Topic: U.S. Pacific Command

North Korea missile test: What's a Musudan? (+video)

If North Korea test-fires a Musudan, it could settle a debate within the expert community about the capabilities of the intermediate-range ballistic missile – or whether it exists at all.

Top admiral worries North Korea crisis could escalate 'pretty quickly'

In congressional testimony, the head of US Pacific Command said tensions stoked by North Korea mean that one miscalculation could lead to 'significant combat activity from the North.'

North Korean missiles: Could US shoot them down? (+video)

The Pentagon has been deploying more missile-defense ground batteries and ships to East Asia. Here's a rundown of the three-tiered system that the US could use to counter North Korean missiles.

Focus How US military plans to carry out Obama's 'pivot to Asia'

A US policy shift toward Asia means a greater role for the Navy. Even pre-'pivot to Asia,' it already stationed half its ships in the region, and it is developing a new 'afloat forward staging base' in the Pacific.

Petraeus scandal: Jill Kelley's South Korean link

The Tampa socialite caught up in the Petraeus scandal received US State Department approval for her appointment as honorary Korean consul in Florida.

Opinion: How a glacier could thaw dangerous India and Pakistan freeze

Following a deadly avalanche in the disputed Siachen Glacier area, India and Pakistan have signaled openness to talks. A priority must be to demilitarize 'the world's highest battle ground' at Siachen, which incurs substantial economic and human costs for these two nuclear rivals.

Keeping an eye on China? First US Marines arrive in Australia.

The US is sending 2,500 Marines to Australia – officially to train with troops there and assist in humanitarian efforts. But many experts and diplomats say the real focus is China.

Why China's response to US arms sales to Taiwan is so muted

In an effort to maintain ties with the US ahead of a major shift in China's leadership, China's response on a multimillion dollar arms sale to Taiwan, a normally divisive subject, appears muted.

Opinion: Obama forfeits respect in Asia by letting Taiwan down – hard

Vice President Biden is expected to apprise China of the US decision to deny F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. The dire implications of this should not be played down. It leaves Taiwan vulnerable and the US underpowered in Asia, as Washington looks to be walking away from democratic values.

China aircraft carrier watched by region

China aircraft carrier: China bought the vessel from Ukraine more than a decade ago, and it is viewed as emblematic of the communist state's ambition to be a military power that can challenge America's decades-long supremacy in the west Pacific.

Cyberwar timeline

Tracing the history of cyberespionage and cyberwarfare from the invention of the Internet up to the targeted attacks on US banks by an Islamic hacktivist group.

High profile China-Taiwan spy case sends tremor through strengthening ties

The high-profile arrest will do more damage to Taiwan, where officials are under scrutiny for missing the suspected espionage, than it will to Taiwan-China relations.

US arms sales to Taiwan stifle US-China military engagement

To protest the US's arms sales to Taiwan, China halted contact between the two nations' militaries, which has expanded in recent months to include study tours and naval exercises. China also threatened Tuesday to retaliate against US companies involved in the arms sales.

What's known about missile shield in Hawaii

The missile defense system deployed in Kauai in response to North Korea worries has been tested successfully several times, but never in combat.

Obama said to pick a spy chief with little intelligence experience

But defenders of Panetta say he could bring valuable management skills to the job.

After earthquake, China welcomes U.S. military

As Defense Secretary Robert Gates heads to Singapore, the Pentagon sees a turnaround in the Chinese security forces.

In Burma, a frustrated quiet

Without aid coming along Burma's Asian Highway, Burmese head east to find help.

Speculation persists about Admiral Fallon's departure from Pentagon

Broad outspokenness, and not a White House plan for war with Iran, most likely led to his retirement from Central Command.

U.S. commander for Middle East resigns

Adm. William Fallon stepped down after an article in Esquire magazine portrayed his views on Iran as being at odds with those of President Bush.

Reporters on the Job

A bid for better military relations with China

High-level meetings are part of Admiral Keating's trip this week, following a flap over Hong Kong port visit by USS Kitty Hawk.