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Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 06 May 2022
• Intensity of Conflict Creates Unprecedented Need for Weapons, Munitions DoD News 06 May 2022 -- The intensity of conflict in the 21st Century and the need for weapons and munitions has been a learning experience for American defense officials working to supply Ukraine for its fight against Russia.
• DEFENDER-Europe 2022: Dülmen plays key role in support of Europe-wide exercise Army News 06 May 2022 -- On a rainy afternoon in northwestern Germany, contractors helped load rail cars shipping out materiel in preparation for DEFENDER-Europe 2022 exercise operations April 5, 2022.
• Denmark and U.S. Host Meeting on Situational Awareness in the Baltic Sea Region DoD 06 May 2022 -- The Danish Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense hosted a multinational staff exercise on situational awareness in the Baltic Sea Region on May 5 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Navy to Christen Future Littoral Combat Ship Beloit DoD 06 May 2022 -- The Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Beloit (LCS 29), during a 10:00 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, May 7, in Marinette, Wisconsin.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks' Remarks on the National Defense Strategy and Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request at the Reagan Institute (D.C.) (As Delivered) DoD 06 May 2022
• Arctic Partnerships Vital to Regional, National Security, Commanders Say DoD News 06 May 2022 -- Alaska plays a central role in the U.S. integrated deterrence strategy regarding the defense of North America, Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck said.
• Vermont Army Guard to support Swift Response exercise Army News 06 May 2022 -- More than 120 Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers will participate in the training exercise Swift Response 22 in North Macedonia.
• New York Army National Guard Soldiers train for deployment Army News 06 May 2022 -- New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, honed their marksmanship skills on the range and in the air during unit annual training.
• US Must Invest More in Arctic to Keep Up With Russian Activities in Region - NORTHCOM Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The United States must invest more in vital infrastructure and capabilities in the Arctic to keep up with Russian and Chinese developments in the region, US North Command (NORTHCOM) Commander Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck said during a virtual press briefing at the Pentagon
• Pacific Indian Ocean Shipping Working Group Convenes in San Diego US Navy 06 May 2022 -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet hosted the Pacific Indian Ocean Shipping Working Group (PACIOSWG) at Naval Base Point Loma, May 2-5.
• U.S. 4th Fleet Conducts Maritime Staff Talks with Brazil US Navy 06 May 2022 -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, hosted delegates from the Brazilian navy for the 27th annual Maritime Staff Talks (MST), at St. Francis Barracks, Florida National Guard Headquarters in St. Augustine, May 3-5, 2022.
• USS Shiloh Receives 2021 Battle "E" US Navy 06 May 2022 -- In April 2022, Rear. Adm. Michael Donnelly, Commander, Task Force 70, congratulated Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) on the ship's selection as the winner of the 2021 Battle Effectiveness Award from Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5.
• Kearsarge ARG-22 MEU Concludes Training In Norway US Navy 06 May 2022 -- Elements of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) concludes a successful bilateral training event with Norwegian Armed Forces, May 6, 2022.
• Department of the Army announces updated COVID-19 vaccination statistics US Army 06 May 2022 -- The U.S. Army announced updated COVID-19 vaccination rates and exemption requests as of May 05, 2022.
• Denmark Test-Fires 'Most Advanced Missile It Ever Had' Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The frigate-mounted long-range SM-2 interceptor missile is expected to improve Denmark's capacity and made it a "credible" NATO partner in escort missions, among others.
• Photograph Of A Missing Sailor Deepens Doubts About Russia's Narrative On The Sunken Warship Moskva RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- Immediately after it was released on April 16, doubts emerged about the authenticity of a video the Russian Defense Ministry said showed surviving crewmen from the guided-missile cruiser Moskva, which had sunk in the Black Sea three days earlier.
• Russian arms sales to Southeast Asia have tanked, report finds Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- Russia's arms sales to Southeast Asia have plummeted due to international sanctions imposed since the start of the Ukraine crisis in 2014 and the ongoing war will likely lead to a further decline, creating market opportunities for countries like China, a new report says.
• Victory Day Mobilization Call Unlikely, But Putin Will Seek To Mobilize Russian Society RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- "That's nonsense," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 4 when asked whether President Vladimir Putin planned to announce a military mobilization during Russia's May 9 Victory Day celebrations.
• Russia's Rostec to Develop Pocket-Sized UAVs Using Special Operation's Experience Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Russia's state-owned defense corporation Rostec is planning to develop pocket-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) using the experience of the special military operation in Ukraine, the company said on Friday.
• Memorandum on the Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) and Section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 The White House 06 May 2022
• Statement by President Joe Biden on Additional Security Assistance to Ukraine The White House 06 May 2022
• Pentagon Press Secretary Statement on $150 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 06 May 2022 -- Today, May 6, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to an additional $150 million. This authorization is the ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
• $150 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 06 May 2022 -- More than two months into the Kremlin's unjustified and brutal war, it is impossible not to be moved by what the people of Ukraine have achieved.
• Biden sending new $150 million weapons to Ukraine Press TV 06 May 2022 -- US President Joe Biden is sending a new weapons package worth at least $100 million to Ukraine, in the latest in a series of transfers to help Kyiv fight against Russia.
• Pentagon denies providing Kiev with 'specific targeting information' Press TV 06 May 2022 -- Pentagon's spokesman has denied that the US gave Kiev military "specific targeting information" that allowed Ukrainian forces to sink a Russian warship in the Black Sea in April.
• U.S. Reportedly Provided Intelligence That Helped Sink Russian Flagship RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- News reports say the United States provided intelligence that helped Ukraine sink the Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva last month.
• Pentagon Denies Reports That US Provided Ukraine Intel for Targeting Moskva Cruiser Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Previously, The New York Times reported, citing US officials, that the United States had provided Ukraine with intelligence to target Russia's flagship in the Black Sea, the Moskva.
• Pentagon: US Does Not Provide Intel on Location of Russian Military Leaders Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The United States does not provide intelligence on the location of Russian military leadership on the battlefield or participate in Ukrainian targeting decisions, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Thursday.
• Finland Sends More Military Gear to Aid Ukraine Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The exact nature of the Finnish aid will remain undisclosed in a bid to ensure its safe delivery, as Russia has called Western arms deliveries to Ukraine a legitimate target and successfully destroyed related depots in several parts of the country.
• Germany Steps Up Weapons Aid To Ukraine As Zelenskiy Urges Scholz To Visit Kyiv RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- Germany says it will deliver seven self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine after reversing its policy not to send heavy armaments to war zones.
• Finland Sends More Military Gear to Aid Ukraine Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The exact nature of the Finnish aid will remain undisclosed in a bid to ensure its safe delivery, as Russia has called Western arms deliveries to Ukraine a legitimate target and successfully destroyed related depots in several parts of the country.
• Macron announces 2-bln-USD aid for Ukraine People's Daily 06 May 2022 -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will offer a 2-billion-U.S.- dollar aid for Ukraine during the international donors conference held in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, French presidential palace the Elysee announced.
• Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on April 28 PLA Daily 06 May 2022 -- By Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, Deputy Director General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND
• Taiwan authorities abandon US anti-sub helicopters sale due to 'high price,' sparking speculation over discord and divergence Global Times 06 May 2022 -- About a week after US cancelled its first arms deal to Taiwan authorities under the Biden administration, the island announced to abandon the plan to buy anti-submarine warfare helicopter from the US as "the price is too high." The seemingly-surprising snub attracted observer speculation that the secessionists Democratic Progressive Party is somehow at odds with Biden administration due to the divergence in interests.
• Taiwan abandons plans to buy 'costly' US anti-submarine helicopters Press TV 06 May 2022 -- Taiwan has abandoned plans to purchase advanced anti-submarine helicopters from the United States, saying the price is too high.
• The rise of Australia's prize defence export Australia DOD 06 May 2022 -- Some of the world's largest warships are protected from missile attack by Nulka, an Australian-designed rocket that pretends to be a ship. Its developers struggled for decades bring their ideas to fruition, until the sinking of the British guided missile destroyer HMS Sheffield in the Falklands War helped change military thinking.
• Japan, UK Sign Anti-China Defense Pact as Tokyo Unveils Anti-Russia Sanctions Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Concluding a five-nation tour, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in London on Thursday to build trade and military relations with the United Kingdom, penning a new anti-Russia pact and urging City of London investors to put their money into the East Asian island.
• MOD awards £155m contract to provide crucial services to UK Armed Forces in Gibraltar UK MOD 06 May 2022 -- The first of a new suite of contracts to provide key services for the UK Armed Forces on overseas Ministry of Defence (MOD) bases has been awarded.
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada The White House 06 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bhutto Zardari US Dept. of State 06 May 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Gabonese Foreign Minister Michael Moussa Adamo US Dept. of State 06 May 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Gabonese Defense Minister Ngoubili US Dept. of State 06 May 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba US Dept. of State 06 May 2022
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki The White House 06 May 2022
• Digital Briefing with Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman US Dept. of State 06 May 2022
• Department Press Briefing – May 6, 2022 US Dept. of State 06 May 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 6, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 6 May 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 06 May 2022
• Taliban Plan Meeting of Clerics to Decide on Girls' Secondary Education VOA 06 May 2022 -- The Taliban say that Muslim clerics will meet to decide on the reopening of schools for girls above sixth grade as pressure mounts on the group to allow girls' secondary education in Afghanistan.
• Pakistan Rules Out Refugee Status for Afghan Asylum-Seekers VOA 06 May 2022 -- The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has deteriorated economic and humanitarian conditions in the war-torn nation, prompting tens of thousands of people to cross into Pakistan seeking asylum and a resettled status abroad.
• New international partnerships needed to boost healthcare in Syria UN News 06 May 2022 -- As the protracted conflict in Syria continues to push millions deeper into poverty and increase their vulnerability to health risks, UN agencies and their partners met on Friday to spur action to revitalize the country's embattled healthcare system.
• Refugees in Kenya Gain Employment Rights as New Law Takes Effect VOA 06 May 2022 -- Ajak Jok Ajak is perusing case files on a rainy afternoon in Nairobi.
• Kyrgyzstan Says Three Killed In Uzbek Border Shooting RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- Three people were fatally shot when Uzbek border guards opened fire along the two countries' shared border, Kyrgyz authorities said.

News Reports

• Trump sought strikes on Mexico, said 'no one would know it was us', book reveals Press TV 06 May 2022 -- Former US defense secretary Mark Esper in his new book reveals that then-president Donald Trump asked him in 2020 about launching missiles into Mexico to "destroy the drug labs" and kill cartels.
• Trump Suggested Striking Mexican Drug Labs With Missiles - Report Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Former President Donald Trump dismissed his Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in November 2020 shortly after the presidential election. Esper's memoirs 'A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times' is scheduled to be released on May 10.
• Ex-Pentagon Chief Esper Confirms Trump Wanted 250,000 US Troops on Southern Border Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Former Defense Department Secretary Mark Esper confirmed in an interview that President Donald Trump's administration wanted to deploy 250,000 active-duty US troops to the southern border to deter migrant caravans.
• Reward Offers for Information to Bring Conti Ransomware Variant Co-Conspirators to Justice US Dept. of State 06 May 2022 -- The Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10,000,000 for information leading to the identification and/or location of any individual(s) who hold a key leadership position in the Conti ransomware variant transnational organized crime group.
• Briefing by Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Department Alexey Zaitsev, Moscow, May 6, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 May 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial plaques in the Foreign Ministry building dedicated to the 77th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, May 6, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 06 May 2022
• EU Commission Chief Urges Restart Of France-Spain Pipeline Amid Kremlin Energy 'Blackmail' RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- The EU Commission chief has called for the resumption of work on a new gas pipeline linking France and Spain as the bloc seeks to reduce dependence on Russian energy sources.
• Czech Minister Says More Time Needed To Implement Any Russian Energy Embargo RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- The Czech Republic says it needs time to implement the EU's proposed embargo on Russian energy because of the "heavy economic costs" the landlocked country's industrial sector would pay for such a move.
• Orban Says Hungary Won't Support Proposed EU Embargo On Russian Oil RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- Hungary's prime minister has reiterated his government's stance that it will not back the European Union's new proposed sanctions package against Russia, which includes an embargo on oil imports.
• Serbia Begins Talks With Russia to Secure Gas Deal, Vucic Says Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- Serbia is about to open negotiations with Russian gas giant Gazprom to secure a long-term supply contract, President Aleksandar Vucic announced Friday.
• The Week In Russia: Carnage And Celebration RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- While waging a devastating and unprovoked war in Ukraine, Russia prepares to mark the anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat 77 years ago. And the Kremlin's effort to weld its narratives of the two conflicts together rings badly wrong in Kyiv and the West.
• Italy Orders Seizure Of $700 Million Yacht Suspected To Be Owned By Putin RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- Italian authorities have ordered the seizure of a $700 million superyacht that media reports and activists have linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Putin, Bennett discuss Ukraine over phone People's Daily 06 May 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday to discuss the Ukrainian situation.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 6, 2022 PRC MofA 06 May 2022
• Are Rights Abuses Tarnishing China's Image in Africa? VOA 06 May 2022 -- An irate Chinese boss is screaming at his African workers as they take a lunch break, urging them to work harder or else the company won't make any money. While intended to be funny, the new Egyptian TV commercial -- since pulled for fear of offending Beijing -- reveals widely-held African perceptions about the way Chinese companies on the continent treat their local staff.
• HK expects solidarity, effective governance as chief executive election to kick off on Sunday Global Times 06 May 2022 -- In two days, 1,461 Election Committee members in Hong Kong are expected to cast their votes at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai as the sole candidate John Lee Ka-chiu is aiming for the city's top job.
• New Hong Kong Media Outlet Aims to Fill Media Vacuum VOA 06 May 2022 -- The Hong Kong government's crackdown on the media has left a void for news — with one news outlet determined to fill it.
• China razes Kashgar's iconic Grand Bazaar Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- The travel guide Lonely Planet advises visitors to Kashgar, China, to fight the crowds that gather at its Sunday Grand Bazaar and let their senses loose to the smells of spices, the softness of silks and the beauty of carpets carefully woven by locals. The marketplace contains "everything of interest to foreign visitors," the short blurb states.
• China launches Jilin-1 commercial satellites People's Daily 06 May 2022 -- China on Thursday launched a Long March-2D rocket to place a group of eight satellites in space.
• 18 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 06 May 2022 -- Eighteen Chinese military aircraft flew into the southwestern and southeastern parts of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday.
• Japan alarmed by China's ADIZ sorties: Japanese lawmaker CNA 06 May 2022 -- Japan is concerned by the sorties of Chinese People's Liberation Army planes near Taiwan, Japanese House Representative Norikazu Suzuki told a press conference in Taipei on Friday.
• The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Illicit Activities and Sanctions Evasion US Dept. of State 06 May 2022 -- The United States is imposing sanctions on the virtual currency mixer Blender.io (Blender), which is used by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to support its cyber-enabled illicit activities and money-laundering of stolen virtual currency funds.
• U.S. Treasury Issues First-Ever Sanctions on a Virtual Currency Mixer, Targets DPRK Cyber Threats US Treasury 06 May 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned virtual currency mixer Blender.io (Blender), which is used by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to support its malicious cyber activities and money-laundering of stolen virtual currency.
• Prevention of Drought Damage Brisk in DPRK KCNA 06 May 2022 -- Agricultural officials and workers, employees of industrial establishments and other people in the DPRK have turned out in a campaign to protect the crops from drought damage.
• Statement by a Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson on reports of the testing of a ballistic missile by North Korea on 4 May Germany Federal Foreign Office 06 May 2022
• As Bread Costs Skyrocket In Iran, So Does The Risk Of Social Unrest RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- A dramatic rise in the price of flour in Iran is leading to concerns that the authorities' recent decision to end subsidies for imported wheat could come at the cost of social unrest.
• Auction of activists' homes seen as revenge for sale of junta assets Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- An announced plan to auction off the homes of anti-coup activists is the military regime's bid for revenge after Myanmar's shadow government began selling shares of assets appropriated by Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and other junta officials, according to analysts.
• After more firms quit, Myanmar junta claims Russia to enter energy industry Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- Russia will soon begin participating in Myanmar's energy industry in place of international companies that quit, the Burmese junta said in response to the exit of three big Asian firms from a gas field in the coup-hit nation.
• ASEAN envoy says he will visit Myanmar in 'the next few weeks' Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- The special envoy to Myanmar for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aims to visit the strife torn-country in coming weeks, he said Friday in a statement following humanitarian relief talks with the U.N. and regional agencies.
• Taiwan announces sanctions against Belarus over invasion of Ukraine CNA 06 May 2022 -- Taiwan announced on Friday a ban on exports of high-tech products to Belarus for its role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with immediate effect, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
• India Invokes Emergency Law to Boost Coal Imports as Power Crisis Worsens Sputnik 06 May 2022 -- The country is facing one of its worst energy shortages in the last six years due to an unprecedented summer heat wave.
• UK local elections: Tories suffer heavy losses in major blow to Johnson Press TV 06 May 2022 -- In a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Labor party seized control of Conservative strongholds in London first time in decades, and suffered setbacks across England, early results showed.
• PM call with President Macron: 6 May 2022 Gov.UK 06 May 2022 -- The Prime Minister spoke to President Emmanuel Macron of France earlier today to congratulate him on his recent election victory.
• Africa: COVID has 'pushed back' democracy, Ukraine war further raises risks UN News 06 May 2022 -- Already reeling from COVID-19, the fighting in Ukraine has introduced significant and worrying new risks likely to heavily impact Africa, UN development experts warned on Friday.
• European Parliament calls on Cambodian government to stop targeting opponents Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on the Cambodian government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen to stop persecuting and intimidating political opponents, trade unionists, human rights defenders and journalists ahead of local elections in June and national campaigns next year.
• Laos' 'circle of cronies' keeps a tight lid on country's news outlets, report says Radio Free Asia 06 May 2022 -- Laos is an information "black hole" where the government exerts complete control over news outlets, Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) said in its 2022 World Press Freedom Index this week that ranks the Southeast Asian country near the bottom of its list in terms of allowing journalists to challenge authorities.
• Facing Mass Protests Calling For Him To Resign, Armenia's Prime Minister Is Running Out Of Options RFE/RL 06 May 2022 -- The Armenian capital has witnessed weeks of demonstrations with protesters' calls now growing louder for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to step down.
• Guinea to Prosecute Ousted President Alpha Conde VOA 06 May 2022 -- Guinea's military government this week announced plans to prosecute ousted President Alpha Conde and 26 of his former officials for murder, rape, kidnapping and other crimes. Guinea's coup leader also proposed a three-year transition back to civilian rule.