• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing DoD 19 May 2022
• Unified Pacific offers critical insights into the Theater Army's contribution to joint warfighting concepts in the Indo-Pacific Army News 19 May 2022 -- Gen. Charles Flynn, U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General, hosted, Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and other senior leaders from the Department of Defense and Department of State for the Unified Pacific Wargame Series capstone event at Fort Shafter May 9 to 13.
• Army leaders across Indo-Pacific meet to discuss challenges, opportunities Army News 19 May 2022 -- Senior leaders from the U.S. Army and more than 20 foreign armies held hundreds of bilateral talks here this week during the largest land power conference in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Army South departs Honduras concluding deployment exercise Army News 19 May 2022 -- U.S. Army South finished a contingency command post (CCP) deployment exercise here on May 19, to increase readiness for upcoming contingencies in the U.S. Southern Command's (SOUTHCOM) area of operations.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles to the Pentagon DoD 19 May 2022
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Spanish Minister of Defense Margarita Robles DoD 19 May 2022
• U.S. Commitment to Indo-Pacific Region Not Limited by Security Assistance to Ukraine DoD News 19 May 2022 -- As of May 6, the U.S. has committed about $4.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Thousands of pieces of military hardware and over 50 million rounds of ammunition were included.
• 3rd MLR conducts Joint Exercise Garnet Rattler USMC News 19 May 2022 -- U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division participated in joint exercise Garnet Rattler at U.S. National Guard Base Gowen Field, Idaho, from April 25 to May 11, 2022.
• Eielson AFB celebrates F-35 beddown completion US Air Force 19 May 2022 -- The 354th Fighter Wing celebrated the arrival of its final F-35A Lightning II aircraft and the subsequent completion of its fleet with a ceremony, May 13.
• SECNAV Names Future Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer Telesforo Trinidad US Navy 19 May 2022 -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced today that a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named USS Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139).
• Marines Complete First H-1 Mixed Fleet Link 16 Flight US Navy 19 May 2022 -- Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 successfully demonstrated the first two-way connection between an AH-1Z Viper, a UH-1Y Venom and a portable ground station using the new Link 16 software at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, in November 2021.
• Exercise Phoenix Express 2022 set to begin in Tunisia US Navy 19 May 2022 -- Exercise Phoenix Express 2022, the 17th iteration of the North African maritime exercise, takes place May 23 - June 3, 2022, in Tunis, Tunisia, and throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
• U.S. Meets Milestone in Chemical Weapons Stockpile Destruction DoD News 19 May 2022 -- The Defense Department's Chemical Demilitarization Program reached a milestone in its effort to eliminate the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile and recovered chemical warfare materiel. The last M55 rocket containing venomous agent X, or VX nerve agent, was destroyed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in Richmond, Kentucky on April 19, 2022.
• Biden Hosting Leaders of Finland, Sweden After NATO Applications VOA 19 May 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden hosts Finland's President Sauli Niinistö and Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson for talks Thursday at the White House about their applications to join NATO, support for Ukraine and European security.
• Biden Supports Sweden's, Finland's Bids to Join NATO VOA 19 May 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday enthusiastically welcomed Sweden's and Finland's bids to join the NATO security alliance — moves that would enlarge the bloc to include two of Europe's most modern militaries and place it along Russia's northwestern border.
• NATO Military Leaders Address Security in Wake of Russian Invasion of Ukraine DoD News 19 May 2022 -- Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, the North Atlantic Alliance has proven its capabilities to mobilize for collective defense and ably support the Ukrainians fighting for their country, the top NATO military leaders said today.
• Letter to Certain Congressional Committees on the report on the Kingdom of Sweden's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization The White House 19 May 2022
• Letter to Certain Congressional Committees on the report on the Republic of Finland's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization The White House 19 May 2022
• Remarks By President Biden, President Niinistö of Finland, and Prime Minister Andersson of Sweden after Trilateral Meeting The White House 19 May 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Andersson Of Sweden and President Niinistӧ of Finland The White House 19 May 2022
• Austin, Robles Stress NATO Unity During Pentagon Meeting DoD News 19 May 2022 -- NATO unity was a big part of the discussions in the Pentagon today as Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
• NATO Secretary General to Allied Defence Chiefs: 'Reset' our posture to reflect new reality in Europe NATO 19 May 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed the Allied defence chiefs on Thursday (19 May 2022), at the start of the one-day Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence session.
• NATO Secretary General praises Denmark's contribution to the Alliance NATO 19 May 2022 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Denmark for its strong contributions to NATO during a visit to Copenhagen on Thursday (19 May 2022).
• Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at Photo Opportunity with His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, and Her Excellency Magdalena Andersson, Prime Minister of Sweden Speaker Pelosi 19 May 2022 -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a photo opportunity with His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, and Her Excellency Magdalena Andersson, Prime Minister of Sweden, ahead of a trilateral bipartisan leadership meeting. Below are the Speaker's remarks
• Finland PM says no nuclear arms or NATO bases on Finland's soil even after membership Press TV 19 May 2022 -- Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin has dismissed the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons or establishment of NATO military bases on her country's soil, saying the alliance itself has not expressed any interest in placing nuclear weapons or permanent bases in Finland.
• Finland, Sweden to buy weapons after applying for NATO membership Press TV 19 May 2022 -- Finland and Sweden are set to buy portable firearms and anti-tank weapons, Finland's defense ministry has announced, as the Nordic countries have formally applied to join NATO.
• Biden Hails 'Momentous' Applications Of Sweden, Finland To Join NATO RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden expressed strong support for the applications of Sweden and Finland to join NATO as he met with the leaders of the two countries at the White House, calling them two "great democracies" and "highly capable partners."
• Erdogan Vows to Veto Nordics' NATO Bid If Turkish Concerns Ignored, Dubs Sweden 'Nest of Terrorists' Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- Ankara has spent the last week threatening to block Stockholm and Helsinki's bid to join the Western military bloc, citing the Nordic countries' harbouring of independence- and autonomy-seeking Turkish Kurdish groups that Turkey classifies as "terrorists".
• Italy supports Finland-Sweden NATO bid: PM People's Daily 19 May 2022 -- Italy backs the bid by Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the country's Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, told journalists here on Wednesday.
• Statement by President Joe Biden on Senate Passage of Ukraine Supplemental The White House 19 May 2022
• 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 19 May 2022
• $100 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine DoD 19 May 2022 -- Today, May 19, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to an additional $100 million. This authorization is the tenth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
• $100 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine US Dept. of State 19 May 2022 -- For nearly 12 weeks, Russia has waged its unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, its sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and its people. Beaten back from its failed attempt to seize Kyiv, Russia continues a grinding offensive across Ukraine's south and east.
• US Senate Passes $40Bln Ukraine Aid Bill, Sending Legislation to Biden for Finalization Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- The US Senate on Thursday passed a $40 billion Ukraine aid bill, sending the legislation to the White House to be signed by President Joe Biden.
• US Senate passes whopping $40 billion in aid for Ukraine Press TV 19 May 2022 -- The US Senate has approved more than $40 billion in new "aid" for Ukraine, which has been the site of a Russian military operation since February.
• U.S. Senate Gives Final Congressional Approval To $40 Billion Aid Package For Ukraine RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved a $40 billion package of military and economic aid for Ukraine.
• Pelosi Statement on Senate Passage of Ukraine Supplemental Speaker Pelosi 19 May 2022 -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the Senate passed the $40.1 billion supplemental funding bill to support Ukraine
• Soyuz-2.1 Rocket With Military Satellite Launched From Plesetsk - MoD Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- The Russian Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a military satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, the Russian Defence Ministry told journalists.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin "Benny" Gantz, May 19, 2022 DoD 19 May 2022
• MOD Gantz meets with US Secretary of Defense Austin Israel MFA 19 May 2022
• PLA bombers hold drills in West Pacific 'in coordination with carrier group' Global Times 19 May 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy reportedly sent its most powerful bombers on Wednesday for drills in the West Pacific, joining the Liaoning aircraft carrier group, which has been holding exercises there since the start of the month, a move experts said could be a rehearsal for keeping foreign forces from interfering in the Taiwan question, after reports suggested Japan and the US were set to affirm boosting cooperation over the Taiwan question at an upcoming bilateral summit.
• China's 41st naval escort taskforce sets off for Gulf of Aden PLA Daily 19 May 2022 -- The 41st Chinese naval escort taskforce set out for the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somali from a military port in the city of Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, on the morning of May 18. It will take over the escort mission from the 40th taskforce.
• Taiwan to install UAV defense systems at 45 military bases nationwide CNA 19 May 2022 -- Taiwan's military on Thursday approved a project to install indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) defense systems at 45 bases across the country, to neutralize hostile drone incursions, if necessary, according to a military source.
• Iran Opens Factory in Tajikistan to Build Ababil-2 Drones Amid Enhanced Partnership Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- As part of the burgeoning friendship between Tehran and Dushanbe, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) will begin building its Ababil-2 drones in the Central Asian state.
• Readout of U.S. - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Strategic Joint Planning Committee (SJPC) May 17-18, 2022 DoD 19 May 2022
• Egypt - TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles and Support DSCA 19 May 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of TOW 2A Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles, Support, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $691 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• What to Expect From Biden's Trip to Asia VOA 19 May 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden travels Thursday to South Korea and Japan — his first trip to Asia since taking office — following his summit with Southeast Asian leaders at the White House last week.
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Zambian Foreign Minister Kakubo US Dept. of State 19 May 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres US Dept. of State 19 May 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the International Migration Review Forum US Dept. of State 19 May 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 19, 2022
• Boeing Starliner En Route to International Space Station Boeing 19 May 2022 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station after successfully performing the planned orbital insertion burn 31 minutes into flight. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the space station after a nearly 24-hour journey in low Earth orbit, bringing together the Boeing-built Starliner with a Boeing-built space station module.
• Raytheon Laser Weapon on Stryker Vehicle Succeeds at Shooting Down Incoming Mortar Shells Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- Since the 2019 attacks on two Saudi oil facilities by drones that evaded US air defenses, the Pentagon has concentrated heavily on developing new short-range anti-air systems. A parallel effort has aimed to ramp up laser power from targeting aid and "dazzlers" to a real directed-energy weapon.

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 19 May 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 19 May 2022
• More than 59 million internally displaced in 2021 UN News 19 May 2022 -- A record 59.1 million people were displaced within their homelands last year, or four million more than in 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Thursday, citing the latest Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID).
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the UNSC Meeting on Food Insecurity and Conflict US Dept. of State 19 May 2022
• Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council - on Conflict and Food Security UN Secretary-General 19 May 2022
• Food insecurity threatens societies, exacerbates conflicts and 'no country is immune' UN News 19 May 2022 -- "When war is waged, people go hungry," Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday during a debate on conflict and food security chaired by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
• Demand for lifesaving aid up 10 per cent this year: UN relief chief UN News 19 May 2022 -- The number of people in need has risen by around 10 per cent this year so far, the UN's humanitarian affairs chief said on Thursday.
• Blinken Accuses Russia Of Blocking Exports Of Ukrainian Grain, Worsening World Food Crisis RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused Russia of using food as a weapon in its war against Ukraine by blocking ports used to ship grain and other commodities.
• Russia demands review of sanctions in order to open Black Sea ports Press TV 19 May 2022 -- The Kremlin says anti-Russia sanctions will must be reviewed first if Moscow is to heed an appeal by the United Nations to open Ukraine's Black Sea ports for grain export.
• UN warns of rising global food insecurity due to Ukraine conflict Press TV 19 May 2022 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned of a "global food shortage" in the coming months due to the conflict in Ukraine.
• UN Chief Urges Russia To Allow Exports Of Ukrainian Grain Through Black Sea Ports RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Russia to allow the secure export of grain through Ukrainian ports.
• Conflict in Ukraine highlights the urgent need to build resilient food systems with people at their heart - says WFP at COP15 WFP 19 May 2022 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is today calling for a massive expansion of proven solutions that help fix broken food systems and make communities affected by land degradation more resilient to shocks.
• Failing to open Ukrainian ports means declaring war on global food security, WFP Chief warns UN Security Council WFP 19 May 2022 -- The UN World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, David Beasley, addressed the United Nations Security Council today on the impact of the war in Ukraine on global food security. Here are selected highlights from his remarks:
• Russia's attack on Ukraine threatens global food security: UK statement to the OSCE UK FCDO 19 May 2022 -- Ambassador Bush highlights the impact of Russia's war on global food security and calls on Russia to stop impeding Ukrainian food production and export.
• Taliban Order Afghan Female TV Presenters to Cover Faces VOA 19 May 2022 -- The ruling Taliban ordered local television channels in Afghanistan Thursday to ensure that female program presenters cover their faces while on screen, increasing curbs on women's rights despite a global outcry.
• Taliban Reportedly Issues Order Requiring Female TV Presenters To Cover Faces RFE/RL Gandhara 19 May 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have reportedly issued an order saying that female television presenters must cover their faces when appearing on programs.
• Hostilities Grow Between Taliban And Tajikistan Amid Border Closure, Truck Seizures RFE/RL Gandhara 19 May 2022 -- Delshad has been stranded for over a week at Shir Khan Bandar, a river port along Afghanistan's northeastern border with Tajikistan.
• Somalia Releases Nearly $10M Seized from UAE Plane Four Years Ago VOA 19 May 2022 -- The Somali government has released $9.6 million it seized from a United Arab Emirates plane in Mogadishu four years ago, a step aimed at mending relations that have been stuck at a low point ever since.
• FM: Illegal US military presence in Syria reaching its end, occupied areas will soon return to govt. control Press TV 19 May 2022 -- Syria's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad says the illegal presence of American military forces in the energy-rich northern flank of Syria is reaching its end, and the Damascus government will soon regain its control over the occupied areas.
• Farmers in Myanmar's Kayin State Face Indiscriminate Attacks VOA 19 May 2022 -- Kayin farmer Khaw Mying looks up to the dark, cloudy sky as she attaches a bamboo panel onto the side of her makeshift hut in the temporary camp for displaced people at the edge of a rubber tree plantation.
• Pelosi Statement Reaffirming Support of the Northern Ireland Protocol Speaker Pelosi 19 May 2022 -- "The Good Friday Accords are the bedrock of peace in Northern Ireland and a beacon of hope for the entire world. Ensuring there remains no physical border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland is absolutely necessary for upholding this landmark agreement, which has transformed Northern Ireland."
• Residents Of Restive Tajik Region Say Death Toll From Clashes Higher Than Reported RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- Residents of Tajikistan's restive region of Gorno-Badakhshan, where protesters have clashed with police in recent days, say the death toll from the violence is more than double the one given by officials.
• Top US official meets in India with Tibet's Dalai Lama Radio Free Asia 19 May 2022 -- The top U.S. official responsible for Tibetan issues met on Thursday morning with Tibet's Dalai Lama at the exiled spiritual leader's residence in Dharamsala, India. The meeting came on the second day of an official visit to the seat of Tibet's government in exile, the Central Tibetan Administration, and drew a quick rebuke from China's Foreign Ministry.
• Chinese FM urges US to stop interfering in China's internal affairs by using Xizang-related affairs Global Times 19 May 2022 -- The US' designation of the "special coordinator for Tibetan issues" interferes in China's internal affairs, Zhao Lijian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference on Thursday, noting that the Chinese government firmly opposes it and will never recognize such interference, and that any Xizang-related affair is purely China's internal affair and allows no interference by any foreign country.

News Reports

• Targeting Hizballah Financial Facilitator's Abuse of the Business Sector US Dept. of State 19 May 2022 -- Hizballah continues to exploit the private sector and commercial activity to fund its illicit and destabilizing activities.
• Treasury Targets Hizballah Financial Network's Abuse of the Business Sector US Treasury 19 May 2022 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Ahmad Jalal Reda Abdallah, a Lebanese businessman and Hizballah financial facilitator, as well as five of his associates and eight of his companies in Lebanon and Iraq. This action illuminates Hizballah's modus operandi of using the cover of seemingly legitimate businesses to generate revenue and leverage commercial investments across a multitude of sectors to secretly fund Hizballah and its terrorist activities. It also demonstrates how Hizballah goes to great lengths to establish companies with opaque ownership structure in order to conceal their involvement in these businesses, and also their involvement in criminal activities such as altering of medication labels for black market pharmaceutical sales.
• Department of Justice Announces New Policy for Charging Cases under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act US Dept. of Justice 19 May 2022 -- The Department of Justice today announced the revision of its policy regarding charging violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).
• France Records First Suspected Monkeypox Case - Reports Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- The first suspected case of monkeypox had been detected in France, national broadcaster BFMTV reported on Thursday, citing a document from the national health agency.
• US investigators indict exiled Chinese pro-democracy activist on spying charges Radio Free Asia 19 May 2022 -- A prominent Chinese democracy activist in exile has been indicted on spying charges in the United States alongside four intelligence officers, suggesting successful infiltration of exile groups by China's state security police.
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a question from Rossiya Segodnya Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 May 2022
• Meeting with Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev President of Russia 19 May 2022 -- Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev briefed the President on the corporation's performance.
• Russia expels 27 Spanish diplomats in retaliation People's Daily 19 May 2022 -- Russia has declared 27 Spanish diplomatic staff "personae non gratae" in response to Spain's expulsion of Russian diplomats last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
• US Lawmakers Push Biden to Designate Russia a State Terror Sponsor VOA 19 May 2022 -- U.S. lawmakers of both major political parties are ramping up pressure on the Biden administration to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
• UK targets Russian airlines with new sanctions UK FCDO 19 May 2022 -- New sanctions on major Russian airlines will prevent them from cashing in on their UK landing slots.
• Russia Issues Additional Arrest Warrants For Four Navalny Associates RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- A court in Moscow has issued additional arrest warrants for several close associates of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, this time on charges of creating an extremist group.
• Russia Moves Dodge US Sanctions Aimed at 'Crippling' Oil Sector by Filling Up PRC's Reserves: Report Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- The Biden administration banned Russian oil imports in March, and expressed confidence in April that its European allies would eventually follow suit. On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin said an EU decision to commit "economic suicide" by banning Russian energy was the bloc's "internal affair," and that Russia would proceed from its own economic interests.
• BRICS Joint Statement on "Strengthen BRICS Solidarity and Cooperation, Respond to New Features and Challenges in International Situation" Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 May 2022
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on May 19, 2022 PRC MofA 19 May 2022
• Xi calls on BRICS countries to build global community of security for all PLA Daily 19 May 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on the BRICS countries to work together to build a global community of security for all.
• President Xi Jinping Delivers a Video Address At the Opening Session of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting PRC MofA 19 May 2022 -- On May 19, President Xi Jinping delivered a video address at the opening session of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. 
• China seeks to expand BRICS bloc of emerging economies Press TV 19 May 2022 -- China says it seeks to expand the BRICS block of emerging economies in a move that stands to significantly boost the group's collective economic power.
• Top diplomat Yang Jiechi warns the US against playing 'Taiwan card,' vows China's firm actions to safeguard sovereignty in phone talk with Sullivan Global Times 19 May 2022 -- China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi held a phone conversation on Wednesday with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan upon request in which he warned the US against playing the "Taiwan card" and vowed that China will take firm actions to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests and the US can count on China to keep its promise.
• 'Russia no threat': China to receive 2 million barrels of Iran oil Press TV 19 May 2022 -- A very large Iranian crude carrier is set to discharge 2 million barrels into an oil terminal in China this week after Western media reports claimed that Beijing might be replacing Iran's barrels with cheaper Russian shipments.
• Chinese aerospace experts slam NASA's chief for 'ridiculous and outrageous' allegations of 'stealing' technology Global Times 19 May 2022 -- Chinese aerospace experts on Thursday slammed NASA's Administrator Bill Nelson for his "ridiculous" and "outrageous" remarks after the senior official alleged that China is "good at stealing" American designs in a "space race."
• 7 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 19 May 2022 -- Seven Chinese military aircraft flew into the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• 52 U.S. senators urge Biden to include Taiwan in IPEF CNA 19 May 2022 -- A bipartisan group of 52 U.S. senators co-signed a letter to United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday campaigning for Taiwan's inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), amid concerns that Taiwan would be left out of the framework.
• Taiwan expresses 'deep regret' over no WHA invitation CNA 19 May 2022 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed "deep regret and dissatisfaction" on Thursday that Taiwan had yet to receive an invitation to the 75th World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is set to take place in Geneva this year in three days.
• Taiwan's voice needs to be heard internationally: Canadian PM Trudeau CNA 19 May 2022 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons Wednesday that his government's longstanding position was to ensure Taiwan's voice was heard in multilateral forums.
• China slams US for advocating Taipei's participation in WHO assembly Press TV 19 May 2022 -- The Chinese government has strongly rejected the US call for the World Health Organization (WHO) to invite Chinese Taipei to its annual assembly, reiterating its sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
• North Korea Looms as Biden Makes First Asia Trip VOA 19 May 2022 -- Although U.S. foreign policy during the first part of Joe Biden's presidency has focused more on issues such as a rising China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Biden this week will be confronted by another nagging foreign policy issue, a nuclear-armed North Korea.
• Pyongyang may greet Biden with nuclear test during South Korea visit Press TV 19 May 2022 -- The United States says North Korea could carry out nuclear tests or long-range missile tests, or both, during or after President Joe Biden's visit to South Korea and Japan this week.
• South Korean Media: DPRK Choosing Timing for Nuclear Test as Necessary Preparations Completed Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- North Korea is currently choosing the dating for a new nuclear test after completing preparations for it, South Korean media reported on Thursday.
• Schools close as pandemic rages in North Korea Radio Free Asia 19 May 2022 -- As COVID-19 cases dramatically increase in North Korea's military academies and secondary schools, the government has ordered students to begin remote learning, a daunting proposal in a land where most homes lack consistent supplies of electricity, much less online capabilities, sources in the country told RFA.
• Iran launches 320 MW power plant in Qeshm island Press TV 19 May 2022 -- Iran has launched a major power plant in its largest island in the Persian Gulf amid efforts to boost investment in the region.
• FM: Iran supports any diplomatic effort to settle Ukraine conflict, ready to mediate Press TV 19 May 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has described Tehran's relations with Moscow as excellent, saying the Islamic Republic supports any effort aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war.
• Myanmar junta gets effective diplomatic downgrade as a result of military coup Radio Free Asia 19 May 2022 -- Myanmar's 15-month-old military junta is suffering a diplomatic downgrade as Western and some Southeast Asian neighbors are withholding ambassadorial appointments to the country and increasingly meeting with elected officials overthrown by the army early last year, diplomats said.
• U.S. Condemns Belarusian Move To Introduce Death Penalty For 'Terrorists' RFE/RL 19 May 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned authoritarian Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka's move to introduce the death penalty for those convicted of "terrorism," a charge his regime often uses against its critics and dissidents.
• Pakistan Declares Economic Emergency as It Bans Luxury Imports to Save Foreign Currency Reserves Sputnik 19 May 2022 -- Pakistan is the third country in the South Asia region to ban imports of luxury items in order to curb plummeting foreign exchange reserves. The economic crisis in another South Asia country - Sri Lanka - led to political turmoil, forcing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to step down from his post.
• Candidates Consider China Threat as Australian Election Draws Closer VOA 19 May 2022 -- Relations with China are a key campaign issue as Australians prepare to vote in a general election on May 21. Both major parties have accused each other of inaction or connivance in their approach to diplomacy with China, which is Australia's biggest trading partner.