Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and highest-ranking military officer in the US, repeated on Wednesday the military’s determination to “defend the Constitution and protect the American people and their way of life".
Speaking at the Brookings Institution during a tumultuous transition of power from departing President Donald Trump to president-elect Joe Biden, Gen Milley said no one should underestimate the might and determination of the US military.
“As far as our military goes, I don’t want anyone to mistake it," he said. "Our military is very, very capable.
"We are ready for whatever comes our way. We are determined to defend the US Constitution and to protect the American people and their way of life. No one should doubt that."
His assurances followed a retweet by former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who was pardoned by Mr Trump last week, which contained a call for the White House to declare martial law and re-run the past month's presidential election.
Mr Trump has not conceded but the US government’s General Services Administration has authorised the transition to begin, while the Justice Department has flatly rejected claims of widespread fraud in the election.
Gen Milley also indicated that a new administration would take office on January 20.
He said the armed forces would follow Mr Trump's decision to withdraw 2,500 troops from Iraq and Afghanistan by January 15.
But Gen Milley said that a new administration would decide the next steps five days later.
“What comes after that, that will be up to a new administration,” he said.
Gen Milley also defended continuing US talks with the Taliban as a way to reach a settlement to the two-decade war.
A negotiated settlement with the militants might appear “odious”, he said, but "that is the most common way insurgencies end".
“We believe that now, after 20 years, we've achieved a modicum of success,” Gen Milley said.
The US presence in places such as Somalia and the Middle East is being reassessed, he said, and pointed to the geopolitical challenge that China posed.
"We are taking a hard look at a repositioning of the force to better enable us to conduct counter-terrorism operations,” he said.
Gen Milley said military bases would be re-examined, depending on their relevance to US interests.
“Is every one of those [bases] absolutely, positively necessary for the defence of the United States?" he asked. "Is every one of them tied to a vital national security interest?”
Gen Milley said the challenges to modern societies was centred on a new kind of warfare, especially cyber threats.
Reliance on electricity, attacks in space and infiltration of digital communications systems are all vulnerabilities that the US military is improving its readiness to tackle, he said.
He said he expected the military would be distributing a Covid-19 vaccine in the next three weeks at the latest.
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
