The United States is withdrawing all its personnel and equipment from Niger this weekend, abandoning a vital drone base crucial for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel region. The move follows a deadline set by the ruling junta in Niger after a coup last year. While some troops have relocated to other West African nations, the majority will initially be sent to Europe.
The US military has heightened the alert level at several bases in Europe to its second-highest level, citing potential threats. While no specific threat has been mentioned, the move comes amidst heightened security concerns in Europe following recent terrorist attacks and upcoming major events.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group has arrived in South Korea for joint military exercises with Japan, aiming to counter escalating North Korean threats. The drills come after a security pact between Russia and North Korea raised concerns in Seoul, leading to increased military cooperation between the US, South Korea, and Japan.
Former US Air Force Secretary Whitten Peters warns that China’s rapidly modernizing military, particularly its advanced sixth-generation aircraft, poses a significant threat to US air dominance. Budget constraints and congressional inaction risk delaying crucial programs like the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, leaving the US struggling to keep pace with China’s technological advancements. The consequences of falling behind in this technology race could be dire, potentially handing China a decisive military advantage within a decade.
The House Oversight Committee has initiated an investigation into the effects of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on the US military. The investigation focuses on concerns that promotions within the military are being based on race, gender, and ethnicity rather than merit. A report by the anti-DEI organization STARRS revealed that many recruits and their families are expressing dismay at DEI training in the armed forces.
A former US military intelligence official, Harrison Mann, has resigned over his moral objections to US support for Israel’s war in Gaza. In a letter to his colleagues, Mann expressed his guilt and shame for helping to advance a policy that he believes has contributed to the mass killing of Palestinians.
