on the exchange, and additional details were not immediately available. The White House National Security Council did not respond to a request for comment. The announcement of a potential exchange comes after Trump spent the weekend bashing Putin for his attacks on Ukraine, where the U.S. is attempting to broker a ceasefire. Trump in a social media post Sunday night claimed Putin is going 'absolutely' crazy and said if he did not stop the strikes on Ukraine, it would lead to the downfall of his country. 'He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers,' Trump said. 'Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.' The Kremlin responded to his criticism Monday, citing 'emotional overload' at this 'very important moment.' Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border. Trump has pushed for an end to the conflict, alternately expressing frustration with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the inability to end the conflict. If a prisoner swap comes to fruition, it would be the second exchange between the U.S. and Russia since Trump took office. Marc Fogel returned to the United States in February after spending more than three years in prison in Russia as part of a prisoner swap. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump, Putin agree to prisoner exchange: Russian diplomat
The U.S. and Russia have agreed to a prisoner swap, according to a top official in Moscow, amid growing public frustration from President Trump toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Turkey that the two leaders had agreed to an exchange of prisoners, according to NBC News. Lavrov praised Trump as a 'man who wants results,' and he claimed the U.S. president's efforts were being 'sabotaged' by other nations. The foreign minister did not provide specifics on the exchange, and additional details were not immediately available. The White House National Security Council did not respond to a request for comment. The announcement of a potential exchange comes after Trump spent the weekend bashing Putin for his attacks on Ukraine, where the U.S. is attempting to broker a ceasefire. Trump in a social media post Sunday night claimed Putin is going 'absolutely' crazy and said if he did not stop the strikes on Ukraine, it would lead to the downfall of his country. 'He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers,' Trump said. 'Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.' The Kremlin responded to his criticism Monday, citing 'emotional overload' at this 'very important moment.' Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border. Trump has pushed for an end to the conflict, alternately expressing frustration with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the inability to end the conflict. If a prisoner swap does come to fruition, it would be the second exchange between the U.S. and Russia since Trump took office. Marc Fogel returned to the United States in February after spending more than three years in prison in Russia as part of a prisoner swap.
See - Sada Elbalad
24-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Trump Fires Dozens from White House National Security Council
Israa Farhan Former President Donald Trump has dismissed dozens of staffers from the White House National Security Council (NSC) as part of a sweeping effort to restructure the agency and narrow its role, according to five sources familiar with the matter. The purge, which took place Friday, reportedly targeted officials handling key geopolitical issues ranging from Ukraine to Kashmir, sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. This move comes just weeks after newly appointed National Security Advisor Marco Rubio replaced Mike Waltz in the influential position. The restructuring signals a dramatic shift in how the NSC operates — reducing its influence in shaping foreign policy and turning it into a leaner body focused on executing the president's agenda rather than crafting it. Sources indicated that the shake-up will effectively transfer greater power and responsibility to other government departments, including the State Department, the Department of Defense, and agencies responsible for diplomacy, intelligence, and national security. The Trump administration aims to reduce the size of the NSC to approximately 50 staff members. That's a significant cut from the council's previous size under President Joe Biden, when it employed over 300 people. Even before Friday's layoffs, the staff count under Trump had already dropped to less than half of that. Traditionally, the National Security Council serves as a key advisory body to the president, coordinating national security policies and providing crucial input during global crises. The council's role has been particularly vital in high-stakes foreign policy decisions and maintaining the United States' strategic posture worldwide. According to two sources, the dismissed employees will be reassigned to other roles within the federal government. However, the sudden layoffs created emotional scenes at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the NSC is headquartered. Two sources described chaotic moments, with some staff members visibly distraught and in tears as they packed their belongings. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Trump slashes National Security Council staff in major restructuring
The Trump administration has dramatically reduced the size of the White House National Security Council (NSC), dismissing over 100 staff members in a sweeping overhaul aimed at consolidating national security authority under the State and Defence departments. The move, carried out on May 23, follows President Donald Trump's earlier removal of former national security adviser Mike Waltz, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio now serving as interim head of the NSC. Multiple media outlets, including The Washington Post, Reuters, and CNN, reported that employees received administrative leave notices at around 4:20 pm. White House National Security Council slashes staff in dramatic restructuring, sources say, only a few dozen staff will remain | Reuters — Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) May 24, 2025 ET and were given just 30 minutes to vacate their offices in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The restructuring significantly reduces the NSC's size from its peak under President Joe Biden, when it included approximately 300 staffers. An unnamed White House official told Axios, 'The NSC is the ultimate Deep State. It's Marco vs. the Deep State. We're gutting the Deep State.' Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that entire directorates handling sensitive global issues — such as Ukraine, Kashmir, and African affairs — were affected. Some directorates may be eliminated or merged, reducing the NSC's scope from policy formulation to policy execution. The firings also follow a campaign by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who reportedly flagged several NSC staffers for alleged disloyalty. Waltz himself was dismissed after sharing sensitive military plans with a journalist, further fuelling internal unrest. According to the White House's plan, the NSC's final headcount will be reduced to around 50 staff members, a stark contrast to previous administrations. 🚨Alert: Trump administration has moved to drastically overhaul the National Security Council (NSC), reportedly firing more than 100 officials and slashing the powerful advisory and coordination body's staff, as part of what one White House source described as an effort to 'gut… — US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) May 24, 2025 The Trump team argues that many NSC functions are redundant and better handled by other agencies, including the Departments of State and Defence. However, critics, including some Republican lawmakers, warn that dismantling key NSC functions may hinder effective policymaking. The council traditionally plays a central role in shaping US responses to global crises. The reshuffle comes amid broader government-wide staff reductions as part of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency initiative, led by Elon Musk, which has already resulted in tens of thousands of federal job cuts.
