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Defense Policy / Programs

• NATO Secretary General meets with Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina NATO 16 Jan 2023 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Denis Bećirović, member of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to NATO Headquarters on Monday (16 January 2023).
• Russian Fighter Escorts German Spy Plane Over Baltic Sea: Defense Ministry Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- Russian fighter Su-27 was scrambled to escort German reconnaissance aircraft Orion over the Baltic Sea, which was trying to approach the Russian border, the Russian Defense Ministry's National Defense Control Center (NDCC) said on Monday.
• Belarus, Russia Start Joint Air Force Exercise Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- Belarus and Russia have started a joint flight and tactical exercise of aviation units in the regional group of troops to improve their operational compatibility, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
• Belarus says to hold joint 'defensive' air force drills with Russia, accusing Ukraine of 'provocation' Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- Belarus and Russia's air forces are to start joint drills to prepare for possible combat missions, around two weeks after a Ukrainian missile entered the Belarusian airspace in what Minks denounced as a "provocation."
• Oral statement to Parliament - Defence Secretary oral statement on war in Ukraine UK MOD 16 Jan 2023 -- The Defence Secretary made a statement to Parliament updating members on the UK's continued programme of military aid to Ukraine, including Challenger 2 tanks.
• US begins expanded training of 500 Ukrainian troops in Germany Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- The US military has launched an expanded training program of Ukrainian troops in Germany, in an effort to get a battalion of about 500 troops back on the battlefield to fend off Russian forces in the next five to eight weeks.
• US Military Reportedly Starts Training Ukrainian Soldiers in Germany Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- In late November, US media reported that Washington is considering expanding its training of the Ukrainian military that may include drills for up to 2,500 troops monthly at an American base in Germany.
• Putin slams Kiev's 'destructive' policies, Western arms deliveries to Ukraine Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has lambasted the Ukrainian government's "destructive" policies and growing Western arms supplies to Kiev as war in the former Soviet republic drags on for more than 300 days.
• Russia says tanks UK plans to send to Ukraine 'will burn' there Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- Russia says the tanks Britain plans to send to Ukraine "will burn" there, warning the West against sending more advanced weapons to the ex-Soviet republic since such consignments will not "change" the outcome of the war.
• Germany's defense minister steps down after series of errors Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- Germany's much-criticized Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned as her department was under pressure for supplying Ukraine with lethal package of armaments.
• Scholz Accepts Lambrecht's Resignation as Defense Minister Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and will present a new candidate in a timely manner, Berlin said.
• U.S. Volcano sale to include anti-tank mines only: Taiwan military CNA 16 Jan 2023 -- Taiwan's military said Monday that only anti-tank munitions would be included in a proposed purchase of Volcano mine-dispensing systems from the United States, after concerns were raised by opposition lawmakers.
• 21st EDITION OF INDIA FRANCE BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE 'VARUNA' - 2023 India PIB 16 Jan 2023 -- The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France - Exercise Varuna commenced on the Western Seaboard today, 16 Jan 23. While the bilateral exercise between the two navies were initiated in 1993, it was christened as 'VARUNA' in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India - France strategic bilateral relationship.
• Japan, India start fighter jet drills 'with growing military ambitions instigated by US against China' Global Times 16 Jan 2023 -- Japan and India on Monday launched their first joint fighter jet exercise, a move analysts said exposed the two countries' growing military ambitions against China under the instigation of the US.
• Japan, India Start Air Defense Military Drills Near Tokyo Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- Japan and India have started the Veer Guardian joint military exercises in the vicinity of Tokyo to boost tactical and technical skills and deepen the bilateral defense cooperation, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) said on Monday.
• Why South Korea's President is Talking About Nuclear Weapons VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is accelerating a once unthinkable debate over whether his country should acquire nuclear weapons — a move that would transform the U.S.-South Korea alliance and upend regional security dynamics.

Defense Industry

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Ukraine Conflict News


• 16 January 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 16 Jan 2023
• Yemen: Lull in major fighting provides space for dialogue UN News 16 Jan 2023 -- Warring parties in Yemen should take advantage of the current absence of major fighting and use it to advance their talks towards peace, the top UN official in the country said on Monday in his latest briefing to the Security Council.
• UK welcomes efforts, by all parties, to build upon the relative peace we continue to see in Yemen UK FCDO 16 Jan 2023 -- Statement delivered by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on Yemen
• China calls on Israel to stop 'provocations' amid rise in tensions in Palestinian territories Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- China's Foreign Minister says Israel must stop "incitements and provocations" against Palestinians, particularly in al-Quds amid rise in tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• Somali Forces Capture Two Towns from Militants VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- The Somali government reported on Monday that government forces have captured two towns previously controlled by militant group al-Shabab in the central Galmudug State.
• Somali Army Captures Port From Al-Shabaab Terrorists: Reports Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- The Somali armed forces have captured the strategically important port town of Harardere, which was under the control of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group*, local media reported on Monday, citing the country's defense minister.
• Nigeria Christian Group Condemns Gruesome Murder of Priest, Church Attack VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- The Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the killing of a Catholic priest in central Niger state Sunday and suggested Christians might need to take up arms to defend themselves.
• Daesh Terrorists Claim Responsibility for Kasindi Church Blast in DRC Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- The Daesh* terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the deadly explosion at a church in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rita Katz, Director of SITE Intelligence Group, said.

News Reports

• California Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison For Charges Related to Capitol Breach DoJ -US Attorney - DC 16 Jan 2023 -- Erik Herrera, 35, of El Cajon, California, was sentenced, on January 13, 2023, to 48 months in prison for felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
• Fugitive Mafia Boss Arrested in Italy VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- One of Italy's most wanted men, Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro, has been arrested.
• Russian Lawyers Group Calls On Putin To End 'Blatant Torture' Of Navalny RFE/RL 16 Jan 2023 -- A group of Russian lawyers has demanded an end to the "blatant torture" of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who is being held in punitive solitary confinement in a prison in Russia's Vladimir region.
• British foreign secretary banned from entering Russia People's Daily 16 Jan 2023 -- Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly is among 36 British citizens that have been recently barred from entering Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 16 Jan 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Xi calls on non-CPC members to better pool strength, serve overall interests of country People's Daily 16 Jan 2023 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called on non-CPC members to perform their duties with greater effort and determination and play a better role in pooling the strength and serving the overall interests of the country.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on January 16, 2023 PRC MofA 16 Jan 2023
• China-Africa traditional friendship shows 'new characteristic' as FM Qin concludes 8-day visit Global Times 16 Jan 2023 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang concluded his first official overseas trip since his appointment on December 30, 2022, with visits to five African countries and two regional organizations on his busy eight-day schedule. Experts said the traditional friendship between China and Africa has been further deepened, and in a world in turbulence, the China-Africa relationship is a symbol of developing countries working together to withstand uncertainties and potential crises through cooperation and development.
• China's New FM Visits Egypt, Concluding His Five-Nation Africa Tour Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- Chinese foreign ministers often start their terms with trips to Africa, thus highlighting the importance of China-Africa ties and driving bilateral relations to new levels. The country's current Foreign Minister Qin Gang was appointed on December 30, taking over from Wang Yi. His first overseas trip in this position was also to Africa.
• China hopes Arab League plays greater role in promoting peace in Middle East: Chinese FM Global Times 16 Jan 2023 -- China firmly supports the Arab people's independence in exploring their own development paths, and hopes that the Arab League (AL) will play a greater role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said while meeting with AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Sunday local time.
• China appoints hard-line security chief to be its representative in Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 16 Jan 2023 -- The ruling Communist Party has appointed hardline Hong Kong national security chief Zheng Yanxiong to head its Central Liaison Office in the city.
• Newly appointed liaison director assumes office, pointing out Hong Kong's future direction Global Times 16 Jan 2023 -- In speaking to the press on the first working day of assuming the duty as director of the liaison office of the central government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Zheng Yanxiong said that as long as there is no social turmoil in the city and it doesn't go in a wrong direction, Hong Kong will embrace a bright future.
• China's State Council appoints, removes officials People's Daily 16 Jan 2023 -- China's State Council announced the appointment and removal of officials on Saturday.
• New liaison office director urges Hong Kong to gain more prosperity in first Spring Festival address Global Times 16 Jan 2023 -- Zheng Yanxiong, the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivered a 2023 Spring Festival address on Sunday, to welcome the Year of the Rabbit with the people of Hong Kong and to urge the city to grasp the opportunities provided by the Chinese mainland to gain more prosperity.
• Official touts efficacy of Hong Kong security law People's Daily 16 Jan 2023 -- The Hong Kong National Security Law serves the best interests of residents of the special administrative region, and offers solid safeguards for people's legitimate rights while helping ensure the city's more open and sustainable development, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Friday.
• Strong measures help Xinjiang contain violent acts People's Daily 16 Jan 2023 -- Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regional government has maintained high pressure to curb terrorism, separatism and extremism over the past five years, so as to maintain social stability and provide a safer environment for residents, a report said.
• Investigation Bureau probes alleged classified intelligence leak CNA 16 Jan 2023 -- The Investigation Bureau said Monday that it is probing the sale of documents online that are being advertised as classified Taiwanese intelligence files.
• Enlarged Plenary Meetings of Cabinet, Ministries and National Institutions Held KCNA 16 Jan 2023 -- The enlarged plenary meetings of the Party committees of the Cabinet, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport, the Pyongyang Construction Commission, the State Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports took place from Jan. 10 to 15 to implement the decisions of the Sixth Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
• Production Goes up at Various Economic Units KCNA 16 Jan 2023 -- True to the noble intention of the Workers' Party of Korea to provide a decisive guarantee for the fulfillment of the five-year plan by further expanding and developing the all-people struggle to open a new phase in socialist construction, major economic units of the DPRK are bringing about a surge in production.
• Iran slams European countries over human rights claims IRNA 16 Jan 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday denounced the UK and some European countries over their reaction to Iran's execution of its national Alireza Akbari who had been sentenced to death over spying for the United Kingdom.
• Foreign Ministry assessing South Korean president's meddlesome remarks: Spox IRNA 16 Jan 2023 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday that the ministry is evaluating the latest meddlesome remarks by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol about relations between the neighboring and friendly countries of Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
• FM spox: South Korean president's 'interventionist' remarks on Iran-UAE relations lack diplomatic validity Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly slammed the South Korean president's latest remarks on Iran's relations with the United Arab Emirates as totally "invalid," saying it expects an explanation from Seoul.
• Iran reaches gas after 7 months of drilling in Belal gas field in Persian Gulf Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- An Iranian oil and gas company commissioned for development of the Belal gas field in the Persian Gulf says it has finally reached gas from its exploration well in the field which is located on the maritime border between Iran and Qatar.
• At 2.2 million bpd, Iran's oil exports return to pre-sanction levels Press TV 16 Jan 2023 -- Iran's overall exports of crude oil, petroleum products, gas, condensates, liquids and LPG have reached 2.23 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), which is the same figure as before the sanctions, local media report.
• Britain Vows Tehran 'Will Be Held To Account' Following Execution Of British-Iranian Citizen RFE/RL 16 Jan 2023 -- Britain says Tehran's "weakened and isolated regime" will be held responsible after it executed U.K.-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari in what London called a "callous and cowardly" act.
• Iran Looks To Change Content Of Foreign-Language Schoolbooks RFE/RL 16 Jan 2023 -- Iran plans to change the content of textbooks in foreign languages used in private schools that the authorities deem out of line with the Islamic republic's values after sharp criticism of such materials by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Northern Ireland Protocol, 16 January 2023: joint statement from the Foreign Secretary and Vice President Šefčovič UK FCDO 16 Jan 2023 -- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič met by video conference, along with the Northern Ireland Secretary.
• MFA statement on initiation of legal proceedings against Andrzej Poczobut before Belarusian court Republic of Poland 16 Jan 2023 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is disappointed to learn that legal proceedings against Andrzej Poczobut were initiated on 16 January 2023 before a Belarusian court. Andrzej Poczobut has been provisionally detained since March 2021 on false and politically motivated charges.
• Belarus Opens New Case Against Imprisoned Opposition Blogger Tsikhanouski RFE/RL 16 Jan 2023 -- A new criminal case has been brought against opposition video blogger Syarhey Tsikhanouski, who has already been sentenced to 18 years in prison, Belarusian authorities said on January 16.
• Trial Of Polish-Belarusian Activist Poczobut Opens In Belarus RFE/RL 16 Jan 2023 -- The trial of activist Andrzej Poczobut has opened in Belarus with the prominent member of the Polish-Belarusian community facing up to 12 years in prison for criticizing strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Calls on US to Maintain Balance in Relations With Turkey, Greece Sputnik 16 Jan 2023 -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday called on the United States to maintain balance in its relations with Turkey and Greece.
• Wider Europe Briefing: The Conundrum Of Kosovo's EU Application And The Broader Effects Of Qatar-Gate RFE/RL 16 Jan 2023
• 25 million Nigerians at high risk of food insecurity in 2023 UNICEF 16 Jan 2023 -- Nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken, according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year.
• Analysts Question Viability of Proposed Ugandan Railway Link to Kenya VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- Ugandan officials have confirmed switching from a Chinese to a Turkish company to build a proposed $2 billion railway line linking the capital, Kampala, to the border with Kenya. The railway aims to link up with one being built in Kenya to improve trade and travel between the neighbors. But analysts say Chinese investors poured doubt on the viability of the project.
• Zimbabwe Opposition Members in Court Following Arrests for 'Illegal Meeting' VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- Twenty-five members of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change, appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of holding an illegal meeting Saturday that police broke up with tear gas.
• Bangladesh Officials Pledge to 'Reform' Sanctioned Elite Force VOA 16 Jan 2023 -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu — who is visiting Bangladesh — said in Dhaka Sunday that the Rapid Action Battalion, commonly known by its acronym the RAB, has made "tremendous progress in the area of reducing extrajudicial killings" in the south Asian nation, citing a report by rights advocacy groups.