Section: The Japan Times (Japan)
Next stop Syria? Ukraine rebels mull options during lull in fighting
As fighting has dropped off in eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels are now weighing their options: wait for the conflict to resume, return to civilian life or even head to war-torn Syria. “There are no more battles and some people are bored,” said a bearded rebel fighter who goes by the name of “Turok,” meaning Turk. […] The post Next stop Syria?...
Boehner’s likely successor McCarthy slams Obama’s foreign policy
Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the leading candidate to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives, voiced sharp disagreement with President Barack Obama on Monday on foreign policy issues from Ukraine to Iran. McCarthy was strongly critical of the Democratic president in a speech that could increase his appeal to hard-line...
Russian lawmaker who stood up to Kremlin is stripped of his post
A Russian provincial lawmaker who, in a rare show of defiance, accused the Kremlin of lying about whether it sent its forces to fight in Ukraine was stripped of his seat in the local parliament on Thursday. Lev Shlosberg was beaten up last year by unknown assailants days after he alleged that paratroopers buried at […] The post Russian lawmaker...
Obama, Putin will meet in New York but sides disagree on whether Ukraine, Syria top agenda
U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in New York next week at a time of high tension in Europe and the Middle East, but the Kremlin and the White House differed on Thursday over the top priority for the talks. The White House said the main issue for talks would […] The post Obama, Putin will meet in New York...
Russia plans second big military base near Ukrainian border
Russia is planning a second major military base near the border with Ukraine, where NATO accuses Russian troops of helping pro-Moscow separatists fight Kiev’s forces. The new base will house 5,000 soldiers and heavy weaponry, according to public documents and people working at the site. It is farther east than another base reported under...
Syrian losses spooked Kremlin into hasty military build-up
For Vladimir Putin, Russia’s military build-up in Syria is a potential diplomatic trump card and a handy way of diverting attention from Ukraine’s frozen conflict. But it was a panicky realization that the Syrian government was being turned over on the battlefield that tipped the Kremlin’s hand. When it saw several months ago...
U.S. general sounds alarm: Russia closing gap in air power
A U.S. Air Force general on Monday cited what he called “alarming” moves by the Russian military to beef up its air forces in the years since the invasion of Georgia in 2008 and to establish firm defenses around areas like Crimea. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, told reporters he […] The post U.S. general sounds alarm:...
Artist’s death at 92 leaves Hamtramck ‘Disneyland’ future uncertain, in legal limbo
Brightly painted ceiling fans and rocking horses, a kid-sized jet and helicopter, plastic Santas and the rest of a whimsical array attached to two small backyard garages attract visitors from thousands of miles away to the folk art known as “Hamtramck’s Disneyland.” But since the death in May of its creator, Ukrainian immigrant Dmytro...
U.S. sanctions Russia’s state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport
The U.S. government has slapped sanctions on Russian state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport for violating a U.S. law restricting weapons trade with Iran, North Korea and Syria, barring future U.S. military purchases with the company. The Pentagon last purchased Rosoboronexport helicopters to supply Afghan security forces in 2013, a Pentagon...
New Ukraine doctrine declares Russia military opponent
Ukraine’s national security council on Wednesday approved a new military doctrine that declares Russia to be a military opponent and calls for the country to pursue NATO membership. There was no immediate official reaction from Russia, which hotly denies claims that it has sent troops and equipment to separatist rebels in Ukraine’s...
