The 41st Han Kuang exercise is taking place against a backdrop of heightened tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its own and has vowed to unify with it—by force, if necessary. This year's live-fire component is the longest ever, reflecting the seriousness with which Taipei views the threat.

American fatigue with the war and the fickleness of the Trump administration remain concerns for Ukraine’s leaders.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is set to discuss the possibility of Germany paying for American Patriot air defence systems for Ukraine, as he heads to Washington to meet with U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.

After Patriot crews intercepted Iran's missile attack on a US base in Qatar last month, Driscoll said that air defenders are in some ways becoming the Army's "new tip of the spear," a phrase that is typically used for troops like special operators.

Seventeen MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems are being prepared for shipment to Ukraine. Some of them will be delivered in the coming days.US