THE United States needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent Islamic State from reconstituting as a major threat following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday.

Since the fall of President Bashar Assad regime, tensions across the Middle East have continued to remain high.

The U.S. needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from reconstituting as a major threat following the ouster of Bashar Assad's government, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told The Associated Press.

American leadership on Ukraine is "critical" and continued assistance for Kyiv is key, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday, a day ahead of the expected announcement of a major new US military aid package.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on from the East Room of the White House during a Medal of Freedom ceremony on January 4, 2025, in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, Austin said that Syria...

Pursuing a policy of peace through strength is vital to Ukraine’s survival and America’s security. The United States and its allies and partners must continue to stand by Ukraine and strengthen its hand for the negotiations that will someday bring Mr. Putin’s war of aggression to an end.

The incoming defense secretary will face several challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the turmoil in the Middle East.

President Joe Biden argued in a farewell foreign policy address that he made the country stronger and more secure ahead of Donald Trump's return.

In one of its final moves in office, the Biden administration is trying to secure U.S. influence over Rojava, the Kurdish-led region of northeastern Syria. Now that Rojava is being attacked by Turkish-backed militias and faces a possible Turkish invasion,

438 results An investigation released on Wednesday into U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's secret ... overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Joe Biden said on Sunday.

Keeping Ukraine's momentum up in denying Putin's attempts to overrun it will depend in large measure on the willingness of President-elect Trump to support the democracy President Vladimir Putin of Russia appalled the world with his full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost three years ago.

The Netanyahu cabinet said a deal set to free Israeli captives had been reached, while the country's military continues to pound Gaza.