Latest news with #MichaelKurilla
Fox News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Kurilla warfare: Meet the general leading US military forces in the Middle East amid Iran conflict
Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla is no stranger to conflict, especially in the Middle East. Two decades ago as a lieutenant colonel, he was at the front lines of combat fighting off insurgents in Mosul, Iraq, while leading the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. The battalion's mission was to conduct security patrols and coordinate offensive attacks against anti-Iraqi insurgents targeting Iraqi security forces and Iraqi police stations. During Kurilla's tenure leading the battalion, more than 150 soldiers earned the Purple Heart for injuries, and the battalion lost at least a dozen soldiers, The New York Times reported in August 2005. "There will always be somebody willing (to) pick up an AK-47 and shoot Americans," Kurilla told The New York Times in August 2005. Kurilla did not complete that deployment unscathed. Later, in August 2005, Kurilla found himself caught in a Mosul, Iraq, firefight, where he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, earning him a Bronze Star with valor and one of his two Purple Heart awards. Now, Kurilla is facing another battle as the commander of U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, serving as the top military officer overseeing U.S. military forces based in the Middle East. That means Kurilla, who attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, is at the forefront of military operations as President Donald Trump contemplates whether to engage in military strikes against Iran's nuclear sites. CENTCOM is one of the U.S. military's 11 combatant commands and encompasses 21 nations in the Middle East in its area of operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Those familiar with Kurilla claim he's the perfect person for the job. Retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described Kurilla as the ideal leader for CENTCOM in 2022 when Biden nominated Kurilla for the role. "If there ever was some way to feed into a machine the requirements for the perfect leader of CENTCOM — the character traits, the attributes, the experiences, the knowledge and the personality that would be ideal — that machine would spit out Erik Kurilla," Milley said in 2022, according to the Defense Department. "Erik's got vast experience in combat (and) on staffs. "He's a visionary, he's a thinker and he's a doer," Milley said. "He understands both the physical and human terrain and is able to identify root causes of problems and develop systems. He's not at all a linear thinker. He's actually a very gifted problem-solver." Retired Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, Kurilla's CENTCOM predecessor, voiced similar sentiments. "I can't think of anybody better qualified to lead CENTCOM's next chapter than Erik Kurilla," McKenzie said in 2022, according to the Pentagon. "He's no stranger to the CENTCOM (area of operations). He's no stranger to the headquarters." Notable figures who've previously filled the job leading CENTCOM include former defense secretaries, retired Gen. Jim Mattis, who served during Trump's first term, and retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, who served during former President Joe Biden's administration. Fox News Digital reached out to CENTCOM, the Department of Defense, McKenzie and Milley for comment and did not get a response by the time of publication. The region is familiar territory for Kurilla. The general spent a decade between 2004 and 2014 overseeing conventional and special operations forces during consecutive tours in the Middle East that fell under the CENTCOM purview. Additionally, Kurilla has served in key CENTCOM staff and leadership positions, including serving as the command's chief of staff from August 2018 to September 2019. Prior to leading CENTCOM, the general also commanded the 2nd Ranger Battalion, the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps, according to his official bio. In addition to deploying to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve, he deployed to Afghanistan with Operation Enduring Freedom. Other awards he's earned include the Combat Infantryman Badge, awarded to Army infantry or special forces officers who've encountered active ground combat. Kurilla, who the Senate confirmed to lead CENTCOM in February 2022 and will exit the role later in 2025, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee June 10 that, since October 2023, when Hamas first attacked Israel, American service members have faced increased threats in the region. Specifically, he said, U.S. troops have come under direct fire by nearly 400 unmanned aerial systems, 350 rockets, 50 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles launched by Iranian-backed groups. He said CENTCOM has encountered the "most highly kinetic period than at any other time in the past decade." "We have been at the brink of regional war several times with the first state-on-state attacks between Iran and Israel in their history," Kurilla told lawmakers. "In the Red Sea, Houthi attempts to kill Americans operating in the Red Sea necessitated an aggressive response to protect our sailors and mariners and restore freedom of navigation. This is while Tehran is continuing to progress towards a nuclear weapons program — threatening catastrophic ramifications across the region and beyond." As a result, Kurilla said CENTCOM is prepared to use military force to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state. Kurilla said he has provided Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth a host of options to employ to eliminate the threat of a nuclear Iran. Since Kurilla's testimony, tensions have escalated even further in the Middle East after Israel kicked off massive airstrikes against Iran's nuclear sites that Israel claims have killed several high-ranking military leaders. Likewise, Iran also launched strikes against Israel as the two ramp up military campaigns against one another. Trump is still navigating whether the U.S. will conduct direct strikes against Iran. Trump told reporters he may order strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites and that the "next week is going to be very big." "Yes, I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do," Trump said. "I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Pakistan is useful to the world': Former NSA Shivshankar Menon explains why countries still support Islamabad despite terror links
Diplomacy cannot change national interests, says Menon Why the world won't isolate Pakistan IMF aid and military praise part of realpolitik Live Events Global concern over Pakistan-based terrorism has reduced India's global position remains stable Reactions to terrorism still depend on national interest (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Former Foreign Secretary and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon has said that major countries continue to engage with Pakistan because they view the country as useful and do not want it to descend into anarchy. Menon, in an interview with India Today, explained that global powers act according to their strategic interests, not based on India's expectations. He added that Pakistan has managed to make itself relevant to both the US and China, and the international response to terrorism emanating from Pakistan has changed over the comments follow two events that drew criticism in India: the IMF's release of $ 1 billion to Pakistan and US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla's description of Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counter‑terrorism. Menon argues that such moves reflect each nation's self‑interest, not any judgment on India's security concerns.'Don't set impossible tasks to diplomacy,' Menon said. 'I don't think we should ask our diplomats to change the way other countries behave, they've always behaved on the basis of their interests and what's in it for them.' His remarks were in response to questions on why the global community continues to support Pakistan diplomatically and economically, even when India presents evidence of Pakistan's involvement in explained that countries are acting in their own interest when they maintain relations with Pakistan. 'The world will do what suits their interest. They find Pakistan useful. In fact, in many ways over the last few years, Pakistan has tried to make herself useful to other people, whether it is in Centcom's fight against ISIS Khorasan or whether it is the Pakistanis now investing in cryptocurrency which is being pushed by the White House . They will use this to see what they can get out of it. So I don't think that has changed in any fundamental way,' he IMF released $1.023 billion to Pakistan while Operation Sindoor was still in progress. Around the same time, US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla referred to Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in the fight against commented, 'Our job is not to actually prevent IMF loans to Pakistan. The world doesn't want Pakistan to collapse into complete anarchy, so they will continue to work with Pakistan.'He also added, 'Pakistan has made herself useful to China and the US, and the rivalry between Beijing and Washington actually has worked in Pakistan's favor in some ways.'Menon said that while India may have convinced the world about Pakistan's role in sponsoring terrorism, that no longer translates into strong diplomatic action.'The world doesn't respond on the basis of whether they are convinced or not. The world responds on the basis of what's in their interest,' he said.'Today, unlike 10 years ago, the world does not see Pakistan as offering a terrorist threat to themselves. Ten years ago when the global war on terror was on, the US, Europe, Denmark, the UK — all of them saw terrorist threats emanating from Pakistan affecting them directly. So they will condemn terrorism. And what you do is your business. They won't get in your way either. But you cannot expect them to act beyond their interest.'He further added, 'It's not a question of how convinced they are — in fact they are convinced. Nobody has gone against the narrative that this originated in Pakistan.'Addressing concerns about India's international image following recent diplomatic developments, Menon said, 'I'm not sure that we can measure India's place in the world on a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, event-by-event basis. Basically, I think India's place in the world is where it was. I don't think that has changed fundamentally. The world's interest in India is also the same as it was before.'On global responses to terror attacks and Indian retaliation, Menon said: 'We got support across the board after Pahalgam. But when it comes to a conflict between India and Pakistan, countries react on the basis of their interest.'
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — June 14, 2025
Operation Rising Lion Israel's strikes on some of Iran's facilities mark a dangerous escalation in an already volatile West Asian theatre. While Israel cites preemptive security concerns, such unilateral actions risk provoking severe retaliation from Tehran, which could engulf the region in wider conflict. Iran's possible military or proxy-based response may destabilise not just Israel but also the Gulf states, threatening vital global energy supplies. This tit-for-tat brinkmanship undermines ongoing diplomatic efforts, especially the already fragile Iran nuclear deal framework. Moreover, it raises the spectre of a nuclear arms race in the region, as other nations may seek similar deterrents. India, with its strategic ties to both Israel and Iran, and its dependence on Gulf energy routes, has cause for concern. The international community, particularly the UN and regional powers, must act swiftly to de-escalate tensions and revive meaningful dialogue before the situation spirals beyond control. Gopalaswamy J., Chennai U.S. ties, the reality A report that the Pakistani Army Chief General has been invited to an event in Washington DC on the occasion of U.S. Army Day (June 14) makes one wonder what the true state of India-U.S. ties is like. June). There is also another report of General Michael Kurilla having praised Pakistan for its 'counter-terror efforts' and helping the U.S. achieve its objectives in the region ('U.S. CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Kurilla terms Pakistan a 'phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism', June 11). This runs counter to India's repeated line that Pakistan is the penetrator of terrorism. Such reports only strengthen doubts about America being a 'reliable partner'. Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar, Punjab Air safety In an interview to a YouTube channel, Captain Mohan Ranganathan, an aviation safety expert, has said that Ahmedabad airport is known to have a high risk factor of bird hits and that most airports in India function in violation of ICAO and DGCA rules for political reasons. He has also pointed out that there are slaughterhouses and garbage dumps just outside the airport wall. Such facilities are prohibited within a 13 kilometre radius. The expert also said that he had written about the situation at Ahmedabad airport several years ago. He raised another pertinent issue. After the crash at Mangaluru in 2010, he had submitted a report that highlighted the need to extend the runway for safer operations. Unfortunately, the government failed to respond citing the costs involved. The result is that nothing has changed. The government may have set up an inquiry committee to probe the crash at Ahmedabad, but more often than not, all these inquiries end with the authorities signing up on the dotted line and not caring about the real conditions. Therefore, if the inquiry is to be impartial, it should include committed experts. The government must implement safety recommendations. N.G.R. Prasad, Chennai The snippet, 'Mrs. Gandhi's election set aside'('From the Archives' – Fifty Years Ago, June 13, 1975) was, indubitably, a historic day in Indian democracy. This was an event that resulted in many political developments. But, unfortunately, years later we have yet to introduce necessary electoral reforms, to make it easy for honest and ordinary citizens to enter our law-making bodies. This is a failure that takes some of the shine off our democracy. Rich individuals find it easy to don the role of law-makers. Law-breakers becoming law makers is a malady, while law abiders continue to suffer in silence. We need to make essential changes to our electoral laws to pave the way for good governance and inclusive economic growth. M.V. Nagavender Rao, Hyderabad
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Business Standard
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
MEA counters US general, says Pakistan's terror record 'very clear'
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday described the recent Pahalgam attack as yet another instance of cross-border terrorism, stating that Pakistan's track record on the issue is well known, news agency PTI reported. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remark at his weekly press briefing, in response to comments by US Army General Michael Kurilla, who had spoken about Washington maintaining ties with both India and Pakistan. US general says Washington can balance ties with India and Pakistan General Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), during a testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee, said that the US can have relationships with both nations and that it's not a binary choice. 'We should assess each relationship on its own merits and focus on the positives,' he said. 'Pakistan's record speaks for itself', says MEA in firm response Commenting on this, Jaiswal said, 'Pakistan's record speaks for itself, it is very clear.' India recalls 26/11 and Osama bin Laden to highlight terror links MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the media, said the Pahalgam attack is merely the latest in a series of cross-border terror incidents, pointing once again to Pakistan's role in harbouring terrorism. He recalled that Tahawwur Rana, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was recently extradited from the United States to India. 'None of us have forgotten that Pakistan gave refuge to Osama bin Laden,' he added. 'And it's telling that Dr Shakil Afridi, who helped locate Bin Laden, remains imprisoned by the Pakistani military.' US highlights Pakistan's counter-terror efforts against ISIS-K General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla surprised many during a recent Congressional hearing by commending Pakistan's efforts in countering the ISIS-Khorasan threat. General Michael Kurilla noted that Pakistan is actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, stating, 'Since the beginning of 2024, they've faced over 1,000 terrorist attacks in their western regions, resulting in around 700 deaths among civilians and security personnel.' Backing his statement, Reuters reported that Pakistan has ramped up operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS splinter groups. Intelligence-sharing with the United States, though limited, has reportedly resumed. India silent on Asim Munir invite; MEA says ask Americans Responding to queries about reports of Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir being invited to the US Army Day celebrations on June 14, 'On the matter of invitations, I would urge you to find out who exactly has been invited,' he told the reporters. 'Whether foreign leaders are included or not is a question best answered by the American side,' Jaiswal said. When asked about India's relationship with Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ties between the two nations are well established. 'I've said this several times, we seek a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, rooted in the aspirations of both our peoples,' he noted. India monitoring West Asia closely, assures diaspora of safety On a separate question regarding the situation in West Asia, Jaiswal confirmed that India is closely monitoring developments in the region. 'Yes, we have a large diaspora there. Our embassies across West Asia are in constant touch with the Indian community, advising them on matters of safety and security,' he added. (With agency inputs)
Economic Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Hyphenating US-Pak: Doing business with gunmen
Howdy, phenomenal pardners! Michael Kurilla (left) & Asif Munir, Florida, 2023 The Trump regime's reported invitation to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir to attend the 250th US Army Day celebrations in Washington tomorrow has stirred various vectors of speculation. Chief among them: Potential reset in US-Pakistan relations. Pakistan's prospective utility within an emergent Trump doctrine that views bilateral ties primarily through an economic lens. Revival of a counterterrorism partnership between Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Washington. Implications of such a warming of US-Pakistan ties on US-India relations. In New Delhi, this apparent shift in Washington's posture has come as a surprise. What is even more startling is the timing - coming on the heels of India's retaliation against Pakistan for its involvement in the Pahalgam terrorist attacks on civilians. A significant part of Trump's appeal among Indians, both in India and the diaspora, stemmed from his tough stance on terrorism. During Trump 1.0, he publicly called out Pakistan's duplicity in his very first tweet of 2018, accusing it of 'lies and deceit' while receiving billions in US aid. He subsequently cut $300 mn in aid to Pakistan, a move that built on the Obama administration's earlier decision to withhold one-third of all military assistance to the country. During Trump 2.0, consistent with his recalibrated approach toward various global actors, the US president has markedly diverged from his earlier stance, Pakistan being no exception. In February, the Trump regime departed from its broader aid-cutting policy to authorise $397 mn in security assistance to Pakistan. This was specifically aimed at supporting a US-backed programme for maintenance and technical support of Pakistan's F-16 fighter the assistance explicitly stated that it was not to be used for operations against India, reopening of funding channels to Pakistan signalled a broader trend of policy reversal. In March, Trump publicly thanked Pakistan for its assistance in the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, a suspect linked to multiple terrorist attacks, including the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in recently, Trump's consistent attempts to place Pakistan on equal footing with India, particularly following the India-Pak military escalation in May, appear driven by strategic reinforcing this shift, US Centcom chief Michael Kurilla referred to Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counterterrorism efforts. Similarly, Paul Kapur, Trump's incoming assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, affirmed that the US would 'pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to US interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment'. Together, these moves reflect a deliberate and coordinated strategy for renewed strategic engagement with apparent rapprochement between the US and Pakistan may be driven largely by Trump's personal inclinations, and a possible desire to secure future economic deals. For Pakistan, warming ties with Washington represent a strategic gain, however temporary. Any signs of improving relations between Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Washington stand in sharp political contrast to the stance of former PM Imran Khan and his supporters in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).Khan had accused the US of orchestrating the fall of his government, and maintained that he would never have agreed to American demands for military bases in his country. If PTI continues to remain a significant political force, any future US requests for enhanced military presence - even under the guise of counterterrorism - are likely to face resistance. Conversely, if Trump intensifies efforts to strike an economic deal with Pakistan, the resulting political reverberations within the country could become even more tough posture during his first term - marked by launching a trade war with China, pursuing a 'maximum pressure' strategy against Iran culminating in the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, and publicly calling out countries like Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism - is now giving way to a policy of modus vivendi, driven by an outsized prioritisation of US interests, particularly economic US-China economic deal reportedly 'finalised' on June 11 underscores this clear shift in US diplomacy - one that increasingly sidelines concerns of Washington's allies, partners and friends. While this approach may serve immediate US interests, especially in economic terms, it risks prompting a strategic recalibration by other nations in how they engage with the the shadow of recent military escalation between India and Pakistan, Pakistan's detente with the US may present an opportunity for Trump. But the strain this reset places on India-US relations could prove detrimental to both countries in the long run. The divergence between New Delhi and Washington is now most pronounced on the issue of Pakistan and, more broadly, on India has strongly reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against terrorism following the Pahalgam attack, the Trump regime appears increasingly willing to engage Pakistan as a counterterrorism partner. In doing so, Trump seems to be prioritising unilateral US interests over shared strategic concerns that have long underpinned the India-US partnership. Unlike his first term, when Trump's South Asia policy broadly aligned with the US-India strategic convergence, his bilateral bets in his second gig risk further destabilising an already fragile region. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. How a nudge from Cyrus Mistry helped TCS unlock a USD1 billion opportunity Explainer: The RBI's LAF corridor and its role in rate transmission Is Zomato under siege? Quick commerce may be the next telecom Operation Sindoor, Turkey, Bangladesh played out as India hosted global airlines after 42 years Coal on one hand and green on the other; this company balances both Stock Radar: Bandhan Bank stocks break out from 1-month consolidation; what should traders do? 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