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Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. and Partner Nations Conduct SINKEX as Part of RIMPAC 2022 US Navy 16 Jul 2022 -- Live fire from Rim of the Pacific 2022 partner nation ships and aircraft sank the decommissioned ex-USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) July 12, in waters 15,000 feet deep, 50 nautical miles north of Kauai.
• Turkey to Be Last Member State to Ratify Finland's, Sweden's Accession to NATO, Niinisto Says Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- Turkey is likely to be the last country to ratify protocols on Finland's and Sweden's accession to NATO, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Saturday.
• Political Crisis in Italy May Halt Arms Deliveries to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Says Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- The unfolding political crisis in Italy may spell a halt in arms supplies to Ukraine, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said.
• Ukraine gets M270 multiple launch rocket systems: defense minister People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- Ukraine has received M270 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) from its partners, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Friday.
• U.S. may train Ukrainian pilots on F-15, F-16 fighter jets People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- The United States may train Ukrainian pilots on F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said on Friday.
• U.S. Claims Intelligence Shows Russians Shopping For Iranian Military Drones Ahead Of Putin Visit RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- The White House has released what it says is intelligence showing that Russian officials have recently visited an airfield in Iran to see unmanned, weaponized drones it wants to acquire to use in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
• Source Suggests That Russian Tornado-S Smart Missiles Surpass US HIMARS Munitions Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- Precision-guided munition of the Russian Tornado-S multiple rocket launcher have demonstrated high accuracy and efficiency in Ukraine and have an advantage over the smart weapons of the US HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), an informed source told Sputnik.
• Iran rejects U.S. claim of sending drones to Russia as "baseless" People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Friday rejected a recent U.S. claim that Iran is providing Russia with drones for use in Ukraine as "baseless" and politically motivated.
• Chinese, Lao militaries to hold "Peace Train-2022" joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise PLA Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- The Chinese and Lao militaries will hold "Peace Train-2022" joint humanitarian medical rescue exercise and medical service activities in Vientiane, Phonhong and its neighbouring areas in Laos in mid-late July.
• U.S. announces US$108 million sale of tank equipment, support to Taiwan CNA 16 Jul 2022 -- The United States government has greenlit a proposed US$108 million sale of technical support and equipment of tanks and combat vehicles to Taiwan, the fourth arms sale to the country approved by Washington this year.
• Biden admin's 5th arms sale to Taiwan slammed for double dealing Global Times 16 Jul 2022 -- The US on Friday (US time) announced the fourth arms sale to the island of Taiwan in 2022 - the fifth total under the Joe Biden administration - despite the Taiwan question has been repeatedly mentioned in several recent China-US high-level meetings which showed consensus for avoiding escalating tension.
• US approves potential sale of military assistance to Chinese Taipei Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of military technical assistance to Chinese Taipei worth an estimated $108 million, the Pentagon says, amid a long-living feud between China and the self-ruled island.
• Poland says will buy second-hand US tanks Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- Poland says it will buy 116 used Abrams tanks from the United States in order to strengthen the country's military amid Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
• Enhancement of 2nd Division Australia DOD 16 Jul 2022 -- Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC today announced the establishment of 2nd Division as an independent functional command at a ceremonial parade held at the Anzac Memorial at Hyde Park, Sydney.
• Japan to forgo setting ceiling on 2023 military spending: Report Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- Japan will reportedly forgo setting a ceiling on its military spending in next fiscal year's annual budget, in a move which indicates its interest in boosting military at a time of tension with its neighbor China.
• UK and Republic of Korea set out desire to cooperate in Space UK MOD 16 Jul 2022 -- The respective leaders of the Royal Air Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) have signed Terms of Reference outlining future cooperation between UK Space Command and the ROKAF in the space domain.
• Biden to Meet with Arab Leaders as US Seeks to Reassert Influence in Middle East VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden meets Saturday with Arab leaders in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he will lay out his vision for U.S. engagement in the Middle East.
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi of the Republic of Iraq Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Joint Statement Following Meeting Between President Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi in Jeddah The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Biden fist bumps MBS, but still fails to coax Saudis into signing oil deal Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- The US president's visit to Saudi Arabia is unlikely to result in a deal to increase oil supply, even with Washington "decalibrating" its relations with Riyadh to go along with a meeting between Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to coax the Saudis into pumping more crude.
• 18 Saudi-US Agreements Covering Space, Investment, Energy, Communications and Health Concluded SPA 16 Jul 2022 -- The Saudi Ministers of Energy, Investment, Communications and Health have concluded 18 agreements with their US counterparts. The aforementioned agreements unlock new avenues for joint cooperation in investment, energy, ICT, space and health. The agreements align with Saudi Vision 2030, led by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as it seeks wider investment opportunities in promising sectors that can benefit the peoples of both nations.
• Biden Ends Tour to Reassert US Influence in Middle East VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden returned to Washington late Saturday after his Mideast tour.
• At regional summit, Biden says US won't leave Middle East Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- US President Joe Biden has said America would not leave the Middle East region, saying any vacuum left would be filled by Washington's rivals.
• Roundup: Difference remain about Iranian nuclear issue as Biden concludes visit to Israel People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden concluded his visit to Israel on Friday after pledging to curb Iran's nuclear program, but had disagreements with his host, Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, about the ways to do so.
• Biden Vows To Remain Engaged In Middle East, Assails Iran As Tour Ends RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden wrapped up his Middle East trip vowing to remain engaged in the region and to help countries there resist the drives for influence by Iran, Russia, and China.
• Joint Statement Following the Summit of the Leaders of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries The White House 16 Jul 2022
• FACT SHEET: The United States Strengthens Cooperation with Middle East Partners to Address 21st Century Challenges The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah of Kuwait The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Joint Statement Following Meeting Between President Biden and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Jeddah The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Joint Statement Following Meeting Between President Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi in Jeddah The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Remarks by President Biden and President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Joint Statement Following Meeting of President Joseph R. Biden and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Jeddah The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Remarks by President Biden at the GCC + 3 Summit Meeting The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Background Press Call Previewing Day Four of the President's Trip to the Middle East The White House 16 Jul 2022
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Al-Alimi US Dept. of State 16 Jul 2022

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• Taliban Again Raise Coal Prices Amid Booming Exports to Pakistan VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- Afghanistan's cash-strapped Taliban government has tripled prices for coal in less than a month to raise revenue from its mining sector amid a lack of direct foreign funding and booming coal exports to neighboring Pakistan.
• US Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- The U.S. Navy says it has asserted its "navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea" by sailing one of its destroyers near the disputed Spratly Islands.
• US navy ship once again sails near disputed South China Sea islands Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- The US navy says one of its destroyers has sailed near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the second such provocative move in the strategic waterway in a week.
• US warship's consecutive trespasses into Nansha, Xisha islands 'exposes own anxiety' Global Times 16 Jul 2022 -- A US destroyer sailed near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Saturday, only a few days after it was driven away by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) from Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands. Consecutive provocations from the US expose not only its navigational hegemony, but also its anxiety facing the growing capabilities of the PLA, experts said.
• US Navy Takes Yet Another Dig at Beijing on South China Sea 'Freedom of Navigation' Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- The principal of freedom of navigation grants free passage for ships under any sovereign state's flag in all cases, aside from some exceptions clarified by international law. The principle is codified in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea - an accord not signed or ratified by the United States.
• Yemen's top council: Foreign interference biggest impediment to peace in country Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- Yemen's Supreme Political Council says continued interference in the war-ravaged country's affairs by aggressive foreign states is the biggest impediment to establishment of peace.
• Two Police Gunned Down At Northwestern Pakistan Checkpoint RFE/RL Gandhara 16 Jul 2022 -- Two police officers were shot and killed by unidentified gunman in northwestern Pakistan, authorities said.
• Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Meet In Georgia Over Nagorno-Karabakh RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan held their first bilateral talks since the 2020 war over the status of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Say Ready to Continue Bilateral Dialogue Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- The foreign minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, announced that they are prepared to continue the discussions of pressing bilateral issues, the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
• Israel's Military Says Intercepted One of Four Missiles Fired From Gaza at Israel Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- The Israeli Defense Forces said on Saturday that four projectiles have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, one of the projectiles has been intercepted.
• Six Dead in Attack 70 Kilometers from Mali's Capital VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- Gunmen have attacked a checkpoint just 70 kilometers from Bamako, Mali's capital, leaving six dead, in a sign of increasing insecurity in Mali as the French army withdraws from the country and tensions rise between the U.N. and Mali's military government.
• UN seeks solution after Egypt suspends participation in Mali peacekeeping mission People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- The United Nations is talking with the Egyptian government after Cairo announced a suspension of its participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, said a UN spokesman on Friday.

News Reports

• Remembering Michael Krepon Henry L. Stimson Center 16 Jul 2022 -- "Our community is deeply saddened at the passing of Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Stimson Center and a tireless advocate for international peace and security. Michael was an internationally renowned leader in the fight to prevent nuclear war and an eloquent advocate for pragmatic ways to reduce the threat that nuclear weapons pose to our civilization."
• CIA Director Meets With Armenian Prime Minister, Security Council Secretary In Yerevan RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on July 15 received U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns, Pashinian's press office said.
• Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Sign MoU to Promote Cybersecurity Cooperation SPA 16 Jul 2022 -- On the sidelines of U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 15-16 2022, the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for Cybersecurity Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Signs the Artemis Accords US Dept. of State 16 Jul 2022 -- The United States welcomes Saudi Arabi's signing of the Artemis Accords on July 14, affirming its commitment to safe, sustainable, and responsible space exploration.
• Saudi Arabia Signs Artemis Accords and Joins International Space Exploration Program SPA 16 Jul 2022 -- Saudi Arabia announce today joining Artemis Accords, affirming its commitment to sustainable space exploration guided by a common set of principles that promote the beneficial use of space for all of humanity.
• Yellen Touts Progress On Russian Oil Price Cap, But Summit Of G20 Finance Chiefs Ends Without Communique RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Group of 20 finance chiefs had productive talks in Indonesia about a proposal to cap the prices countries would pay for Russian oil.
• EU to ban Russian gold imports in new sanctions package People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- The European Commission on Friday adopted a proposal for a seventh package of measures that will ban the importation of Russian gold.
• EU Executive Proposes New Sanctions On Russia, Including Import Ban On Gold RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- The European Union has targeted Russian gold exports in a seventh package of sanctions proposed by the European Commission on July 15.
• Hungary PM slams EU's bans on Russia as 'shot in the lungs' Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has blasted the European Union for imposing ill-considered sanctions on Russia, saying the bloc "shot itself in the lungs" by doing so.
li>Gazprom Expects Siemens to Confirm if Return of Gas Turbine for Nord Stream Possible Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- Energy giant Gazprom filed a request with Siemens, asking the German company to provide documents allowing the export of the gas turbine for the Portovaya compressor station (CS), essential for the operation of the Nord Stream 1, the Russian corporation said on Saturday.
• OSCE Media Freedom Representative denounces new legal restrictions in Russia as "deeply troubling for freedom of expression and media freedom" OSCE 15 Jul 2022 -- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today denounced the continued shrinking space for freedom of expression and media freedom in Russia as the authorities enact more restrictive laws.
• China's Hopes High as Space Station Nears Completion VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- Chinese astronauts, known as taikonauts, and a ground crew are working to finish their country's first permanent orbiting space station and the world's second by year's end, official media outlets say.
• Xi Jinping's inspection tour of Xinjiang PLA Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently inspected the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China and visited officials and the general public of different ethnic groups.
• Shanghai data breach exposes suppression of 'white-hat' security research in China Radio Free Asia 16 Jul 2022 -- Ren, a U.S. citizen who has lived in China for decades, didn't realize she was the victim of what could be the biggest data breach in Chinese history until she got a call from RFA.
• Xinjiang no longer a remote corner, but a core area, hub in BRI: Xi Global Times 16 Jul 2022 -- Eight years after his visit to China's Xinjiang region in 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a second trip to the northwest region and stressed efforts to fully and faithfully implement the policies of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the governance of Xinjiang in the new era, highlighting social stability and lasting security as the overarching goal and the region's significant role in building the Belt and Road Initiative.
• China launches two new satellites People's Daily 16 Jul 2022 -- China on Saturday launched a Long March-2C carrier rocket to place two satellites in space.
• Wheat and Barley Harvest Stepped up in Final Stage KCNA 16 Jul 2022 -- Farms across the DPRK are pushing ahead with the wheat and barley harvest in the final stage.
• Measures Taken to Ensure Production in Rainy Season KCNA 16 Jul 2022 -- The Tukjang Area Coal Mining Complex in the DPRK is effecting a collective innovation in the coal production by making full preparations to lay a foundation for the steady production in rainy season.
• Iran's Bank Melli and Russia's Sberbank sign MoUs Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- Iran's largest lender Bank Melli has signed some major memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, amid efforts by Iran and Russia to boost their banking and trade ties.
• Iran Sanctions 61 Americans For Support Of Exiled Dissident Group RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has imposed sanctions on 61 additional U.S. citizens, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for backing an exiled Iranian dissident group.
• Armed Soldiers Surround Sri Lanka's Parliament as Lawmakers Choose New Leader VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- Armed masked soldiers were part of the security detail around Sri Lanka's Parliament Saturday as lawmakers met to choose a new president. Roads near the building in Colombo, the capital, were closed.
• Exclusive: Sri Lanka's ambassador urges his country's largest creditors Asian Development Bank and World Bank to take bigger role in debt restructure Global Times 16 Jul 2022 -- Sri Lanka has not reached any initial agreement with the IMF on debt relief, and its largest creditors -the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank - are urged to come up with a package that would speed up its debt restructuring process, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to China Palitha Kohona told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Friday, while also calling for more assistance from partners after the debt-ridden country claimed bankruptcy and imposed a state of emergency amid escalating protests and persisting shortage of daily necessities.
• Security tight in Sri Lanka as MPs meet to elect new president amid first fuel arrival Press TV 16 Jul 2022 -- Sri Lanka's parliament convened on Saturday to begin the process of electing a new president, as a shipment of fuel arrived to provide some relief to the crisis-stricken country.
• Sri Lankan Ruling Coalition Party Reportedly Refuses to Vote in Presidential Election Sputnik 16 Jul 2022 -- The Sri Lanka Freedom Party, one of the two largest forces in the ruling coalition, refused to nominate its candidate for the presidential election or vote on those already on the list, Sri Lankan news portal Ada Derana reported on Saturday, citing party leader Maithripala Sirisena.
• North Macedonia Backs Compromise To Clear EU Path; Accession Talks Set For July 19 RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- Lawmakers in North Macedonia on July 16 backed a French proposal after three days of debate to remove a Bulgarian veto on EU membership talks for the Balkan nation.
• For North Macedonia, The Road To The EU Is A Bitter Slog RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- Nearly 17 years after having been granted EU candidate status, North Macedonia finally looks set to start EU accession negotiations.
• North Macedonia's Decision to Advance its EU Accession Negotiations US Dept. of State 16 Jul 2022 -- "The United States welcomes the decision by the parliament of North Macedonia to take the next steps on North Macedonia's EU accession path."
• Haiti: UN sounds alarm over worsening gang violence across Port-au-Prince UN News 16 Jul 2022 -- The UN human rights office said on Saturday it was deeply concerned by worsening violence in and around the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and rising abuse at the hands of heavily armed gangs, against vulnerable local communities.
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Daughter of Former PM Emerges as Force in Thai Politics VOA 16 Jul 2022 -- The emergence of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of exiled former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin, as a political figure and possible prime ministerial candidate herself at the next general election could exacerbate political divisions in Thailand.