Whiteout

REAL-WORLD NEWS EXCERPTS

After its departure from the European Union, the U.K. seeks more sway in the Indo-Pacific region

Following its exit from the European Union last year, Britain is looking to carve its place in a more volatile and fragmented international system while bolstering its economy through greater global trade.

In a radical departure from the past, however, the strategy document outlines an ambitious redirection of London’s priorities towards Asia.

“The UK will deepen our engagement in the Indo-Pacific, establishing a greater and more persistent presence than any other European country.

Yet, by far the most surprising development is Britain’s announced intention to increase its stockpile of nuclear warheads from 180 to 260, an unprecedented boost of around 40 per cent in the country’s total nuclear arsenal. And, just as significantly, the British government has now removed its self-imposed cap on the number of nuclear warheads that are deemed “operational” and can therefore be fired at any given time.

Iran and Russia on Wednesday denounced the UK’s decision to bolster its nuclear arsenal, with the Islamic republic accusing it of “hypocrisy” and the Kremlin warning the move threatens international stability.

“In utter hypocrisy, the British Prime Minister) is concerned about Iran developing a viable nuclear weapon,” Iran’s Foreign Minister tweeted. “On the very same day he announces his country will increase its stockpile of nukes. Unlike the UK and allies, Iran believes nukes and all WMDs (weapons of mass destruction) are barbaric & must be eradicated.”

“We are very sorry that the UK has chosen this path of increasing nuclear warheads. This decision harms international stability and strategic security,” a Kremlin spokesman said. “The presence of nuclear warheads is what threatens peace throughout the world.”

Satellite images reveal 4 holes dug into mountainside

The Iranian Khorgo underground ballistic missile site is almost operational after new launching positions were constructed, satellite images obtained by Fox News reveal.

Construction on the ballistic missile site resulted in recent months as the Iranians ramp up work on the launching positions that can rapidly deploy two ballistic missiles each. The Iranian site sits approximately 500 miles from Kuwait, a country that houses more than 13,000 American troops, and less than 200 miles from the United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. partner.

There’s once again talk that Israel might make a move to attack Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

There has been frequent speculation over the last two decades that Israel could launch such an attack on Iran, but while Israel is believed to have undergone various efforts to sabotage Iran’s nuclear capability, they have not yet launched a full-on first strike.

The Brookings Institution notes that it would make sense for Israel to strike Iran “sooner rather than later.” The question is how Iran would respond to such a strike. Would it order Hezbollah and other proxies to attack Israel? Attack Israel with ballistic missiles? Launch a full-on war in response?

The two nations will boost military ties.

Russia’s foreign minister said Moscow and Islamabad will boost ties with Russia providing unspecified military equipment to Pakistan and the two holding joint exercises at sea and in the mountains.

Pakistan wants regional cooperation, though he did not mention Pakistan’s uneasy relationship with neighbor India.

The accord underlines the waning influence of the United States in the region, while Russian and Chinese clout grows.

“There’s a good reason why this is the first Russian foreign minister visit to Islamabad for nearly a decade: Russia-Pakistan relations are on the ascent,” a Russian spokesman said in an interview. He also noted a new 25-year development military agreement between Iran and China.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, sent an eerie message to the United States.

“We take this opportunity to warn the new U.S. administration trying hard to give off [gun] powder smell in our land,” Kim Yo Jong said in a statement referencing joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises in the region.

“If it [the U.S.] wants to sleep in peace for the coming four years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step,” she added, according to an English translation.

The Trump administration made some initial progress with North Korea, but the negotiations broke down more than a year ago after the U.S. refused to grant sanctions relief in exchange for Pyongyang’s dismantling of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

The Biden administration has tried unsuccessfully to restart nuke talks with North Korea.

Under third-generation North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the reclusive state has conducted its most powerful nuclear test recently, launching its first-ever intercontinental ballistic missile and threatening to send missiles into the waters near the U.S. territory of Guam.