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US Pacific Command

The latest news and top stories on the US Pacific Command (USPACOM; temporarily renamed the US Indo-Pacific Command from 2018-2026), a prominent Hawaii-based unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces, and the oldest and largest of its kind. Dedicated to deterring aggression and ensuring stability, its primary mission involves protecting US interests and promoting security cooperation across the vast Indo-Pacific region, covering over half the Earth’s surface. USPACOM oversees military operations, integrating all-domain combat power, and is recognised as a critical component of US defence strategy in this geopolitically significant area.

India

‘Senseless’: US military command rebrand risks damaging India ties

Eight years after ‘Indo’ was added to signal India’s importance, analysts say its removal points to a shift in Washington’s priorities.

24 Jun 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | What does US Pacific Command name change mean for China and India?

22 Jun 2026 - 8:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump shows no regret over deaths of 3 Indian sailors in Iran war strike by US

18 Jun 2026 - 4:02AMvideocam

South China Sea

As Iran war comes to a close, is US pulling warships back to the west Pacific?

US Defence Department changes name of Indo-Pacific Command back to US Pacific Command, suggesting new focus.

17 Jun 2026 - 11:24PMvideocam

USS Tripoli was among US Navy ships sent to the Middle East as the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Photo: Handout

The Philippines

Mindanao quake a stark reminder of Metro Manila’s ‘Big One’ threat: experts

Limited evacuation routes in densely populated Metro Manila would make rapid, orderly evacuation a major challenge, disaster planners warn.

8 Jun 2026 - 9:39PMvideocam

US-China relations

US and China hold ‘candid’ maritime military safety talks in Hawaii

Officials discussed ways to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations during encounters between their forces.

2 Jun 2026 - 3:40AM

US-China relations

China dials down rhetoric but regional risks persist at Shangri-La Dialogue

In the wake of the Xi-Trump summit, the US and Chinese delegations dispense with the tough talk of previous years.

30 May 2026 - 10:35PMvideocam

Major General Meng Xiangqing (second from left) leaves a special session at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

The danger is that every state insists it is acting defensively while collectively building the habits and infrastructure of confrontation.

28 Apr 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

China's military weapons

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

22 Apr 2026 - 8:44AMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea launches ballistic missile as UN warns of nuclear advances

The two short-range missiles fired from the Sinpo of North Korea flew about 140 kilometres (87 miles) each towards the country’s eastern waters.

19 Apr 2026 - 9:54PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during the expanded meeting of the first plenary meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), in Pyongyang, North Korea, on February 23. Photo: Reuters

Cambodia

What US lifting of arms embargo on Cambodia means for defence ties

Analysts say Cambodia is likely to make only modest US arms purchases given its limited budget, and rely on Chinese weaponry for now.

10 Feb 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

Cambodia

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

30 Jan 2026 - 6:10PMvideocam

US-China relations

‘Testing the waters’? US reported to have seized Chinese cargo bound for Iran

The US accuses China of supplying Iran with dual-use components that could potentially support Tehran’s ballistic missile build-up.

16 Dec 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

US-China relations

China, US hold ‘candid’ security talks amid Japan, South China Sea tensions

Second meeting under Trump 2.0 marks latest effort from both sides to maintain military communication despite tensions over multiple issues.

22 Nov 2025 - 8:16PMvideocam

Super Hornet fighter jets take off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, in the South China Sea on June 5. Beijing has previously blamed frequent US military deployments as the “root cause” of maritime security problems. Photo: Handout

China’s military drills

Details of first Russian-Chinese joint submarine exercise emerge

The drill held in August showed the high degree of strategic trust between the two nations, according to a Chinese military magazine.

1 Nov 2025 - 6:21PMvideocam

Chinese and Russian sailors take part in a joint exercise in August. EPA/Russian Ministry of Defence

North Korea

Are South Korea-Japan-US drills fuelling ‘a new Cold War’ in Asia?

The exercise is the ‘most advanced demonstration of trilateral defence cooperation to date’, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command.

5 Sep 2025 - 3:52PMvideocam

Indonesia

Indonesia, US start 13-nation ‘Super Garuda Shield’ military drills

More than 4,100 Indonesian and 1,300 American troops will take part in this year’s ‘largest ever’ drills, aimed at boosting deterrence.

25 Aug 2025 - 4:12PM

United States

US House passes Trump bill, which heads to White House for president’s signature

Vote of 218-214 follows late-night session which saw Republican representatives opposed to Medicaid cuts and increased deficit give way.

4 Jul 2025 - 7:10AM

House Speaker Mike Johnson, surrounded by Republican members of Congress, speaking after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the Capitol on Thursday. Photo: AP

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US Pacific Command

‘Senseless’: US military command rebrand risks damaging India ties

Eight years after ‘Indo’ was added to signal India’s importance, analysts say its removal points to a shift in Washington’s priorities.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | What does US Pacific Command name change mean for China and India?

Trump shows no regret over deaths of 3 Indian sailors in Iran war strike by US

As Iran war comes to a close, is US pulling warships back to the west Pacific?

US Defence Department changes name of Indo-Pacific Command back to US Pacific Command, suggesting new focus.

Mindanao quake a stark reminder of Metro Manila’s ‘Big One’ threat: experts

Limited evacuation routes in densely populated Metro Manila would make rapid, orderly evacuation a major challenge, disaster planners warn.

US and China hold ‘candid’ maritime military safety talks in Hawaii

Officials discussed ways to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations during encounters between their forces.

China dials down rhetoric but regional risks persist at Shangri-La Dialogue

In the wake of the Xi-Trump summit, the US and Chinese delegations dispense with the tough talk of previous years.

Opinion | Without diplomacy, deterrence in Asia is a path to escalation

The danger is that every state insists it is acting defensively while collectively building the habits and infrastructure of confrontation.

PLA’s new Type 076 ‘drone carrier’ set for South China Sea training drills

China’s next-level amphibious warship, the Sichuan, in same waters where US, Japan and the Philippines are conducting joint military exercises.

North Korea launches ballistic missile as UN warns of nuclear advances

The two short-range missiles fired from the Sinpo of North Korea flew about 140 kilometres (87 miles) each towards the country’s eastern waters.

What US lifting of arms embargo on Cambodia means for defence ties

Analysts say Cambodia is likely to make only modest US arms purchases given its limited budget, and rely on Chinese weaponry for now.

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

‘Testing the waters’? US reported to have seized Chinese cargo bound for Iran

The US accuses China of supplying Iran with dual-use components that could potentially support Tehran’s ballistic missile build-up.

China, US hold ‘candid’ security talks amid Japan, South China Sea tensions

Second meeting under Trump 2.0 marks latest effort from both sides to maintain military communication despite tensions over multiple issues.

Details of first Russian-Chinese joint submarine exercise emerge

The drill held in August showed the high degree of strategic trust between the two nations, according to a Chinese military magazine.

Are South Korea-Japan-US drills fuelling ‘a new Cold War’ in Asia?

The exercise is the ‘most advanced demonstration of trilateral defence cooperation to date’, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command.

Indonesia, US start 13-nation ‘Super Garuda Shield’ military drills

More than 4,100 Indonesian and 1,300 American troops will take part in this year’s ‘largest ever’ drills, aimed at boosting deterrence.

US House passes Trump bill, which heads to White House for president’s signature

Vote of 218-214 follows late-night session which saw Republican representatives opposed to Medicaid cuts and increased deficit give way.

Opinion | What does US Pacific Command name change mean for China and India?