The Latest Breaking News from Lloyd Austin

Ukraine’s forces say they are holding out in ‘utter hell’ of fight for eastern city of Bakhmut

It comes as the head of the Russian Wagner merecenary group complains that their frontlines around the city could collapse without ammunition

The Independent UK · Mar 6, 2023

Vladimir Putin’s forces capturing Bakhmut will not ‘change the tide of this fight,’ says US Defence Secretary

Vladimir Putin’s troops are said to have almost encircled the town in the Donetsk province in the eastern Donbas region

Evening Standard · Mar 6, 2023

Kyiv Says Forces Are Holding On in ‘Utter Hell’ of Bakhmut Battle

Ukraine said on Monday its troops were still holding out in a brutal fight for Bakhmut, while Washington said that even if the eastern city should fall to a Russian offensive, it would not necessarily give Moscow momentum in the war. In the latest sign of a feud between Russia's…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 6, 2023

Top US, Chinese defense officials haven’t spoken in 3 months

WASHINGTON — The top U.S. and Chinese defense officials haven’t spoken since November, the Pentagon said Tuesday, a sign of how recent strains over Taiwan and an alleged spy balloon have fractured communications between the world’s two most powerful armed forces.

Tribune News Service · Mar 1, 2023

U.S. targets Russia with sanctions, Moscow says measures won't work

The United States marked the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Friday with $2 billion in weaponry for Kyiv and new sanctions against Russia aimed at undermining Moscow's ability to wage war.

Reuters · Feb 24, 2023

International law must prevail in Ukraine war

Just before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which falls tomorrow France's President Emmanuel Macron declared that he wanted to see Russia "defeated, but not crushed". That is a very fine distinction, but an important one.

Bangkok Post · Feb 23, 2023

A year in, the U.S. makes a pledge: 'Ukraine will decide what victory looks like'

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says the U.S. wants to put Ukraine in the best position to end the war, but he declined to say if battlefield victories or diplomacy were the shared end goal.

WEKU · Feb 22, 2023

Philippines eyes South China Sea patrols with US, Australia

The Philippines is discussing joint security patrols in the South China Sea with the United States as well as Australia as China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters cause concern

The Independent UK · Feb 22, 2023

Philippines sides with US amid rising regional tensions between Beijing and Washington

The US-China rivalry in east Asia has taken an interesting turn after the recent visit of US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, to the Philippines. Austin’s trip ended in an expanded deal, the enhanced defense cooperation agreement (EDCA).

The Conversation · Feb 17, 2023

S. Korea, US to hold simulated drill on North use of nukes

South Korea and United States militaries will hold a tabletop exercise at the Pentagon next week to hone their joint response to a potential use of nuclear weapons by North Korea

The Independent UK · Feb 17, 2023