U.S. and South Korean forces have kicked off their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a massive military drill designed to boost their defense capabilities against North Korea’s ever-growing nuclear threat. The drills, which feature around 19,000 South Korean troops and a series of land, air and sea exercises, are meant to prepare both nations for…

Ukraine declared full control over parts of Russia’s Kursk region on Thursday, Aug. 15, just 10 days into its surprise offensive. The incursion is the deepest breach into Russian territory since the war began in February 2022. Ukrainian forces announced on Thursday that they have setup a military administrative office to “maintain law and order”…

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday, Aug. 14, he will not seek re-election as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and will step down next month, citing a loss of public trust amid political scandals and economic challenges that have marred his term. During his tenure, Kishida faced plummeting approval ratings, partly…

Tensions are mounting on the Korean Peninsula as South Korea and the United States prepare for key annual joint military drills amid increasing nuclear threats from North Korea. The exercises, scheduled for Aug. 19-29, are designed to improve defenses against missile strikes, GPS jamming and cyber threats. North Korea often perceives these drills as preparations…

The chances of the United States military getting involved in a major war with a near-peer competitor are the highest they have been in 80 years. At the same time, the U.S. military is the smallest and most unprepared it has been to fight in a major conflict since the end of the Cold War,…

In a coordinated effort, officials from the United States, Britain and South Korea issued a joint statement disclosing that North Korean hackers have been systematically infiltrating and stealing sensitive military secrets. According to the statement, North Korean-affiliated hackers have successfully breached several critical U.S. agencies. Among the affected entities are Air Force bases in Texas…

For the ninth time since May, North Korea sent a round of trash-filled balloons to South Korea. However, for the first time, the balloons landed in South Korea’s presidential compound, violating a no-fly zone protecting the president on Wednesday, July 24. The latest action by Pyongyang is raising even greater security concerns for the South…

In November, Americans will decide who will lead the United States for the next four years. The decision will have a huge impact on the world stage, including current and potential wars like Ukraine, Gaza and even the Indo-Pacific. “It is important to remember that, you know, there are serious, destructive forces out there,” David…

A former United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst has been indicted on charges accusing her of acting as a secret South Korean agent in exchange for lavish gifts. The indictment — issued by the United States government on Tuesday, July 16 — said that Sue Mi Terry, who worked for the CIA and White…

For almost an hour President Joe Biden takes questions from the media about his policies, his candidacy and his health. And Prince Harry addresses the controversy surrounding his selection as an award recipient at the ESPYs. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, July 12, 2024. Biden fields questions on ability, foreign affairs while misspeaking at…