MYSTERIOUS: 21 - You Need To See This

Pentagon weighs scaling back US military presence across Persian Gulf: Report

The Pentagon is assessing options to reduce its military presence in the Persian Gulf. Extensive damage from the Iran conflict has prompted this re-evaluation of regional security. Officials are considering repositioning forces further west to minimize exposure to strikes. This potential drawdown carries significant implications for Gulf partners who rely…

The Economic Times · Aug 20

Iran-US war latest: Tehran accuses Trump of ‘economic terrorism’ after he vows to crush it with sanctions

Over 750 members of the US military have been injured since the Iran war began

The Independent UK · Aug 20

Stars and Stripes publisher to retire, citing differences with Pentagon leadership

Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer Jr. announced his retirement, citing differing philosophies with Pentagon leadership. This move follows the recent dismissal of the newspaper's ombudsman, who protected editorial independence. The Pentagon plans to refocus the publication's content on military matters and warfighting. These changes occur as Defense Secretary Pete…

The Economic Times · Aug 20

North Korea dismisses Trump’s bid to woo Kim Jong Un at the expense of longstanding US ally

Trump and Kim met three times from 2018-2019 but their high-stakes diplomacy eventually fell apart

The Independent UK · Aug 19

First Thing: Trump in Canada tariff backdown after ‘substantial progress’ made on trade deal

US president cancelled planned tariff imposition just hours before it was to come into force

The Guardian - UK · Aug 19

US military presence in Middle East could be cut back after Iran war ends: report

The U.S. has around 50,000 troops stationed in the region and around 20 bases but the Iran war has come at a cost

The Independent UK · Aug 19

Democrats’ gripes with Iran war grow as conflict nears six months

Democrats’ litany of grievances with the Iran war is growing as scandals have mounted in recent weeks and the war drags on toward the six-month mark. Reports of unbearable living conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb U.S. ally Oman if it interferes…

Roll Call · Aug 19

Pentagon Faces Backlash Over Alleged Concealment of Iran Base Strikes as USS Lincoln Crew Suffers Severe Rationing

An Iranian strike on a Bahrain base forced the USS Abraham Lincoln to resupply 2,200 miles away, leaving 5,000 US sailors rationing food and hygiene supplies at sea.

International Business Times UK · Aug 19

US, South Korea cut drills short after Trump criticism

SEOUL — Annual war games between South Korea and the United States will end around a week earlier than planned, both countries said on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump ordered the "inappropriate and hostile" drills scaled back.

Bangkok Post · Aug 19

Trump scales back joint military drills between South Korea and US

South Korea and the US will cut the duration of their annual joint military drills to five days from 11 and scale back some field training, ​the allies said on Wednesday, ‌after President Donald Trump ordered a substantial reduction in US participation. Trump's move could reflect his hopes to re-engage…

France 24 · Aug 19