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Defense Policy / Programs

• Biden Signs National Defense Authorization Act Into Law DoD News 23 Dec 2022 -- President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law allotting $816.7 billion to the Defense Department.
• Biden Signs $858Bln US Defense Policy Bill Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- US President Joe Biden on Friday signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2023, providing nearly $858 billion in funding for defense programs and priorities, the White House said.
• Statement by the President on H.R. 7776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 The White House 23 Dec 2022
• Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 7776 The White House 23 Dec 2022
• USS Forrest Sherman Returns to Norfolk after NATO Deployment US Navy 23 Dec 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) returned to Naval Station Norfolk from deployment, Dec. 22.
• USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) Participates in Mine Response Exercise US Navy 23 Dec 2022 -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit 12, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 completed a floating mine response (FMR) exercise, Dec. 14, 2022.
• CH-53K approved for full rate production NAVAIR 23 Dec 2022 -- The CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter has entered Full Rate Production (FRP) and its deployment phase, following a decision review by Frederick J. Stefany, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition.
• Türkiye says more steps needed for Sweden's NATO membership People's Daily 23 Dec 2022 -- Sweden has not taken enough "concrete steps" to extradite people that Ankara sees as terrorists and freeze their assets, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, as Sweden tries to convince Trkiye to ratify its bid to join NATO.
• Meeting with CEOs of defence industry enterprises President of Russia 23 Dec 2022 -- The President met with heads of defence industry enterprises in Tula.
• Russia Proposes Major Military Reorganization, Conscription Changes, Increase In Troop Numbers RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- Russian military officials are proposing a major reorganization of the country's armed forces, including increasing the age for mandatory conscription, as casualty rates from Moscow's 10-month-old invasion of Ukraine continue to climb.
• US Closely Tracking Russia-China Joint Drills in East China Sea Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- The US, along with its allies and partners, is closely monitoring the joint naval exercises of China and Russia in the East China Sea, the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) said on Friday.
• North Korea Denies Allegations It Has Supplied Munitions to Russia Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- Previously, Japanese media reported that North Korea had shipped munitions, including artillery shells, to Russia.
• US sanctions Russia's naval, marine sector entities Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- The United States has decided to inflict sanctions on 10 entities operating in Russia's naval or marine sectors over, what Washington calls, Moscow's military operations against Ukraine's ports.
• Iran sends no military hardware in Russian-Ukrainian conflict: spokesman People's Daily 23 Dec 2022 -- Iran reiterated on Thursday that it has sent no military hardware to any side in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, according to a statement published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
• US Approves Patriot Missiles, New $45B Aid Package for Ukraine VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- The United States House of Representatives on Friday approved a $45 billion aid package for Ukraine. The measure, part of a $1.66 trillion government funding bill that passed the Senate a day earlier, will now go to President Joe Biden for signing into law. This package follows U.S. aid worth about $50 billion sent to Ukraine previously this year.
• Report: Pentagon Plotting to Give Ukrainian Militants Patriot Missile Training at Bases Within US Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- Washington's announcement that they're planning to take their patronage of Kiev regime forces to the next level is likely to further inflame tensions with Moscow.
• US military refuses to give tanks to Ukraine: Report Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- The United States will not supply Ukraine with M1 Abrams main battle tanks to help Kiev forces in its fight against Russia.
• President Tsai opens new facilities at Kaohsiung military base CNA 23 Dec 2022 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Friday inaugurated new military facilities at a Republic of China (Taiwan) Army base in Kaohsiung, saying they provide "a better living environment" for military personnel based there.
• Statement of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 23 Dec 2022 -- A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) issued the following press statement on Friday:
• Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry Censures Japanese Media for False Report KCNA 23 Dec 2022 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA on Thursday as regards the fact that Japan's media spread a false report that the DPRK transported munitions to Russia by rail:
• North Korea fires two ballistic missiles amid US-fueled tensions on Korean peninsula Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, less than a week after the country launched two mid-range missiles amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula fueled by the US.
• North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Towards Sea of Japan, Reports Say Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, the Yonhap news agency reported on Friday, citing the South Korean military.
• North Korea: UK spokesperson response to firing of two short-range ballistic missiles UK FCDO 23 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles from its capital Pyongyang's Sunan area on Friday, according to reports by the South Korean military.
• Japan's record annual military budget amid soaring inflation sparks criticism Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- Japan has announced a plan to increase its military spending by more than a quarter in 2023, including $1.6 billion to buy US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles in what will be the country's record military build-up even as inflation hits a 40-year high.
• Japan Cabinet Approves 2023 Draft Budget at $862Bln With Record Defense Part, Reports Say Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- The Japanese government approved a draft budget for the next fiscal year for a record 114,38 trillion yen ($862 billion) with a record-high defense budget in the amount of 6.8 trillion yen, Japanese media reported on Friday.
• Japan's Leader Urges Cabinet to Prepare for Possible Missile Launches by North Korea, Reports Say Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed responsible ministries to make all necessary preparations in case of possible future North Korean missile launches, national TV reported on Friday.
• Another Australian company secures Defence construction work in the Top End Australia DOD 23 Dec 2022 -- The United States Force Posture Initiatives continue to provide opportunities for local industry, as another Australian company secures United States-funded work to develop infrastructure in the Top End.
• Leaders discuss future of nuclear-powered subs Australia DOD 23 Dec 2022 -- Opportunities and challenges involved in Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines were discussed at the 11th biennial Submarine Institute of Australia conference hosted in Canberra in November.
• Minister Černochová took over the first Leopard 2A4 for the military Czech Republic Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces 23 Dec 2022-- On Wednesday, 21 December 2022, Defence Minister Jana Černochová took over from the State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany Benedikt Zimmer a symbolic key from the first Leopard 2A4 tank that the Czech Republic received from Germany as part of assistance to Ukraine.
• Germany Reportedly Struggles to Produce Enough Ammo to Support Own Security, Ukraine Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- Germany is struggling to produce enough ammunitions to support Ukraine and its own military readiness due to industrial base issues, US media reported citing German officials and industry leaders.
• Saudi Arabia asking for F-35 jets in exchange for normalization: Report Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- An Israeli paper claims Saudi Arabia and Israel have been in direct contact for the normalization of ties as Riyadh has set the Unites States' selling of advanced weapons, including F-35 fighter jets, as one of the conditions for arriving at an agreement.
• Sweden Orders More US Patriot Missiles in Potentially Priciest Deal in History Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- With a ceiling of $3.2 billion, the Patriots may become Sweden's most expensive procurement ever, overshadowing even the Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets.

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 23, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• Female Students In Afghanistan Leave Dormitories After Taliban Announces Higher Education Ban RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Dec 2022 -- Female students at universities in Afghanistan have begun vacating their dormitories after the Taliban-led government said women will no longer be able to seek higher education in the country.
• Taliban defend decision to ban women from universities despite global outcry Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- The de-facto Taliban government's education minister Nida Mohammad Nadim has defended the decision to impose an indefinite ban on university education for women in Afghanistan despite the international outcry.
• Moscow Expresses Concern About Taliban's Ban on Women's Education in Universities Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- Moscow is concerned about the Taliban* banning women from attending Afghanistan's higher educational institutions and expects Kabul to ensure the safety of female students, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
• Press release on the Taliban's ban on women's university enrolment in Afghanistan Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Dec 2022
• China steps up Coast Guard patrols near Japanese islands Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Chinese vessels have intensified activities around Japan this week, sending a clear message of deterrence after Tokyo designated Beijing an unprecedented "strategic challenge" in its latest National Security Strategy.
• Terror Attacks, Border Clashes Test Pakistan's Ties with Afghan Taliban VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- Growing attacks on Pakistani security forces by terrorists operating from Afghan soil and frequent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan are testing Islamabad's ties with the Afghan Taliban.
• Suicide bombing in Pakistan kills one policeman, injures several others Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- A suicide car bombing at a checkpoint in Pakistan on Friday killed at least one policeman and two suspected militants while injuring several others, according to the police and the interior ministry.
• Taliban Suicide Attack Kills Police Officer In Islamabad RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- A suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle close to a residential area in Islamabad on December 23, killing an officer, police said, an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban as the militant group has been stepping up a violence campaign against the government.
• Deadly Suicide Blast Rattles Pakistan Capital VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- Pakistani authorities said Friday a suicide bomber traveling in a car blew himself up at a police security checkpoint in the capital, Islamabad, killing an officer and wounding 10 people.
• China sanctions two US individuals over illegal US sanctions on Xizang region Global Times 23 Dec 2022 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday announced sanctions on Yu Maochun, known as Miles Yu in the US, and Todd Stein as countermeasures to the illegal US sanctions of two Chinese officials on so-called human rights issues related to China's Xizang region.
• Two Americans sanctioned by China say they don't care Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Two U.S. citizens sanctioned by China in retaliation for U.S. sanctions issued over rights abuses in Tibet say they don't care and focus should remain on Beijing's treatment of ethnic minorities.
• One year on, still no justice for Burmese killed in Christmas Eve massacre Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Rights activists and the relatives of nearly 50 civilians brutally killed and burned a year ago in a Christmas Eve massacre in eastern Myanmar's Kayah state blamed on ruling junta troops say they are still trying to bring the perpetrators to justice.
• Myanmar's casualties of war face a perilous journey Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- It was pitch black when Ku Phe Law stepped on a landmine and shattered his legs during a skirmish with Myanmar junta troops in eastern Kayah State earlier this year.
• UNHCR urges States to act now to save lives in the Andaman Sea UNHCR 23 Dec 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is reminding States in the region that some 190 desperate people are on the verge of perishing at sea, adrift somewhere between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal as pleas to rescue and disembark them are continuously ignored.
• UN refugee agency urges rescue of 190 desperate people adrift in Andaman Sea UN News 23 Dec 2022 -- Some 190 desperate people are on the verge of perishing at sea, adrift somewhere between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday, urging countries in southern Asia to rescue them.
• Cameroon Military Denies Involvement in House Burnings in Northwest Region VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- Rights groups in Cameroon have accused the military of torching scores of homes this week of suspected separatist supporters, leaving hundreds of people homeless this holiday season. The military has denied burning any civilian houses.
• Somali forces engage al-Shabaab insurgents AFRICOM 23 Dec 2022 -- At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike, Dec. 23, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Somalia.
• Ethiopia, Tigray Rebels Agree to African Union Monitoring Team VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- Kenya's former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, will travel to Ethiopia's Tigray region to oversee monitoring of last month's peace deal. Ethiopian federal and Tigray region officials agreed late Thursday at talks in Nairobi to grant the African Union full access to the region to oversee an end to the two-year conflict.
• Burkina Faso Expels Top UN Official for 'Discrediting Country' VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- Burkina Faso's military government on Friday expelled the country's top U.N. official without providing any specific explanation, but a senior Burkinabe diplomat says it was because she sought to "discredit the country" by preparing the evacuation of U.N. families over concerns about deteriorating security.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov following talks, Moscow, December 23, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Dec 2022
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during a meeting with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, Moscow, December 23, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Dec 2022
• QA-32, 23 December 2022, Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç, in Response to a Question Regarding the Ongoing Hydrocarbon Activities of the Greek Cypriot Administration in the Eastern Mediterranean Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Dec 2022

News Reports

• Trump should never hold office again over Capitol riot: House Committee Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- The US House committee investigating the last year's Capitol riot has pointed the finger of blame at former President Donald Trump, concluding in a long-awaited report that the real estate billionaire should never be allowed to run for public office again over inciting the deadly violence.
• Limited TikTok ban could augur sweeping changes Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- A new ban on TikTok's use on U.S. government devices may only be the start of congressional prohibitions against the Chinese social media app, with lawmakers from both parties angling for more decisive action against what they say represents a national security threat.
• Alleged Russian Spy at German Intel Agency Reportedly Had Access to Secrets Stolen by Allies Sputnik 23 Dec 2022 -- A member of the German foreign intelligence agency BND who was arrested this week on suspicion of passing secrets to Russia had access to sensitive data collected by allies, media reported.
• Russo-American ties in state of 'Ice Age,' Russia's ambassador says Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- Russia's ambassador to the United States describes the current status of the Russo-American ties, which have hit their lowest ebb in decades, as glacial.
• Tatarstan Lawmakers Vote To Change Constitution And Scrap Post of President In Nod To Moscow RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- Lawmakers in Russia's autonomous republic of Tatarstan on December 23 voted overwhelmingly in favor of constitutional amendments that allow the abolition of the title of president of the republic -- in line with a directive from Moscow.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on December 23, 2022 PRC MofA 23 Dec 2022
• Chinese FM, US secretary of state hold phone conversation Global Times 23 Dec 2022 -- Chinese State Councilor and FM Wang Yi had a phone talk with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, during which Wang said the top leaders' meeting last month sent positive signals but the US is calling for dialogue while at the same time trying to contain China.
• China warns US to stop 'unilateral bullying', heed Beijing's 'legitimate concerns' Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- The US must abandon the "old routine of unilateral bullying" and stop suppressing China's development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told his US counterpart Antony Blinken.
• Xi commends Lee for advancing HK on right track, ushering in new atmosphere Global Times 23 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is on his maiden duty visit to Beijing, and gave full recognition to his courageous and pragmatic work in leading the city government in safeguarding national security, reviving the vitality of the economy and enabling Hong Kong to display a new atmosphere of patriots administering Hong Kong.
• Xi meets with HKSAR chief executive PLA Daily 23 Dec 2022 -- President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.
• Xi meets with Macao SAR chief executive PLA Daily 23 Dec 2022 -- President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Ho Iat Seng, who is on a duty visit to Beijing.
• U.S. rallies allies to preserve Taiwan Strait stability: Blinken CNA 23 Dec 2022 -- United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday singled out China as the country's only competitor that can reshape the international order, but said that the U.S. has rallied allies to meet the challenges posed by Beijing, including by preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
• Mainland has 'no obstacle' to resume direct exchanges on cross-Straits travel Global Times 23 Dec 2022 -- There is an increasing need among Taiwan compatriots for cross-Straits travel ahead of the Spring Festival and we are willing to take optimized measures and do our best to meet the demand, Zhu Fenglian, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, said on Friday in response to a transportation plan by Taiwan island for the upcoming festival.
• North Korea inspects party membership cards after alcohol bill goes unpaid Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Authorities in North Korea are inspecting membership cards for the ruling Workers' Party after a man used his to get out of paying for alcohol, thereby sullying the party's good name, sources in the country told Radio Free Asia.
• Construction of Power Stations Propelled in DPRK KCNA 23 Dec 2022 -- Officials and builders of Kangwon Province in the DPRK are striving to finish the construction of four army-people power stations ahead of schedule while pushing ahead with the construction of rural dwelling houses, the Wonsan Condiments Factory and other projects.
• Families Of Slain Iranian Protesters Mark End Of Mourning Period With Defiance RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- The families of the victims of the recent nationwide protests in Iran have staged protests amid ceremonies marking the 40th day since the death of 10 protesters across the country.
• Iranian Cinematographers Post Video Messages Criticizing Government Response To Unrest RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- Several members of a prominent Iranian cinematographers' union have posted online video messages criticizing the Islamic republic's handling of ongoing unrest and warned government officials, including the head of Iran's state television, to stop suppressing the protests.
• Luxembourg Resident Detained In Iran Sentenced To Death RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- Luxembourg's Foreign Ministry says a resident of the European sovereign grand duchy has been sentenced to death in Iran.
• U.S. Envoy Says Tehran Missed 'Golden' Opportunity For Deal, Slams Iran For Drones, Protest Response RFE/RL 23 Dec 2022 -- The Biden administration's envoy to Iran says a deal to revive a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers is not dead, but Washington is skeptical Tehran is "prepared or able" to reach an agreement after it backed away from "a golden opportunity" in September to finalize an accord and then threw its support behind Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
• There is no alternative to Iran nuclear deal, EU's Borrell says Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says there is no alternative to the 2015 nuclear deal, which was unilaterally abandoned by the United States three years after its conclusion.
• Iran dispatches 4th ship to Venezuela IRNA 23 Dec 2022 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line Group (IRISL) has sent the first ship carrying Iran-made export goods to Venezuela, which is also the fourth ship from the Islamic Republic to the destination of the Latin American country.
• Myanmar's NUG, analysts criticize Thailand for hosting junta foreign minister Radio Free Asia 23 Dec 2022 -- Myanmar's shadow government, analysts and human rights groups have lambasted the Thai government for holding a meeting on the post-coup crisis there that included the Burmese junta's foreign minister.
• Myanmar Diplomat Cites Keys to Passage of Security Council Resolution VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- This week the U.N. Security Council passed its first resolution on Myanmar in 74 years, demanding the military junta immediately end violence in the Southeast Asian nation and free all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
• Venezuela's US-backed opposition votes to remove Guaido's so-called interim govt. Press TV 23 Dec 2022 -- Venezuela's US-backed opposition on Thursday voted to remove the so-called "interim government" led by Juan Guaido in a sign that Washington has conceded it cannot overthrow the democratically-elected government of Nicolas Maduro.
• WMO releases 'tell-tale signs' of extreme weather conditions around the world UN News 23 Dec 2022 -- From extreme floods to heat and drought, weather and climate-related disasters have affected millions and cost billions this year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday, describing the "tell-tale signs and impacts" of intensified climate change.
• Chinese-Funded Projects Deepen Sri Lanka's Economic Woes VOA 23 Dec 2022 -- During the past decade, China funded the construction of massive infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka meant to boost the island nation's economy. However, after the economic collapse of the tiny Indian Ocean country earlier this year, there were questions whether these projects had contributed to the worst crisis it has ever faced.