• 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

• US Accuses Iran of 'Unsafe Interaction' in Hormuz Gulf - Central Command Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- A naval vessel operated by the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps interacted in an unsafe manner with a US patrol vessel in international waters in the Gulf of Hormuz, the Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

Defense Policy / Programs

• The Political Directors Small Group Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2022 -- The Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States hosted a meeting of political directors from the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS today in The Hague.
• U.S. Central Command Holds a Press Briefing on Their Employment of Artificial Intelligence and Unmanned Systems DoD 07 Dec 2022 -- U.S. Central Command Chief Technology Officer Schuyler Moore, Army Sergeant Mickey Reeve
• Department of Defense Announces Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability Procurement DoD 07 Dec 2022 -- The Department of Defense announces the awarding of the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contracts to Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS), Google Support Services LLC, Microsoft Corporation, and Oracle.
• Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing DoD 07 Dec 2022
• U.S. Officials Listen to Concerns of African Leaders DoD News 07 Dec 2022 -- U.S. engagement with the nations of Africa has subtly changed with U.S. defense, diplomatic and economic officials listening to African leaders detail their needs, goals, values and concerns, Chidi Blyden, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African Affairs, said.
• Agencies Partner to Aid Small Businesses DoD News 07 Dec 2022 -- On Friday, the Defense Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration signed a memorandum of understanding to help both agencies better meet the needs of small businesses in the United States.
• US' New Defense Bill for 2023 Approves Full Funding for B-21 Bombers Production Program Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2023, agreed upon by the US Congress, approves funding for the production of new generation nuclear-capable B-21 Raider stealth bomber aircraft, the Senate Committee on Armed Services said.
• Newly Agreed US NDAA Bans Exchange of Data on Air Defense Systems With Moscow Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The House and Senate Armed Services Committees on Tuesday reached an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2023, with committee leadership agreeing to make a ban on the exchange of data related to air defense system with Moscow permanent, according to the released document.
• US Navy to Reportedly Accept More Recruits With Lower Aptitudes Amid Personnel Crisis Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The US Navy will now be accepting more recruits with lower aptitudes as the recruitment crisis deepens, US media reported.
• Navy Authenticates Keel for Future USS Arizona (SSN 803) US Navy 07 Dec 2022 -- Senior Navy leaders, elected officials, and industry partners gathered at General Dynamics Electric Boat's Quonset Point Facility, Dec. 7, to attend a keel-authentication ceremony for future Virginia-class submarine USS Arizona (SSN 803).
• CARAT Indonesia 2022 Kicks Off with Indonesian and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps US Navy 07 Dec 2022 -- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps began exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2022 with the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) and Marine Corps (KORMAR RI) in Surabaya, Indonesia, Dec. 7.
• US$12 billion in financing for Taiwan to buy weapons in U.S. bill CNA 07 Dec 2022 -- The United States Congress has released the final version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that authorizes up to US$12 billion in grants and loans to Taiwan over the next five years to buy U.S. weapons.
• U.S. officials listen to concerns of African leaders AFRICOM 07 Dec 2022 -- U.S. engagement with the nations of Africa has subtly changed with U.S. defense, diplomatic and economic officials listening to African leaders detail their needs, goals, values and concerns, said Chidi Blyden, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African Affairs.
• U.S. Central Command Chief Technology Officer Schuyler Moore and Innovation Oasis Winner Sgt. Mickey Reeve Press Briefing CENTCOM 07 Dec 2022 -- the tech can come from commercial sector. It can come from DOD. The idea can come from a sergeant. The idea can come from a general. The point is to get the best tech into the hands of the people who need it.
• Nellis' ShOC-N Supports Army Project Convergence Experiment US Navy 07 Dec 2022 -- The 805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the Shadow Operations Center - Nellis, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, participated in the U.S. Army's Project Convergence 2022 to experiment with speed, range, and decision dominance to achieve overmatch and inform the Joint Warfighting Concept and Joint All Domain Command and Control concept. The Army led its first large-scale Project Convergence experiment in 2020 and has continued to grow the event's scope, scale and complexity annually.
• NATO Secretary General: ''Russia trying to freeze Ukraine conflict'' NATO 07 Dec 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday (07 December 2022) stressed the importance of continued NATO Allied support to Ukraine as it faces Russia's war of aggression.
• Reports: NATO Members Steer Clear of Discussing Ukraine's Membership Not to Enrage Moscow Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- Ukraine's NATO membership bid has become a taboo topic within the alliance as some member states are avoiding the topic fraught with further tensions with Russia, Politico reported.
• US says 'nuclear war must never be fought,' after Putin warning Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- The United States has said that a "nuclear war is something that must never be fought," after Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that nuclear tensions had risen because of the war in Ukraine.
• Nuclear War Threat Growing, President Putin Warns Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The threat of a global nuclear war is growing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
• Russian Foreign Ministry on Draft US Defense Bill: Russia's Exclusion From G20 is Unrealistic Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- Attempts to exclude Russia from the G20 are destined to fail, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Wednesday, commenting on the draft US defense budget.
• War in Ukraine Military support for Ukraine Germany - Federal Government 07 Dec 2022 -- Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Bilateral Meeting With U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace DoD 07 Dec 2022
• U.S., U.K. Military Chiefs Discuss Ukraine, China DoD News 07 Dec 2022 -- The vicious Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, far from breaking the back of Ukrainian civilians, have increased resistance to Vladimir Putin's invasion, senior U.S. and British military leaders said yesterday.
• Defence Secretary joins AUKUS partners in landmark first meeting UK MOD 07 Dec 2022 -- UK Defence leaders have visited Washington to hold talks with US and Australian partners.
• UK orders thousands of new anti-tank weapons to restock amid Ukraine war Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace says thousands of new anti-tank weapons have been ordered by the British government as part of a £229-million contract with a Swedish arms manufacturer to replenish supplies amid the war in Ukraine.
• UK orders thousands more anti-tank weapons to bolster stockpiles UK MOD 07 Dec 2022 -- A £229 million deal will see thousands of Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) systems assembled in Northern Ireland and delivered to the British Army.
• AUKUS Defense Ministerial Joint Statement DoD 07 Dec 2022 -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia, and the Right Honourable Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom, at the Pentagon today to discuss the Australia-United Kingdom-United States Security Partnership (AUKUS).
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Participates in Trilateral Defense Ministers Meeting With U.K. and Australia Defense Ministers DoD 07 Dec 2022
• Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles at a Joint Press Availability DoD 07 Dec 2022
• Austin Says Progress Made on Developing Australia's Nuclear-Powered Subs DoD News 07 Dec 2022 -- Australian, United Kingdom and U.S. officials met today to discuss AUKUS, the security pact between the three allies.
• ADF maintains bonds with Brunei on Indo-Pacific Endeavour Australia DOD 07 Dec 2022 -- Soldiers from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) charged across Penanjong Beach during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022.
• US to increase rotational military presence in Australia, invite Japan amid tensions with China Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- The US is set to further strengthen its military presence in South East Asia, with the Pentagon chief saying the country will boost the rotational presence of its of air, land and sea forces in Australia amid growing tensions with China.
• Japan and the Philippines strengthen military ties Radio Free Asia 07 Dec 2022 -- Two Japanese fighter jets landed at the Clark Air Base in the Philippines for the first time since World War II as Manila and Tokyo strengthened military cooperation amid China's increased assertiveness in the region.
• Beijing Urges Tokyo to Reject 'Zero-Sum Game Trap', Avoid Joining Confrontational Blocs Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- Speaking at an event commemorating half a century of diplomatic relations, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi urged Tokyo to maintain their peaceful relationship and not join anti-China political blocs like those being organized by the United States.
• Australia, US to Reinforce Defense Ties With Japan VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- Australia and the United States have agreed to enhance military cooperation with Japan to try to counter China's influence in the Pacific.
• Poland receives first batch of South Korean weapons Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- Poland has received a first batch of weapons from South Korea as it boosts its military amid a Russian war on Ukraine.
• Taiwan thanks U.S. over latest F-16, C-130 support package CNA 07 Dec 2022 -- Taiwan's government on Wednesday thanked the United States after it approved the sale of up to US$428 million worth of spare parts to replenish stocks for Taiwan's military aircraft and support its air defenses amid the Chinese military threat.
• Type 071E landing platform dock China built for Thailand completes sea trial Global Times 07 Dec 2022 -- The Type 071E landing platform dock China built for Thailand recently completed its sea trial, with experts saying on Wednesday that the large warship's construction is going smoothly and the vessel is expected to be delivered soon.
• African Analysts Welcome ECOWAS Peacekeeping Force but Skeptical of Success VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed at a summit this week to establish a regional peacekeeping force to fight terrorism and restore democracy after military coups.
• Joint Statement, EI2-meeting in Oslo Government of Norway 07 Dec 2022 -- The annual ministerial meeting for the 13 countries in the European Intervention Initiative (EI2) took place in Oslo 7th of December 2022. This joint statement was issued.
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte of Lithuania The White House 07 Dec 2022
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and Prime Minister Šimonytė of Lithuania Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 07 Dec 2022
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, December 7, 2022 The White House 07 Dec 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Italian Secretary General Ettore Sequi US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Italian Diplomatic Advisor Francesco Talò US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2022
• Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2022
• READOUT: Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo's Call with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal US Treasury 07 Dec 2022 -- On Wednesday, December 7, Deputy Secretary Adeyemo spoke with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal to discuss the United States and Turkey's shared goal to end Russia's unconscionable war of choice.
• Department Press Briefing - December 7, 2022 US Dept. of State 07 Dec 2022

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 7, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 7 December 2022 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 07 Dec 2022
• Taliban Publicly Execute Convicted Murderer in Afghanistan VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban rulers Wednesday carried out the first public execution of a man charged with murder since returning to power, applying their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, to criminal justice.
• Afghanistan: Statement by the Spokeswoman on the public execution in Farah European External Action Service (EEAS) 07 Dec 2022 -- The European Union condemns today's public execution of a man in Farah, Afghanistan, in the strongest terms.
• Taliban Holds First Public Execution In Afghanistan Since Retaking Power RFE/RL Gandhara 07 Dec 2022 -- Afghanistan's Taliban administration has carried out the death penalty of a man convicted of murder in the country's first public execution since the militants retook power in August last year.
• Afghanistan: First public execution since Taliban takeover, 'deeply disturbing' says UN rights office UN News 07 Dec 2022 -- What is believed to be the first public execution in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power last year, drew criticism from the UN human rights office, OHCHR on Wednesday. Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence described it as a "deeply disturbing" development.
• Damascus rejects Ankara's offer for meeting with Turkish President Erdogan, Top AKP official says Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- A senior member of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) says Damascus has turned down Ankara's request for a meeting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after more than a decade of bitter enmity since the outbreak of Syria's conflict.
• More than 1,000 people flee their homes in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 07 Dec 2022 -- More than 1,000 people from three villages in Sagaing region's Tigyaing township fled their homes on Wednesday, as the junta continued its campaign of arson attacks.
• South Sudan: 'Raw violence' displaces thousands during 'ruthless conflict', UNHCR says UN News 07 Dec 2022 -- Throughout South Sudan's Greater Upper Nile Region "desperation is rising" as escalating armed conflict, which has displaced at least 20,000 people since August, have forced some to run for their lives up to four times, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Wednesday.
• The humanitarian community in South Sudan strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State UNOCHA 07 Dec 2022 -- Over 9,100 people have been displaced following the recent surge in violence in Fashoda County, Upper Nile State, the clashes which broke out in mid-November between armed elements have also resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, the abduction of women and children, destruction of properties and livelihoods, with reports of incidences of gender-based violence.
• Thousands displaced by escalating conflict in South Sudan's Greater Upper Nile Region UNHCR 07 Dec 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed by the escalating armed conflict in South Sudan's Upper Nile state which has displaced at least 20,000 people since August, some of them forced to flee for their lives up to four times as the conflict rages. At least 3,000 people have already fled to neighbouring Sudan, further intensifying South Sudan's refugee crisis, the largest in Africa.
• Urging all Sudanese parties to unite behind a civilian-led government UK FCDO 07 Dec 2022 -- Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on Sudan
• EAC-Led DR Congo Peace Talks to Continue in January as 53 Groups Agree Ceasefire Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been going on since the 1990s, taking different shapes and resuming after periods of fragile peace.
• Cameroon Hands Road Construction to Military Following Separatist Attacks, Abduction VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- Cameroon's military has taken over construction of roads linking its troubled western regions to Nigeria after what it said were repeated separatist attacks. The military says the rebels abducted eight people this week, including road workers, who were abandoning work sites due to insecurity.
• Ethiopia's State-Owned Electric Company Says Tigray's Capital, Mekelle, Reconnected VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- Ethiopia's electric company says it has reconnected the Tigray region's capital, Mekelle, to the national grid for the first time in more than a year.

News Reports

• New Batch of Classified Docs - and a Wrestling Belt - Found Inside Trump Storage Unit Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- In August, the FBI raided former US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, finding documents marked as classified and top secret along with thousands of other government documents and papers. Trump claims he used his power as president to declassify all documents he took from the White House.
• North Korea Reportedly Exploited Itaewon Tragedy in Hacking Attempt VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- North Korean hackers exploited public interest in October's tragic Itaewon crowd surge to target South Koreans with malware, Google cybersecurity researchers said Wednesday.
• Telephone conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of Russia 07 Dec 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Al Nahyan.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to questions at the Primakov Readings International Forum, Moscow, December 7, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 07 Dec 2022
• Attempts to keep out Moscow from G20 destined to fail: Russian official Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko says attempts to remove Russia from the Group of 20 (G20) are bound to fail.
• Russian Gas Swap Scheme Gets Cold Shoulder in Central Asia VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- A Russian scheme to facilitate natural gas sales to China and other Asian markets through a "gas union" with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has met political resistance in the two Central Asian countries, at least partly because of unease over Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Press statement by President von der Leyen on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia European Commission 07 Dec 2022 -- Russia continues to bring death and devastation to Ukraine. It is deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, seeking to paralyse the country at the beginning of the winter.
• Active Russian Agent Andrii Derkach Indicted for Scheme to Violate Sanctions in the United States US Dept. of Justice 07 Dec 2022 -- A seven-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Andrii Derkach, 55, of Ukraine, with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Acts (IEEPA), bank fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and four counts of money laundering in connection with the purchase and maintenance of two condominiums in Beverly Hills, California. Derkach allegedly concealed his interest in the transactions and violated sanctions imposed in 2020. Derkach remains at large.
• Alleged Russian Agent Violated U.S. Sanctions By Concealing Purchase Of Luxury Condos, U.S. Says RFE/RL 07 Dec 2022 -- A Ukrainian lawmaker who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government has now been charged with violating the sanctions when he purchased two luxury properties in California.
• US Charges Ukrainian 'Russian Agent' With Money Laundering VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- A Ukrainian politician and businessman accused of being a Russian agent and seeking to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election has been charged with money laundering and other crimes in connection with his purchase of two Beverly Hills condominiums nearly a decade ago, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
• Russia - Australia implements the G7 price cap on Russian oil Australia DFAT 07 Dec 2022 -- Australia has joined the G7 in implementing a price cap on Russian oil. On 2 December 2022, G7 countries plus Australia agreed to the price cap of USD 60 per barrel of seaborne Russian-origin crude oil.
• EU sanctions on Russia cost Cyprus 20 pct of oil tanker fleet: deputy minister People's Daily 07 Dec 2022 -- Cyprus has lost 20 percent of its oil tanker tonnage as a result of the European Union's (EU) sanctions on Russia relating to crude oil, Shipping Deputy Minister Vasilis Demetriades said here on Tuesday.
• CPC leadership analyzes economic work for next year, makes arrangements for anti-graft work PLA Daily 07 Dec 2022 -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee convened a meeting on Tuesday to analyze and study the economic work in 2023, and make arrangements for improving Party conduct and moral integrity, and combating corruption.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 7, 2022 PRC MofA 07 Dec 2022
• Xi lands in Riyadh amid Saudi Arabia's fraying ties with China's arch-foe US Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Saudi Arabia on a visit hailed by Beijing as "epoch-making" as the proximity between Beijing and Riyadh grows amid the Arab kingdom's souring relations with the United States, particularly over the Saudi support for oil output curbs.
• Xi's attendance of first China-Arab States Summit to become milestone for China-Arab relations: Chinese FM Global Times 07 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the first China-Arab States Summit is China's largest and highest profile diplomatic initiative linked to the Arab world since 1949, and will be a milestone in the history of China-Arab relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, noting that the summit is expected to boost relations between China and Arab countries to a new level.
• Xi lands in Riyadh for China-Arab States Summit, China-GCC summit, state visit People's Daily 07 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Wednesday afternoon to attend the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, and pay a state visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
• Memorial meeting held to mourn Jiang Zemin; legacy remembered Global Times 07 Dec 2022 -- A memorial meeting for Jiang Zemin, who passed away on November 30 at the age of 96, was held Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
• Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at memorial meeting for Comrade Jiang Zemin People's Daily 07 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at the memorial meeting for Comrade Jiang Zemin on Tuesday.
• What to Know About Protests in China VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- Beijing residents no longer need a negative COVID-19 test to enter grocery stores, offices, airports and parks, as China relaxes its strict zero-COVID policy after an unprecedented display of civil disobedience erupted in cities across China last month.
• U.S., Australia stress commitments to Taiwan in 2+2 talks CNA 07 Dec 2022 -- The United States and Australia have expressed strong opposition to China's "destabilizing" actions in the region and support for upholding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in ministerial-level talks.
• North Korea Likely to Continue Escalating Threats Next Year, Experts Say VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is likely to outline his plan to meet the goal of having "the world's most powerful strategic force" at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea later this month, according to experts.
• 23rd Plenary Meeting of 14th SPA Standing Committee Held KCNA 07 Dec 2022 -- The 23rd Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Dec. 6.
• Official Notice on Convening Session of SPA of DPRK Issued KCNA 07 Dec 2022 -- The 8th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK will be convened in Pyongyang on January 17, Juche 112 (2023).
• SPA Standing Committee Decides to Convene SPA Session KCNA 07 Dec 2022 -- The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK released a decision on convening the 8th Session of the 14th SPA of the DPRK in Pyongyang on January 17, Juche 112 (2023). -0-
• Iranian President considers gov't-university relationship necessity ISNA 07 Dec 2022 -- Referring to the continuous communication between the government and the student community of the country in all days of the year, the Iranian President said, "I consider the communication between the government and the university to be a necessity and I truly believe that the university, as the think tank of the government, can help the government in solving the country's problems ".
• Iranian Students Say They Were Beaten Back Ahead Of Speech By Raisi At Tehran University RFE/RL 07 Dec 2022 -- Students at Tehran University say they were beaten back by security forces as they tried to hold a protest as President Ebrahim Raisi arrived to deliver a speech amid anti-government unrest that has rocked the country since the September death of a young woman while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly.
• Iran Sentences Five Protesters To Death Over Alleged Involvement In Basij Officer's Death RFE/RL 07 Dec 2022 -- Iran's judiciary has sentenced to death five people - including one who is in the hospital recovering after reportedly being tortured - over the killing of a member of the Basij paramilitary force during nationwide protests.
• Sister Of Iran's Supreme Leader Pens Open Letter Hoping For End To 'Tyranny' Of Brother's Rule RFE/RL 07 Dec 2022 -- Badri Hosseini Khamenei, the estranged sister of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticized her brother and his "despotic caliphate" in an open letter in which she also says she hopes to see him overthrown.
• Sister of Iran's Supreme Leader Condemns Crackdown on Protesters VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- A sister of Iran's supreme leader has condemned the crackdown on protesters in Iran and called on the Revolutionary Guard to stand down, according to a letter published by her son in France.
• Americans seeking to have Iran destroyed: Raisi IRNA 07 Dec 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has slammed the United States for its offering of support to riots in Iran, saying people in the country were vigilant enough to prevent the Americans from carrying out their plots.
• US can't withstand strong Iran, seeking to have it in ruins just like Syria, Afghanistan: President Raeisi Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- Iranian President Ehrabim Raeisi has lambasted the United States for its hostile and seditious plots against the Islamic Republic, stating that Washington does not want the country to be strong and prosperous, and indeed spares no effort to wreak havoc and destruction on it.
• Iranian FM says U.S. anti-Tehran "media uproar" aimed at plundering Iran's oil, energy People's Daily 07 Dec 2022 -- The Iranian foreign minister said Tuesday that the United States is after Iran's oil and energy and has caused a "media uproar" to this end, according to Iranian Students' News Agency.
• Detained German Extremists Planned to Copy January 6 US Capitol Attack: Reports Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- Detained German extremists planned to storm the Bundestag, the nation's parliament, in the manner that was employed by supporters of Donald Trump during the US Capitol breach on January 6, 2021, a German newspaper reported on Wednesday.
• Russia Has Nothing to Do With Group Planning Coup in Germany, Kremlin Says Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The preparation of a coup in Germany is the country's internal problem, even Berlin says that it cannot be any "Russian interference," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
• Australia calls for greater U.S. trade focus in Asia Radio Free Asia 07 Dec 2022 -- The United States needs to focus on increasing trade ties with Asia to ensure its strategic preeminence in the region, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in Washington on Wednesday.
• Commission will provide €25 million to support the democratic aspirations in Belarus European Commission 07 Dec 2022 -- The European Commission has adopted a new assistance programme worth €25 million to further support the people of Belarus, following the brutal response of the regime to the protests against the fraudulent elections of August 2020. This new assistance builds on EU support already mobilised for Belarusian civil society, youth, students, academic staff and professionals.
• US judge dismisses lawsuit against Saudi prince in Khashoggi murder Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- A US federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), over his role in the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after Washington decided to provide him with immunity in the case.
• Argentina court hands VP Cristina Kirchner 6-year jail term in corruption case Press TV 07 Dec 2022 -- An Argentine court has found Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner guilty in a high-profile corruption case, sentencing the influential politician to six years in prison and disqualifying her from holding public office.
• Peru's Castillo Arrested After Third Impeachment Attempt as Peru Swears In VP as President Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- Dina Boluarte, Pedro Castillo's vice president, was sworn in as president of Peru on Wednesday afternoon after Castillo was deposed by the parliament and arrested.
• Mongolian Parliament Announces Probe Into Coal Theft, Promises Results in 2 Weeks Sputnik 07 Dec 2022 -- The parliamentary investigation of officials connected with coal theft in Mongolia will last for two weeks, then public hearings involving the media and citizens will be held, Mongolian Parliament Speaker Gombojav Zandanshatar said on Wednesday.
• US focus on Vietnam's religious record may not be enough, spiritual leaders say Radio Free Asia 07 Dec 2022 -- Religious leaders and activists in Vietnam have given a mixed response to the U.S. State Department's inclusion of the country on its Special Watch List for "engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom." Some say it may be enough to force the country to improve its record while others say the decision means little without sanctions and point out that the government is adept at covering up its poor human rights record.
• Bangladesh Arrests Thousands of Political Activists Ahead of Opposition Protest VOA 07 Dec 2022 -- Police in Bangladesh killed one person and wounded more than 60 people Wednesday in Dhaka when they fired upon activists and members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the largest opposition party of the country, according to reports in Dhaka newspapers.