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Defense Policy / Programs

• US faces biggest threat in space from China, Russia: American general Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- A top American general says the United States faces the "most challenging threat" in space from China followed by Russia.
• Sweden Will Decide on New Counterterrorism Law to Join NATO on March 2, Stockholm Says Sputnik 19 Feb 2023 -- The Swedish government would make a decision on a new counterterrorism law on March 2 as part of fulfilling the country's agreements with Turkiye to join NATO, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told British newspaper on Sunday.
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Marin of Finland and Prime Minister Kristersson of Sweden The White House 19 Feb 2023
• Earthquake relief: NATO temporary housing containers depart for Türkiye NATO 19 Feb 2023 -- A merchant vessel carrying the first 600 of over 1,000 containers of NATO temporary housing for Türkiye left the port of Taranto, Italy, on Sunday evening (19 February 2023).
• Munich Security Conference: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the European Security Architecture European External Action Service (EEAS) 19 Feb 2023
• Vows Of Support For Ukraine, Pleas For More Aid Highlight Munich Security Conference RFE/RL 19 Feb 2023 -- The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine dominated this year's Munich Security Conference, which concluded on February 19 with vows of additional support for Kyiv and pleas for even more aid highlighting the activity.
• Russia Boosts Production of Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles Sputnik 19 Feb 2023 -- The state-of-the-art Kinzhal missile has a speed of Mach 10 and the ability to maneuver in flight, making it virtually invulnerable to enemy air and missile defense systems.
• More 'versatile' Type 054A frigates in service with PLA Navy: official reports Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- Recent official media reports showed that more Type 054A guided missile frigates are in service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, with analysts saying that this type of vessel is versatile and plays an important role in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity in regions including the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits.
• China, Russia, South Africa to hold 2nd joint maritime exercise PLA Daily 19 Feb 2023 -- According to the consensus reached by China, Russia and South Africa, from February 20 to 27, the navies of the three countries will hold the second joint maritime exercise in the eastern waters and airspace from Durban to Richards Bay of South Africa, said the Chinese defense ministry in a written statement on Sunday. And the focus of this exercise is "the joint operation to safeguard the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities".
• Taiwan military releases photo of Chinese weather balloon debris CNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Taiwan's military on Saturday night made public a photograph of the wreckage of a suspected Chinese weather balloon found on one of its offshore frontline islets near China on Thursday, saying it had concluded the device did not have audio or video recording capabilities.
• North Korea Launches More Missiles, Calls Pacific 'Our Firing Range' VOA 19 Feb 2023 -- North Korea launched at least two short-range ballistic missiles into the waters off its east coast Monday morning, hours after the United States conducted joint aerial maneuvers with Japan and South Korea. Monday's launch is the third major weapons test by North Korea this year.
• NK launches intercontinental ballistic missile after US, SK announce military drills; US blamed for unshakable responsibility for tensions Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- North Korea has reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Saturday, which Chinese experts believe is a response to joint military exercises planned by the US and South Korea.
• Iran to unveil unmanned Qaher fighter jet next year: IAIO Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- The Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) has announced plans to unveil an unmanned version of home-grown Qaher single-seat stealth fighter aircraft in the next solar calendar year that begins on March 21.
• Japan, US Hold Joint Air Drills Over Sea of Japan After North Korea's Missile Launch Sputnik 19 Feb 2023 -- Japan and the United States conducted joint air exercises over the Sea of Japan in response to North Korea's recent missile launch, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) said on Sunday.
• Japan Increases Ammunition Storage Facilities: How Will the Public Take It? Sputnik 19 Feb 2023 -- In 2023, Japan's Defense Ministry plans to launch the construction of 10 large ammunition storage facilities at the bases of land and sea units of the Self-Defense Forces, including in Oita and Aomori prefectures, Japanese media reported, citing government sources.
• US, South Korea stage joint air exercise after North's ICBM launch Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- The United States and South Korea have held a joint air exercise involving US strategic bombers after North Korea fired a intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a "sudden launching drill".
• HMS Anson departs Barrow-in-Furness UK MOD 19 Feb 2023 -- HMS Anson, the fifth Astute Class submarine, has sailed from Barrow-in-Furness to begin her journey to His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde.
• Earthquake Response, NATO Expansion on Agenda as Blinken Visits Turkey VOA 19 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting Monday with Turkish leaders in Ankara, with Turkey's recovery from a devastating earthquake and its position as a necessary vote for expanding NATO among the top agenda items.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Chuck Todd of NBC Meet the Press US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Margaret Brennan of CBS Face the Nation US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Martha Raddatz of ABC This Week US Dept. of State 19 Feb 2023

Defense Industry

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Ukraine Conflict News


• Taliban Unveil Plan to Turn Former Foreign Military Bases Into 'Special Economic Zones' VOA 19 Feb 2023 -- The Taliban said Sunday they were working to turn former foreign military bases in Afghanistan into special business and trade centers to promote "economic growth and development" in the war-ravaged country.
• Yemeni defense minister urges Saudis to seize opportunity to end war Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- The Yemeni defense minister in the National Salvation Government has called upon Saudi Arabia to seize the available opportunity offered by the leader of the popular Ansarullah resistance movement, and clinch a peace deal in light of Omani attempts.
• Syria calls for 'urgent' international action to stop Israeli aggression Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned an Israeli air strike on Damascus that killed at least five people and heavily damaged residential buildings, calling for "urgent international action" to stop the Israeli regime's aggression.

News Reports

• Blinken: China 'considering' providing Russia with 'lethal assistance' Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned China of the consequences should China provide weapons to Russia.
• US: No Apology From China for Balloon Surveillance VOA 19 Feb 2023 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says his Chinese counterpart, top diplomat Wang Yi, did not apologize during a meeting in Munich for Beijing's violation of U.S. airspace with its high-altitude surveillance balloon, even as Blinken told him the spying was unacceptable and must never occur again.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on the China-US Engagement PRC MofA 19 Feb 2023 -- At the request of the US side, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi had an informal contact with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the margins of the Munich Security Conference.
• US urged to show sincerity to fix US-China relations after 'hysterical' handling of balloon incident Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- At the request of the US side, China's top diplomat Wang Yi held an unofficial engagement with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday local time on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, where the Chinese official urged the US side to rectify its wrong approach as Washington's handling of the recent airship incident has damaged China-US relations.
• Wang Yi urges US to 'change course' on airship incident during informal meeting with Blinken Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- At the request of the US side, China's top diplomat Wang Yi held an informal meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday local time on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) where the Chinese official urged the US side to correct its mistakes as its handling of the recent airship incident has damaged to China-US relations.
• China, EU not rivals but partners and consensuses far outweigh disagreements, says Wang Yi in meeting top EU diplomat Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles on Saturday while attending the Munich Security Conference, stressing that China and EU are not rivals but partners, sharing more areas of agreement than points of divergence.
• China, Japan agree to hold 1st security talks since 2019, 'signaling attempt to stabilize ties' Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- China and Japan have agreed to hold security talks for the first time since 2019 on Wednesday after senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi for about 50 minutes during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
• Aiming to boost sluggish post-COVID economy, Xi Jinping eyes consumers and investment Radio Free Asia 19 Feb 2023 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping's top-down bid to kickstart the country's flagging economy hasn't reckoned with the devastation wreaked by his zero-COVID policy, analysts told Radio Free Asia in recent interviews.
• Senior Chinese diplomat urges respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity of all countries Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- For a safer world, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, a senior Chinese diplomat said here Saturday.
• Building safer world requires right choice by China, Europe: senior diplomat Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- Making the world a safer place hinges on the right choice of both China and Europe, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Saturday.
• Senior Chinese diplomat urges US to correct mistakes in airship incident Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- A senior Chinese diplomat on Saturday urged the United States to show sincerity, correct its mistakes, acknowledge and repair the damage it has done to the China-US relations over the Chinese civilian unmanned airship incident.
• Senior Chinese diplomat expresses solemn position on airship incident to US Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Saturday made clear China's solemn position on the so-called airship incident in an informal contact with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
• Exclusive: Hacker group with members from Europe, North America found to have launched cyberattacks against China Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- Chinese cybersecurity experts have exposed a hacker group, with its core members coming from Europe and North America, which has been launching sustained cyberattacks against China as its primary target, posing a serious threat to the country's cybersecurity and data security, the Global Times learned from a Beijing-based cybersecurity lab on Sunday.
• MAC protests Beijing's sovereignty claims over Taiwan CNA 19 Feb 2023 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Sunday protested remarks from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) the previous day that Taiwan has been a part of China "since ancient times."
• U.S. congressional delegation arrives on 5-day trip to Taiwan CNA 19 Feb 2023 -- A bipartisan American congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day visit, during which they will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and other senior government officials, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
• Firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" required for peace: senior diplomat Global Times 19 Feb 2023 -- Peace across the Taiwan Strait should be maintained through firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and unswerving adherence to the one-China principle, which is also the consensus of the international community, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Saturday.
• Statement by the Federal Foreign Office on reports of an intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea on 18 February 2023 Germany Federal Foreign Office 19 Feb 2023 -- A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (19 February 2023) on reports of the latest intercontinental ballistic missile test by North Korea on 18 February 2023:
• Public Awareness of Crisis and Responsibility Enhanced in DPRK KCNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Redoubled efforts are made in the DPRK after regarding the emergency anti-epidemic work as the top-priority state affair.
• Revolutionary Cause of Juche Is Invincible: Rodong Sinmun KCNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Rodong Sinmun Sunday dedicates an article to the 49th anniversary of the publication of Chairman Kim Jong Il 's famous work "On Some Immediate Tasks of Party Ideological Work for Modeling the Whole Society on Kimilsungism" at the Third Conference of Ideological Workers of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
• Press Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice-Department Director of C.C., WPK KCNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Kim Yo Jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement on Sunday:
• Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice-Department Director of C.C., WPK KCNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Kim Yo Jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following statement on Sunday:
• ICBM Launching Drill Staged in DPRK KCNA 19 Feb 2023 -- An ICBM launching drill was conducted on the afternoon of February 18.
• North Korea says carried out ICBM test, says possesses 'fatal nuclear counterattack' capacity Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- North Korea confirms that it has carried out a sudden intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch in order to test its missile force's combat readiness for counterattack.
• Iranian Deputy FM: Iran strong regional power/ China interested in cooperation with Iran ISNA 19 Feb 2023 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, Mahdi Safari believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran is both the supplier of energy and can provide security so that is why the country can be "a strategic partner" for China.
• Iran slams West's anti-Iran propaganda as 'threadbare tactic' to cover up own crises Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has slammed as "futile" the attempts by the US and its three main European allies to launch a propaganda campaign against the Islamic Republic, saying the anti-Iran measure is a "threadbare tactic" employed to conceal their own challenges at home and abroad.
• Readout of Vice President Harris's Meeting with Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom The White House 19 Feb 2023
• Protesters Rally In Chisinau Against Moldova's Pro-Western Government RFE/RL 19 Feb 2023 -- Several thousand people protested in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, against President Maia Sandu and the country's pro-Western government on February 19, with many in the crowd linked to the Russia-friendly Shor Party.
• Tunisians hold thousands-strong nationwide rallies in protest at President Saied's policies Press TV 19 Feb 2023 -- Tens of thousands of Tunisians have held massive rallies in eight different cities across the North African country to protest the policies adopted by President Kais Saied's government.
• Sleeping In Jackets And Boots: Kazakhs Struggle To Stay Warm Months After Power Plant Crash RFE/RL 19 Feb 2023 -- Lyudmila Zelyonova goes to bed wrapped in layers of winter clothes, a scarf, and felt boots to keep warm as the temperatures in her home in the northeastern Kazakh city of Ekibastuz can dip below minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit).
• Are U.S. sanctions against Syria hindering humanitarian relief efforts? Radio Free Asia 19 Feb 2023