The US Defense Department is sending its warships through the Strait of Hormuz at an increased pace. The operations are a reaction to rising tensions with Iran.
The United States and some of its NATO allies plan to increase weapons-sharing and provide additional security guarantees to Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda told the Wall Street Journal that Western leaders were supportive of developing ties with Kiev similar to the relationship Washington keeps with Tel Aviv.
The US will allow its European partners to transfer F-16s to Kiev, according to the Washington Post. Earlier this week, the UK and Netherlands began forming a coalition to send the American-made fighter jets to Ukraine.
Washington is launching the “Ukraine Content Aggregator,” an artificial intelligence program designed to detect Russian disinformation online. Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the project at the Freedom House 2023 Annual Awards Ceremony last week.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization conducted war games aimed at tracking and eliminating submarines. The 12-nation exercises were the alliance’s largest-ever military drills simulating underwater warfare.
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby announced a plan to expand America’s military posture in the Middle East. The move comes as Washington hijacked an Iranian fuel tanker, provoking Iran to seize two ships in the Persian Gulf.
The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) will adopt a prohibition on restarting oil imports from Russia, according to the Financial Times. The “highly symbolic” ban falls well short of the total export embargo proposed by Washington.
Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are privately debating what Kiev’s status should be within the alliance. All countries agree on upgrading Ukraine’s standing, but some are hesitant to commit to a clear path for Kiev to join the US-led military bloc, the Washington Post reported.
The debate in Washington about ending the war in Ukraine has become “amorphous and paradoxical,” according to the New York Times. As Ukraine is set to kick off its long-awaited spring offensive, its Western backers are unsure if they are willing to pursue peace with Russia if the attack is a success or failure.
A Defense Department official told Congress that the Pentagon is acting on plans to build a multi-layered air defense system in Guam, where Washington keeps several military bases. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is requesting $1.5 billion to begin stationing new radars and interceptors on the island next year.
The Pentagon has ordered more Javelin anti-tank missiles manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin as Washington’s stockpile dwindles. Taipei is due to receive hundreds of these weapons systems next year and the White House has already sent thousands to Kiev.
Nicholas Burns, the US Ambassador to China, warned Beijing about supporting Moscow and called for talks during a speech on Tuesday.
