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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• July 2023 Month in Review: The Defeat ISIS Mission in Iraq and Syria CENTCOM 09 Aug 2023 -- During the month of July 2023, U.S. Central Command, along with coalition and other partners, conducted a total of 31 D-ISIS operations, resulting in 5 ISIS operatives killed and 30 detained.

Defense Policy / Programs

• President Biden Signs Executive Order on Addressing United States Investments In Certain National Security Technologies And Products In Countries Of Concern The White House 09 Aug 2023
• Letters to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern The White House 09 Aug 2023
• Executive Order on Addressing United States Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern The White House 09 Aug 2023
• Global Exercise Tests 25,000 Sailors and Marines in a Live, Virtual, and Constructive Training Environment US Navy 09 Aug 2023 -- The Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2023 is underway. LSE 2023 is a massive exercise conducted by U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR/ NAVAF), integrated with respective Marine, numbered fleet forces and staffs, and supported by available joint and combined enablers.
• Vietnam Marks First Stop for Pacific Partnership 2023 US Navy 09 Aug 2023 -- Pacific Partnership has returned to Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam, August 9, to commence the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Introductory speech of Russian Defence Minister at Defence Ministry Board session Russia MoD 09 Aug 2023
• Taiwan to carry out a precision missile drill Aug. 15-17 CNA 09 Aug 2023 -- Taiwan's Air Force and Navy will jointly conduct their annual live-fire exercise using air-to-air and anti-ship missiles in waters off Taiwan's southeastern coast for three days from Aug. 15, according to a military source.
• Learning from our Pacific families Australia DOD 09 Aug 2023 -- Battle Group Ram conducted battle-prep on a dusty Star Airfield waiting for CH-47 Chinook helicopters to insert them into an abandoned quarry 500 metres from Objective Horse.
• VISIT OF INDIAN SHIPS TO PORT RASHID DUBAI (08 - 11 AUG 23) India PIB 09 Aug 2023 -- Indian Navy's frontline platforms INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand under the Command of RAdm Vineet McCarty, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, are visiting the port Rashid, Dubai from 08 to 11 August 2023
• Iran develops technology to manufacture supersonic cruise missiles: Report Press TV 09 Aug 2023 -- Military experts and technicians at the Iranian Defense Ministry have reportedly developed the technology to domestically design and manufacture a sophisticated cruise missile capable of traveling at high supersonic speeds.
• Israeli military says war readiness harmed by protesting reservists Press TV 09 Aug 2023 -- The Israeli military says its readiness has been hampered by thousands of reservists who are vowing to refuse to report for volunteer duty in protest against controversial judicial overhaul spearheaded by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• National Armed Forces join the UN Interim Force in Lebanon Latvia MOD 09 Aug 2023 -- Troops of National Armed Forces of Latvia have left for Lebanon to join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
• Change of command and rotation at the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group at Rukla Lithuania MND 09 Aug 2023 -- August 9, change of command and contingent ceremony took a place at the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group (NATO eFP BG) at the Lithuanian Great Hetman Jonušas Radvila Training Regiment (Rukla): LT Col Lars Neitzel handed over the command of the multinational unit to his successor German Army Lt Col Andreas Kirchner.
• A look at the Defence news 1 - 6 August Netherlands Ministry of Defence 09 Aug 2023
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2023
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2023

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Aug. 9, 2023

Other Conflicts

Ukraine Conflict News
• Taliban's War on Drugs Going Strong, for Now VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- De facto Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are presenting an impressive list of achievements in the fight against narcotics about a year after their reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, outlawed drug production.
• Philippines, US to launch joint South China Sea patrols this year: official Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2023 -- The Philippines and the United States are set to launch joint patrols in the South China Sea this year amid heightened tensions in the region stoked by China's increasing aggressiveness, a senior official in Manila said Wednesday.
• Death of Islamic State Leader Not Seen as Diminishing Long-Term Threat VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- U.S. military and intelligence officials are wary of writing off the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria despite a series of setbacks that has seen the terror group lose fighters, senior leaders and yet another would-be caliph.
• UN: Deal reached with Syria to reopen main border crossing from Türkiye UN News 09 Aug 2023 -- A deal has been reached with the Government of Syria to reopen the main border crossing from Türkiye to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
• Syria's Assad says will not meet Erdogan, insists on Turkish troops withdrawal Press TV 09 Aug 2023 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has once again ruled out the possibility of a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, insisting on the withdrawal of Turkey's occupation forces from his country.
• Syria and UN Agree on Bab al-Hawa Crossing to Opposition Areas VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- The United Nations said late Tuesday that it had reached agreement with the Syrian government on the use of a border crossing from Turkey into northwest Syria.
• Negotiated solution only way to end Sudan war: senior UN official UN News 09 Aug 2023 -- Ongoing mediation efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in Sudan are critical, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday, warning against the risk of prolonged ethnic conflict.
• UN Urges Negotiated Solution for Sudan Conflict VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- A senior United Nations official for Africa called Wednesday for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Sudan, saying there is no alternative.
• Health Conditions Deteriorate as More People Flee Sudan VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- U.N. agencies warn health conditions are deteriorating in Sudan and neighboring countries as growing numbers of people flee escalating fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
• Sudan is now one of the worst countries in the world for humanitarian access: UK statement at the Security Council UK FCDO 09 Aug 2023 -- Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.
• Ms. Edem Wosornu, Director, Operations and Advocacy Division, on Behalf of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths - Briefing to the Security Council on the Humanitarian Situation in Sudan UNOCHA 09 Aug 2023
• Roadside Explosion Kills at Least Six in Somalia VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- At least six people were killed and 12 others were injured when a roadside explosion hit a minibus in southern Somalia on Wednesday morning, the local governor says.
• Kosovar PM Welcomes European, U.S. Warning Against 'Belgrade-Centered' Policy RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in Pristina on August 9 that he welcomed a letter this week from dozens of European and U.S. legislators to the top EU, U.S., and U.K. envoys urging the international community to avoid a "Belgrade-centered policy for the Balkans."
• Karabakh Leader Appeals To International Community Over Azerbaijani Blockade RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- YEREVAN -- The ethnic Armenian leader of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutiunian, has issued an urgent appeal to the international community, asking for immediate action to lift a de facto blockade imposed by Azerbaijan and prevent what he called "the genocide of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh."

News Reports

• Two US Navy Sailors, Alleged Spies, Ruled Flight Risks in Pretrial Hearing VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- Two Navy sailors who allegedly spied for China appeared in separate federal courts in California on Tuesday for pretrial detention hearings, days after being arrested and accused of providing sensitive government information to intelligence officials from the People's Republic of China (PRC).
• Prosecutor Sought Trump Twitter Information in Secret January Search Warrant VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith obtained a secret search warrant last January for information from former U.S. President Donald Trump's Twitter account, court records showed Wednesday. A judge fined the social media company $350,000 for failing to quickly comply.
• United States Sanctions Three Sinaloa Cartel Fentanyl Traffickers US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2023 -- Today, as part of the United States whole-of-government strategy to tackle the nation's overdose epidemic, and in close coordination with the Government of Mexico, the United States is designating three Sinaloa Cartel members involved in the illicit trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly drugs.
• Treasury Sanctions Three Notoriously Violent Sinaloa Cartel Operators US Treasury 09 Aug 2023 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three Sinaloa Cartel members involved in the illicit trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly drugs. 
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2023
• Niger Junta Defies ECOWAS and International Community Pressure VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- It's been three days since coup leaders in Niger ignored a deadline by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to return Niger to civilian rule or face serious repercussions, including the possible use of force.
• Former Niger Rebel Leader Launches Group to Oppose Junta VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- Two Nigerian envoys traveled to the Niger capital for talks Wednesday as a former rebel leader and Niger politician launched a movement opposing the military junta that seized power two weeks ago — the first sign of organized resistance to army rule in the West African country.
• Niger junta meets with Nigerian envoys, raising hopes of dialog Press TV 09 Aug 2023 -- Officials with Niger's military junta, which has been holding onto power since a recent coup, have met with two Nigerian envoys, raising hopes of dialog that could avert the prospect of military intervention aimed at overturning the putsch.
• Niger's military accuses France of violating air space, destablizing country Press TV 09 Aug 2023 -- Niger's junta has accused France of violating its airspace in a bid to destabilize the West African country.
• Niger's new govt. snubs talks offer by African blocs after military threat as US keeps troops there Press TV 09 Aug 2023 -- Niger's new military government has rebuffed latest talks offer by Western-backed African Union (AU) and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) following the expiration of their initial military action threat against the nation as the US military insists on keeping its forces in Niger amid fear of a potential intervention.
• Telephone conversation with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev President of Russia 09 Aug 2023 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
• Lithuania hands a diplomatic note of protest to Russia's representative Lithuania MFA 09 Aug 2023 -- On 9 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy and handed a diplomatic note expressing a strong protest over the actions of the representatives of the Russian Federation institutions regarding the Cultural Centre of the Lithuanian diplomatic mission in Moscow (The House of Jurgis Baltrušaitis).
• Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question concerning statements by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09 Aug 2023
• Prominent U.S. Senator Calls On Kyrgyzstan To Uphold International Sanctions Against Russia RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) has called on Kyrgyzstan to uphold international sanctions against Russia for its unprovoked war against Ukraine and urged the Central Asian country to stop its violations of human rights.
• Niger Coup Puts West In Tough Spot As Wagner Eyes More Africa Opportunities RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- After a series of coups swept across Africa's impoverished Sahel states over the past three years, leading to a larger Russian military presence, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in March made a historic trip to Niger, Washington's key ally in the region.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Wang Yi's Upcoming Visit to Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia PRC MofA 09 Aug 2023
• Biden issues order regulating investment in China Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued an executive order regulating American investments in China's microchip, quantum computing and artificial intelligence industries.
• US Restricts High-Tech Investment in China VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday to impose restrictions on U.S. investments in some high-tech industries in China.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Visit to Xinjiang by Members of the Diplomatic Corps in China PRC MofA 09 Aug 2023
• China In Eurasia Briefing: The Wider Strategy Behind China's Ukraine Diplomacy RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on Japanese Politician Taro Aso's Visit to Taiwan and His Irresponsible Comments PRC MofA 09 Aug 2023
• PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Aug.9, 2023 ROC MND 09 Aug 2023
• Efforts to Minimize Typhoon and Downpour Damage Brisk in Light Industry of DPRK KCNA 09 Aug 2023 -- The light industry sector of the DPRK is dynamically organizing and conducting the work to minimize damage by typhoon and downpour.
• Iran submits documents to IAEA on two disputed sites IRNA 09 Aug 2023 -- The Islamic Republic has submitted documents to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the two remaining sites where the agency had alleged traces of enriched uranium were found, Iran's nuclear chief has announced.
• US Treasury secretary tasked with war on Iran: IRGC deputy chief IRNA 09 Aug 2023 -- The deputy chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the American official responsible for the war against Iran is the Treasury secretary rather than the defense secretary.
• Iran to build petrochemical complex in oil-rich Khuzestan IRNA 09 Aug 2023 -- Iran will soon begin construction of a new chemical and petrochemical complex in Omidiyeh City, Khuzestan Province, according to a top official.
• Military reshuffling aims to keep Myanmar's ruling junta in place for the long term Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2023 -- A recent reshuffling of top military personnel by the leader of Myanmar's junta is part of an effort to gain control of the entire governing apparatus and remain in power for years to come, analysts and observers said.
• Three months after cyclone, Myanmar's Rakhine state still seeing little aid Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2023 -- About 1.6 million people in Rakhine state still haven't received sufficient humanitarian aid almost three months after one of the worst cyclones to hit Myanmar in a decade, aid workers and local residents told Radio Free Asia.
• U.S. Expands Sanctions Targeting Belarusian State Entities On Anniversary Of 'Fraudulent' Election RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- The United States issued new sanctions against several Belarusian entities and individuals on August 9, the third anniversary of the 2020 presidential election that kept authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka in power.
• Imposing Sanctions and Visa Restrictions to Hold the Lukashenka Regime to Account on the Third Anniversary of the Fraudulent Presidential Election in Belarus US Dept. of State 09 Aug 2023 -- Today marks three years since the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus and the Alyaksandr Lukashenka regime's crackdown on the Belarusian people's demands for freedom. The United States continues to stand with the brave people of Belarus as they seek a country grounded in the rule of law, respect for human rights, and an accountable, democratically-elected government.
• U.S. Expands Sanctions on the Belarusian Regime, Marking the Three-Year Anniversary of the Fraudulent August 2020 Presidential Election US Treasury 09 Aug 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating eight individuals and five entities identifying one aircraft as blocked property on the three-year anniversary of the Belarusian authorities' falsification of the August 2020 presidential election and their callous crackdown on the Belarusian protest movement demanding fundamental freedoms. This action targets several entities involved in the Belarusian regime's continued civil society repression, complicity in the Russian Federation's unjustified war in Ukraine, and enrichment of repressive Belarusian regime leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka. This action is taken alongside other recent actions of our partners and Allies, further highlighting the unified view that Belarus's prolonged subjugation of its people and its continued support of Russia's war against Ukraine remain a global concern.  
• Canada imposes additional sanctions on third anniversary of Belarus's fraudulent presidential elections Canada 09 Aug 2023 -- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against 9 individuals and 7 entities under the Special Economic Measures Act. These sanctions are part of the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations and are being imposed in response to the ongoing gross and systematic violations of human rights occurring in Belarus.
• Third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus: Minister for Europe statement UK FCDO 09 Aug 2023 -- Minister for Europe Leo Docherty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Belarus.
• Belarusian Opposition Says 'Truth On Our Side' On Third Anniversary Of Disputed Presidential Poll RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- On August 9, the third anniversary of the presidential election in Belarus that was followed by unprecedented protests against authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka and a mass crackdown on dissent, the leader of the exiled opposition, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, vowed that "the truth is on our side."
• Pakistani PM Orders Parliament Dissolved As Country Moves Toward Elections RFE/RL 09 Aug 2023 -- Pakistani President Arif Alvi ordered parliament dissolved late on August 9 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the country moves toward a general election by mid-November with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country's top opposition leader, in prison on a corruption conviction.
• Purported Text of Secret Cable Shows US Ire at Imran Khan VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- The United States said Wednesday it had objected privately and publicly to last year's visit to Russia by Pakistan's then-prime minister, Imran Khan, but rejected allegations that Washington had played a role in his removal from power weeks later.
• Pakistan: Gas Pipeline Project With Iran on Track VOA 09 Aug 2023 -- Pakistan said Wednesday it is "actively engaged" with Iran to try to dissuade it from pursuing international arbitration over constructing a major gas pipeline to link the two nations, rejecting recent media claims that the multibillion-dollar project has been shelved.
• Cambodia's Hun Sen denies that cabinet reshuffle is meant to consolidate power Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2023 -- Cambodia's leader Hun Sen Wednesday stressed that an upcoming Cabinet reshuffle has nothing to do with infighting among the leaders of his ruling Cambodian People's Party, or CPP.
• Vietnam says there are no Montagnards in its Central Highlands Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2023 -- Almost one year after the Vietnamese government received a United Nations communication regarding rights violations toward an ethnic minority group from the Central Highlands, Hanoi issued a letter of reply saying the ethnic group does not exist.