US allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaper

US allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaper The newaspaper noted that military operation against Iran had depleted US arsenals and "laid bare the limits of American hard power"© Sean Gallup/ Getty ImagesNEW YORK, August 21. /TASS/. Washington’s allies are concerned about whether the US will be able to defend them if necessary, The Wall Street Journal reported. According to the newspaper, US allies have been "fretting about Washington’s intentions" ever since Donald Trump returned to the presidency. Now that a military operation against Iran has depleted US arsenals and "laid bare the limits of American hard power," Washington’s allies are also concerned about its ability to defend them. Officials from other countries are observing "industrial decline, strategic incoherence and political dysfunction" in the US and are wondering whether this has weakened the country to such an extent that it will be unable to play a decisive role should the conflict spread across multiple fronts in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. These doubts are shared by many in Washington itself, The Wall Street Journal emphasized. The Pentagon and the White House deny that the US Army is facing an ammunition shortage. However, according to estimates by think tanks and experts, the US has used up about half of its pre-war stockpile of Patriot and THAAD interceptor missiles in the Middle East, as well as a third of its Tomahawk and JASSM missile arsenal. Trump has rejected Kiev’s repeated requests for additional Patriot missiles, the newspaper noted, while Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia oppose the resumption of full-scale US military operations against Iran because their stocks of interceptor missiles are too low. Brazil to build ties with Russia without regard for US threats — Lula da Silva’s allyThe politician noted that Washington is currently "trying to squeeze Russia or China out of Latin America"Read moreRussia’s Battlegroup South confidently advancing after liberating Nikolaipolye in DPRThe liberation of the settlement became possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of reconnaissance units, artillery crews, and UAV operators from the unmanned systems forcesRead moreZelensky complains about lack of funds to continue warVladimir Zelensky also expects Khmara to audit all agreements with Western partners and take a "more humane approach" to the organizational issues in the armyRead moreMusk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for USEarlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillionRead moreUN secretary-general candidate A-Baki proposes agreeing that Ukraine abstains from NATOYvonne A-Baki believes that Russia and Ukraine should sit together in the United Nations and talkRead moreUS shows weakness by turning to its allies on Iran issue — Iranian diplomatSaeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh said that Donald Trump "uses every means and every opportunity to isolate Iran and put pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran in an attempt to compensate for its military defeat"Read moreInternational organizations become accomplices in Kiev’s crimes against media — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the reaction of international organizations to the murder of war correspondent Darya Dugina in 2022 was particularly tellingRead moreJapan begins converting ships into aircraft carriers — Chinese ambassador to RussiaFor the first time, the country has re-exported Patriot missiles and begun exporting military frigates, Zhang Hanhui notedRead moreUN chief calls for halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, including in RussiaSpokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Antonio Guterres remains deeply concerned by the continued escalation of the Ukrainian conflictRead moreCollective Security Treaty Organization, CIS border troops drill interaction in crisesAccording to the CSTO, the main objective of the joint command-staff exercise was to improve coordination between border guard and other agencies of the CIS member statesRead moreEight detained for attempting to launch drone attack on strategic plant near Moscow — FSBOne of the accomplices put up armed resistance during the arrest and was neutralizedRead moreKiev troops shell DPR 33 times in past day, three woundedSix civil infrastructure sites were damaged, as well as three residential buildings and a number of cars and trucksRead moreLiberation of Matyashevo opens way for Russian forces’ advance in Dobropolye areaThe settlement was liberated by Pskov Guards Airborne Forces formationRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia's Battlegroup South and Battlegroup Center units liberated settlements of Nikolaipolye and Matyashevo in the Donetsk People’s RepublicRead moreRussia expects major economic forum during Arab summitMoscow will announce summit dates as soon as all conditions have been met, Anton Kobyakov stressedRead morePolish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TVDonald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed itRead moreRussia open to dialogue with US, refuses to sacrifice its principled positions — diplomatRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance whether "Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors"Read moreBy attacking ships, Kiev risks to spoil relations with partners — Kherson governorVladimir Saldo stressed that Ukraine is destroying its own reputation among international partnersRead moreRussia expects new UN chief to show courage in settling conflicts — envoyVasily Nebenzy noted that the UN can be the platform for Ukraine crisis resolutionRead moreRussian Il-76 aircraft drops ten loads of water on active fire sites in Serbia — ministryThe Emergencies Ministry said that Russian rescue teams are working closely with Serbian ground services and receiving organizational support from the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian CenterRead moreKiev to return to talks with Russia on terms worse than those in 2022 — magazineAccording to The American Conservative, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing a shortage of manpower, and their stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles "is at, or approaching, zero"Read moreIN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in KievRussian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga dronesRead moreSome US allies in Mideast took 'semi-neutral' stance on IranThe Iranian authorities said on many occasions that Tehran had not attacked any country in the region, targeting only US military basesRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read moreIN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements at meeting on nuclear energyAccording to the head of state, there are plans to broaden the geographic distribution of nuclear power plant units across Russia's regionsRead moreUS wants its economy to grow faster than state debt — VanceUS Vice President JD Vance did not disclose details of the planRead moreRussia ready to cooperate with everyone who cares about South Caucasus — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya added that Russia is guided by the interests of preserving and strengthening security in the regionRead moreWest provided only quarter of required funds to Kiev — lawmakerKiev admits that the country has completely exhausted its own resources, and it is getting harder and harder for it to secure the required funds every timeRead moreRussia only country in world with expertise across entire nuclear energy sector — PutinThese competitive advantages enable the country to hold a leading position in the market for the construction of nuclear power plants abroad, the Russian leader stressedRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup North destroys 443 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past dayThe battlegroup's units eliminated up to 200 enemy personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle and three armored combat vehicles over the past 24 hoursRead moreTrump orders to increase number of space launches five-fold by 2030The US leader gave instructions to explore commercial robotic access to the surface of MarsRead moreParliament votes on new Bangladesh’s presidentThe Times of India reported that 255 members of parliament voted for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the candidate from the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist PartyRead moreNorthern Fleet ships finish preparations for long-range Arctic deploymentThe Fleet press service specified that naval Arctic deployments are aimed "at ensuring the safety of Russia’s maritime navigation and maritime economic activities in the Arctic"Read moreCandidate for UN secretary·general declares neutrality in conflict in UkraineYvonne A-Baki opined that for a final settlement, both sides need to make certain concessionsRead more20 Brazilian mercenaries eliminated in special military operation zoneAn official in Russian law enforcement structures said that after being recruited via social networks, they came to Colombia and signed contracts with the Ukrainian armyRead moreHormuz risks remain even if outcome of Iran-Oman talks successful, Russian diplomat saysThe current situation in the Persian Gulf can hardly be called a `pause,’ given quite a regular exchange of strikes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov notedRead moreUkrainians' right to protection in EU depends on their usefulness on frontline — senatorAlexander Voloshin remarked that Kiev has long promoted Europe as a sanctuary where human rights are a fundamental priorityRead moreRussia is sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Western policies, suggesting that the West has little genuine interest in Ukraine as an independent or prosperous nationRead moreBulgaria restricts operation of Kozloduy NPP due to low water level in Danube — ministryThe capacity of Unit 5 will be scaled down by 120 megawatts on August 21 to avert a potential emergencyRead morePlane makes emergency landing in Sakhalin after engine catches fireThere were seven people on boardRead moreUS may halt exports of petroleum products this autumn — expertStrategic reserves in the US are dwindling, and a new decision on releasing stocks to balance the market may be required in 78 days, Andrey Polishchuk saidRead moreUS establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outletAccording to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle EastRead moreZelensky shouted demanding dismissal of official who failed to pay bail for YermakA court session to choose a preventive measure for Makim Mikitas will continue on FridayRead moreRussian envoy cautions US, West against triggering arms race in outer spaceAccording to Gennady Gatilov, individual Western countries and blocs directly mention near-Earth space as "yet another field for hostilities in their documents regarding space policy"Read moreGermany doesn't expect winter gas shortage despite low storage levels — ministryThe Ministry for Economic Affairs believes that the primary responsibility lies with the private sectorRead moreRussia calls on Japan to stop revising history of World War II — MFAMaria Zakharova highlighted that instead of openly acknowledging its role in initiating aggression across Asia and the Pacific, Japan appears to be increasingly engaged in whitewashing its wartime crimesRead moreTougher US sanctions against Iran constitute economic terrorism — MFAAccording to the statement, Washington's new restrictions against Tehran represent "a continuation of a failed US policy, the repetition of which will lead only to another failure"Read moreBattlegroup North UAVs destroy two US armored vehicles near KharkovThe FPV drone crews eliminated two US-made Humvee armored vehicles and one Ukrainian Kozak armored fighting vehicleRead moreGold futures top $4,600 per troy ounce, first time since May 29By 4:45 a.m. the growth slowed down to $4,583.5 per troy ounceRead moreRussian stock indices decline by the end of trading on Moscow ExchangeThe Chinese yuan edged down 10 kopecks to 12.32 rublesRead moreIran supports Iraq’s plan to control armed groups’ weapons — Majlis speakerQasim Al-Aboudi added that Tehran "is committed to the security agreements concluded between the two countries"Read moreRussia’s Lokomotiv FC confirms transfer of its midfielder Batrakov to GalatasarayThe contract with the Russian midfielder is for five yearsRead moreIN BRIEF: Russian MFA statements on FAZ reporter’s provocation, UN criticismThe Foreign Ministry calls on the citizens living abroad to be vigilant and not to give in to provocations ahead of the State Duma electionsRead moreDate for new Russia-US contacts on removing ‘irritants’ being agreed upon — diplomatMaria Zakharova added that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US partners "to move toward substantive discussions on the issues that are of priority for us"Read moreAmerican mercenary Conor Kennedy arrested in absentia in Russia, placed on wanted listHe participated in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian forces incognitoRead moreAttempts to cut Russia off from world permanent tactic of Western policy — adviserAnton Kobyakov noted that Russia had never closed itself off from the world throughout its historyRead moreRussia has no need for mobilization — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya emphasized that mobilization is not planned and expectedRead moreKiev building up forces to fight for Dobropolye in Donetsk region — Russian combatantAccording to the serviceman, the Russian troops are operating in a coordinated manner, eliminating enemy forces attempting to redeploy to better positionsRead moreUS has no idea of how long its economic pressure on Iran will take — VanceEarlier, US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of the "most crushing economic operation" against IranRead moreBattlegroup North artillery eliminates 71 Ukrainian troops, 34 UAV control posts overnightArtillery crews of the Battlegroup North carried out over 200 fire missions last nightRead moreEU attempts to interfere into Georgia’s affairs to do no good — Russia’s UN envoyAttempts by the EU to interfere in the country’s domestic political situation, as well as to drag Tbilisi into NATO, will not lead to anything good," Vasily Nebenzya saidRead moreFAZ journalist Martens’ profile appears on Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted listReason for being wanted is a Criminal Code articleRead moreBank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for August 21 to 83.36 rublesThe regulator lowered the official euro exchange rate by 1 ruble 81.22 kopecks to 96.7335 rublesRead moreKremlin reacts to 'fishing in troubled waters' in Ukraine, potential Wikoff, Kushner visitDmitry Peskov stressed that Russia highly values the efforts of all countries that sincerely seek to contribute to settling the Ukraine conflictRead moreProduction of fuel for Ukrainian missiles in Denmark delayed until 2027Euractiv noted that Danish authorities had "cleared more than 20 bureaucratic hurdles for the construction of the plant," but this did not helpRead morePlane with eight people on board crashes in Alaska — Associated PressThe fate of those on board is currently unknownRead moreSeveral hundred Ukrainian soldiers desert during training in Germany — newspaperUnder Ukrainian law, these individuals could face up to 12 years in prison if they return homeRead moreNewNew Shipping Line sees significant business prospects in Murmansk RegionChief Executive Officer Ke Jin said that Murmansk offers the best conditions thanks to the governor’s support and the fact that it is the only ice-free port in western RussiaRead moreFSB detains Ukrainian intel agent, foils terror plot near MoscowThe perpetrator sought to launch a drone from a Moscow railway station to identify railcars carrying petroleum productsRead moreUkraine imposes sanctions on authors of Russian comedy cartoon 'Masha and the Bear'An executive order, published on Vladimir Zelensky’s website, imposes sanctions on the Animaccord animation studio, the cartoon’s producer Dmitry Loveyko and animator Oleg KuzovkovRead moreVucic thanks Russia for providing Serbia with aircraft for fighting forest firesSerbia is currently facing wildfires, prompting local authorities to turn to Moscow for assistanceRead moreGovernment submits space cooperation agreement with Myanmar to State Duma for ratificationAs noted in the explanatory note, the ratification will contribute to expanding cooperation between the two countries in such areas as satellite navigation, space communications, satellite TV and radio broadcastingRead moreRussia open to dialogue on stabilizing strategic stability — MFARussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov recalled that, had Washington not rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative for the parties to preserve the New START legacy through voluntary self-restraints, the current situation could have been avoidedRead moreFACTBOX: What to know of Omsk oil refinery intel sharing, foiled terrorist attack in LPROfficers detained two men in the Lugansk People’s Republic, who helped the Security Service of Ukraine plan a terrorist attack against the republic’s interior ministerRead morePresidential spokesman describes fortifications on eastern border as 'full of holes’Rafal Leskiewicz pointed to statements by Polish politicians about just how narrow and small a section of the sky along Poland’s eastern border is protected by air defense systemsRead moreRussia starts serial production of Garpiya-A1 drone — RosoboronexportThe Garpiya-A1 (E) is a loitering munition with a range of up to 1,000 kmRead moreRussian envoy sees possibility of more candidates seeking top UN postThey may emerge, if the current candidates fail to secure the required supportRead moreNew mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomatMaria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to surviveRead moreChinese company aims to increase Northern Sea Route shipments to 1.2 mln tons by 2027NewNew Shipping Line intends to put six new container ships into service by the end of October this yearRead moreRussian strike brings Ukrainian industrial site in Brovary near Kiev offline — top brassThe facility was struck by Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade VaryagRead moreFuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situationRussian authorities expect a number of oil refineries to complete maintenance work soon, leading to a significant improvement in the fuel market situationRead moreIran was not the one to trigger escalation in Middle East — Russia’s UN envoyVasily Nebenzya said that the US should be the one to blame for the latest escalation in Middle EastRead moreNorth Korea launches approximately 10 missiles toward Sea of Japan — South Korean militaryThe Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that they "maintain vigilance for additional launches"Read moreIAEA Director General Grossi’s visit to Zaporozhye plant delayed — directorThe reason given is safety concerns for the delegationRead moreLithuania seeking to take Russians hostage by tightening transit from KaliningradChairman of the region’s Legislative Assembly Andrey Kropotkin noted that such moves were driven by a political agenda of further pressure on RussiaRead moreUkrainian attack on Crimea kills two people, injures four others — regional headSergey Aksyonov expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and stated that the authorities would provide all the necessary assistanceRead moreCourt finds farmer who shot at drone caused less harm than he prevented — documentsEarlier, a source in the judicial system said the Volgograd Regional Court had terminated the proceedings in the case of 66‑year‑old Nikolay MukhinRead morePress review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over SyriaTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20thRead moreRussian aircraft hit Ukrainian army’s deployment sites by FAB-500 bombs in Kharkov areaLive-recording images verified the successful destruction of all the designated targetsRead moreUS company Powerus to deliver anti-drone systems to Middle East — BloombergThe US company will provide its customer with detection and tracking equipmentRead moreGermany, UK, France, Italy call on Israel to withdraw its E1 settlement project plansThe international community has long opposed this settlement expansion, and has voiced their grave concerns privately and publicly, the joint statement saidRead moreUS extends general license for talks on Lukoil's foreign assets until September 19The license greenlights transactions related to negotiations on the "sale, disposition, or transfer of Lukoil International GmbH" and its assetsRead moreGermany detains suspect involved in inciting schoolboy to kill child in RussiaAccording to investigators, the suspect created at least two online communities in 2024 that brought together followers of far-right extremist ideologyRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreMoscow to respond to any hostile actions by Helsinki — MFAMaria Zakharova noted that Finland, starting in 2022, "has become one of the most ardent sponsors of the Kiev regime"Read moreUkraine imposes sanctions against Rusal group of companiesKiev also imposed sanctions on several dozens of Russian citizens, including those who, as Ukraine claims, are working in the Russian defense industryRead moreUkraine’s ex-defense minister urges to mobilize womenAlexey Reznikov noted that women can enter military service not just as medical workersRead moreConflict in Ukraine requires prompt measures — candidate for UN secretary-generalYvonne A-Baki believes that the Ukrainian crisis can be resolved through a solution, which both parties will find acceptableRead moreCroatian court rules to place in custody Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotageGermany is seeking his extraditionRead moreIsrael could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officerApty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggleRead moreRussia, China to oppose Japan’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui also said that Moscow and Beijing think it necessary to "resolutely oppose Japan's accelerated remilitarization"Read more