Vladivostok, Russia
Longtime rivals Russia and China conducted their first bilateral war games this week, deploying a total of 10,000 troops for land, sea, and air exercises. The two countries said they were simulating a peacekeeping mission in aid of a state where terrorists or separatists had struck. But Russia included strategic bombers in its contingent, something not generally part of a peacekeeping force. Some analysts said this suggested the exercise was aimed at countering increasing U.S. influence in Central Asia. U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the U.S. would keep an eye on the exercises. “We would hope,” he said, “that anything that they do is not something that would be disruptive to the current atmosphere in the region.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The elite falcon trade in the Middle EastUnder the Radar Popularity of the birds of prey has been ‘soaring’ despite doubts over the legality of sourcing and concerns for animal welfare
-
A running list of the international figures Donald Trump has pardonedin depth The president has grown bolder in flexing executive clemency powers beyond national borders
-
Mixed nuts: RFK Jr.’s new nutrition guidelines receive uneven reviewsTalking Points The guidelines emphasize red meat and full-fat dairy
