Russia Deploys Advanced Cruise Missiles in Major Navy Reboot

A Russian Navy captain stands in front of an anti-aircraft system on a Russian missile cruiser as it patrols in the Mediterranean Sea, on Dec. 17.

 

Source: AFP via Getty Images

The Russian military intends to expand deployment of its most sophisticated non-nuclear cruise missiles for attacks at land and sea under a sweeping naval modernization, according to an analysis by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence.

U.S. Navy Warns Soviet-Sized Russian Navy Will Return In 5 Years

U.S. Navy Warns Soviet-Sized Russian Navy Will Return In 5 Years

To defend against our own cruise missiles, Russia also seeks a laser-like "high-energy weapon with antisatellite and cruise missile defense capability." And "electro-dynamic gun systems are being developed that use electrical energy."

Meanwhile, China too is expanding its number of submarines and advanced guided-missile warships, as the U.S. Navy reported in April.

Is Iran already preparing for the fall of Bashar al-Assad?

Is Iran already preparing for the fall of Bashar al-Assad?

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Vladimir Putin may get all of the attention when it comes to Syria, but the biggest backer of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad — and thus the biggest obstacle to removing Assad and striking a Syrian peace deal — is in fact Iran. The Iranians are Assad's most important ally, providing Assad with tremendous military and financial support to make sure he stays in power. Without Iran, there is probably no Assad regime.

The US Navy just issued an eerie report outlining Russia's naval capabilities

A Russian warship firing during celebrations for Navy Day in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea, on July 26. 

North Korea’s Collapse Is Just the Beginning

Last week Kim Jong-un marked the fourth anniversary of his succession to leadership and his father’s death in North Korea. 

EU extends sanctions against defiant Russia

Brussels (AFP) - The EU extended damaging economic sanctions against Russia on Monday amid sharp differences over relations with Moscow which struck back with a furious tirade and its own import ban against Ukraine.

Around Asia, 'Made in China' no longer means cheap or shoddy

Try durable and precise instead. The rise of product quality in China is starting to create waves in the world's most dynamic economies.

The “Made in China” brand has long stood for quantity not quality, for a low price rather than a top notch product. 

Israel successfully tests ballistic missile interceptor

The Israeli Arrow project was first launched in 1988 as part of the then Star Wars programme under late US president Ronald Reagan that was abandoned in 1993 (AFP Photo/Sven Nackstrand)

Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel and the United States on Thursday successfully tested a ballistic missile interceptor as the Jewish state seeks to upgrade its defences in the face of regional threats, officials said.

Russia gave warning of Syria cruise missile strikes, US says

Washington (AFP) - Russia warned in advance that its military would launch strikes Tuesday on Syria for the first time from a submarine stationed in the Mediterranean, the United States said.

Russia appears to have 'gone ballistic' in Syria — and it may be helping ISIS

Russia is showing no signs that it intends to forgive and forget Turkey’s decision to down a Russian warplane two weeks ago.

Moscow has chosen to retaliate for the incident asymmetrically, hitting Turkish economic and military interests instead of engaging in a direct conflict with Ankara that might lead to a military confrontation with NATO.

Russia’s Ready For Nuclear War: Deploys Doomsday Plane

Russia is now fully prepared for a nuclear war with NATO with this state-of-the-art flying command center capable of maintaining full control over Russia’s armed forces in case of a global disaster or nuclear war.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Revealed: U.S. Navy's Plan to Defeat Russia's Deadly S-400

The U.S. Navy has decided to upgrade its Boeing EA-18G Growler fleet with the new high-speed Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) datalink and other new hardware following a successful demonstration of the new technologies at Fleet Experiment 2015 this summer. According to Boeing, all new Growlers currently in production will be fitted with the enhanced hardware while older jets will be retrofitted the new standard.

The U.K. Will Attack ISIS With a Missile the U.S. Could Only Dream Of

While the British Parliament was debating this week whether to join in airstrikes against ISIS in Syria, one weapon was mentioned repeatedly: Brimstone. In a 36-page report, Prime Minister David Cameron said, "The Brimstone missile which enables us to strike accurately with low collateral damage, therefore increasing the scope for strikes against specific ISIL targets—even the U.S. do not possess this capability.

As US Bombs ISIS, Be Wary of Moscow’s Spies

The U.S.-led coalition is expected to step up anti-ISIS airstrikes in the wake of the Paris attacks, but it should do so with prudence — and not for the obvious reasons of minimizing civilian casualties or dampening perceptions of a war on Islam. The U.S. and its allies must weigh their desires to hit ISIStargets against the risk of revealing to the world heretofore-secret information about their weapons to the world.

Schoolboy Suffers Horrific Injuries After Being Left For Dead By Audi Driver

Ashley Barrs was the subject of a hit and run/SWNS

Police are hunting a hit-and-run Audi driver who ploughed into a schoolboy at high speed leaving him with shocking facial injuries.

Emirates: Airbus ‘ready to go’ with new A380 launch

Christopher Furlong | Getty Images

Businessman walk past an Emirates Airbus A380 during the Dubai Airshow on November 18, 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

President of Gulf carrier Emirates said plans for a new and improved Airbus A380 super jumbo were "ready to go" and that it was just a matter of finalizing some commercial aspects before launch.

U.S. Is No Longer Among the 10 Most Prosperous Countries

Ten countries have now become more prosperous than the United States.

The U.S. is ranked No. 11 in the latest annual Prosperity Index, which was released this week by the Legatum Institute, an international think tank based in London.

The index ranks 142 countries overall and in eight categories:

NATO chief sounds alarm over Russian buildup

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends a press conference after the NATO military demonstration in Zaragoza

TROIA, Portugal (AP) — NATO's secretary-general sounded the alarm Thursday over the build-up of Russian military forces from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and called on the U.S.-led alliance to come up with a response.

China completes production of own passenger plane

Shanghai (AFP) - China's first big passenger plane rolled off the assembly line on Monday as the Asian giant seeks the prestige of having its own aviation sector, and to challenge foreign giants Airbus and Boeing for market share.

There are only 20 countries in the world where it is harder to do business than in Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has long been touted as one of the continent’s most promising business hubs.

Putin Orders Russia to Stockpile Protective Equipment for Nuclear Threat

Schoolchildren wearing gas masks and protective suits participate in a civil defence competition between local schools in Russia's southern city of Stavropol, February 2, 2011Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his Security Council to assess Russia's readiness to survive a nuclear, chemical or biological disaster and has told them to stockpile protective equipment if necessary.

Germany is about to start up a monster machine that could revolutionize the way we use energy

For more than 60 years, scientists have dreamed of a clean, inexhaustible energy source in the form of nuclear fusion.

And they're still dreaming.

Russia holds war games involving numerous missile launches

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian military has conducted a series of ballistic and cruise missile launches from sites across the country in the latest demonstration of the nation's resurgent military might.

Zimbabwean university staffer suspended in Mugabe cap mishap

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — For Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, one size does not fit all.

A senior staffer at the University of Zimbabwe has been suspended for allegedly procuring academic caps for Mugabe that were too small for his head, according to court papers filed this week.

In the mid-1980s, the Soviet Union had a computer program that helped it decide when to launch a nuclear war

This week, the National Security Archive at George Washington University published a newly declassified 1990 US intelligence-community study that revealed terrifying details about the 1983 US-Soviet war scare.

New Russian military might on full display in Syria

HEMEIMEEM AIRBASE, Syria (AP) — Sleek combat jets loaded with precision bunker-buster bombs roar into the skies as soldiers in desert-style uniforms march past rows of neat housing at this Russian military base at one of Syria's largest airports.

Arab Israeli paraglides to Syria, possibly to join rebels: army

Jerusalem (AFP) - An Arab Israeli has crossed into Syria using a paraglider with the apparent goal of joining rebel fighters there, the Israeli army said on Sunday.

"A surveillance post identified an Israeli civilian entering Syrian territory using a paraglider" late on Saturday, an army statement read.

Russia Building Arctic Bases In Preparation For World War 3?

Fears have been raised about the beginning of World War 3 after Moscow announced plans for three new military bases within 300 miles of the U.S. mainland.

Not So Scary: This Is Why Russia's Military Is a Paper Tiger

While Moscow’s military adventure in Syria shows that its forces have improved markedly since their near collapse in the mid-1990s, Russian military forces still have many weaknesses.

How Putin’s Ukrainian Dream Turned Into a Nightmare

By Adrian Karatnycky and Alexander J. Motyl

Whatever the larger goal of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s armed intervention in Syria, it has succeeded in distracting the world’s attention from his ongoing aggression in eastern Ukraine. In hishalf-hour speech at the United Nations earlier this month timed to reach a prime-time Russian audience, he spent only a minute on the Ukrainian conflict, focusing instead on Russia’s constructive role in the Middle East.

Russia has released footage of one of its planes intercepting a US Reaper drone over Syria

Russia's Ministry of Defense has released a video showing a Sukhoi (Su-30SM) more or less intercepting a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Syria.

Neocon Scheme: Send Nuke Bombers to Israel

Just in case the Iran deal falls apart, a group of hawkish U.S. lawmakers and generals says Israel should have some B-52s and B-1s. The only problem: Israel doesn’t seem to want them.

Bombs Away: This Is Why Russia's Air War in Syria Is So Impressive

The Russian air force in Syria seems to be generating close to the theoretical maximum number of sorties possible for thirty-two fixed-wing combat aircraft. That’s of course assuming the Russians are providing factually accurate information about their operations in Latakia.

Russia Demands Explanation After Newspaper Reports British Planes Have Permission to Shoot Down Russian Jets

(CNSNews.com) – Russia’s ambassador to Britain said he has requested an urgent explanation from the British government after a media report Sunday said that British pilots flying anti-ISIS missions have been given permission to shoot down Russian aircraft if threatened.

China calm over TPP isolation as it pursues regional deals

Beijing (AFP) - A new US-led Pacific trade pact that pointedly excludes China could see it lose influence and key export markets, but observers say the web of bilateral deals Beijing has forged is enough to maintain its global clout.

What Will the TPP Mean for China?

On Oct. 5, the United States, Japan and ten other countries concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) — the largest regional trade accord in history, and one that does not include China. If approved, the agreement will set new terms for the nearly $28 trillion in trade and business investment between the parties to the deal. In this ChinaFile conversation, experts discuss how the TPP may affect China and the future of U.S.-China relations.

Russia’s Missiles: A Major New Weapon in Syria Conflict

A photo taken from video published by the Russian Defense Ministry purports to show missile launches from the Caspian Sea to strike targets in Syria. CreditRussian Defense Ministry

By mounting a missile strike from warships nearly 1,000 miles away, the Russian military added a major new weapon on Wednesday to its operations in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in Syria.

US admiral: The Russian military is trying to 'cripple' NATO

A US admiral has warned that NATO is having difficulty adapting and responding to evolving Russian military threats.

Russia Turning The Corner On Sanctions

Moscow’s business district. The country has been a pariah for over a year. But with Vladimir Putin’s United Nations speech, his open discussion with journalist Charlie Rose and a calmer situation in Eastern Ukraine, he may have turned the dial on the negative political sentiment that’s put a ceiling on Russian equity moreso than weak oil prices.

Russia has turned the corner, thanks in part to the recent candid, public appearances by its president, Vladimir Putin. The Sept. 29 interview with Charlie Rose in the suburbs of Moscow, his United Nations General Assembly speech about fighting terrorism in Syria, and Germany and France suddenly leaning more towards Russia on the Ukraine variable means Russia is looking less gnarly than it did a few months ago. For investors, this may be a time to start dipping into Russian stocks.

Potentially game-changing oil reserves discovered in Israel

Haifa, Israel – After Israel complained for years that it was surrounded by oil-rich states but didn’t have a drop within its own borders, it appears there’s a big-time turnaround with the announcement Wednesday that massive oil reserves have been located in the Golan Heights,close to the country’s border with Syria.

Netanyahu says Israel's relationship with Russia is good

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel wants to avoid an adversarial relationship with Moscow and is unsure how Russia's recent military intervention in Syria will affect the situation there.

The US is providing Ukraine with a radar system that could 'help tip the balance' of the country's conflict

(US Air Force) A Q-36 radar system 

The US and its partners have struggled to counter Russian president Vladimir Putin's moves on the world stage. Russia has continued to beef up its military presence in Syria while conducting unilateral strikes against US-backed rebels in the country. And in Ukraine, Russian-backed separatists continue to occupy much of the Donbas region.

Pentagon: Russia Violated Treaty with Recent Missile Test

Pentagon: Russia Violated Treaty with Recent Missile Test

A top U.S. Defense Department official said Russia violated a landmark nuclear treaty with the recent test of a new surface-to-air missile.

Russia Unveils New Cockroach Spy Robot

Russian scientists and engineers have developed a micro-robot that looks and moves like an insect and can carry a tiny camera, the country's Baltic Federal Immanuel Kant University announced on Thursday.

France to sell warships to Egypt, after Russia deal scrapped

Paris (AFP) - Egypt agreed Wednesday to buy two Mistral warships which France built for Russia before scrapping the sale over the Ukraine crisis, showing Paris increasingly values Cairo as a stable partner in a chaotic region.

Pentagon Plans To Go To War With Russia

he United States is preparing for a potential war with Russia by revising its contingency plans for the first time since the end of the Cold War, according to U.S. officials.

The Pentagon is going through re-evaluation of its Cold War era-old military plans amid deteriorating relations between Russia and the U.S. after Moscow has taken sudden interest in Syria earlier this month.

Boeing 'planning China factory': report

Shanghai (AFP) - Plans for a Boeing factory in China have been submitted to the government in Beijing, state-run media reported Tuesday ahead of President Xi Jinping's US visit, where he will tour one of its plants.

Edward Snowden: Aliens Are Trying To Contact Planet Earth

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has extraordinarily claimed that aliens are real - and they are trying to make contact with us.

Only Russia Can Destroy US – U.S. Ambassador

Amid indications that Russia carries out military drills to prepare for a large-scale war against NATO, experts around the world evaluate the possibility of a renewed Cold War as well as global arms race.

Diana Belchase, an American writer, was recently invited to Georgetown University to hear Ambassador Linton Brooks talk about the U.S. relationship with Russia.

Germany 'took our Jews and gave us Arabs': French ex-minister

Paris (AFP) - A former French minister stirred up controversy Friday after saying Germany "took our Jews and gave us Arabs" as France began taking some of the thousands of refugees arriving in Germany.

China developing new attack helicopter with stealth abilities

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has begun developing a new generation of attack helicopter which will have stealth abilities and should start deliveries to the Chinese armed forces by about 2020, the official China Daily newspaper said on Friday.

Sweden summons Russian ambassador after NATO threat

Stockholm (AFP) - Sweden's foreign ministry on Friday summoned Russia's ambassador after Moscow threatened retaliatory measures if the Scandinavian country joined NATO.

Russia's Armata T-14 Tank vs. America's M-1 Abrams: Who Wins?

With the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the spectre of a massive armored Red Army juggernaut smashing its way through the Fulda Gap is long past, but Russia has continued to develop new tanks and armored vehicles. Meanwhile, the United States has continued to rely on upgraded versions of the Cold War–era M1 Abrams and Bradley fighting vehicle.

We just got the clearest sign yet that Russia doesn't really care about fighting ISIS in Syria

(Alexander Aksakov/Getty Images) 

Moscow will reportedly provide Russian troops in Syria with an advanced antiaircraft missile system as part of its military support for Syrian president Bashar Assad.

America's F-22 Stealth Fighter vs. Russia's PAK-FA: Who Wins?

America's F-22 Stealth Fighter vs. Russia's PAK-FA(T-50): Who Wins?

This year marks a decade since the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor was declared operational with the U.S. Air Force.

Maduro off to China, Vietnam in 'difficult times'

A handout photo released by the Venezuelan Presidency shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) waving next to First Lady Cilia Flores (R) during a rally in Caracas on August 28, 2015 (AFP Photo/)

Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro will go cap in hand to China and Vietnam at the weekend, with his oil-rich country mired in recession.

U.N.'s Ban defends China parade trip after Japanese concern: Xinhua

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaks during an event marking 4th anniversary of the bombing of the Abuja United Nations building by Boko Haram members in Abuja, Nigeria, August 24, 2015. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has defended his trip to Beijing next week to watch a military parade marking the end of World War Two following concern from Japan.

Russia creates Aerospace Forces by merging military branches

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has merged several branches of its military into the Aerospace Forces — a reorganization aimed at enhancing coordination and efficiency, officials said Monday.

Swedish wreck divers claim 'Russian mini sub' discovery

Stockholm (AFP) - Swedish wreck divers said Monday they had found the wreck of a Russian mini-submarine in Swedish territorial waters, nine months after a high-profile hunt in Sweden for a mystery submarine.

NATO eastward expansion would be 'catastrophic': Russian official

Moscow (AFP) - NATO enlargement into Ukraine and Georgia would have "catastrophic consequences" for Europe, Russia's envoy to NATO warned Tuesday in a television interview, as relations between Moscow and the West sink to Cold War-era lows.

U.S. Will Pay For Intimidating China And Russia

While China deploys its military hardware to Russia in order to take part in the International Army Games 2015 along with 14 other nations from August 1 through 15, the United States remains concerned that the two countries are threatening Washington’s global dominance.

This Gun for Hire: 5 Russian Weapons of War for Sale

American arms reach a wide range of customers across the globe. However, there are some countries the United States will not sell weapons to for a variety of political and strategic concerns.

Chinese Highway Runs Circles Around Residents Who Refused to Leave

Several tenants refused to move out of a Chinese apartment block that was set to be demolished in 2008 to make way for a road. So, rather than negotiate further, developers built a huge road around the building.

Mitsubishi Motors considering ending U.S. auto production: sources

By Maki Shiraki and Paul Lienert

TOKYO/DETROIT (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Motors Corp, faced with declining demand in the United States and an expiring union contract at its only plant in North America, is considering ending U.S. auto production, two people familiar with the matter said.

Russia is testing new intercontinental missiles and it could intensify the crisis with the US

Russia is testing new intercontinental missiles and it could intensify the crisis with the US

Russia is working on the third stage of developing and designing the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile. An official said the tests are expected to start in 18 to 24 months.

Russia's Stealthy New Nuclear Bomber Is in Big Trouble

Russia is delaying production of its new fifth-generation PAK DA strategic bomber, a senior Russian defense official has announced.

A $4 Trillion Force From China That Helped the Euro Now Hurts It

For almost a decade, China’s effort to diversify the world’s biggest foreign-exchange reserves supported the euro. Now, the almost $4 trillion force may be working against the single currency.

Admiral assures Asian allies US forces ready for contingency

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -The new U.S. commander of the Pacific Fleet assured allies Friday that American forces are well equipped and ready to respond to any contingency in the South China Sea, where long-seething territorial disputes have set off widespread uncertainties.

Watch Out, America: Russia Sends Super Advanced S-400 to NATO's Borders

Russia’s beefing up its air and missile defense systems near its borders with NATO countries, according to local media reports.

Britain pulls out spies as Russia, China crack Snowden files - report

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has pulled out agents from live operations in "hostile countries" after Russia and China cracked top-secret information contained in files leaked by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, the Sunday Times reported.

Snowden may have some clarifying to do after bombshell reports that Russia and China accessed NSA files

(REUTERS/Charles Platiau) Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, who is in Moscow, is seen on a giant screen during a live video conference for an interview as part of Amnesty International's annual Write for Rights campaign at the Gaite Lyrique in Paris December 10, 2014.