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News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• MQ-9 FARP in a Combat Area CENTCOM 28 Dec 2022 -- The Air Force is always developing ways to act faster and more effectively around the world. A Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, accomplishes this by allowing aircraft to prepare for their next mission without having to return to an established base. This capability is part of Agile Combat Employment, the doctrine that emphasizes mobility even in hostile areas where infrastructure is scarce.
• Counter Small Unmanned Aerial System Training At Al Dhafra Air Base CENTCOM 28 Dec 2022 -- It's a clear December morning at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The base's population is mostly still getting their breakfast and preparing for work. All is normal, except for the occasional buzzing sound heard overhead. It sounds like a fly. A very big fly. Those that have the wherewithal to look up may catch a glimpse of a small spot approximately 500 feet in the sky, but that is no ordinary spot. It's a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) that is patrolling the north side of the base.
• 26th MEU completes MAGTF Interoperability Course USMC News 28 Dec 2022 -- The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit flexes its muscles with completing its first intermediate pre-deployment training event, a Marine Air Ground Task Force Interoperability Course which took place from Nov. 28 to Dec. 12, 2022. This course was an opportunity to integrate multiple elements within the MEU to complete various scenario-based tasks and missions transitioning directly into Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise I.
• F-35 Crash in Texas Prompts US, Israel to Ground Part of Their Fleets Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- A US test pilot had a close call earlier this month after his Lockheed Martin F-35B touched down nose first on the runway at a US military base in Texas, and proceeded to spin wildly out of control, forcing him to eject. The F-35 program has taken heavy flak over its astronomical $1.7 trillion price tag, and hundreds of major and minor defects.
• Germany takes the lead for NATO's high readiness force NATO 28 Dec 2022 -- On Sunday (1 January 2023), Germany takes the lead of NATO's highest-readiness military force, placing thousands of troops on standby and ready to deploy within days.
• Western policy of containing Russia could cause clash of nuclear powers: Lavrov People's Daily 28 Dec 2022 -- The Western policy of containing Russia is extremely dangerous and fraught with risk of a direct armed clash between nuclear powers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.
• Joint Russia-China Naval Interaction 2022 Drills Completed: MoD Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The joint Russia-China exercises dubbed "Naval Interaction-2022" ended in the East China Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
• Chinese military aircraft manufacturers complete annual production Global Times 28 Dec 2022 -- Multiple major Chinese military aircraft manufacturers have announced completion of their annually scheduled production plans by the end of December, which will lay a solid foundation for the aviation forces of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) next year.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States - Volcano System DSCA 28 Dec 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of Volcano (vehicle-launched) anti-tank munition-laying systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $180 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
• Taiwan to launch refresher training for former servicewomen in 2023 CNA 28 Dec 2022 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) plans to hold platoon-level trials of refresher training for former servicewomen across Taiwan in 2023, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said on Wednesday.
• Reform to free active forces to focus on territorial defense: Expert CNA 28 Dec 2022 -- The reform of Taiwan's military announced by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday was aimed at freeing active duty forces to focus on combat preparedness missions and boost the ability of reserve forces to serve as a stronger backup, a military expert told CNA.
• China says Taiwanese compatriots won't serve as 'cannon fodder' for separatists Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- China's government has censured Taiwan for seeking to use the Taiwanese people as "cannon fodder" by extending compulsory military service from four months to one year, starting in 2024.
• Australia planning to deploy new missile systems amid China-Taiwan tensions: Report Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- The Australian government has been planning to deploy a new missile system amid strains in relations between the West and China over Chinese Taipei.
• The invention to seek out enemy subs Australia DOD 28 Dec 2022 -- This history article, telling the story behind the development of one of Defence's most successful joint development projects, is one of a series celebrating 115 years of Defence science and technology.*
• Canadian Armed Forces Numbers' Shrinking as Departures Outpace Recruitment - Commander Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The number of Canadian service members fell by 1,200 in 2021 and the crisis might deepen as the number of departures has significantly outpaced recruitment, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Joe Paul told Canadian Press.
• North Korean leader unveils new goals to boost military power Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has presented new key goals to further boost the country's military power next year, amid growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• North Korea's Kim Jong-Un Sets Goals for Bolstering Defense in 2023 Amid Escalations With Seoul Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has set new key goals for strengthening the country's defense in 2023 against the background of escalation on the Korean peninsula, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday.
• Despite border incursion, North Korean drones face fuel shortages, frequent crashes Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- North Korea raised alarms in South Korea earlier this week when it sent five drones across the border for the first time in five years, prompting Seoul to fire warning shots and scramble jets before the unmanned aircraft returned home hours later.
• South Korea Vows to Step Up Defense Spending Over Next 5 Years Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- South Korea said Wednesday it wanted to increase military spending by 331.4 trillion won ($261 billion) over the next five years, ratcheting up expenditure by an annual average of 6.8%.
• South Korean Defense Minister Apologizes for North Korean Drone Incident Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup on Wednesday apologized over the failure of the country's military to shoot down five North Korean drones that recently intruded in the South Korean airspace.
• Under New Defense Plan, Japan May Become 'Normal' World Power VOA 28 Dec 2022 -- Japan this month took a major step toward loosening its postwar military restraints, unveiling new policies that will allow the Asian giant to play a much bigger role in regional and global security affairs.
• Japan to deploy missile defense unit near Taiwan island, 'removing pacifist mask' as it ramps up military presence Global Times 28 Dec 2022 -- Japan is removing its pacifist mask as it continues attempts to strengthen its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese experts said on Wednesday, following reports that Tokyo is likely to deploy a surface-to-air missile defense unit at Japan's closest self-defense force base to China's Taiwan region.
• China slams hike in Japan's defense spending Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- China has expressed concerns over the significant hike in Japan's defense spending in 2023, calling it "a very dangerous development."

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Dec. 28, 2022

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• Peace needed now, 'more than ever': Guterres UN News 28 Dec 2022 -- After a year of brutal warfare from Afghanistan to Ukraine, forcing record numbers to flee their homes, the world needs peace in 2023 "more than ever", said the UN Secretary-General, in his New Year message.
• Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers on the Taliban's Ban on Afghan Women Working for National and International NGOs US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2022 -- The following is a statement from the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malta, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union.
• Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Afghanistan, Women's participation in aid delivery must continue WHO 28 Dec 2022
• Nearly 3,000 civilians killed or injured in Saudi strikes on Yemen's Sa'ada in 2022: Official Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- A Yemeni health official says nearly 3,000 civilians, including African refugees, lost their lives or sustained injuries this year as a result of artillery and missile strikes by Saudi military forces in Yemen's northwestern province of Sa'ada.
• Syria: Expelling US occupation forces not out of reach Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- Syria's foreign ministry says expelling the US occupation forces from the country's soil is not out of reach, especially given the Syrian popular forces' ongoing successful resistance operations.
• Despite Rakhine cease-fire, Myanmar military blocks shipments of aid, fuel and goods Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops are still banning the transport of humanitarian aid including shipments of medicines and fuel in western Myanmar's Rakhine state a month after a local cease-fire went into force, according to sources in the region.
• North of Kosovo: Joint Statement by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative and the US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson on the rising tension European External Action Service (EEAS) 28 Dec 2022 -- The European Union and the United States of America are concerned about the continued tense situation in the north of Kosovo.
• EU, U.S. Urge De-Escalation After Kosovo Shuts Down Main Border Crossing Into Serbia RFE/RL 28 Dec 2022 -- The European Union and the United States have expressed concern about the tense situation in the north of Kosovo, where authorities on December 28 closed down the main border crossing with Serbia at Merdare after protesters set up a roadblock on the Serbian side.
• Vucic: Serbs in Northern Kosovo Will Start Removing Barricades on Thursday Morning Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that Serbs in northern Kosovo will start removing barricades on Thursday morning.
• EU, US Working With Serbian, Kosovar Leaders to Defuse Tensions on Border Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The European Union and the United States are working with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to find a peaceful solution to tensions unfolding on the border in recent weeks, the EU and US foreign services said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
• Kosovo shuts main border crossing with Serbia as tensions escalate Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- Kosovo closed its biggest border crossing with Serbia on Wednesday after Serbs reportedly set up more barricades on their side to support their ethnic kin in Kosovo in one of the region's worst crises in years.
• Joint Statement on the Escalating Tensions in the North of Kosovo US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2022 -- The text of the following statement was released by the State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel and Spokesperson of the EU High Representative, Nabila Massrali.
• South Sudan: UN and partners make plea for urgent intervention to end 'escalating violence' UN News 28 Dec 2022 -- The UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) together with international partners, have called for the immediate end to mounting violence in the Greater Pibor area by armed youth from Jonglei state. News reports say at least 57 have died since early on Sunday, with more than a dozen injured.
• South Sudan Sends 750 Troops to DRC VOA 28 Dec 2022 -- South Sudan is sending 750 troops to join the East Africa Force trying to bring peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, despite its own struggles to restore peace back home.
• Ethiopian Airlines Resumes Flights to Tigray VOA 28 Dec 2022 -- The first of many Ethiopian Airlines flights arrived in Mekelle, Tigray's regional capital, Wednesday, signaling an end to the two-year isolation of the region from the rest of the country. Families on the flight were seen embracing one another after arriving in the city.
• India Seizes Properties Worth Millions in Kashmir VOA 28 Dec 2022 -- Authorities in India-administered Kashmir have seized more than a score of homes associated with the banned Islamist movement Jamaat-i-Islami in recent weeks, raising tensions in the long-troubled Muslim majority region.

News Reports

• Final Defendant in Michigan Governor Kidnapping Plot Sentenced to Over 19 Years in Prison US Dept. of Justice 28 Dec 2022 -- Barry Croft Jr., 47, of Bear, Delaware, was sentenced today to 235 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property, and knowingly possessing an unregistered destructive device, which was a commercial firework refashioned with shrapnel to serve as a hand-grenade.
• Number of Cyberattacks Against Russia Increased by 80% in 2022: Senior Diplomat Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The number of cyberattacks against Russia increased by 80% this year against the backdrop of Moscow's special operation, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said in an interview with Sputnik.
• Russian RaHDit Hackers Unveil Data on Over 70 Ukrainians Involved in Cyberoperations Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The Russian hacker group RaHDit on Wednesday published information on its website NemeZida on over 70 Ukrainian soldiers and officers responsible for cyberdefense and hacking operations.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with the Great Game programme on Channel One, Moscow, December 28, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Dec 2022
• Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry Summons Russia's Ambassador Over Putting Grozev on Wanted List Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has summoned Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova after the Russian Interior Ministry has put Christo Grozev, the lead investigator with the Bellingcat journalist group (listed as a foreign agent in Russia), on the wanted list, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russia's Lavrov claims Pentagon officials have threatened Putin with assassination Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that unnamed US military officials have threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with assassination.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on December 28, 2022 PRC MofA 28 Dec 2022
• VOA Interview: House Select Committee Hopes to Explain Why China Matters VOA 28 Dec 2022 -- As Republicans prepare to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, they are looking to put their stamp on a range of issues, including China.
• Protesters who fled Hong Kong amid crackdown face deportation from United States Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- Dozens of Hong Kong rights groups and former protesters who fled the city amid a crackdown on dissent by China have called on Washington to extend a deportation deadline to prevent them from being sent home.
• China Protests Official Japanese Visit to Taiwan Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- China expressed dissatisfaction on Wednesday with the ongoing visit of Japanese lawmakers to Taiwan, an island it claims as its territory, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.
• Year of 'Great Life-and-Death Struggle': What Happened on the Korean Peninsula in 2022 Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- Pyongyang formally laid out its goals for strengthening national defense in 2023 on Wednesday amid an escalation of tensions with Seoul and Washington during the outgoing year. What changes, good and bad, has 2022 brought to the Korean Peninsula? Let this punchy Sputnik year in review bring you up to speed.
• 9th Congress of KCU Held in DPRK KCNA 28 Dec 2022 -- The 9th Congress of the Korean Children's Union (KCU) took place in Pyongyang from December 26 to 27.
• Second-day Sitting of 6th Plenum of 8th C.C., WPK KCNA 28 Dec 2022 -- The second-day sitting of the 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) continued amid the extraordinary political awareness and active zeal of all the participants to adopt the new year's action guidelines for bringing a new phase of upsurge in the prosperous development of the state with absolute trust and confidence in the victory of the Korean-style socialist cause.
• South Korea says it must 'punish' North Korea despite nuclear threat Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol says Seoul must "retaliate against any provocation" by North Korea without fear and hesitation despite Pyongyang's nuclear weapons in the wake of an alleged intrusion by North Korean drones.
• Junta troops arrest and kill 7 villagers in Myanmar's Mandalay region Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- Junta troops killed seven residents of a village in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, locals told RFA.
• US Spending Bill Includes Sanctions for Harassing, Surveilling Iranian Citizens VOA 28 Dec 2022 -- A $1.7 trillion spending bill the U.S. Congress passed last week includes a measure seeking accountability for people working for or on behalf of the government of Iran to harass and surveil Iranian citizens.
• Iran to respond to foes' mistakes firmly IRNA 28 Dec 2022 -- The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran has warned that any potential miscalculation by the enemies at any time and place would be responded decisively via attacking their source of action.
• Window to reach agreement in Vienna 'won't remain open forever': Iran FM Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- Iran's foreign minister, currently on an official visit to Oman, in remarks on Wednesday stressed that the "window to reach an agreement" in Vienna will not remain open forever, urging other parties to be realistic.
• Iran says window of negotiations not to remain open forever IRNA 28 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Wednesday that the window for reaching an agreement will not remain open forever by the Iranian side.
• AEOI Chief: Medicine produced from heavy water derivatives IRNA 28 Dec 2022 -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami said that medicines are produced from heavy water derivatives.
• Iranian FM meets with Sultan of Oman ISNA 28 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian met with the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Muscat on Wednesday.
• Iran FM arrives in Oman bearing presidential message Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrives in the Omani capital for talks on various regional and international issues, and also to convey a message from President Ebrahim Raeisi to the Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
• First South Korean Lunar Orbiter Successfully Enters Moon Orbit: Science Ministry Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- South Korean lunar orbiter Danuri has successfully entered the orbit of the moon, South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Wednesday.
• Turkish Court Upholds Conviction of Osman Kavala US Dept. of State 28 Dec 2022 -- "The United States is deeply troubled and disappointed by a Turkish court's decision to uphold the conviction of Osman Kavala today."
• Active peace policy - Foreign Minister Baerbock unveils foreign and security policy concept for integrated peace engagement Germany Federal Foreign Office 28 Dec 2022 -- How does the Federal Foreign Office want to stabilise trouble spots more effectively in future? The new concept for integrated peace engagement shows the way forward.
• Israel's Netanyahu Announces Likud Lawmaker's Appointment as Parliament Speaker, Reports Say Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that parties to the ruling coalition have unanimously approved Likud lawmaker Amir Ohana to be appointed Knesset speaker, media reported.
• Israeli Parties Sign Final Coalition Agreement, Reports Say Sputnik 28 Dec 2022 -- The Likud party, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, and the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism alliance have signed a final coalition agreement after all details were agreed on, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
• Purge in Riyadh: Ex-Saudi public security chief jailed for 25 years over 'corruption' Press TV 28 Dec 2022 -- Saudi Arabia's former public security chief has been sentenced to 25 years in prison over alleged "corruption charges" amid Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ongoing witch-hunt against dissidents, opponents, and potential rivals to the throne.
• Cambodian court upholds verdict keeping NagaWorld union leader in jail Radio Free Asia 28 Dec 2022 -- A Cambodian court upheld a verdict detaining Chhim Sithor, a union leader involved in the NagaWorld Hotel and Casino strike in which hundreds of workers have been striking to demand better wages and working conditions.