US URGES CYPRUS AND TURKEY TO RESOLVE EEZ DISPUTE

epa03010742 epa03010733 An aerial view from a helicopter of the Homer Ferrington rig operated by Noble Energy in the east Mediterranean, drilling in an offshore block on concession from the Cypriot government, 21 November 2011. Houston-based Noble started drilling for gas off Cyprus in September, in the island's first attempt to tap speculated offshore hydrocarbons deposits. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias visited the rig, which started drilling for gas on 21 November. EPA/STR EPA/STR

Sourced: Cyprus Mail US ambassador to Nicosia Kathleen Doherty said on Thursday that while the US recognises the Republic’s right to develop its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) it does not take positions on who has the right over maritime boundaries. At a press conference on Thursday, Doherty said that in terms of the hydrocarbons issue,… Continue reading US URGES CYPRUS AND TURKEY TO RESOLVE EEZ DISPUTE

US GENERAL: SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES IF CHINA TAKES OVER DJIBOUTI PORT

Sourced: Asia Times The top US military commander in charge of US troops in Africa is worried about China’s growing presence on the continent, he suggested in remarks in a congressional hearing on Tuesday. Marine General Thomas Waldhauser said in his remarks to lawmakers that China could theoretically cut off supplies to a US base… Continue reading US GENERAL: SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES IF CHINA TAKES OVER DJIBOUTI PORT

COULD SOUTH KOREA ABANDON ITS STRAINED ALLIANCE WITH US?

Sourced : Asia Times By Andrew Salmon In the blissful afterglow of US President Donald Trump’s gaff-free state visit to South Korea – where he appeared to upgrade his personal relationship with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and delivered a powerful, well-received speech at the National Assembly – few are questioning the Korea-US alliance’s future.… Continue reading COULD SOUTH KOREA ABANDON ITS STRAINED ALLIANCE WITH US?

THE NEW MARITIME ORDER AND GREEK PERSPECTIVE IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

070813-N-5459S-543 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 13, 2007) - The ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 transit in formation for a photo exercise. From left, Portuguese frigate NRP Alvares Cabral (F331), Canadian frigate HMCS Toronto (FFH 333), guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), German replenishment tanker FGS Spessart (A 1442), Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805), and Danish corvette HDMS Olfert Fischer (F355). Normandy is flagship for SNMG-1, which is conducting NATOÕs first maritime out-of-area deployment by circumnavigating Africa. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vincent J. Street (RELEASED)

George X. Protopapas Executive Director, Center for International Strategic Analyses (KEDISA) The Eastern Mediterranean has become the epicenter of maritime and geopolitical developments as great powers, regional actors antagonise for influence and access to energy resources. Greece a traditional maritime nation could play a constructive role on the stabilisation of the region. Since 2012 US… Continue reading THE NEW MARITIME ORDER AND GREEK PERSPECTIVE IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

NORTH KOREA RUNS ANOTHER ROCKET ENGINE TEST POSSIBLY FOR ICBM

FILE PHOTO: A new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is tested at a test site at Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Pyongan province in North Korea in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 9, 2016. KCNA/via REUTERS/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA.

Sourced : Asia Times By Phil Stewart North Korea has carried out another test of a rocket engine that the United States believes could be part of its program to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile, a US official told Reuters on Thursday. The United States assessed that the test, the latest in a series of… Continue reading NORTH KOREA RUNS ANOTHER ROCKET ENGINE TEST POSSIBLY FOR ICBM

INDIA SHOPS FOR STRATEGIC DEFENCE INDUSTRY PARTNER AGAINST CHINA

Sourced Asia Times Three figures influential in Indian defense circles told a top US think tank this week that, while maintaining a pragmatic set of alliances, India is also looking for a strategic partner to work with its private defense contractors to significantly upgrade its capabilities to better counter China, specifically, as well as other… Continue reading INDIA SHOPS FOR STRATEGIC DEFENCE INDUSTRY PARTNER AGAINST CHINA

22 DEAD 59 INJURED IN SUICIDE BOMBER ATTACK AT MANCHESTER ARENA

Sourced : Manchester Evening News At least 22 people have been killed and 59 injured after a suspected terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena. Thousands of gig-goers were packed into the venue to see American singer Ariana Grande when the explosion shook the arena. Multiple witnesses reported hearing “huge bangs” at the venue shortly after… Continue reading 22 DEAD 59 INJURED IN SUICIDE BOMBER ATTACK AT MANCHESTER ARENA

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DETERMINED TO TAKE REGIONAL LOOK AT AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN ISSUE

Sourced : Live Mint By Lalit K Jha The Trump administration is determined to take a regional perspective on the Afghan- Pakistan issue, the White House said on Thursday, noting that the previous regimes have “not done enough” to address the challenges in the war-torn country. The White House is currently in the middle of… Continue reading TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DETERMINED TO TAKE REGIONAL LOOK AT AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN ISSUE

TURKEY RENEWS CALL FOR SYRIA NO-FLY ZONES FOLLOWING “INSUFFICIENT” STRIKE

Sourced : Arab News By Menekse Tokyay Turkey has welcomed a US missile strike on Syria’s Shayrat Airbase but called the move insufficient, renewing its call for no-fly and safe zones in the war-torn country. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Washington’s move was positive but that more needs to be done to tackle the situation… Continue reading TURKEY RENEWS CALL FOR SYRIA NO-FLY ZONES FOLLOWING “INSUFFICIENT” STRIKE

F-35s DOMINATE WAR GAMES EXERCISE

Sourced : Royal Navy After eight days at ‘war’ the F-35A conventional aircraft achieved a 15:1 kill ratio against the F-16s. The ‘jump jet’ B version of the fifth-generation strike fighter will fly from HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister Prince of Wales. Lt Col George Watkins, an F-35 pilot and 34th Fighter Squadron commander,… Continue reading F-35s DOMINATE WAR GAMES EXERCISE