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• US military base in eastern Syria comes under heavy rocket fire Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- A military facility housing US forces in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr has reportedly come under rocket fire from nearby areas.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pentagon Says Awarded $7.8 Bln in F-35 Contract to Lockheed Martin Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- The US Defense Department has concluded a nearly $8 billion-contract for F-35 fighter jets with Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon has announced.
• Lockheed Martin to Extend Engineering Support for Navy Ship Defense System Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems has won a more than $64 million contract expansion to provide engineering support for the US Navy's Ship Self-Defense System, the US Department of Defense has announced.
• US Grounds Several F-35 Fighter Jets After Mishap in Texas Runway Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- The United States grounded several F-35 fighter jets as a result of concerns following a mishap that occurred with the aircraft on the runway of a military base in Texas earlier in December, the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program Office spokesperson told Sputnik.
• US weapons sales to NATO members almost doubled in 2022 Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- The United States' weapons sales to NATO member states in 2022 have shown a drastic increase as countries react to fears caused by the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
• Putin pledges victory over a West intent on 'destroying Russia' Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin has pledged victory over a West, which he said was intent on "destroying Russia," at a New Year message to the Russian soldiers fighting against "neo-Nazis" in Ukraine.
• Putin: Russia Won't Give Up Under Pressure, Must Fight Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- Russia does not yield to foreign pressure and will fight for its interests as long as it takes, President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday.
• Visit to Southern Military District President of Russia 31 Dec 2022 -- The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces visited the headquarters of the Southern Military District.
• Russia's victory in Ukraine 'inevitable': Defense minister Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says his country's victory in Ukraine "is inevitable," though he admitted that the situation on the frontlines remained "difficult."
• Russian Mercenary Leader's War Of Words With Moscow's Military Brass Deepens Amid Fighting In Bakhmut RFE/RL 31 Dec 2022 -- As the frontline Donbas city of Bakhmut has turned into the site of some of the fiercest fighting under way in Ukraine, tensions between the notorious Russian mercenary company, the Vagner Group, and the Russian military have spilled out into the open.
• US facing 'risks' over Patriot missiles delivery to Ukraine: Congressional advisory body Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- A US government advisory body has warned Congress that the planned delivery of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine has raised "legislative and oversight" risks for the United States.
• US spy plane makes dangerous maneuvers against monitoring PLA airplane during close-in recon on China Global Times 31 Dec 2022 -- It was a US RC-135 spy plane that engaged in dangerous maneuvers against a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy J-11 fighter jet which was monitoring the US aircraft during the latter's close-in reconnaissance over the South China Sea, and the US intentionally misled the public, the PLA Southern Theater Command said on Saturday, releasing a video documenting the incident.
• North Korea's Draft Budget for Next Year Submitted for Approval Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- North Korea's Political Bureau has accepted the draft state budget for 2023 during the 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports on Saturday.
• Kim Jong Un Vows to 'Exponentially' Increase Nuclear Warheads VOA 31 Dec 2022 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to dramatically boost production of nuclear warheads and to build a new long-range missile, according to year-end comments published by state media Sunday.
• North Korea fires ballistic missile into Sea of Japan: Report Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has reportedly fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, in a launch that marked the nuclear-armed state's second one in as many days.
• North Korea Fired One Short-Range Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan - S. Korean Military Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- North Korea test-fired its first short-range ballistic missile in 2023, launching it toward the Sea of Japan on Sunday, the South Korean military has detailed.
• North Korean Drones Fail to Obtain Meaningful Information - South Korean Military Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- South Korean Defense Ministry on Saturday announced that the North Korean drones that infiltrated South Korean territory could not have obtained any meaningful information.
• North Korea fires three ballistic missiles after South's test of space launch vehicle Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- North Korea has fired at least three short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean military says.
• KEEL LAYING BY SHRI GIRIDHAR ARAMANE, DEFENCE SECRETARY,FOR TWO WARSHIPS OF ASW SWC PROJECT AT GRSE, KOLKATA, ON 31 DEC 22 India PIB 31 Dec 2022 -- Keel laying of the two warships (Yard 3033 and Yard 3036) of Anti-submarine Warfare Shallow Craft (ASW SWC) project under construction by GRSE, Kolkata, was undertaken on 31 Dec 22 by Shri Giridhar Aramane, IAS, Defence Secretary.
• Zolfaqar 1401 drills: Iranian Navy drones successfully destroy simulated targets IRNA 31 Dec 2022 -- As Zolfaqar 1401 drills continues in southern Iran, different drones - namely Arash, Bavar, and Ababil 5 - took off from the board of Sahand destroyer and successfully shot the simulated targets at the coast.
• Indigenous air defense systems shoot down attacking drones in Zolfaghar-1401 ISNA 31 Dec 2022 -- In the continuation of the main stage of Iranian Army's joint military drills, codenamed "Zolfaqar-1401", "Majid" low-altitude missile system and "Khatam" artillery fire control system hit and shod down the attacking drones.
• Home-grown Iranian air defense systems intercept, down drones at Army drills Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- Home-grown Iranian air defense systems have intercepted and shot down hostile drones during large-scale military exercises, which the Iranian Army has undertaken in a zone spanning from the country's southeastern ports and waters to the northern tip of the Indian Ocean.
• Turkey to Discuss With US Purchase of F-16 Fighters in January, Defense Minister Says Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- The Turkish delegation will hold talks with the US authorities on the purchase of F-16 fighter jets in January, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• UN Chief Appeals for Peace in the New Year VOA 31 Dec 2022 -- As the old year gives way to the new, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a heartfelt appeal to the citizens of the world to put peace at the center of their words and actions in 2023.
• 'Clouds Of War Are Gathering': Pakistanis Brace For Bloody Year As TTP Ends Cease-Fire, Intensifies Attacks RFE/RL 31 Dec 2022 -- Umar, a high school student, vanished from his home in northwestern Pakistan last month. Weeks later, he sent a brief message on WhatsApp to his family members from neighboring Afghanistan.
• Turkiye agrees to fully withdraw troops from Syria: Syrian media IRNA 31 Dec 2022 -- Turkey has agreed to a complete pull-out of its troops from Syria after a recent meeting between defense ministers of Russia, Turkiye and Syria in Moscow, according to a report published in Syrian media.
• Turkey Agrees to Withdraw Troops From Syria Should Damascus Take Political Steps Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- The withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria requires steps in the political process, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.
• Russian FM Lavrov & Turkey's Cavusoglu Hold Phone Talks on Syrian Peace Settlement Sputnik 31 Dec 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed coordination of steps in the settlement of the Syrian conflict during a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the publication of the recent UN Group of Experts report EC/CEU 31 Dec 2022 -- The EU commends the resolute African-led initiatives to address the root causes of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• In post-coup conflict, at least 157 Myanmar children died in 2022 Radio Free Asia 31 Dec 2022 -- The junta and militia soldiers entered the village under cover of darkness and started torching houses. A 13-year-old child was shot and killed during the Dec. 19 raid on Zee Pin Thar village in Sagaing, witnesses said.
• Commission of Inquiry welcomes General Assembly resolution requesting an ICJ Advisory Opinion relating to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory OHCHR 31 Dec 2022 -- The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, welcomes General Assembly resolution 77/400 deciding to request an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) relating to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.

News Reports

• New Year Address to the Nation President of Russia 31 Dec 2022
• Russia plans to export energy via gas swap with Iran IRNA 31 Dec 2022 -- Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Construction and Regional Policy Alexander Novak has announced that gas export to Afghanistan and Pakistan can be carried out by means of a gas swap with Iran.
• Putin Changes Gas Payment Decree To Allow 'Unfriendly' Countries To Pay Debt In Foreign Currency RFE/RL 31 Dec 2022 -- Russia will allow "unfriendly" countries to pay debt settlements for natural-gas supplies in a foreign currency, according to changes made by President Vladimir Putin to an earlier decree.
• The Year That Changed The Chinese-Russian Relationship RFE/RL 31 Dec 2022 -- As Russian tanks rolled into neighboring Georgia under the cover of darkness in August 2008, Beijing's initial reaction was one of quiet irritation.
• China's 2022: A year of lockdowns, protests and mass COVID-19 infections Radio Free Asia 31 Dec 2022 -- A momentous year of lockdowns, calls for Xi Jinping's resignation, economic stagnation, street protests and the lifting of the zero-COVID policy has left China's future looking much less predictable.
• Full Text: 2023 New Year Address by President Xi Jinping PRC MofA 31 Dec 2022
• Xi inspires whole nation, instills confidence in society via New Year address Global Times 31 Dec 2022 -- China will be a country that performs miracles through hard work as it goes forward, Chinese President Xi Jinping said while delivering his 2023 New Year address on Saturday night, the 10th such speech he has given since 2014. He also hailed the determined effort every Chinese has made in overcoming unprecedent difficulties and challenges and called for more unity as the light of hope is right in front of us.
• Xi, Putin exchange New Year greetings People's Daily 31 Dec 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, exchanged messages of New Year greetings on Saturday.
• Hong Kong legal professionals welcome interpretation of provisions in HKNSL, refuting Western media's attacks slandering city's judicial independence Global Times 31 Dec 2022 -- Hong Kong officials, legal professionals and observers welcome the country's top legislature providing interpretations for provisions under the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which absolutely does not affect the city's judiciary independence, but instead clarifies the legislative intent of a number of provisions of the NSL for Hong Kong, providing more authoritative and clear guidelines for the judicial practice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
• Top legislature gives interpretation of provisions in HK national security law, settling disputes over foreign lawyers working on national security cases Global Times 31 Dec 2022 -- China's top legislature adopted an interpretation of Article 14 and Article 47 on the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Friday, which aims to properly handle the issues encountered in practicing the national security law (NSL) for Hong Kong and effectively safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.
• Space mission records in 2022 PLA Daily 31 Dec 2022 -- For China's space sector, 2022 was a year of substantial progress and remarkable new records.
• South Korean National Assembly delegation visited Taiwan: MOFA CNA 31 Dec 2022 -- South Korea's Taiwan-Korean parliamentary friendship group made a low-profile visit to Taiwan between Dec. 28 and 31, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Saturday.
• MOFA slams China for Taiwan reference following talks with Moscow CNA 31 Dec 2022 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday condemned Beijing for "falsely" claiming Taiwan is part of its territory after talks between China's leader Xi Jinping (習近平) and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
• New TAO head shows China more focused on Taiwan issue: scholar CNA 31 Dec 2022 -- The recent appointment of Song Tao (宋濤) as director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) showed that Beijing is giving an even higher priority to Taiwan affairs, Chang Wu-ueh (張五岳), an expert on cross-Taiwan Strait relations, told CNA.
• 5th-day Sitting of 6th Plenum of 8th C.C., WPK KCNA 31 Dec 2022 -- The 6th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) continued on Dec. 30.
• 12th Meeting of Political Bureau of 8th C.C., WPK Held KCNA 31 Dec 2022 -- The 12th Meeting of the Political Bureau of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place at the office building of the WPK Central Committee on Friday.
• Iran says images sent by Khayyam satellite meet domestic needs IRNA 31 Dec 2022 -- Spokesman of Iranian Space Agency Hossein Dalirian said on Saturday that high-quality images sent by Khayyam satellite are being provided to both state and private sectors of the country and have helped meet part of domestic needs in different areas such as agriculture, natural resources, environment, water resources, mines, border monitoring and management of unprecedented crises.
• Positive approaches can solve regional issues, no need for foreign presence: Iran FM Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has once again reiterated the Islamic Republic's opposition to the presence of foreign states in the region, saying regional issues can be settled well through the positive approaches adopted by regional countries.
• Gen. Soleimani's assassination case in 'final stages' of indictment: Official Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- An Iranian legal official says Tehran is seriously pursuing a judicial process to serve justice in the case of the 2020 assassination of Iran's anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani by the United States, stressing that the indictment in the case is nearing its final stages.
• Year-End Review -2022: Department of Space India PIB 31 Dec 2022 -- Indian Space Programme and its ecosystem have been in a state of unprecedented vibrancy with various achievements. The glimpse of key milestones embraced by the department since 2014 till date is highlighted as below:
• Supporters of right-wing leader wreak havoc in Bolivia after his detention Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- Supporters of Santa Cruz governor Luis Fernando Camacho in Bolivia have clashed with police following his detention on terrorism charges.
• Venezuela opposition officially removes US-backed Guaido, dissolves so-called interim government Press TV 31 Dec 2022 -- Venezuela's opposition lawmakers have officially removed US-backed opposition figure Juan Guaido and dissolved his so-called "interim government" amid reconciliation efforts with the democratically-elected government of Nicolas Maduro prior to the 2024 elections.