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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Senior Defense Official and Senior Military Official Hold an Off-Camera, On-Background Press Briefing Update on the High-Altitude Surveillance Balloon DoD 04 Feb 2023
• Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III DoD 04 Feb 2023 -- This afternoon, at the direction of President Biden, U.S. fighter aircraft assigned to U.S. Northern Command successfully brought down the high altitude surveillance balloon launched by and belonging to the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the water off the coast of South Carolina in U.S. airspace.
• F-22 safely shoots down Chinese spy balloon off South Carolina coast US Air Force 04 Feb 2023 -- A U.S. Air Force fighter safely shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a written statement.
• FM expresses strong dissatisfaction, protest against US' shooting down China's civilian airship Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction and protested against the US' use of force to shoot down a Chinese civilian airship, urging the US to properly handle the incident.
• US shoots down Chinese spy balloon off eastern coast Radio Free Asia 04 Feb 2023 -- A U.S. fighter jet on Saturday shot down off the South Carolina coast a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had flown over the United States for several days, roiling already troubled relations between the two world powers.
• US Shoots Down Alleged Chinese Spy Balloon Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- The balloon, which the United States has claimed is a Chinese surveillance balloon, first became public knowledge on Thursday, though Bloomberg reported earlier on Saturday that the Biden administration has known about the craft since January 28.
• Statement from the Minister of National Defence Canada 04 Feb 2023 -- "Today, the United States took definitive action to bring down China's high-altitude surveillance balloon that has violated U.S. and Canadian airspace and international law."

Defense Policy / Programs

• V-22 Joint Program Issues Bulletin to Restrict Flights US Navy Press Release 04 Feb 2023 -- Based on the recommendation from the V-22 Joint Program Office, the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command and U.S. Navy issued a time limit, via fleet bulletin, on the V-22 Input Quill Assembly, effective Feb. 3, 2023.
• USAG Wiesbaden containerized housing units provide Soldier billeting solutions Army News 04 Feb 2023 -- If you've walked near the parking garage around the corner from the Clay Kaserne dining facility recently, then you probably have noticed either a bevy of activity and heavy equipment, or that a life support area exists next to Building 1208, where an empty parking lot once stood.
• Analysts: Deal on Philippine bases gives US firmer foothold in Asia Radio Free Asia 04 Feb 2023 -- Giving the United States greater access to Philippine military bases would allow the superpower to respond more swiftly to flashpoints in the region, as potential conflicts brew in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, analysts say.
• Terrorist Groups 'Laying Mines' on Sweden's Path to NATO Membership, Turkey Says Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- Terrorist organizations are blocking Sweden's path to NATO membership, with Stockholm deliberately stepping on these "mines," although the country could resolve this issue at will, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.
• Pentagon: US will allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles at will Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- The Pentagon has announced that the US will allow Ukraine to fire the long-range missiles sent to the country at Kiev's discretion.
• Brazil Sinks Its Only Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier in Atlantic Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- Brazil has sunk the country's only decommissioned aircraft carrier Sao Paulo in the Atlantic Ocean after the vessel was denied docking due to the risk of running around, the Brazilian navy said.
• Germany considers diverting 'green' subsidies to weapons production: Report Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Germany is considering using funds intended for phasing out coal-fired power plants to help arms manufacturers produce more weapons, a new report has revealed.
• 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to dedicate to the nation HAL's Helicopter Factory at Tumakuru, Karnataka on 6th February India PIB 04 Feb 2023 -- In yet another step towards 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation a Helicopter Factory of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tumakuru, Karnataka on February 06, 2023. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and senior officials of Ministry of Defence will be present on the occasion.
• Nuclear Envoys of US, South Korea Downplay Seoul's Nuclear Intent VOA 04 Feb 2023 -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy said an agreement with the United States to jointly bolster "extended deterrence" against North Korea gives the Yoon administration needed confidence that the alliance will be able to effectively defend against aggression from Pyongyang.
• Remarks by President Biden in Press Gaggle The White House 04 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News


• 'Glimmer Of Hope': Afghan Women Turn To Virtual Learning Amid Education Ban, But Obstacles Remain RFE/RL 04 Feb 2023 -- Zarghona Pamiri gave up on her education when Afghanistan's Taliban rulers banned women from attending university in December.
• Pakistan to seek Taliban supreme leader's help to control TTP Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Pakistan has decided to seek the intervention of the secretive supreme leader of Afghanistan's Taliban to control the militant organizations in Pakistan after a suicide bombing killed scores of police in a mosque, officials said Saturday.
• 41 Dead After Bandits, Vigilantes Clash in Nigeria VOA 04 Feb 2023 -- Authorities in Nigeria's Katsina state have launched a joint security operation after 41 people were killed when a vigilante group clashed with bandits who attacked their village.

News Reports

• Taiwan cracking down on Chinese cyberattacks: Security source CNA 04 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's national security authorities have successfully cracked down on Chinese cyberattacks that recently posted information on the Facebook pages of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌).
• EU agrees on level of price caps for Russian petroleum products EC/CEU 04 Feb 2023 -- The Council decided today to set two price caps for petroleum products falling under CN code 2710 which originate in or are exported from Russia. These are the price per barrel at or below which petroleum products from Russia are exempt from the prohibition to provide:
• Ukraine: EU and G7 partners agree price cap on Russian petroleum products European Commission 04 Feb 2023 -- The European Union - together with the international G7+ Price Cap Coalition - have today adopted further price caps for seaborne Russian petroleum products (such as diesel and fuel oil).
• EU Provides for 55-Day Transition Period as Part of New Price Cap for Russian Oil Products Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- The European Union has set a 55-day transition period for Russian petroleum products bought above the price cap, introduced on Friday by the bloc itself, G7 and Australia.
• China blasts 'spy balloon' hype, urges communication to avoid misjudgment Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- China has blasted the hype of a balloon incident, saying China does not accept any groundless speculation or hype and opposes the practice of certain politicians and media in the US who use the incident to attack China even though China has explained clearly the balloon spotted in the US is a civilian airship designed for meteorological research purpose and made the unintended entry due to force majeure.
• Pentagon Claims Second Chinese Surveillance Balloon Detected Over Latin America Sputnik 04 Feb 2023 -- Reports of the high-altitude balloon have prompted a multitude of Chinese spying accusations despite confirmation from the Chinese government that the balloon was a civilian device used for meteorological research.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on US Annoucement of the Postponement of Secretary of State Blinken's Visit to China PRC MofA 04 Feb 2023
• Chinese balloon undercuts bid to rebuild trust with U.S.: Expert CNA 04 Feb 2023 -- China's deployment of an alleged surveillance balloon in the United States' airspace could prolong the strained relations between Beijing and Washington, a Taiwanese foreign relations expert said Saturday.
• VOA Interview: Chinese Balloon Operation Shows Disconnect Between Foreign Ministry and Military, Former CIA Analyst Says VOA 04 Feb 2023 -- Dennis Wilder, a former China analyst with the CIA, discussed the suspected Chinese spy balloon that was spotted drifting across the United States this week with VOA on Saturday.
• China does not accept baseless speculation, hype, Wang Yi says in phone talks with Blinken after balloon incident Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- China is a responsible country and has always strictly abided by international law. We do not accept any groundless speculation and hype, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China said in phone talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday after the US continued to hype an balloon incident.
• Chinese Vice FM visits Russia as Beijing-Moscow political trust continues to deepen Global Times 04 Feb 2023 -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu paid a two-day visit to Russia from Thursday to Friday, and met with Russian Foreign Minister and other officials, with both sides agreeing to advancing bilateral ties to a higher level and make new progress in the new year.
• China says Russia ties deepening, urges AUKUS to cancel sub plans Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- China says mutual political trust with Russia has increased and Beijing is willing to work with Moscow to implement their strategic partnership and promote further progress in their relationship.
• HKSAR gov't announces Hong Kong-mainland travel to fully resume starting Feb. 6. People's Daily 05 Feb 2023 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced on Friday that normal travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland will fully resume starting Feb. 6.
• Radiant in new photobook, Kim Jong Un's wife depicted as part of the royal bloodline Radio Free Asia 04 Feb 2023 -- She appears alongside her husband, smiling by a snowy stream on the forested slopes of Mt. Paektu, North Korea's tallest mountain and a sacred peak said to be tied to the origins of the three-generation Kim Dynasty.
• Iran's lead negotiator: US, Europeans should prove commitment to JCPOA Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Iran's chief negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani says Tehran is a claimant in talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran dubs IAEA chief's info disclosure on Fordow 'unprofessional' IRNA 04 Feb 2023 -- Iran has described a recent decision by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi to disclose confidential and unverified information about nuclear activities in Iran's Fordow plant as unprofessional.
• Iran warns IAEA against 'unprofessional, unacceptable' behavior Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Iran's nuclear chief has warned that the "unprofessional and unacceptable" behavior of the UN nuclear watchdog's Director General Rafael Grossi would harm his reputation and that of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• US, allies use incorrect IAEA report to fault Iran's nuclear work Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Western allies accuse Iran of engaging in nuclear activity that is "inconsistent" with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), using an incorrect International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report as the basis of their claim.
• Venezuela's Maduro hails 'honest, brotherly' relations with Iran IRNA 04 Feb 2023 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has hailed his country's "honest and brotherly" relations with Iran as he insists that an ongoing visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to the south American country is a good opportunity to further boost bilateral relations.
• Venezuela calls for greater Iran role in reviving its oil industry Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami has hailed Iran's experiences in the field of energy and technology, saying his country is willing to benefit from them and forge closer cooperation with Tehran.
• Iran, Venezuela vow closer cooperation to thwart foreign pressures Press TV 04 Feb 2023 -- Venezuela and Iran are weighing plans to strengthen cooperation in various fields, and rapidly implement joint projects, calling for heightened vigilance in the face of US-led foreign pressures.
• Myanmar's Diplomats Divided Over Representing Military Government VOA 04 Feb 2023 -- Since the military coup in Myanmar two years ago, more than 100 of the nation's diplomats have chosen to draw international attention to their opposition to the military government by refusing to represent it.
• Nigerian Authorities Call For Calm as Citizens Protest Cash, Fuel Shortages VOA 04 Feb 2023 -- Nigerian Central Bank authorities are calling for calm as citizens march in the streets protesting cash and fuel shortages days ahead of the February 10 deadline when the country will switch to redesigned currency. Protesters asked authorities Friday to circulate the new notes or reverse the currency switch decision. President Muhammadu Buhari assured citizens Friday that the problem will be addressed in a matter of days.