Leaders from the United States, Japan and the Philippines convened for their inaugural trilateral summit, marking a significant commitment to fostering a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region. They announced several initiatives to strengthen economic ties, technological advancements, and security collaborations. Notably they introduced the Luzon Economic Corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in…

The conflict in Gaza continues as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo Thursday, March 21, for high-level discussions about the Israel-Hamas war. The talks, aimed at brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, come amidst escalating violence in the region. Blinken underscored the urgent necessity to…

It just got a little bit harder for China to try and take Taiwan or impose its will in the western Pacific. That’s because Japan just moved a battery of its new Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles to Okinawa. Ryukyu Shimpo, a media outlet in Japan, reported the country’s Self Defense Force, the official name of…

President Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month, amid rising concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program and Chinese actions in the South China Sea. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Monday, March 18, the first-ever U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit on April 11, underscoring the…

The Supreme Court steps in to extend a block on Texas’ immigration law. And, the biggest single prize in TV history will be up for grabs thanks to Amazon and a YouTube star. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Supreme Court extends hold on Texas’ immigration law Senate…

Early Monday, March 18, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Seoul attending a democracy conference, North Korea resumed its missile testing after two months by launching several short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern seas. This move follows closely on the heels of a joint 11-day military drill between South Korea and the U.S., which Pyongyang…

With a landslide victory in an election without real competition, Russian President Vladimir Putin secures another term in power. And, following a downturn during the pandemic, marriage rates in the U.S. are on the rise. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, March 18, 2024. Vladimir Putin wins Russian election, remains in…

The Biden administration announced a new military aid package for Ukraine on Tuesday, March 12, according to CNN. The $300 million package follows months of warning about depleted funds, with officials crediting savings from weapons contracts for the availability of the new funding. Politico reported that the package comprises of critical artillery ammunition, anti-aircraft missiles,…

More Iranian-made fast attack craft are in the Western Hemisphere as Venezuela takes possession of a new batch of Peykaap III Class missile boats. Maritime analysts like H. I. Sutton said Iran sent a batch of four Peykaaps to Venezuela last year. Now, video of the boats being operated by Venezuelan sailors are showing up…

Six miles. A handful of U.S. Special Operations soldiers will be stationed on an island controlled by Taiwan, just six miles from mainland China. The United Daily News in Taiwan reported U.S. Army Green Berets will deploy in three-man teams to a couple of amphibious camps, acting as consultants to further train Taiwan’s own special…