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Defense Policy / Programs

• Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Holds a Press Briefing DoD 08 Aug 2023
• CENTCOM Commander Conducts Strait of Hormuz Transit and Visits United Arab Emirates and Bahrain CENTCOM 08 Aug 2023 -- From Aug. 6-8, Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, embarked on the USS THOMAS HUDNER (DD116) in the Gulf of Oman, visited United Arab Emirates where he met with Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Issa Saif Mohammed al-Mazrouei. He then traveled to Bahrain where he met with: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, the Bahrain Minister of Defense Affairs, senior officers on the Bahrain Defense Fore Staff, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. DoD 08 Aug 2023
• Defense Official Says Force Posture in Niger Is Unchanged DoD News 08 Aug 2023 -- The Defense Department's force posture in Niger has not changed, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh today.
• Red Flag 23-3: Uniting US armed forces US Air Force 08 Aug 2023 -- Red Flag 23-3 has come to a close for more than 2,000 U.S. Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Air National Guard that ran from July 17 to August 4. Although it started at Nellis Air Force Base, it concluded with multiple units dispersed to parts of Southern California.
• USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120) Arrives Home US Navy 08 Aug 2023 -- The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), and its crew arrived at the ship's new home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Aug. 7.
• USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) Arrives In Narvik, Norway US Navy 08 Aug 2023 -- USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), arrived in Narvik, Norway for a scheduled port visit to enhance the U.S.-Norway relationship and demonstrate our continued commitment to our NATO Allies and Partners on Aug. 5, 2023.
• Keel Authenticated for Future USNS Lucy Stone US Navy 08 Aug 2023 -- The keel for the future USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), the Navy's 5th John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, was laid at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company's (GD NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego, August 8.
• End of an Era: The Navy's Last Special Warfare-Dedicated Helicopter Squadron Holds Deactivation Ceremony US Navy 08 Aug 2023 -- The Navy's last special warfare-dedicated helicopter squadron, the Navy Reserve's "Firehawks'' of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, held a deactivation ceremony in the squadron's hangar, June 30.
• USS Porter, USNS William McLean Perform Vertical Launch System Re-Arm Demonstration US Navy 08 Aug 2023 -- The crews of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and Military Sealift Command's (MSC) dry cargo ammunition ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12) performed a MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) re-arm, pier-side, at Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 3.
• Ukraine asks US for ATACMS long-range missiles despite warnings from Russia Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has made an urgent call on the United States to provide his country with long-range missiles to be used in the war with Russia.
• Boxer's fighting season of firsts Australia DOD 08 Aug 2023 -- Sitting in a cavalry screen far forward of 7th Brigade Battle Groups, the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle surveilled Objective Otter during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) as the 'eyes and ears' of the 1st Australian Division.
• Tactical connection Australia DOD 08 Aug 2023 -- It was a road move like no other for 1st Combat Communications Squadron (1CCS), taking the route by road from Adelaide to RAAF Base Curtin in the far north of Western Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre.
• Naval forces amassed in Australian waters Australia DOD 08 Aug 2023 -- The largest massing of naval capability in Australian waters in recent years occurred when the Exercise Talisman Sabre 23 fleet assembled for combined training.
• Talisman Sabre wraps up Australia DOD 08 Aug 2023 -- After two weeks of high-end warfighting, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 (TS23) has officially closed.
• U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue Joint Statement DoD 08 Aug 2023 -- The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense led the inaugural U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington, D.C. from August 7-8, 2023, reaffirming their commitment to security cooperation and shared interest in regional stability.
• U.S., Iraq Examine New Strategic Relationship DoD News 08 Aug 2023 -- U.S. and Iraqi defense leaders discussed an enduring strategic relationship between the two nations during talks at the Pentagon.
• The IDF's New Multi-Year Program: "Ascent" Israel Defense Forces 08 Aug 2023
• Taiwan fishery patrol vessel makes rare maintenance stop in Japan CNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) confirmed Tuesday that one of its fishery patrol vessels, Hsun Hu No. 8, is currently making a maintenance stop at a port in Japan.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Gabriel US Dept. of State 08 Aug 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Waihiga Mwaura of BBC Focus on Africa US Dept. of State 08 Aug 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 8, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• 8 August 2023 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 08 Aug 2023
• Charity Concerned Over Decreasing Funds To Alleviate Afghanistan's Humanitarian Crisis RFE/RL 08 Aug 2023 -- A leading international humanitarian organization has expressed concern over decreasing funding for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, where almost three-quarters of the country's population is in need of assistance.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Statement of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Concerning Ren'ai Jiao PRC MofA 08 Aug 2023
• China calls on Philippines to move grounded warship from reef in South China Sea Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- China has repeated a call for the Philippines to remove a grounded World War II warship, which Manila uses as a makeshift military base, from a reef in the South China Sea.
• China Demands Philippines Remove Scuttled Warship From Disputed Reef VOA 08 Aug 2023 -- China is demanding the Philippines remove a scuttled naval vessel being used as an occupied base from a disputed reef in the South China Sea.
• China urges U.S. to stop utilizing South China Sea issue to sow discord People's Daily 08 Aug 2023 -- China on Monday urged the United States to stop utilizing the South China Sea issue to sow confusion and discord, respect China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and respect regional countries' efforts to uphold peace and stability in this region.
• UN probe finds 'dramatic increase' in Myanmar war crimes Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- The United Nations says it has evidence that Myanmar's military has been "committing increasingly frequent and brazen war crimes" since they took power in a coup d'état more than two years ago.
• Rohingya boat sinks off Myanmar's Rakhine state; 45 missing Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- A boat carrying Rohingya people, reportedly heading for Malaysia, sank in the Bay of Bengal near Rakhine state's capital city Sittwe, a village administrator told RFA Tuesday. He said all but 10 of the 55 people on board are missing.
• UNHCR warns of deteriorating health conditions in Sudan UN News 08 Aug 2023 -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, issued a warning on Tuesday that health conditions are rapidly deteriorating in Sudan, where conflict has uprooted four million people.
• Armenian Protesters Demanding Government Take Steps To Unblock Lachin Corridor Arrested RFE/RL 08 Aug 2023 -- Armenian police on August 8 detained more than a dozen protesters outside a government building in Yerevan after they demanded the authorities take steps to unblock the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking the Armenian-populated Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.
• Zelenskiy Says 'Wound' Of Russia's 2008 Invasion Of Georgia Still Remains RFE/RL 08 Aug 2023 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on August 7 commented on the 15th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Georgia, saying that the "wound" caused by Russia's occupation of the country remains.
• Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the anniversary of the August 2008 events in the South Caucasus Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Aug 2023

News Reports

• Tokyo downplays US report of Chinese military hack on Japan Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- Tokyo on Tuesday declined to confirm reports that Chinese military hackers had compromised the most classified military secrets of the U.S.'s vital East Asian ally, in a case that dates back to 2020.
• Former Leader of Clan Del Golfo Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise and Related Charges US Dept. of Justice 08 Aug 2023 -- Earlier today in federal court, a citizen of Colombia was sentenced to 45 years in prison for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise as a leader of the multibillion-dollar paramilitary and drug trafficking organization known as the "Clan del Golfo" (CDG).
• UN refugee agency concerned about situation at Mexico-US border UN News 08 Aug 2023 -- The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, voiced concern on Tuesday over the situation in Mexico, where refugees and migrants aspiring to get to the United States find themselves in cramped shelters, exposed to multiple risks.
• Niger Junta Rebuffs Diplomatic Delegation VOA 08 Aug 2023 -- Additional sanctions were levied against Niger on Tuesday, hours after its military leaders rejected the latest diplomatic efforts by a joint delegation from West African states, the African Union and the United Nations.
• Top US diplomat demands reverse of Niger coup in secret visit, hints intervention Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- A top US diplomat has demanded the undoing of Niger's coup and the return to power of its West-sponsored president in a secret visit to the West African nation for talks with coup leaders, suggesting a military intervention otherwise.
• Meeting on construction industry development President of Russia 08 Aug 2023 -- In the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the construction industry development.
• Largest ever UK action targets Putin's access to foreign military supplies UK FCDO 08 Aug 2023 -- Foreign Secretary announces 25 new sanctions targeting Putin's access to foreign military equipment.
• Telephone conversation with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa President of Russia 08 Aug 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Issue of Unbalanced Trade Between China and the EU PRC MofA 08 Aug 2023
• Hong Kong police question parents of US-based democracy campaigner Anna Kwok Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- Hong Kong police on Tuesday took the parents of U.S.-based democracy activist Anna Kwok for questioning, in the latest in a series of moves targeting the relatives of eight prominent overseas activists wanted under a draconian national security law, according to a London-based rights group.
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Aug.8, 2023 ROC MND 08 Aug 2023
• Biden signs law approving first part of U.S. trade pact with Taiwan CNA 08 Aug 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law a bill that approves the first agreement negotiated under a bilateral trade initiative between the United States and Taiwan, the White House said in a statement.
• Eyeing the presidency, Lai backs view that Taiwan not part of PRC CNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and neither side is subordinate to the other, Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said when asked to explain why he said in 2017 that he is a "pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence."
• Five indicted in China espionage cases CNA 08 Aug 2023 -- The Tainan branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office has indicted five people in two separate cases for allegedly spying for China, including one in which secrets related to Taiwan's Han Kuang exercises allegedly changed hands.
• DPRK Premier Inspects Agricultural Field KCNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, inspected the agricultural field.
• Rodong Sinmun Calls for Minimizing Typhoon Damage KCNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday stresses in an editorial that all the Party organizations should wage a dynamic struggle to minimize the damage by Typhoon No. 6 with redoubled vigilance.
• Despite Faltering Economy, China Unlikely to Disrupt Aid to North Korea VOA 08 Aug 2023 -- A cascade of disappointing economic news may force Beijing to curtail some of its expansive foreign policy ambitions, but analysts who follow Korean Peninsula affairs see little prospect that Chinese assistance to Pyongyang will be reduced.
• Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov's consultations in Tehran Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Aug 2023
• Canada sanctions Iranian regime for activities that gravely threaten international peace and security Canada 08 Aug 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This is the 13th package of sanctions imposed by Canada against the Iranian regime since October 2022. It builds on Canada's efforts to align with designations announced by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Russia diplomat doubts JCPOA will ever be fully restored IRNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said the future of the Iran nuclear deal lies in the hands of the United States and Europe, expressing doubt that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the deal is officially known, will ever be fully restored.
• Russia: US to blame for JCPOA implementation failure Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- Iran and Russia commonly consider the US to be responsible for the problems that have faced the proper implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world countries, the Russian foreign ministry has cited the countries' officials as saying.
• Iran producing heavy water derivatives: Nuclear chief IRNA 08 Aug 2023 -- The Islamic Republic is successfully producing heavy water derivatives, a groundbreaking achievement in nuclear technology and medical research, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami has announced.
• Iran has no pre-conditions for prisoner exchange: FM Amir-Abdollahian Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the Islamic Republic views the issue of prisoner exchange with other countries as a humanitarian move, stressing that Tehran has no pre-conditions in this regard.
• Iran can boost ties with BRICS despite sanctions: Deputy FM Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- The deputy foreign minister for economic affairs says Iran can establish relations with the BRICS group of emerging economies despite being subject to illegal US sanctions.
• Iran, BRICS already engaged in practical partnership: FM IRNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the practical partnership between Iran and the BRICS group has already begun in transportation cooperation, including the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC).
• Iran views BRICS as a meaningful partner: Deputy FM IRNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari has said that the BRICS group is one of the meaningful partners of the Islamic Republic because of the capacities of its member states.
• Burmese mark anniversary of 8888 uprising with protests against military junta Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- Civilians across Myanmar on Tuesday commemorated the 35th anniversary of a significant uprising as they held protests against the ruling military junta dictatorship amid heightened security measures imposed by the regime, activists said.
• Illegal mining of rare earth metals surges in northern Myanmar Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- An increase in the illegal mining of rare earth metals in northern Myanmar is being driven by demand from neighboring China for terbium and dysprosium - elements that are used in the production of electric vehicles, area residents and environmental activists said.
• Belarus: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential elections EC/CEU 08 Aug 2023
• India's Opposition Targets Modi in No Confidence Motion Against His Government VOA 08 Aug 2023 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government faced a no-confidence motion in parliament Tuesday over ethnic strife that has gripped the remote northeastern state of Manipur and his failure to speak on the issue for over three months.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson Prime Minister of Canada 08 Jul 2023
• Former Pakistani prime minister challenges his conviction in high court Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has appealed against his conviction that bars him from politics for five years.
• Pakistan Bans Ex-PM Khan From Politics for 5 Years VOA 08 Aug 2023 -- Pakistan's election commission ruled Tuesday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot hold any public office for five years after being convicted and jailed on corruption charges.
• Pakistan to increase electricity imports from Iran IRNA 08 Aug 2023 -- Pakistan's government has announced that it will enhance imports of electricity from Iran to expand mutual cooperation in the energy sector.
• Pakistan to increase electricity imports from Iran Press TV 08 Aug 2023 -- Pakistan's finance ministry says the country will increase its electricity imports from Iran to respond to growing demand for power in the country, especially in its key ocean port of Gwadar.
• Indonesia again delays launch of China-funded high-speed railway Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- The launch of Indonesia's first high-speed railway has been delayed yet again, the consortium building the China-funded line, which is over budget and already four years behind schedule, announced Tuesday.
• 'Govi is not livable. Not anymore' Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2023 -- In the remote Govi steppe, Mongolian herder Orkhontuya Oyun and her husband constantly move with their livestock in search of rain.