• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• 'Pat-S' Self-Propelled Howitzer Getting Revived in Russia - Developer Sputnik 20 May 2023 -- The Kurganmashzavod manufacturing company, which is part of Russia's state-owned defense corporation Rostec, is working on modernizing the 152-mm "Pat-S" self-propelled artillery installation, a company spokesperson told Sputnik.
• US to Supply Ukraine With 'Everything They Need' Ahead of Offensive, White House Official Says Sputnik 20 May 2023 -- The United States wants to give Ukraine everything it needs to mount a successful offensive ahead Russia-held territories, a senior White House official said on Saturday.
• Russia warns West taking 'colossal risks' with potential supply of F-16s to Ukraine Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Russia has slammed the West's plan to supply the US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
• Head of Taiwanese Legislature Talks Self-Defense in Washington VOA 20 May 2023 -- The head of Taiwan's legislature visited Washington this week, where he met with top U.S. lawmakers and told audiences that the Taiwanese people are determined to defend themselves should Beijing try to invade.
• Retired U.S. military generals attend tabletop war games: Source CNA 20 May 2023 -- An observation group composed of retired United States generals attended the five-day tabletop war games phase of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises this past week, a source told CNA on Saturday.
• INSV TARINI TO RETURN TO INDIAN SHORES AFTER 17000NM VOYAGE India PIB 20 May 2023 -- The Indian Navy is all set to receive its six-member crew of INSV Tarini, including two women officers, at the 'Flag in' ceremony on 23 May 23 at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), INS Mandovi, Goa.
• EXERCISE SAMUDRA SHAKTI-23 CONCLUDES India PIB 20 May 2023 -- The 4th edition of the Indo-Indonesia bilateral Exercise Samudra Shakti-23 concluded in the South China Sea.
• IRGC continuously monitoring movements in southern waters: Cmdr. IRNA 20 May 2023 -- All vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf in southern Iran are under the round-the-clock control and monitoring of the Iranian forces, according to Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy's First Zone Rear Admiral Abbas Gholamshahi.
• Iran's 86th flotilla back home after historic mission IRNA 20 May 2023 -- Iranian Army's Navy 86th flotilla, which has successfully completed its historic circumnavigation of the world for the first time in the country's history, has ended its sail after docking at the southern port of Bandar Abbas.
• Leader felicitates 'successful' return of Iranian Navy's 86th flotilla Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has congratulated the "successful" return of the Iranian Navy's 86th flotilla of warships to the territorial waters after a round-the-world voyage.
• Iranian Navy to deploy for first time 86th flotilla to Antarctic 'in near future' Press TV 20 May 2023 -- The Iranian Navy has announced plans to deploy one of its flotilla of warships to the Antarctic for the first time ever "in the near future."
• IRGC confirms monitoring US naval commanders in Strait of Hormuz Press TV 20 May 2023 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has confirmed its forces have been monitoring the moves of the commanders of the US, British and French navies transiting the Strait of Hormuz aboard the USS Paul Hamilton warship.
• Spanish F-18 Fighter Jet Crashes at Zaragoza Air Base Sputnik 20 May 2023 -- An F-18 fighter jet crashed on Saturday at the Zaragoza Air Base in northeastern Spain, the Spanish Air and Space Force said, adding the pilot managed to eject before it hit the ground.
• Remarks by President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, Prime Minister Modi, and Prime Minister Albanese at the Third In-Person Quad Leaders' Summit The White House 20 May 2023
• Quad Leaders' Vision Statement - Enduring Partners for the Indo-Pacific The White House 20 May 2023
• Quad Leaders' Joint Statement The White House 20 May 2023
• Quad Leaders' Summit Fact Sheet The White House 20 May 2023
• G7 Hiroshima Leaders' Communiqué The White House 20 May 2023
• G7 Communique Amps Up Pressure on China, Russia VOA 20 May 2023 -- The Group of Seven industrial powers Saturday amplified its denunciation of China's rising military and economic security threats, while urging Beijing to press Russia to stop its military aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
• Quad Summit at G7 Reaffirms Support for Indo-Pacific VOA 20 May 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden met on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting Saturday in Hiroshima with the other three heads of state at the Quad Leader's Summit.
• G7 Agrees on Ukraine Jets, China 'Economic Coercion' Statement VOA 20 May 2023 -- The United States and its allies are planning to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and train Ukrainian pilots to fly them, the White House said Friday, a turnaround from President Joe Biden's monthslong refusal of requests from his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for the aircraft.
• Background Press Call Previewing Day Three of the G7 Summit The White House 20 May 2023
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the President's Trip to Japan The White House 20 May 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Park US Dept. of State 20 May 2023
• Australia-United States Joint Leaders' Statement - An Alliance for our Times The White House 20 May 2023
• Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 20 May 2023

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 'Every Midwife Is Afraid': Worrying Signs Over Maternal Deaths In Afghanistan RFE/RL 20 May 2023 -- Giving birth is a life or death struggle for women in Afghanistan, where roughly one mother is believed to die every two hours from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications.
• Iraq undertakes commitment to expel anti-Iran terrorists: IRGC commander Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Iraq has undertaken a commitment to disarm and expel anti-Iran terrorists operating in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, says a high-ranking commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
• Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements in Sudan US Dept. of State 20 May 2023
• Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements US Dept. of State 20 May 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Sudanese General Burhan US Dept. of State 20 May 2023
• Sudanese Rivals Agree to Humanitarian Ceasefire From Saturday - Reports Sputnik 20 May 2023 -- Sudan's conflicting parties have agreed a week-long ceasefire that will allow for humanitarian access to conflict zones starting Saturday, Qatari media reported.
• Airstrikes hit Khartoum's outskirts as Sudan crisis enters sixth week Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Airstrikes thumped outer areas of the Sudanese capital Khartoum overnight and on Saturday morning, as the conflict between political rivals which has displaced more than a million and killed hundreds entered its sixth week.
• HRW Calls for Halt to Rohingya Repatriation from Bangladesh to Myanmar VOA 20 May 2023 -- As Bangladesh and Myanmar gear up to repatriate about 1,100 Rohingya refugees in a pilot project, rights group Human Rights Watch, or HRW, says conditions in Myanmar's state of Rakhine are still not favorable for sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
• Trafficking in the Sahel: Guns, gas, and gold UN News 20 May 2023 -- Chili peppers, fake medicine, fuel, gold, guns, humans, and more are being trafficked via millennia-old trade routes crisscrossing the Sahel, and the UN and partners are trying out new, collaborative ways to thwart those attempting the illegal practice, a growing problem in this fragile African region.

News Reports

• FBI routinely accessed Americans' private communications: Report Press TV 20 May 2023 -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) routinely exploited a restricted database of Americans' private communications to search for names of crime victims and participants in Black Lives Matter protests and the 2021 Capitol attack, documents released Friday showed.
• Russia, China express 'strong dissatisfaction' with G7 communique Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Russia and China have expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with the final statement issued at the end of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, a city that was destroyed by the US atomic bombing in 1945.
• Russian FM Lavrov Says G7 Summit's Decisions Aimed at Containing Russia, China Sputnik 20 May 2023 -- The decisions made at G7 summit in Japan's Hiroshima are aimed at containing China and Russia amid the ongoing confrontation with the West, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the 31st Assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy, Moscow, May 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 May 2023
• Russia to impose sanctions on 500 Americans, including Obama IRNA 20 May 2023 -- Russia's foreign ministry has said that some 500 US citizens, including former President Barack Obama, would be slapped with sanctions in what is seen as Moscow's response to the latest round of sanctions announced by Washington.
• ICC Slams Russian Arrest Warrant For Hague-Based Prosecutor Who Issued Warrant Against Putin RFE/RL 20 May 2023 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) said it is "profoundly concerned" about Russia's move to issue a warrant for the arrest of an ICC prosecutor and judges who earlier had issued a war-crimes arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of illegally deporting children from Ukraine.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on G7 Hiroshima Summit's Hyping up of China-related Issues PRC MofA 20 May 2023
• G7 slams China 'militarization', says seeking 'stable' relations Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) have condemned China's economic and military activities, claiming they are seeking to keep the door open to cooperation and avoid further inflaming tensions between China and the West.
• Can China's Stand-Up Comedy Scene Survive Joke About Two Dogs? VOA 20 May 2023 -- "Good work style and capable of winning battles."
• Xi sends congratulatory letter to Arab League summit, happy for regional countries to take path of unity and self-development Global Times 20 May 2023 -- China is happy to witness Arab countries taking new steps on the path of unity and self-development with new achievements being made, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a congratulatory letter sent to the Arab League Summit, which kicked off on Friday in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
• Taiwan thanks G7 for stressing importance of cross-strait peace CNA 20 May 2023 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed its gratitude on Saturday to the Group of Seven (G7) nations for their joint communiqué that reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
• Tsai vows to maintain peace across Taiwan Strait CNA 20 May 2023 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Saturday vowed to make maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait one of the top priorities for the end of her second and final term in office.
• KMT presidential candidate vows to protect Taiwan's freedom, democracy CNA 20 May 2023 -- The main opposition Kuomintang's (KMT) newly selected presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) on Saturday pledged to protect Taiwan's freedom and democracy amid "geopolitical" tensions.
• TPP's Ko kicks off presidential run, says will extend goodwill to China CNA 20 May 2023 -- Taiwan People's Party (TPP) founder and Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) vowed to end political wrangling and extend goodwill to China, as he officially launched his 2024 presidential candidacy in Taipei Saturday.
• Chinese mainland rebukes Taiwan's DPP for seeking foreign favor People's Daily 20 May 2023 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday rebuked Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for "leveraging all of the island's resources to win the favor of a foreign country," saying the "shameful act" is doomed to failure.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan May 20, 2023 ROC MND 20 May 2023
• Hyping up Taiwan-related issues at WHA doomed to fail: spokesperson People's Daily 20 May 2023 -- Any attempt to hype up Taiwan-related issues at the World Health Assembly (WHA) is doomed to fail, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Friday.
• Measures Taken in DPRK to Minimize Damage to Crops KCNA 20 May 2023 -- Agricultural officials and workers in the DPRK are taking prearranged steps to minimize the damage by disastrous abnormal weather, true to the resolutions of the 7th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
• Iran racing against time to launch large refinery in south Press TV 20 May 2023 -- A large Iranian gas condensate refinery is expected to come on line next year amid efforts to meet a rising demand for gasoline that has caused the country to resume imports after more than a decade.
• Taliban must be held accountable if they ignore Iran's water rights: Diplomat IRNA 20 May 2023 -- Iran's special envoy to Afghanistan and caretaker head of the country's embassy in Kabul Hassan Kazemi Qomi has reiterated that the Taliban must be held accountable for its refusal to deliver Iran's water rights if it is proven that there is enough water in dams built on Helmand River in Afghanistan.
• Iranian envoy asks Taliban govt. to supply Iran with its share of water within a month Press TV 20 May 2023 -- A senior Iranian official has urged Afghanistan's Taliban government to commit to a major water treaty signed between the two countries nearly half a century ago and supply Iran with its share of water from the Hirmand River, also known as Helmand, within a month.
• Iran says US, Europe lack legal, moral authority to comment on human rights issues Press TV 20 May 2023 -- Iran says the United States and Europe lack the legal, judicial and moral competence to comment on human rights-related issues in other countries.
• Over 1,500 Political Prisoners in Belarus US Dept. of State 20 May 2023 -- On the eve of the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian Political Prisoners, we condemn the Lukashenka regime in Belarus for unjustly holding over 1,500 political prisoners.
• PM meeting with President Yoon Suk-Yeolof: 20 May 2023 Gov.UK 20 May 2023
• PM Meeting with President Widodo of Indonesia: 20 May 2023 Gov.UK 20 May 2023
• PM meeting with President Macron of France: 20 May 2023 Gov.UK 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown Prime Minister of Canada 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres Prime Minister of Canada 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with European Council President Charles Michel Prime Minister of Canada 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo Prime Minister of Canada 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh Prime Minister of Canada 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister's participation in the Quad Leaders' Summit India MEA 20 May 2023 -- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the third in-person Quad Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima, Japan on 20 May 2023, along with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and President Joseph Biden of the United States of America.
• Prime Minister's meeting with the President of the Republic of France India MEA 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister's meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam India MEA 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister's meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea India MEA 20 May 2023
• Prime Minister's meeting with Prime Minister of Japan India MEA 20 May 2023
• Quad Leaders' Summit opening remarks Prime Minister of Australia 20 May 2023
• 2023 Quad Leaders' Summit Prime Minister of Australia 20 May 2023 -- On 20 May, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Quad Leaders Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, and President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. of the United States, in Hiroshima for the 2023 Quad Leaders' Summit.