Lloyd Austin

The United States continues to engage with Türkiye regarding the unfolding situation in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh revealed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held discussions earlier this week with Türkiye's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Metin Gürak held phone discussions on Dec. 8 with NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, and the U.K.'s Chief of Defense Staff, Adm. Tony Radakin, to address the rapidly evolving situation in Syria.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday discussed the latest dramatic developments in Syria and security issues in a phone call, Türkiye's Defense Ministry said on X.

During the call, Güler and Austin also discussed bilateral and regional defense, the ministry added.

The number of displaced people in Lebanon due to Israel-Hezbollah conflict has surged to nearly 1.9 million since last October, shows a report by the Lebanon's Council of Ministers.

Since Sept. 23, when Israel escalated its attacks, a total of 624,898 individuals—over 390,000 of Syrian origin—have crossed from Lebanon into Syrian territory in search of refuge, the report said.

The United States Department of Defense announced on November 20 a new USD 275 million security assistance package to support Ukraine's urgent defense requirements. This marks the 70th tranche of military aid provided to Ukraine from U.S.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that Ukraine would be permitted to use American-made anti-personnel mines to help it slow Russia's advances on the battlefield.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to strengthen his country's nuclear capabilities "without limits" in response to perceived threats from the US, Japan, and South Korea, according to state media reports.

Australia, Japan and the U.S. have committed to closer military cooperation in training their forces as the countries deepened their ties in a bid to counter China's military strength.

The United States continues to send forces to the Middle East in anticipation of an expected Iranian attack on Israel, with flight tracking sites showing USAF F-15E aircraft en route to Jordan.