Vue lecture

Trump sends second aircraft carrier to Middle East in effort to increase pressure on Iran

Par :Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

13 février 2026 à 18:46

USS Gerald R Ford will take about three weeks to sail to region, amid push for Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions

Donald Trump has ordered the world’s largest aircraft carrier to sail from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East in an effort to increase pressure on Iran amid discussions over curbing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The USS Gerald R Ford and its supporting warships should take about three weeks to return to the region, where they will join the USS Abraham Lincoln, dramatically increasing the military firepower available to the US leader.

Pentagon policy chief tells European Nato members to step up combat capabilities

The Guardian

Par :Dan Sabbagh in Brussels

12 février 2026 à 18:36

Elbridge Colby tells meeting in Brussels that US plans to reduce conventional forces in Europe but remains committed to Nato alliance

The Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, has told European Nato defence ministers in Brussels that they need to step up their combat capabilities and take the lead in protecting their continent from the Russian threat.

The influential undersecretary for war, sent by the White House in place of his boss, Pete Hegseth, said the US would reduce conventional forces in Europe but insisted Washington remained committed to the military alliance.