JAPAN CONSIDERS CONVERTING HELICOPTER DESTROYERS TO AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Sourced : Popular Mechanics By Kyle Mizokami Japan, once a world leader in aircraft carriers, is preparing to wade back into the world of fixed wing aviation. The Pacific country, which swore off flat-tops in the aftermath of World War II, is preparing to reverse decades of government policy and add fighter planes to so-called… Continue reading JAPAN CONSIDERS CONVERTING HELICOPTER DESTROYERS TO AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

CYBERATTACK TARGETS SAFETY SYSTEM AT SAUDI ARAMCO

Sourced : Foreign Policy By Elias Groll Malicious software attacked a safety system in August at Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, in what is the first-ever example of malware targeting the computer systems designed to prevent a disaster at an industrial facility. The attack was first described by the computer security firm FireEye… Continue reading CYBERATTACK TARGETS SAFETY SYSTEM AT SAUDI ARAMCO

FRENCH GOVERNMENT PROMISES BELGIUM €20 BILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF RAFALE AIRCRAFT

Sourced : The Brussels Times France is offering around €20 billion in compensation if Belgium buys the Rafale aircraft from the French constructor Dassault Aviation SA (“Dassault”). This is reported by De Tijd on Wednesday, based upon Dassault documents, which the daily publication has consulted. France has already promised a “strategic and economic” partnership if… Continue reading FRENCH GOVERNMENT PROMISES BELGIUM €20 BILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF RAFALE AIRCRAFT

CHINA PLANS TO BREAK PETRODOLLAR STRANGLEHOLD

Sourced : Asia Times By Pepe Escobar Petrodollars have dominated the global energy markets for more than 40 years. But now, China is looking to change that by replacing the word dollars for yuan. Nations, of course, have tried this before since the system was set up by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger… Continue reading CHINA PLANS TO BREAK PETRODOLLAR STRANGLEHOLD

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SUGGESTS BREXIT MODEL FOR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY & UKRAINE

Sourced : Daily Sabah According to Gabriel, the EU needs to find “alternative” ways of closer cooperation and partnership with both Turkey and Ukraine as both countries are unlikely to join the 28-member bloc in the foreseeable future. The German foreign minister presumed that such model could lead to a “new, closer form of customs… Continue reading GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SUGGESTS BREXIT MODEL FOR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY & UKRAINE

SOUTH KOREA COULD SOON OPERATE F-35B STEALTH FIGHTER JETS FROM ITS NEW AMPHIBIOUS WARSHIP

Sourced : IBT Times By India Ashok South Korea’s military is reportedly considering to operate F-35B stealth fighter jets from its new amphibious warship, which is slated to be deployed in 2020. Seoul is reportedly looking into whether the new assault ship, which is a 14,000-tonne Dokdo-class vessel, will be able to carry the short-takeoff… Continue reading SOUTH KOREA COULD SOON OPERATE F-35B STEALTH FIGHTER JETS FROM ITS NEW AMPHIBIOUS WARSHIP

WILL ISRAEL’S NORTHERN BORDER BECOME HEZBOLLAH-LAND IF ASSAD WINS THE WAR ?

Sourced : The Jerusalem Post By Anna Ahronheim Years after Bashar Assad’s regime lost southern Syria to rebels and jihadist groups, government forces, backed by Iranian militias and Hezbollah, are pushing deep into a strategically located rebel-held enclave along Israel’s northern border. After seven years of deadly civil war that has involved superpowers and dozens… Continue reading WILL ISRAEL’S NORTHERN BORDER BECOME HEZBOLLAH-LAND IF ASSAD WINS THE WAR ?

GOVERNMENT DECREE EXHAUST PATIENCE IN TURKEY

Sourced : Hurriyet Daily News By Murat Yetkin A recent state of emergency decree put into law by the Turkish government on Dec. 24 has seemingly exhausted the patience of the Turkish public. Not only opposition parties, but a wide array of groups, from Turkey’s Union of Bar Associations, to the Turkish Industry and Business… Continue reading GOVERNMENT DECREE EXHAUST PATIENCE IN TURKEY

ISRAEL IS TREATING AMERICA’S THROWAWAY F-15D AS NEW FOUND TREASURE

Sourced : The Drive By Tyler Rogoway The Israel Air Force is working hard to regenerate and drastically upgrade nine ex-U.S. Air National Guard F-15Ds that previously served with the 173rd Fight Wing in Klamath Falls, Oregon. As we reported in September of 2016, these aircraft were donated as part of a still active, multi-billion… Continue reading ISRAEL IS TREATING AMERICA’S THROWAWAY F-15D AS NEW FOUND TREASURE

JAPAN APPROVES INTRODUCTION OF AEGIS ASHORE MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM AMID NORTH KOREA THREAT

Sourced : Japan Times By Daisuke Kikuchi The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday approved the installation of two land-based Aegis Ashore missile defense systems to defend against North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats, highlighted by a test of what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile last month. The approval will… Continue reading JAPAN APPROVES INTRODUCTION OF AEGIS ASHORE MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM AMID NORTH KOREA THREAT