Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Communiqué by Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS US Dept. of State 11 May 2022 -- The following statement was released by the Foreign Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS following today's meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco.
• Global Coalition Warns No Rest for Fight Against Islamic State VOA 11 May 2022 -- Nearly three years after U.S.-backed forces in Syria seized the last remaining territory held by Islamic State's self-declared caliphate, members of the global coalition charged with eradicating the terror group warn their task is not getting any easier.
• Austin Says 2023 Budget Built on New Defense Strategy DoD News 11 May 2022 -- The fiscal 2023 Defense Budget Request was built on the bones of the new National Defense Strategy, and the request is adequate for today's military and ensures the military remains strong in the future, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee today.
• Within FY23 Budget Request, Three Approaches Help DOD Meet Defense Strategy DoD News 11 May 2022 -- This year's $773 billion presidential budget request for the Defense Department uses three approaches to support the nation's defense strategy, which was transmitted to Congress in March, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks, during a keynote address Friday at the Reagan Institute.
• AI-Powered App Aims to Discover Talent in Guard, Reserve DoD News 11 May 2022 -- Members of the Reserve and National Guard are highly skilled across a variety of private-sector industries and have the potential to make substantial contributions to Defense Department missions, a DOD official said.
• US Army Soldiers to participate in exercise Swift Response alongside NATO allies in Latvia Army News 11 May 2022 -- U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force-Africa, 82nd Airborne Division, and 173rd Airborne Brigade, will conduct airborne operations on May 13, near Adazi, Latvia, during exercise Swift Response 22.
• DoD Awards $79.9 Million Contract to Premix, Inc. to Onshore Production Capacity of Resin for Pipette Tips Required for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing DoD 11 May 2022 -- On May 5, 2022, the Department of Defense (DoD), on behalf of and in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a $79.9 million contract to Premix, Inc. to establish production of a plastic compound primarily used for pipette tips, which are essential to COVID-19 and other diagnostic testing efforts. Premix, Inc. is a U.S. company and a subsidiary of Premix Oy, a Finnish company.
• President Biden arrives at Maxwell AFB, visits weapons system manufacturer US Air Force 11 May 2022 -- President Joe Biden visited a Lockheed Martin Facility that manufactures anti-tank missiles in Troy, Alabama, May 3, leveraging Maxwell Air Force Base for arrival and departure.
• Contingency response dominates ACE exercise during Southern Strike US Air Force 11 May 2022 -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon escorts a C-17 Globemaster III into a simulated austere environment. The engines are running, the personnel deplane the C-17, cargo is downloaded, the airfield is prepped for more aircraft to land, and within minutes, a security perimeter is established and communications go online. This operation tempo is second nature to those within the contingency response community.
• AV-8B Integrated Weapons Support Team Reaches Historic Low Backorders, Increases Readiness US Navy 11 May 2022 -- Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support's (NAVSUP WSS) AV-8B Harrier Integrated Weapon Support Team (IWST) achieved a significant milestone by reaching a historic low for total backorders. The AV-8 IWST's total backorders have decreased by 75% over the last 3 years. Additionally, this is first time the AV-8 IWST has maintained backorders in the double digits. As a result of these efforts, the U.S. Marine Corps AV-8 squadrons' total AV-8 mission capable aircraft have increased from 65% to 83%.
• Creative Engineering Solution at FRCE Overcomes Shortage of V-22 APU Filters US Navy 11 May 2022 -- A supply shortage of clutch servo-valve filters for V-22 Osprey auxiliary power units (APU) threatened to keep a number of aircraft on the ground, until the APU group of the V-22 Fleet Support Team at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) found a way to clean the disposable filters and reinstall them on the aircraft.
• USS Porter departs Rota, Spain to start 11th patrol US Navy 11 May 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, May 10, 2022, to begin its 11th Forward-Deployed Naval Forces-Europe patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations.
• DOD Focused on Hypersonic Missile Defense Development, Admiral Says DoD News 11 May 2022 -- Cruise missiles follow unpredictable flight paths and are now capable of supersonic and hypersonic speeds. Russia and China are developing advanced cruise missiles that can be launched from aircraft, ground launchers and ships or submarines, along with hypersonic missile capabilities.
• US Defence Chief Says Russia Does Not Want to Take on NATO Alliance Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculus does not include attacking NATO but any attack on a member of the military alliance would be a "game changer," US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in prepared testimony to the US House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Bilateral Meeting With UK Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace DoD 11 May 2022
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace to the Pentagon DoD 11 May 2022
• U.S.-U.K. Leaders Discuss Aid to Ukraine, NATO Issues During Pentagon Meeting DoD News 11 May 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III continued DOD's close cooperation with the United Kingdom as he sat down for Pentagon talks with the UK's Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace today.
• PM call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022
• Prime Minister signs new assurances to bolster European security: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022 -- The PM is signing declarations with Sweden and Finland today to reinforce their security and fortify northern Europe's defences, in the face of renewed threats.
• UK to Sign Agreement With Finland, Sweden to Reinforce European Security, Downing Street Says Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- The United Kingdom is in the process of signing declarations with Sweden and Finland to boost security and fortify northern Europe's defenses, the Downing Street said on Wednesday.
• Nordic Defence Ministers joint statement on strengthening Nordic defence cooperation Government Offices of Sweden 11 May 2022 -- The Nordic Defence Ministers met on 11 May 2022 in Kirkenes, Norway and gave the following statement.
• Finland's NATO Application May Be Presented in Matter of Days, Country's FM Says Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Joining NATO would be a significant shift in Finland's decadeslong neutrality policy, as it could provoke retaliation from Russia, which has been vocal in its opposition to another NATO expansion.
• President Niinistö met Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson Finnish President 11 May 2022 -- President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö met Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, 11 May 2022.
• PM meeting with President Niinistö of Finland: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022
• United Kingdom - Finland statement: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022 -- A joint statement by the United Kingdom and Finland on our shared desire for ever deeper defence and security cooperation that is fit for any circumstances.
• PM opening remarks at press conference in Finland: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022
• PM meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Andersson: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022
• UK-Sweden Political Declaration of Solidarity: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022
• PM remarks at press conference in Sweden: 11 May 2022 Gov.UK 11 May 2022
• Germany works to provide modern weapons to Ukraine: FM People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- Visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday said the government of Germany is working to provide modern weapons to Ukraine, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported.
• Deployment in Mali to be extended with restrictions Germany - Federal Government 11 May 2022 -- The soldiers of the Federal Armed Forces are to continue a limited form of their training mission EUTM (European Union Training Mission) Mali in the Sahel with a focus on Niger.
• Federal Armed Forces continue to support peace mission in Mali Germany - Federal Government 11 May 2022 -- The soldiers of the Federal Armed Forces are continuing their deployment in the United Nations peace mission Minusma. The Federal Cabinet has decided to extend the mandate until 31 May 2023. The German Bundestag has yet to give its approval. The most important questions and answers about the deployment.
• Federal Armed Forces to continue their deployment in Lebanon Germany - Federal Government 11 May 2022 -- The Federal Armed Forces will continue to participate in the peace-keeping mission United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Federal Cabinet has extended the mandate to the end of June 2023. The German Bundestag has yet to give its approval. The most important questions and answers about the mandate extension.
• China Takes Aim At NATO RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- China increasingly sees the war in Ukraine -- and the roles of the United States and its NATO allies in backing Kyiv against Moscow -- as a reflection of future tensions to come between the military bloc and Beijing in the Indo-Pacific.
• China Accuses AUKUS Countries of Inciting Arms Race in South Pacific Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom (AUKUS), which condemned China and the Solomon Islands for a security cooperation deal, are the ones militarising the South Pacific and provoking a new arms race in the region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday.
• Foreign reports on PLA Navy's new submarine 'speculative and biased' Global Times 11 May 2022 -- Foreign media reported on Tuesday that China recently launched what seems to be a new or upgraded class of nuclear-powered attack submarine, citing analyses based on satellite images.
• Over 100 aircraft drill sorties from carrier Liaoning in 6 days near Japan, Taiwan island 'demonstrate readiness' Global Times 11 May 2022 -- Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said on Tuesday that the aircraft carrier Liaoning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hosted more than 100 aircraft sorties within six days when recently conducting drills near Japan and the island of Taiwan, a figure that analysts said demonstrated the carrier's high level of training, and showed that the carrier can do even better in real combat.
• US presses Taiwan to buy weapons more suited to deter a Chinese invasion Press TV 11 May 2022 -- The United States is pressing Taiwan to order American-made weapons that it believes will better repel an invasion by China, rather than expensive equipment that are fine for peacetime operations.
• US warship sails through Taiwan Strait after China drills Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- A U.S. warship has sailed through the Taiwan Strait, the second such transit in two weeks and only two days after a large Chinese military live-fire exercise, signaling increased tension in the strait.
• U.S. warship sails through Taiwan Strait for 2nd time in two weeks CNA 11 May 2022 -- A United States warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday to show Washington's "commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the 7th Fleet under the U.S. Pacific Command said in a statement.
• PLA shadows US cruiser through Taiwan Straits, vows to counter provocations Global Times 11 May 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday shadowed a US Navy cruiser when it made a provocative transit through the Taiwan Straits.
• Sea Power: Nations share common vision on Indo-Pacific security Australia DOD 11 May 2022 -- Maritime leaders from nine nations joined Australia's Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, at the Indo-Pacific Sea Power 2022 conference in outlining common opportunities to jointly enhance maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
• US Envoy to UN: North Korea Reconstructing Nuclear Testing Site in Preparation for 7th Test Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- North Korea is reconstructing its nuclear testing site in preparation for a seventh test, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday.
• Condemning North Korea's ballistic missile launches: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 11 May 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea
• White House Reportedly Asks US Congress to Approve Sale of Weapons For Turkey's F-16 Fleet Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- The Biden administration asked Congress to greenlight a proposed sale of weapons and equipment to Turkey for their F-16 fighter jets, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.
• Tajik Officials 'Secretly Ordering' Universities To Draft Hundreds Of Students Into Army RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Authorities in Tajikistan have put pressure on hundreds of university students to enlist in the national army and even threatened them with expulsion if they refuse, students and officials claim.
• US-ASEAN summit's symbolism is its big message, analysts say Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- The United States is highlighting its commitment to Southeast Asia by holding a leader-level summit with ASEAN members this week in Washington despite being in the midst of dealing with the Ukraine turmoil, analysts said.
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit The White House 11 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Azerbaijani President Aliyev US Dept. of State 11 May 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn US Dept. of State 11 May 2022
• Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre En Route Kankakee, Il The White House 11 May 2022
• Special Briefing via Telephone with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces US Dept. of State 11 May 2022
• Department Press Briefing – May 11, 2022 US Dept. of State 11 May 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 11, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 11 May 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 11 May 2022
• IS-K Ramps Up War Against The Taliban By Attacking Central Asian Neighbors RFE/RL Gandhara 11 May 2022 -- The ultraradical Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) group is trying to undermine the Taliban's hard-line rule by launching attacks on neighboring countries from Afghanistan, analysts say.
• UN Says Record Number of Afghans Face Acute Hunger VOA 11 May 2022 -- The upcoming harvest is expected to bring some relief to Afghanistan's dwindling food stocks. But World Food Program Deputy Regional Director for Asia, Anthea Webb warns this relief is expected to be short-lived.
• Yemen: $33 million pledged to address decaying oil tanker threat UN News 11 May 2022 -- Donors on Wednesday pledged $33 million towards a UN-coordinated plan to prevent an ageing oil tanker moored off the west Coast of Yemen from sparking a potential ecological and humanitarian disaster.
• UN, Netherlands to hold pledging event to avert oil tanker disaster off Yemen People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- The United Nations and the Netherlands will co-host a pledging conference to help prevent an oil spill from the derelict tanker Safer anchored off Yemen, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.
• IRGC shells terrorist base in Iraq's Erbil IRNA 11 May 2022 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) ground forces have shelled terrorists' bases in Erbil, Iraq.
• Iran's IRGC launches attack against positions of terrorists in Iraq's Erbil Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has targeted and destroyed positions of terrorist groups operating near the country's western borders in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps Again Attacks Positions In Iraq's Irbil RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) has fired on targets in Iraq's northern Kurdish regional capital of Irbil, the semiofficial Tasnim news agency has reported.
• Israeli military carries out missile strike against Syria's Quneitra near occupied Golan Heights Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Syria says Israel has carried out a missile attack at various targets on the outskirts of Syria's southwestern city of Quneitra near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which marks the second such aggression against the war-ravaged country in a fortnight.
• Don't forget Syria crisis: UN humanitarian, refugee, development chiefs People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- The UN humanitarian, refugee, and development chiefs on Tuesday warned against sidelining the Syria crisis.
• Moldova thanks UN for assistance in Ukrainian refugee crisis People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Tuesday thanked the United Nations (UN) for its assistance to her country to address the refugee crisis and the full impact of the conflict in Ukraine.
• Libyan Prime Minister Bashagha Announces Reopening of Oil Fields, Ports Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Libya's oilfields and ports are free to reopen as stakeholders have reached an agreement to lift embargo imposed on the facilities, Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed Libyan Prime Minister by the eastern-based parliament in March, has announced.
• Conflict seen escalating in Myanmar on anniversary of PDF Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- One year after Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) established the prodemocracy People's Defense Force (PDF), hundreds of anti-junta groups are active throughout the country and violent conflict is escalating with no end in sight, an analyst said Wednesday.
• Another European war 'not an impossibility'; Unity crucial in Bosnia and Herzegovina UN News 11 May 2022 -- Amidst rising tensions, a months-long political stalemate and increasing speculation about yet another conflict in Europe, the international community must stand firm behind a peaceful, unified Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country's UN envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Western Balkans: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell ahead of an informal dinner with regional leaders European External Action Service (EEAS) 11 May 2022
• Addressing the political gridlock and instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina: UK Statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 11 May 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Nigerian Analysts Skeptical About Alleged Mass Surrender of Insurgents VOA 11 May 2022 -- A Nigerian military commander said at least 51,000 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have surrendered in the country's northeast in just the first three months of this year.
• Conflict and Successive Climate Shocks Worsen Crisis in Northern Mozambique VOA 11 May 2022 -- Mozambique has been battered by five tropical storms along its northern coastal areas since the start of this year. Tens of thousands of families have been affected, including refugees and people internally displaced by ongoing violence in the oil-rich province of Cabo Delgado.
• Somali Police Say Three Killed, Seven Wounded in Bombing at Presidential Election Site VOA 11 May 2022 -- A police spokesman in Somalia says a suicide blast near Mogadishu airport, which is the site of Sunday's presidential election, has wounded seven people. Other police sources say at least three people, including two security personnel, were killed.

News Reports

• CISA, NSA, FBI and International Cyber Authorities Issue Cybersecurity Advisory to Protect Managed Service Providers (MSP) and Customers CISA 11 May 2022 -- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-UK), Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NZ NCSC), National Security Agency (NSA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released an advisory today with cybersecurity best practices for information and communications technology (ICT), focusing on enabling transparent discussions between managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers on securing sensitive data.
• Former Honduran President Appears in US Court on Drug, Weapons Charges VOA 11 May 2022 -- Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a U.S. federal courtroom in New York on illicit drug trafficking and weapons charges.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions during a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman Badr Albusaidi, Oman, May 11, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11 May 2022
• Russia hopes US would stop promoting unipolar world after Ukraine operation Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Russia is confident that once its "special military operation" in Ukraine produces desirable results, the West will stop both its relentless drive for the "unipolar world" and violating the principles of the United Nations charter.
• Russian Intel Chief Reveals What US State Department Has in Common With Nazi Ministry of Propaganda Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Last month, Director of Foreign Intelligence Sergei Naryshkin said Russia's military operation in Ukraine was aimed at preventing the country from becoming "a Russophobic puppet state", and accused the United States of using "the most vile methods" to prolong the conflict as much as possible to maximise material and human costs to Moscow and Kiev.
• Russia Sanctions European Gazprom Units In Countries That Have Imposed Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Russia has imposed sanctions against units of Gazprom Germania and dozens of other companies based in countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
• Putin Appoints Acting Governors Of Five Regions After Predecessors Resigned RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed acting governors to five regions of the country hours after their predecessors announced they were stepping down.
• Ukrainian gov't approves seizure of Russian assets: PM People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- The Ukrainian government has approved the seizure of Russian assets in Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Tuesday.
• Ukraine to halt Russian gas flow to Europe, blaming Moscow Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Ukraine has decided to suspend the flow of Russian gas through a key transit point to Europe, blaming Moscow for the move, in a dispute that could disrupt supplies from the former Soviet state for the first time since the war started late February.
• Russia won't participate in special session of UNHRC on Ukraine People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that Russia has chosen not to participate in an upcoming special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Ukraine, calling the event biased.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 11, 2022 PRC MofA 11 May 2022
• Hong Kong police arrest Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen over protester assistance fund Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- National security police in Hong Kong have arrested four people including Cardinal Joseph Zen and pop star Denise Ho on suspicion of "collusion with foreign powers" after they acted as trustees for a legal defense fund for democracy protesters.
• Humanitarian Relief Trustees Arrested in Hong Kong US Dept. of State 11 May 2022
• Authorities warn Uyghurs not to talk about 're-education' with UN team Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- The Chinese government has issued a new directive that forbids Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region from discussing the network of internment camps or accepting calls from international phone numbers ahead of an expected visit by the United Nations human rights chief, a police office in the region told RFA.
• China, Solomon Islands economies complementary, cooperation benefits two peoples: Chinese Embassy Global Times 11 May 2022 -- Since China and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic ties, cooperations on various fields have been deepening and brought true benefits to the two peoples, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands said in a statement on Wednesday commenting on Australian concerns over a China-Solomons "blue economy" memorandum of understanding (MOU).
• China urges G7 to cease interfering in its internal affairs People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday urged certain Western countries to immediately cease interfering in China's internal affairs after the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers and a European Union official expressed grave concerns over the chief executive election in Hong Kong.
• Xi talks with Macron over phone People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on the phone on Tuesday afternoon.
• HKSAR's election of sixth-term Chief Executive a new practice of "patriots administering Hong Kong" People's Daily 11 May 2022 -- The election of the sixth-term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was held on May 8. John Lee Ka-chiu won the election with an overwhelming vote.
• Superpowers promising not to seek hegemony primary responsible for space security, Chinese diplomat urges Global Times 11 May 2022 -- The primary responsible behavior in space should have superpowers to promise not to seek hegemony, nor dominate the outer space, a senior Chinese diplomat said, elaborating China's views on how to protect space security and avoid arms race in space.
• Chinese Modern Attack Chopper Reportedly Flew Into Taiwan Air Zone for First Time Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Crossing the median line is reportedly not a typical occurrence, with the latest such incident involving People's Liberation Army aircraft occurring on September 19, 2020, according to the War Zone. The event, which featured a mix of J-16, J-10, and J-11 fighters, took place during US Under Secretary of State Keith Krach's visit to Taiwan.
• Chinese threat to Taiwan 'critical' from now to 2030: U.S. official CNA 11 May 2022 -- The threat posed by China to Taiwan between now and 2030 is "critical," Avril Haines, the United States director of national intelligence, said Tuesday while testifying on worldwide threats at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
• China urges US to stop eroding one-China principle after State Department revisions Global Times 11 May 2022 -- Some people on the island of Taiwan are hyping the US' latest revisions to Taiwan-related statements in an attempt to conspire with external forces to seek "Taiwan independence," which cannot change the fact that Taiwan region is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, officials from the Chinese mainland said.
• Chinese military slams US warship's transit through Taiwan Strait PLA Daily 11 May 2022 -- "The US has been frequently carrying out provocative acts to send wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, deliberately stoking tensions across the Taiwan Strait. China is firmly opposed to this," said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in a written statement on May 10.
• China tracks, warns US warship as it transits Taiwan Strait amid tensions Press TV 11 May 2022 -- The Chinese military says it tracked and warned a US warship that had sailed through the strategic Taiwan Strait in a second such move in two weeks.
• Fact sheet updates do not reflect change in Taiwan policy: U.S. CNA 11 May 2022 -- A United States official on Tuesday said the recent updates of a fact sheet on Taiwan-U.S. relations did not indicate a change in the U.S.' Taiwan policy and simply reflected its "rock-solid" relationship with Taiwan.
• Agitprop to Prevent Drought Damage KCNA 11 May 2022 -- Agitprop is brisk in the DPRK to encourage agricultural officials and workers to combat drought.
• North Korean labor managers in China demand more money as job market tightens Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- North Korean job placement officials in China are demanding more money and perks like free cell phones from Chinese companies for the use of North Korean workers, a consequence of the tight labor market that has grown out of the COVID-19 pandemic, sources in China told RFA.
• Iran arrests two European nationals for 'fomenting insecurity, chaos' Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Iran's intelligence ministry says it has arrested two European nationals who had orchestrated a plot to foment chaos, social disorder, and insecurity across the country, pointing to growing involvement of European spy agencies in anti-Iran activities.
• Two Europeans Detained In Iran As EU Nuclear Envoy Visits RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Iran says it has arrested two citizens of a European country as a European Union envoy visited Tehran for talks on stalled nuclear negotiations with world powers.
• Iran calls for release of diplomat in Belgium detained on false charges Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Iran condemns imprisonment of an Iranian diplomat in Belgium on false terror-related charges, calling for his immediate release.
• Malaysian FM: ASEAN's Myanmar envoy welcomes informal talks with NUG, NUCC Radio Free Asia 11 May 2022 -- ASEAN's special envoy to Myanmar has welcomed the idea of engaging informally with Myanmar's Myanmar's National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), a body of opposition stakeholders, and its parallel civilian government, as the junta has reneged on a promise to put the country back on a democratic path, Malaysia's foreign minister said in an interview Wednesday.
• Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Links Ukraine's Fight With Belarus's Democratic Struggle RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the democratic opposition in Belarus, says her country's fate is linked to the outcome of the war that Russia has launched against Ukraine.
• For Macron's Second Term — a Lower Profile in Africa? VOA 11 May 2022 -- Five years ago, France's Emmanuel Macron saw big when it came to Africa. Days after his presidential inauguration, he flew to northeastern Mali, meeting with French troops and vowing, alongside his Malian counterpart, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, to wage an "uncompromising fight" against Islamist terrorism.
• Kazakh President Emphasizes Importance Of China-Europe Transportation Route Bypassing Russia RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev said after a visit to Ankara for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that a new transportation route connecting China with European markets bypassing Russia is important for the two nations.
• Sri Lankan president says 'will appoint new PM, cabinet' as crisis deepens Press TV 11 May 2022 -- Sri Lanka's embattled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in an address to the nation on Wednesday said he will appoint a new premier and a cabinet this week amid the current state of emergency.
• US Raises Concerns Over Troop Deployment in Sri Lanka, Says Protesters Shouldn't Be Intimidated Sputnik 11 May 2022 -- Sri Lanka's Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, on Tuesday gave his assurances that the military won't resort to the "disgraceful" act of shooting at protesters under any circumstances, after the opposition expressed its concerns that troops would abuse anti-government demonstrators.
• Armenian Protesters Block Yerevan Mayor's Office RFE/RL 11 May 2022 -- Armenian opposition activists and their supporters have blocked the building of the Yerevan city mayor as rallies resumed demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's resignation.
• Readout of President Biden's Call with Philippine President-Elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The White House 11 May 2022
• The Philippine Presidential Election US Dept. of State 11 May 2022
• Bank of Central African States Urges CAR to Annul Bitcoin as Currency VOA 11 May 2022 -- The Cameroon-headquartered Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has urged the Central African Republic (CAR) to annul a law it passed in late April that made the cryptocurrency Bitcoin legal tender. The bank warned in a letter made public last week that the move breached its rules and could affect monetary stability in the region.
• Uzbek Cotton Industry Greets End of 13-Year Global Boycott VOA 11 May 2022 -- Uzbek cotton farmers are celebrating the lifting of a 13-year-old international boycott of their product following a finding that the cautiously reform-minded government is no longer using organized forced labor to harvest the economically vital crop.