US tightens squeeze on Russia’s ‘war machine’ money, including diamonds and seafood

US tightens squeeze on Russia’s ‘war machine’ money, including diamonds and seafood
US tightens squeeze on Russia’s ‘war machine’ money, including diamonds and seafood

An administration official said it’s “very central to our strategy” to think about “how do we take that next step in disrupting Russia’s attempts to be able to produce the weapons systems, the industrial goods that it needs to prosecute its war?”

A second S-400 deal with Turkey? Not so fast, insiders say

A second S-400 deal with Turkey? Not so fast, insiders say
A second S-400 deal with Turkey? Not so fast, insiders say

“No one can definitely say that Turkey wouldn’t buy the second batch,” one Ankara insider said. “But for now, it isn’t on the agenda.”

Trump Admin Sets Allied Defense Spending Targets, Taiwan Deals Lead Way

Trump Admin Sets Allied Defense Spending Targets, Taiwan Deals Lead Way
Trump Admin Sets Allied Defense Spending Targets, Taiwan Deals Lead Way

“If anything, the provocations are coming from Beijing. The bullying behavior…is where the provocateurs lie, not with Taiwan [which is] maintaining its own self defense,” a top State Department official says.

Tough Sanctions May Drive Turkey Into Russia’s Arms

Tough Sanctions May Drive Turkey Into Russia’s Arms
Tough Sanctions May Drive Turkey Into Russia’s Arms

Norway suspended new applications for military export licenses to Turkey today. Norway is also reviewing all current licenses for Turkey for military and multi-use military export licenses.

Turkish S-400s Create ‘New Order’ In Mid East Airspace

Turkish S-400s Create ‘New Order’ In Mid East Airspace
Turkish S-400s Create ‘New Order’ In Mid East Airspace

An Israeli expert said that the critical question is, where will the Turks deploy the Russian system. “If it is deployed near the border with Syria it may endanger air forces that will attack Iranian controlled militias in Iraq,” the Israeli source says.

Will Trump Keep Turkey In F-35 Program? Washington Mum on Russian S-400 Delivery

Will Trump Keep Turkey In F-35 Program? Washington Mum on Russian S-400 Delivery
Will Trump Keep Turkey In F-35 Program? Washington Mum on Russian S-400 Delivery

No one is talking at DoD, State or the White House about today’s delivery of the Russian weapon system. Is the president considering looking the other way?

Despite US Threats, Another Ally Mulls Russia’s S-400

Despite US Threats, Another Ally Mulls Russia’s S-400
Despite US Threats, Another Ally Mulls Russia’s S-400

Another US ally — and host of a critical Middle Eastern air base — is considering buying a high-tech Russian missile system. What can Washington do about it?

Mattis Makes New Plea To HASC For Russian Sanctions Relief

Mattis Makes New Plea To HASC For Russian Sanctions Relief
Mattis Makes New Plea To HASC For Russian Sanctions Relief

CAPITOL HILL: Defense Secretary James Mattis fired off a new letter to House Armed Services leadership on Tuesday, asking lawmakers again to vote in favor of waivers for certain countries Washington is trying to sway into its orbit, but who continue to do business with Russian defense firms. The letter was delivered to HASC chairman Rep.…

Meet the New U.S. Export Policy, And The Tariffs Complicating Things

Meet the New U.S. Export Policy, And The Tariffs Complicating Things
Meet the New U.S. Export Policy, And The Tariffs Complicating Things

A slate of poorly understood new tariff and sanctions rules are complicating the Trump Administration’s own efforts to boost arms exports, even as sales of American-made weaponry blow past previous highs.

Trump Administration Warns Friends Against Russia Arms Deals

Trump Administration Warns Friends Against Russia Arms Deals
Trump Administration Warns Friends Against Russia Arms Deals

As some Gulf and Asian allies consider big purchases of Russia arms, the Senate is set to uphold a law signed by Trump that would slap sanctions on them for cozying up with Moscow.

How To Avoid War With North Korea

How To Avoid War With North Korea
How To Avoid War With North Korea

Donald Trump spirals downward. As long as he remains in the White House, we are called upon to do everything in our power to limit the damage he can do. Above all, there is the need to prevent a war of choice to disarm North Korea of its nuclear weapons. There are many reasons to…

Nuclear Weapons ‘Socializing’ North Korea? Time To Pressure Russia

Nuclear Weapons ‘Socializing’ North Korea? Time To Pressure Russia
Nuclear Weapons ‘Socializing’ North Korea? Time To Pressure Russia

WASHINGTON: As the Japanese reacted vigorously today to North Korea’s firing of a missile over the northern island of Hokkaido, the head of the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College argued in an article that the possession of nuclear weapons is actually helping to restrain Kim Jong-un’ s actions. In his article, James Forsyth, dean…

MH17 Tragedy Strengthens European Spines To Sanction Russia: UK Ambassador

MH17 Tragedy Strengthens European Spines To Sanction Russia: UK Ambassador
MH17 Tragedy Strengthens European Spines To Sanction Russia: UK Ambassador

THE WATERGATE: United we stand, Great Britain’s ambassador to the US insisted today. Despite all the strains on the Atlantic alliance — post-Snowden backlash against American spying, rising anti-EU sentiment in Britain, German dependence on Russian energy — the US, the UK, and their continental European allies stand together against what he called Russian “hybrid…

Crimean Crisis Plan: Negotiate With Russia, Expand NATO, Give Ukraine Time

Crimean Crisis Plan: Negotiate With Russia, Expand NATO, Give Ukraine Time
Crimean Crisis Plan: Negotiate With Russia, Expand NATO, Give Ukraine Time

The Crimean crisis continues to escalate. Ukraine’s interim government in Kiev and every country except Russia refuses to recognize the Crimean referendum. Ukraine’s interim defense minister Igor Tenyukh called on Ukrainian troops based in Crimea — some barricaded on their bases and some now held hostage by Russian forces — to prepare for war just…