War

Chinese military plan to keep their next generation intercontinental ballistic nuclear missiles on a hair-trigger state of readiness as a deterrent against the US. World leaders with the exception of Russia gathered in Washington today for the Nuclear Security Summit hosted by president Obama to discuss nuclear weapons and security. Sputnik reports: China’s nuclear deterrence strategy in the past has relied on patience, with a calm focus on long-term retaliation rather than immediate reprisal. Under President Xi Jinping, that policy is about to change.

Electricity to the occupied Palestinian city of Jericho has been reduced by an Israeli power company over a debt dispute.

The New York Times editors express hope that a proposed cease-fire in Yemen might hold:

Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to meet soon with foreign ministers of gulf Arab nations. If he can make sure they go forward with the cease-fire, there may be a chance of ending a conflict that has slaughtered civilians, tarnished America’s standing and diverted resources from fighting the Islamic State and Al Qaeda.

Russia has criticised US plans to position troops, tanks and other armored vehicles full time along NATO’s eastern borders, and said that Moscow is preparing a “completely asymmetrical” response to the deployments. Alexandr Grushko, Russia’s Ambassador to NATO said on Thursday that Moscow would not act like a “passive observer” but would rather undertake all those military measures needed to counter the “totally unjustified increased military presence.” Press TV reports: “Of course, our response will be completely asymmetrical.

Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,