International News
US pivots to China in cyber operations strategy
Washington, April 29: The United States is sharpening its military focus on China as its primary long-term strategic challenge, with senior commanders warning that cyber capabilities and special operations forces will be critical in maintaining an edge in an increasingly contested global environment.
At a Senate hearing on the posture of US Special Operations Command and Cyber Command, Admiral Frank Bradley said American forces must simultaneously address multiple threats but remain oriented toward Beijing.
“We must also orient our force on the long-term pacing challenge of China,” Bradley told lawmakers during his testimony as he outlined a security landscape shaped by overlapping risks from Russia, Iran and transnational networks.
He said US forces no longer have “the luxury of focusing on only a single goal or mission,” describing a strategic environment defined by what officials called “simultaneity” — managing competition and conflict across regions and domains.
Cyber Command leaders stressed that technological competition, particularly in artificial intelligence, is central to countering China’s military rise. General Joshua Rudd said maintaining superiority in advanced technologies is essential to preserving US advantages.
“I think it’s critical that the US has the technological advantage in every aspect of warfighting,” he said, adding that Washington must “retain and maintain our advantage” as AI becomes more deeply embedded in military operations.
Lawmakers warned that China is actively leveraging emerging technologies. In exchanges during the hearing, officials agreed that Beijing is using artificial intelligence in military applications, underscoring the urgency of the technological race.
The Pentagon is responding through a sweeping overhaul known as “Cybercom 2.0,” aimed at strengthening the cyber workforce and accelerating innovation. Katherine Sutton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for cyber policy, said adversaries are moving rapidly to exploit vulnerabilities.
“Our adversaries have moved beyond conducting espionage and theft, and are preparing for conflict by pre-positioning disruptive capabilities inside our nation’s critical infrastructure,” Sutton said.
Responding to a question, Sutton described cyber as “the connective tissue of modern warfare.” Integration across domains is essential to counter increasingly sophisticated threats, she added.
Highlighting the growing role of partnerships in countering China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, Bradley said strengthening alliances and building partner capacity remain central to deterrence.
He pointed to long-standing relationships in the region, emphasising that trust and credibility built over decades enable the United States to share intelligence and support partners facing evolving threats.
“Foremost and most important in any strategy of deterrence is to have that stronger alliance,” he said.
Special operations forces, which make up a small fraction of the military, provide “an indispensable asymmetric advantage,” particularly in contested environments where conventional forces may be limited.
At the same time, lawmakers expressed concern about the pace of operations and the strain on personnel, warning that sustained high demand could affect readiness over the long term.
International News
Struck Patriot radar system, US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, airbase in Jordan: Iran

Tehran, July 14: The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday struck several facilities of the US military, including a Patriot radar system and the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and American targets in Jordan, local media reported.
According to the latest statements by the IRGC on Tuesday, its Navy struck several weapons support depots, a satellite communications centre, accommodation used by US troops, and several military radar systems in Bahrain, Press TV reported.
The IRGC also noted that its Aerospace Force had conducted “coordinated missile and drone strikes” against the US Fifth Fleet’s headquarters, setting its fuel storage facilities “ablaze.”
“They also struck and destroyed a Patriot radar system, the Fifth Fleet’s air-control radar, and a C-RAM early warning radar system,” it added.
“A key facility and the location where the American enemy was stationed at an airbase” in Jordan was also struck by a “ballistic missile,” said another statement.
“This base had been used to launch attacks against us, and the American criminals have now been made to pay for their actions,” the Corps said, as reported by Press TV.
It also noted that the IRGC underlined that the reprisal is not against the Jordanian nation.
Meanwhile, the United States launched another round of strikes against Iran on Monday (US time), the US Central Command said in a statement.
“At 4:45 p.m. ET today, US Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the command said.
“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow,” US President Donald Trump said at the White House earlier on Monday.
He also said wealthy Gulf nations should reimburse the United States for protecting one of the world’s most strategically important regions, arguing that Washington is bearing the cost of defending allies despite no longer depending on Middle Eastern oil.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said countries benefiting from US military operations should help finance those efforts.
“I want to be reimbursed because we’re protecting a very rich portion of the world,” he said.
Trump said the United States was safeguarding key regional partners while maintaining security in the Gulf.
International News
Have been long-standing partner of Palestine: India reaffirms continued support to two state solution

Brussels, July 14: India has reaffirmed its continued support for a two-state solution, as well as for Palestine’s membership of the United Nations (UN), at the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) in Brussels.
Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India during the meeting, which was jointly organised by the European Commission and the Palestine Authority on Monday (local time). The meeting also saw participation from European Union Member States, Palestine and other key international partners and financial institutions.
“At the meeting, the Secretary emphasised that India has been a long-standing partner of the Palestinian people, and reaffirmed India’s continued support to a two-state solution, as well as to Palestine’s membership of the UN. She underlined India’s ongoing developmental assistance, including capacity building programmes and humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine, noting that India’s projects are demand-driven and largely centred on healthcare, education, capacity building, and vocational training,” stated the MEA.
While stating that India is currently engaged in major projects in healthcare, women’s empowerment and institution building in Palestine, she announced several new projects focused on rehabilitation, health, education and vocational training.
While in Brussels, the Secretary also attended a meeting hosted by the incoming Chair of the Advisory Commission of UNRWA, wherein she highlighted India’s continued support to the Agency and its efforts in Palestine.
“India remains a dedicated partner that contributes tangibly towards meeting the humanitarian needs of the people of Palestine,” stated the MEA.
Last month, Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, expressed confidence that India is a strong supporter of the two-state solution.
In an interview with media, Abdullah Abu Shawesh said, “We strongly believe that India stands strong to support the two-state solution. India used to support the Palestinian people when it came to the United Nations resolutions, voting in favour of the resolutions and even on the ground, India is heavily invested in the peace process and has implemented a lot of projects on the ground in Palestine. One very important issue: we are very close to starting a new project, or India is starting to implement a very important project, which is building a hospital in Palestine, particularly in the West Bank.”
International News
EAM Jaishankar discusses global hotspots, cooperation with UN chief (Ld)

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar discussed the situations in a range of hotspots around the world at a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday (local time).
India’s cooperation with the UN also figured in their discussions, Jaishankar said in a post on X.
They “discussed global developments, including of West Asia, Ukraine and Sudan”, he said in his post.
“Also recognised the strength of India-UN cooperation”, he added.
The situation in West Asia, where the confrontation between the US and Iran has reignited, is a matter of deep concern for India.
It is highly dependent on the energy supplies coming through the Strait of Hormuz, and the conflict has crimped them.
Jaishankar was on a lightning visit to New York to launch India’s candidature in next year’s election to the Security Council.
He met Guterres after the event at which he laid out India’s agenda for the Council at a time “we are witnessing levels of conflict, violence, and instability that threaten even those who may be very far away”.
Speaking to delegates and diplomats who will elect a country to represent the Asia Pacific region for the term starting in 2028, the minister said, “In a world with too many conflicts and tensions, India has consistently espoused dialogue and diplomacy. We have sought to bridge differences”.
“Our focus has been on mitigating the impact of these developments for the Global South”, he said.
He presented a six-point manifesto centred on Shanti, a profoundly significant acronym for “Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust (and) Integrity”.
The discussions focused on pressing international crises and the continued cooperation between India and the United Nations on a range of global issues.
India will contest next year’s election at the UN General Assembly for the Asia-Pacific non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2028–2029 term. If elected, it will mark the country’s ninth term as an elected member of the 15-member Council.
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