Inside the Ring - Bill Gertz, Pentagon News - Washington Times
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John Rood, undersecretary of defense for policy, told lawmakers that the threat posed by advanced missiles is increasing. (Associated Press/File)

Pentagon: Missile threats increasing

By Bill Gertz

Senior Pentagon and military officials this week outlined the growing array of missile threats facing the United States from China, Russia and other states, including maneuvering hypersonic weapons.

"We must normalize space and cyberspace as war fighting domains," said Gen. John E. Hyten, the head of Strategic Command during a hearing. (Associated Press)

Russia tests ASAT missile

By Bill Gertz

Russia has conducted a flight test of a new anti-satellite missile in what Pentagon officials say is a step in advancing Moscow's space warfare capabilities.

China cyber spy chief revealed

By Bill Gertz

The activities of one of China's cyber spymasters has been revealed for the first time in a government report on Beijing's unfair trade practices made public last week.

"I cannot tell you that we have seen decisive changes in the areas in which we're working, but I remain very well-engaged with my partner to ensure that we are moving forward," said Gen. Joseph L. Votel. (Associated Press)

Pakistani covert support for Taliban revealed

By Bill Gertz

Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of the Central Command, disclosed in congressional testimony this week that despite a new U.S. policy of pressuring Pakistan, the Islamabad government is still supporting the Taliban terrorist group in the border region with Afghanistan.

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson left a four-day port visit in the Philippines on Tuesday and is leading a strike group to conduct a "freedom of navigation operation" in the South China Sea. (Associated Press)

U.S. vs. China in South China Sea

By Bill Gertz

The Pentagon is stepping up its strategic messaging targeting China with the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson now underway in the South China Sea.

"We do share concerns about the Confucius Institutes. We've been watching that development for awhile," said FBI Director Christopher A. Wray. (Associated Press)

FBI investigating Confucius Institutes

By Bill Gertz

The FBI is investigating scores of Chinese government-funded Confucius Institutes around the country over concerns the institutes are part of covert spying and influence operations.

Soldiers demonstrate how to use a U.S.-made dual mount Stinger missiles during the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Stingers to Taiwan

By Bill Gertz

Amid growing tensions between China and Taiwan over Beijing's decision to sharply increase aircraft flights along the center of the Taiwan Strait, the Pentagon is preparing to transfer Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to the Taiwanese military in the coming months.

In a major review of the Pentagon, a top official called for buying more current systems, including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, like the one seen here at a golf course in South Korea. (Associated Press)

White House eyes new intel board

By Bill Gertz

The Trump administration is moving ahead with setting up the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, and a chairman and vice chairman have been selected and are being vetted for security clearances.

President Obama outlined his nuclear policy in a landmark speech in 2009 in Prague, proclaiming he would seek a "world without nuclear weapons." The forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review says his administration's calculation of setting the conditions for further cuts in global nuclear arms was a failure. (Agence France-Presse/File)

Nuclear review repudiates Obama policy

By Bill Gertz

A leaked draft of the latest Nuclear Posture Review reveals that President Trump is preparing to boost U.S. nuclear weapons by developing new arms and modernizing older weapons and delivery platforms.